Page 98 of A Winter By the Sea
“Hmm,” Emily murmured, not sure what to think. Her sisters had often accused her of flirting indiscriminately, sometimes unknowingly. She should not jump to conclusions about this girl. Charles may have misjudged her intentions.
“Any other questions?” he asked, the light of challenge again in his eyes.
She regarded him somberly. “I have many questions. Probably few you’d like to answer.”
His brow furrowed, and he took a step nearer, his expression softening. “Emily, I realize I disappointed you in the past, but I hope you know you can still trust me.”
Could she? She slowly nodded.
He glanced at the mantel clock. “Well, I had better return to the hotel. I should not miss dinner with my parents again. The ball is tomorrow, so I will see you then, yes?”
Again she nodded. He reached out and pressed her hand. “I am looking forward to it.”
For most of her life, Emily had trusted Charles implicitly. Did she still? A conversation she’d had with Mr. Thomson came to mind, about history being “fact,” and her rebuttal that histories were an author’s interpretation of facts. Sometimes there were glaring discrepancies when two people experienced and later described the same events, whether by mistake or a difference in perspective.
Emily decided she believed Charles was telling her the truth. At least, his version of it.
———
After Charles left, Georgie came back downstairs, eager to talk over the fencing match.
A short while later, Mr. Thomson came down as well, washed and dressed in his usual gentlemen’s attire, and joined them in the parlour.
He said to Georgie, “I hope seeing your supposed teacher lose today did not disappoint you overmuch.”
“Not at all,” Georgie replied. “I thought you were both magnificent. In fact, I am more determined than ever to learn all I can.”
“I am glad to hear it.”
“Perhaps tomorrow?” Georgie suggested.
Thomson grinned. “I admire your spirit.”
“Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to tell Mamma all about it.” Georgiana hurried from the room.
When the two were alone, Emily said, “I asked Mr. Parker about the rivalry between you. Over a lady, it seems, as much as fencing?”
“I am surprised he told you.”
She summarized what Charles had told her about the young woman.
His eyes widened even as his dark eyebrows drew low. “He said that?”
“Yes. Why?”
James shook his head. “Miss Moulton did not flirt with ‘several fellows.’ She was a sweet, genteel young lady. I received her father’s permission to call on her and even to write to her. And despite what Parker told you, shedidreturn my regard, at least initially. But once he began to show her attention...” Again he shook his head, expression rueful. “And why wouldshe not be smitten? Eldest son and heir. Good-looking. Confident. After meeting him, she quickly changed toward me. Became distant.”
Emily knew how that felt. “Did you love her?”
James considered the question. “I cannot honestly say I loved her, as our acquaintance was not of long duration. Yet I thought ... and believed ... we would fall in love—in time. But it was not to be. Parker began courting her, and my hopes for the future were dashed. He even introduced her to his parents.”
Did he?A painful lump lodged in Emily’s throat. Charles had not mentioned it.
“But his attentions toward Miss Moulton did not last long.”
“Why not?”
James shrugged. “I gathered his mother did not approve. Beyond that, I don’t know the particulars. I do know he cut Miss Moulton’s acquaintance and she broke her heart over it. You may not believe me, but I felt no satisfaction—I did not like seeing her hurt.”
