Page 26 of To Heal a Broken Earl
Hastings looked from one to the other. It was obvious to Michael that the man didn’t believe the story. Nevertheless, heknew Hastings would keep his thoughts to himself. The valet leaned down and helped him up. “I should take him to his room and take care of this leg, my lady,” he said.
Together, Hastings and Emma helped Michael up and walked him back upstairs to his room. As they stood there, Emma asked, “Do you need anything else?”
“I don’t think so,” he replied, his voice thick with reluctance, each word heavy on his tongue. The truth was that he was mentally preparing to walk away from the warmth of her presence. He stifled a grimace, fighting against the sharp twinge of pain in his leg that mingled with the frustration of not being able to kiss her once more. Hastings would see to his leg, he reassured himself, but for the moment, all he could focus on was her.
She gently brushed her fingers across her lips and looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes. The lingering memory of their passionate kisses in those few, too-brief moments they had been alone felt like a sweet ache he couldn’t reach, nearly pushing him to the brink of vexation. Her lips were still swollen from their kisses only minutes earlier, and her beautiful violet eyes held the same innocent look they had when she’d landed on top of him.
“Goodnight, Emma.” His words felt forced, even to him. It was impossibly unfair to have been so close to the object of his longing and desire.
“Goodnight, Michael,” she replied, two fingers to her swollen lips.
As Hastings closed the door, Michael stared at it, loathing the thick, carved wood that separated him from Emma. He knew there would be no sleep for the rest of the night, and it wouldn’t have anything to do with the pain in his leg.
~*~
Chapter Eleven
The next morning
My God! He kissed me.And Ilovedit.
Emma lay in her bed, staring up at the ceiling, exhaustion demanding that she stay there and force herself to sleep longer. She let out a long sigh. “It won’t matter how long I stay in bed,” she admitted a little above a whisper. “I know I won’t sleep another wink.”
So much had happened the day before that when she closed her eyes, memories of the day and night spiraled vividly through her mind. Just the thought of Michael’s smoldering kiss sent waves of pleasure rippling through her body. Closing her eyes, she replayed the scene in her mind—how he had caught her as she fell to the floor of his library and then kissed her. While her lips tingled from the memory of his touch, it was her heart that couldn’t let go.
What would have happened if Hastings hadn’t shown up?A wave of excitement shot through her as she recalled the sense of frustration over being separated from Michael.
He’d kept his promise to her, and they’d spent an entire day in the attic, combing through the trunks and attic space looking for things that Emma could use in redecorating. He was the easiest man to be around, Emma decided. Despite a sometimes-gruff demeanor, she found Michael a caring, honorable man—a man she was realizing more and more that she wanted to be around.
There had been so much to look at, but it was the beautiful veil that stole her attention. While nothing identified exactly who it had belonged to, Emma had the feeling it had been Michael’s grandmother’s. It was the loveliest bridal creation she could remember seeing. Fitful dreams of it had driven her fromher bed after hours of trying to sleep. In her dream, she ran and laughed, wearing the veil that flowed beautifully behind her as she dashed through a flower-filled meadow.
Was itherwedding she kept dreaming of? No matter how hard she tried, Emma couldn’t make sense of the dreams. Each time she closed her eyes, the dream repeated itself. And each time she revisited the dream, she struggled to see the dress that matched her veil, only to end up disappointed. To make matters worse, she heard deep male laughter in the background, but she couldn’t recognize who it was.
Her obsessive thoughts of that veil, coupled with her exhaustion from the day’s events, should have been enough to lull her to sleep. But her tingling lips kept her awake.Michael kissed me,her heart sang over and over. No matter her other thoughts, this was the one she clung to.
She heard voices in the hall and the bark of a dog. “I should get up,” she murmured. “I cannot lie here and dream of yesterday and waste the day before me. And if I don’t get out of bed, the two of them will bound in here and take over my bed.” Sitting up, she swung her feet over the side of the bed into the worn slippers, an act that reminded her of a few hours ago, when she had gone to the study for a book to help her sleep.
A knock sounded on her door, and she reached for her wrapper as Doris entered the room with Katie at her side.
“My lady, you’ve received a letter,” the maid said, handing the correspondence to Emma. “Stanhope asked that I bring it to you immediately. I should return downstairs to watch for the modiste.”
Emma gave a quick nod, and the maid left the room, leaving her alone with Katie and the dog.
“My sister!” she said, clasping the letter to her chest. A tremor of excitement rushed through her. She had missed her sister so much. Emma patted the bed next to her, signaling forKatie to climb up. Once the girl snuggled beneath Emma’s arm, Finn jumped onto the bed and tucked himself against Katie, as Emma broke the seal on the letter.
“I miss my mama and daddy, Auntie,” Katie said, a hint of sorrow in her voice.
“It appears Finn is trying to comfort you, Katie,” Emma said tenderly, unfolding the letter.
“He’s my best friend, Auntie. I can’t wait for him to meet Mummy and Daddy,” Katie said, hugging Finn tight.
“Let’s see what Mummy has to say, little one,” Emma said, feeling a tear slide down her cheek.
Dearest Emma and Katie,
Martin and I heard the horrible news about our home. Please don’t worry about anything, Emma, and no servant was injured. We know you are prone to worry, but the most important thing is that the two of you are safe. As I understand it, you are both in Sussex, staying at Lord Wilton’s manor house. Lord Wilton is an honorable man and will keep the two of you safe until we can join you.
We would come immediately, but the most important thing for us to do is find another home for all of us. It may be a few more weeks before we can be there. Martin’s parents have asked that we stay, and since things have gone better than usual, we have indeed agreed to stay for a little while. We miss you both terribly.
