Page 60 of Playing the Scoundrel

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Emma danced around the ballroom with a kind gentleman whose name she could not recall, for any turn in step gave her the opportunity to glance around the room. Mrs. Dunn sat in the corner with her friends per usual, and Mr. Bernard had not yet arrived, but his was not the face she was searching for. It had been many days since she had seen or heard from Henry, which left her wondering if she needed to be suspicious. Did he often gift expensive family heirlooms to women and then disappear from the face of the earth? But no, she was determined to believe he had changed, and for the better. Besides, he was not formally courting her, so he owed her no explanation of his whereabouts. But that was precisely the thing she wanted to discuss with him.

Trying to find the right way to express her feelings made her increasingly nervous, which meant she repeatedly tripped over her feet during the dance just thinking about it. She had already rejected him rather harshly; was she so prideful to think that he would willingly risk hurting himself again? But they had grown so close now, knowing each other the way they did. It only made sense that they would at least try to be together. But was he drawing the line at friends and nothing more?

She needed to know. Before she made a decision about Mr. Bernard, she needed to know how Henry felt. If he wanted nothing to do with her after what she had done, that would help rationalize all her extreme emotions. But his recent actions had only given her reason to hope, so she would be patient.

Or as patient as possible, under the circumstances.

As if he materialized from her very thoughts, she finally spotted him. It seemed rude to her current dance partner, but she could not look away. Henry was conversing with another gentleman, dressed very fine in a black jacket and breeches, with a dark green waistcoat. His longer hair did not seem so offensive to her as it had once before, and now framed his face in quite an attractive, stylish manner. He hadn’t noticed her yet, but he had captured her every attention, setting her heart racing at the sight. If he was present, then she would have to try and find a moment with him. She would have to test the waters and confess the scariest truth she bore.

Once the dance was done, her dance partner bowed and escorted her back to Mrs. Dunn, who was surrounded by talkative guests. Emma tried not to appear too obvious in waiting for Henry. But she was not left waiting long, for the crowds soon parted and he appeared before them with a bow.

“Good evening, Miss Follett, Mrs. Dunn. How well you both look tonight.”

“Flatterer,” Mrs. Dunn said with a wave of her hand, returning to converse with her friends.

Emma bobbed a curtsy. “You are very kind, Mr. Godwin.” She stepped forward, hoping not to appear as eager as she felt. “We’ve not seen you for some days now. I’ve missed you.”

He gave her a soft smile, turning her stomach to butterflies. “I’ve missed you, as well.”

This was enough to bolster her confidence and encourage her to proceed. “Would you take a turn with me? I have something I’d like to discuss with you.”

“Of course.” Henry offered her his arm, and Emma accepted it, finding it oddly comforting to have him so close as they walked across the room. Pressing through the crowds and up a grand staircase, he opened the doorway to a balcony where they were finally alone in the beautiful evening air.

“Should I be worried?” he asked in a low, teasing tone. “Last time we were alone in a place like this, it did not end well for either of us.”

She pressed a hand over his as they walked. “Of course not.” She hoped the night would have quite a different ending, in fact. “I still have space on my dance card if you’re seeking a partner this evening.” Emma was taken aback by her own boldness. Had she become as desperate as Laura around this man?

He gave her a small smile but shook his head. “I have no plans of dancing this evening, Emma.”

Hearing her name on his lips was still new and delicious, but there was something different about him. He was reserved, not nearly as jovial as he had been at dinner. “Is there something wrong?”

“I am well enough. What did you want to ask me?”

“No, please. You are free to confide in me as your friend.” She gave him her bravest smile, hoping they were still friends at least.

He sighed. “My father died, two nights ago.”

Emma pressed a hand to her heart. Not only for the shock, for it was the last thing she expected him to say, but also because it boxed up all the words she had planned for him. She could not expect him to rejoice in her feelings for him when he was mourning such a loss.

“Oh Henry, I’m so sorry.” Instinctively, she reached out and pressed her hand to his arm, and only then noticed the black band of mourning on his jacket. “Were you with him when he…?”

He nodded. “At the very last. We were able to share perhaps our first kind words in over a decade, but at least he was not alone.”

“I’m sure he was grateful for it.” She had no idea what his relationship with this father was like, but she could only hope it was for the better.

“I know I was.” Henry looked down, taking her hands in his, which caught her by surprise. “And I never would have been there if it weren’t for you.”

Emma’s breath hitched. “Me?”

His fingers intertwined with hers, holding her attention.

“You’ve brought about a great change in me. Helped me see better paths, expect better conduct from myself.”

His green eyes met with hers, stealing her breath away completely. This was a different man before her than the man she’d met months ago. And she was starting to see just how much she treasured him.

“I don’t have any unrealistic expectations. I know you need to marry well for your family, and you should do whatever is necessary to secure your own happiness. But whatever you have to tell me, I want you to know that these last weeks have not hindered my regard for you, for it has only increased. My desire for you has not changed. But if you must quit my company to be another man’s wife, then I will let you go with my highest respect and admiration.”

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