Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Lily's expression softened. "The fact that you're worried about that is exactly why you are."
"Partners, switch!" Madame Beaumont called.
This time I got Charity, who immediately pressed herself against me in a way that had nothing to do with proper dance form.
"You know," she purred, "if you ever get tired of slumming it..."
I carefully pushed her body off of mine, eyes darting to Emma in hopes she wasn’t watching this. "Emma is amazing,” I said firmly. “As far as I’m concerned, ‘slumming it’ would be taking you up on your offer.”
She laughed. "Please. That little mouse? I've seen how she looks at you—like she's terrified you'll break her heart. Is that really what you want? Someone so... fragile?"
I was saved from getting angry enough to make a scene by another partner change. Finally, Emma was back in my arms where she belonged.
"You okay?" I asked quietly. "What did Richard say to you?"
"Nothing important." But she wouldn't meet my eyes. “What was Charity saying?”
“Nothing important,” I echoed. “But I told her she could get lost, because I was already happy with you.”
“James…”
The music swelled, and I pulled her closer despite her resistance. "I miss you," I whispered against her hair.
She trembled slightly. "Don't."
"Why not?"
"Because... because I can't think straight when you're this close."
I smiled against her temple. "Good. Maybe we’ve both been doing too much thinking. Too much making simple things complicated. Maybe we should just—"
"Mr. Carter!" Madame Beaumont's voice cracked like a whip. "I am happy you’re not acting like this is a middle school dance, but I also won’t have any women getting pregnant on my dance floor! Find the balance, people!”
Emma tried to step back, but I kept her close. "Sorry, Madame. I got lost in the music."
"The music," she muttered. "Of course. And I suppose the music is also why your hand keeps sliding lower?"
Emma's eyes widened as she realized where my hand had drifted. She stomped on my foot—hard.
"Oops," she said sweetly. "I got lost in the music too."
I was still laughing when Madame Beaumont called the lesson to an end. The others filed out, but I caught Emma's arm before she could escape.
"We need to talk."
"I know… but I want to make sure I give this more thought. I’m not ready to talk about everything yet. Soon, I promise." She tried to pull away, but I held firm.
"Not about us. This is about the Wellingtons. I found something—"
"There you are!" Dick's voice made us both jump. "Emma, dear, father wants a word about the ceremony setup."
Emma shot me an apologetic look before following Dick out. I watched her go, the weight of what I'd discovered sitting heavy in my chest.
I had to tell her the truth about the Wellingtons.
But first, I had to figure out how to get her to stay in the same room with me long enough to listen.
25
EMMA
"Imean, just look at this." Lily emerged from behind a changing screen in her wedding dress, practically glowing. "It's like it was made for me."
I blinked back tears as I took in my baby sister. Sure, I’d already seen the dress when she picked it out, but the alterations were almost done now and it already looked so amazing. And she looked so, so happy.
The dress was everything she'd dreamed of—delicate lace overlay, subtle sparkle in the bodice, and a flowing skirt that made her look like an actual princess.
"You're beautiful," I managed.
Martha Wellington dabbed at her eyes with a monogrammed handkerchief. "Marcus won’t be able to resist you, Lily. I’m sure he’ll practically claw that dress off you as soon as you’re back to your room on the big night.”
Creepy, but okay. I had to give Martha a pass, because even pervy comments were an improvement over her usual personality.
The seamstress fussed with the hem while I circled Lily, checking every detail. The dress had needed minimal alterations, which was good since we were cutting it close. Everything had to be perfect.
Perfect. The word tasted bitter now.
"What's wrong?" Lily asked, catching my expression in the mirror.
"Nothing." I forced a smile. "Just thinking about last-minute details."
"Liar. You've got that look."
"What look?"
"The one you get when you're overthinking something." She turned to face me, careful of the pins sticking out of her dress at various places. "Is this about James?"
Martha's head snapped up with interest. I shot Lily a warning look, but she ignored me.
"Because if it is," she continued, "you should know he was asking about you this morning after our dance lessons. When I couldn’t tell him where you were, he looked like someone kicked his puppy."
"Lily..."
"What? I'm just saying, maybe you should talk to him. And maybe stop hiding in wedding preparations."
"I'm not hiding. I'm doing my job." Even I didn't believe that one.
"Uh huh." She raised an eyebrow. "Is that why you've scheduled back-to-back meetings for two days straight? I snooped in your planner when you were in the bathroom a few minutes ago,” she added at my confused expression.