Page 99 of Sense and Suitability
Simon’s blood pressure spiked. “She did what?”
Both children’s eyes widened at the sudden growl-like words that erupted from Simon’s throat.
“Where is Fia?” he demanded, half rising from his chair.
“She’s fine now,” Will replied quickly, clearly sensing Simon’s rising fury. “Aunt Aggie came to the rescue.”
“And nearly throttled Miss Hemston.” Lottie grinned, enjoying the memory. “Gave her such a tongue-lashing that the lady left in a hurry.”
Simon’s pulse returned to normal, and he lowered himself back into his chair. “I wish I could have seen that.” He chuckled. “And what would make the two of you think I planned to marry Miss Hemston?”
“Aren’t you?” Lottie’s eyes grew wide. “She seemed set on it.”
“I told you Simon wouldn’t be so daft.” Will rallied in Simon’s defense.
Simon’s smile brimmed.
“He was daft enoughnotto marry Emme.”
And... the smile completely disappeared. “Are the two of you settling my future then?”
“Aunt Aggie said you liked Emme before.” Lottie’s look brooked no denial. “And I think you like her still.”
“Which only proves he’s not daft.” Will nodded, giving Simon a reassuring look.
Lottie shot him a look of no confidence. “That all depends on what he does next.”
Ah, had these two jumped inside his head and tinkered with his thoughts, or did they see in Emme what he’d fallen in love with long before? Did they recognize what a good fit she’d be for... all of them?
“First of all, I appreciate the two of you coming to me with your concerns, and I want you to know that I have no intention of marrying Miss Hemston.”
Will sighed, but Lottie remained vigilant. “But you must marry someone. We know what Aunt Aggie said about the allowance.”
Far too many people knew the particulars of his life, and even more projected about his future. “And why do you suppose I should marry Miss Lockhart?”
“Because you like her,” Will answered, quite plainly.
And it was the truth. Simon didn’t only like Miss Lockhart—he loved her, ardently.
“Because she’s kind and smart.” Lottie spit out the words like achallenge. “And she likes you back, which is why we are trying to tell you quite plainly that we don’t care about the money.”
The realization pressed through Simon’s stubborn mind—Lottie and Will wanted to rescue him as much as he longed to rescue them. Even Fia, with her sweet “diamond” offering that day at the stream, had shown him that his little ramshackle family was perhaps not as broken and disconnected as he had feared. They all wanted the same thing for one another, and it wasn’t to restore Ravenscross to its former magnificent glory.
It was to find love.
His throat tightened as he looked from Will to Lottie, struggling to work the words through his emotions. “There’s a very real chance Miss Lockhart may not wish to marry me.”
“She’s too clever for that,” Lottie replied without hesitation. “I know she likes you. I saw the two of you—”
“Yes, quite,” Simon interrupted, his voice smooth as he stopped her from recounting the near kiss in the garden. “But I’ve hurt her.”
“You’ve done things to hurt us, and we’ve forgiven you,” Will said, the guileless look in those earnest eyes closing off Simon’s throat.
“And I’ve done things to hurt you, and you’ve forgiven me,” Lottie confessed, still in her defensive stance. “And Emme... well, she seems to be the sort who would forgive you too.”
And she had. But like a fool, he’d hurt her again.
How could he experience such profound gratitude for these children and such fearful loss of Emme all at the same time? Was his heart even big enough to hold it all? He shot a glance heavenward, his heart sending a half cry, half thanksgiving, before he gathered his wits to address those in the room.
