Chapter 24 #2
“Well, let’s count ourselves lucky,” Louisa said. “To the minerals!”
Theo frowned, but quickly disguised his expression and looked at the floor.
After the minerals—which were more exciting than the name implied and included an uncut aquamarine, its clear, light blue reminding Emmeline of a piece of glacier ice—followed a collection of coins, then terra-cotta vases.
They were meandering along, Emmeline fighting the desire to yawn—one could only look at so many vases in a single day—when someone bumped into them.
“Apologies” he said, Emmeline recognizing his voice before she looked up, and right as Louisa went, “Daniel?”
“Sister.” He stepped away to a suitable conversational distance. “I didn’t know you were here.”
Louisa pursed her lips, and Emmeline could tell she was dying to shoot back, “I knew you were,” but she didn’t.
“And Miss Marshall.” Daniel nodded to her.
Emmeline thought she’d been dreading this moment—or maybe looking forward to it—or maybe, was undecided about what exactly her emotions were—but the most surprising thing was that none of it happened.
Her stomach didn’t contract from nervousness, nor did her heart leap in joy.
She acknowledged that Daniel looked as good as always, his blue eyes shining, golden blond hair swept back in perfect waves, and …
She felt nothing.
But he was still a part of the family and would likely be less forgiving than Louisa, so she had to be careful. “Lord Farenham,” she greeted. “It’s a pleasure to see you. I hope—that is, not that I had the intention of seeking you—”
“Don’t fret, Miss Marshall.” He gave her a slight smile. “I don’t share my mother’s extreme views. I was angry at you at the time, but I must admit, your deception was not all for the worse.”
“Really?”
“He wants to say he’s glad he didn’t have to marry, after all.” Louisa pouted.
“You, too?” Daniel said to her.
“I could’ve had her as a sister!”
“Excuse me.” Theo brushed past them, leaving through the nearest door.
“I wasn’t aware your desires for a match preceded mine,” Daniel said.
“What desires? You never courted anyone!”
Frustrated, Emmeline blew out some air, figured it was no use intervening in that sibling fight, and rushed after Theo. As she rounded the corner, he was already walking briskly down the hallway decorated with Roman statues, each in their own alcove.
“Theo, wait!” He didn’t stop, but it wasn’t too hard for her to catch up. She pulled his sleeve. “Why did you leave like that?”
He pressed his mouth in a tight line. “Isn’t it obvious?”
“Well, yes, I’m getting a little tired of the vases, too. At least throw in a spear or something.”
“I don’t care about the vases, Emmeline.”
“That’s exactly my point.”
Theo sighed and reached into his pocket. “Here. Enjoy the next clue.” He handed her the pouch and continued to walk.
“So you’re just going to leave? Again?”
He turned back and spread his arms. “What else am I supposed to do?”
“Well, you—I—” She put her hands on her hips. “I don’t even know what the problem is!”
He closed his eyes, slowly shaking his head. “There’s no problem, Emmeline. Never mind.”
She approached until they were about a foot apart. “Is it Daniel? You only got annoyed when we ran into him.”
“I’m not annoyed.”
“Aren’t you?”
“Emmeline, just … go back. Please. There’s very little point to this. We got most of the clues, and I’m sure you can solve the last one. Your friend is back there, and as for Lord Farenham … well, you and him—”
“You’re telling me to pursue him?”
“You’re a cousin of a viscount—apparently—and he’d be a great match for anyone. With you already having feelings for him—”
“I have what?”
“Well, don’t you?” he bit off.
“No!”
“You were happy enough to kiss him in the study.”
“I was curious!” Before she could ask him how he knew about that, her frustration finally boiled to the surface. She glanced down the hallway—still empty—and then, flustered, back at Theo. “I don’t have feelings for Daniel, you goofus! I’m in love with you!”
Theo’s mouth froze, agape, ready but unable to make another argument.
Emmeline’s chest rose and fell rapidly, as if she’d sprinted across London, not made an untimely love confession. Great. She’d ruined it, and now Theo wouldn’t even want to be her friend anymore, not with how awkward she’d made it.
“Good,” Theo said. “Because that wasn’t him. It was me.” And he lunged forward, cupped her face, and kissed her.
She let out a half-surprised moan, drowned by his mouth.
“Emmeline,” he whispered, and she could swear her name never sounded like a prayer before.
She grabbed him by the lapels and pulled them from immediate view, into a nook behind a statue of a bearded, toga-clad man.
They almost crashed into the wall, but she welcomed its support, especially when her legs were already turning into jelly.
Gently, Theo explored inside her mouth; in response, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, half-climbing onto him, relishing every inch of her body pressed against his, even if it was coat against coat.
Actually, ignore those coats. She slipped her hand over his shoulder and continued down his chest, sliding along his waistcoat, underneath the cutaway …
“Emmeline,” he whispered again. She wished he’d keep saying her name forever, and keep kissing her, leading a trail down her throat, just like that—unbutton her coat—further, oh, she needed him down there—
“No. No!” The warmth left her as Theo pulled away, panting, looking as shocked as if she’d suddenly dropped from the sky. “I can’t. I …”
She laid a hand on her chest. Her heart’s rapid beat thundered against her ribs. What did she do wrong? “Theo …”
She stepped toward him; he caught her hands and pressed them to his lips. “I’m sorry. I can’t.”
“Why? Is it me? Am I not—”
“No. No, no.” He leaned his forehead to hers. “Emmeline, you’re … oh, you can’t even imagine.”
She held his gaze. Everything about him—how he touched her, how he looked at her—said he returned her feelings, but his words made no sense.
“I have to leave.” He sounded like he was resisting saying the words, but he let her go and walked away.