Chapter 9 #3
Some part of Emily wanted to share her secret about her father but decided against it. If Blair was interested in a bit of romance, he might hesitate if he knew her father was a fugitive. Instead, she just said, “He doesn’t live with us.” Emily sighed. “We don’t like to talk about it.”
Blair placed his hand on top of hers. “Terribly sorry.”
“No worries. I’m used to it now.” She wasn’t, but it was something she kept telling herself. A missing father and a missing twin. If she spent more time on either, she would be a basket case. She smiled to reassure him.
“When do you think you’ll be coming back to Cambridge?”
“I haven’t gotten that far yet. I’m surprised I got my mother a gift!” She chuckled.
“I think I’ll be back the week after Christmas,” he said.
“Not spending New Year’s with your family?”
“Five days of joy will be about all I can stand.” He grinned.
“So, tell me about the seat of Scottish Enlightenment.” Emily was referring to Edinburgh.
“You’ve been, haven’t you?”
“Yes. Last August I visited the arts festival but didn’t have a lot of time to see the rest of the city.”
Blair relaxed in his chair. “Edinburgh Castle is one of the oldest fortified places in Europe. It sits atop an extinct volcano.”
“It’s hard to imagine a volcano here,” Emily said thoughtfully, “but I know they existed millions of years ago.”
“Castle Rock, which is called a volcanic plug, serves as the foundation for Edinburgh Castle.”
Emily already knew this, but she enjoyed listening to him talk about his home city.
They chatted for over an hour, then Blair suggested they meet for dinner later that evening to celebrate with some holiday cheer before they both departed.
Emily couldn’t hide her smile as she readily accepted his invitation.
They agreed to meet at the same place where they had their White Russians. “Good pub food before I get to my sister-in-law’s wretched cuisine.”
Emily laughed. “How bad is it?”
“I’m thinking about packing a few meat pies in my bag.” Blair chuckled. “Otherwise, I might lose a few pounds.”
Emily didn’t think he needed to lose anything but went along with his jesting. “Yeah. You’re looking a bit porky there.”
He sat up tall and patted his stomach. “You don’t really think so. Do you?”
Emily laughed out loud. “Don’t be ridiculous. Of course not!”
“I try to stay in shape playing cricket.” Blair failed to mention he was an athlete, but Emily suspected as much.
“Do you play often?”
“I belong to the CUCC.” Blair was referring to the Cambridge University Cricket Club.
“You don’t!” Emily wasn’t surprised that he belonged to the club. She was simply surprised that she knew nothing about it. “Why don’t I know this?”
“Because I’m not very good?” he answered her question with a question. He was undeniably modest about his skillset.
“Perhaps you will invite me to a game?”
“And ruin my impeccable reputation?” Blair teased.
“You are assuming you have one,” Emily said slyly.
Blair nodded. “Touché.” He cleared his throat. “I must go back to my office and do some work before we have dinner later. Do you mind if I meet you at the restaurant?”
“Not at all. It’s only a few blocks. I think I can manage,” she said with a grin.
They departed the café, and Emily thanked him again for her fragrant holiday bouquet and walked to her flat.
Several hours later they were back in the quiet pub. Blair was already there, sitting at the same front table. He had a pensive expression on his face. He glanced up when Emily approached the table, stood, and pulled a chair out for her.
“Hello again.” Emily smiled at him and the waiter who was approaching the table. “What is your pleasure this evening?” the waiter asked.
“What do you recommend?” Blair asked.
“The hunter’s chicken looks rather scrumptious,” he said, with his pencil and pad poised and ready to strike.
“How is your shepherd’s pie?” Emily asked. It was one of her favorite dishes.
Blair leaned closer. “Are you a shepherd’s pie aficionado?”
“Clearly,” Emily said. “I plan to try shepherd’s pie in every shire in all of England.”
“Fascinating. How many have you reviewed?”
Emily thought for a moment. “Perhaps six. Maybe seven.”
“Is this part of your research as well?” Blair asked.
“I suppose it’s my nature.” Emily glanced at the menu to check if there were other options she might fancy, but ultimately settled on her favorite—shepherd’s pie.
“Drinks?” the waiter asked.
Blair gestured to Emily, who answered, “A pint. It goes with the pie.”
When the waiter was out of range, Emily noticed Blair’s expression was pensive. “A penny for your thoughts.”
He readjusted himself in his chair. “I’ve very much enjoyed your company during this autumn term.”
Emily thought she might scream: Just say it! Whatever it is! She took a long inhale. As someone who planned to be a solicitor, he better learn to put on his big boy pants and just do what he has to do.
“I was wondering if you will be back for New Year’s, and if so, would you like to spend it with me and a few of my friends?”
Emily blinked several times. She cocked her head and stared into his deep emerald eyes. “That sounds delightful.” She paused. “What do you have in mind?”
“I have friends in London who host an annual party at The Savoy.”
“Ooh, fancy.” Emily raised her eyebrows. “Should I rent a ball gown?” She was half kidding.
Blair snickered. “No, they rent a suite.”
“Yes, fancy.” Emily leaned forward. “Tell me more.”
“They’re involved in UK hospitality,” Blair explained. “I suppose they can call it a business expense,” he joked.
“Sounds divine. But seriously, what is the dress code?” Emily’s mind was racing through her meager closet.
“Nothing ostentatious or gaudy.”
“What a relief. I don’t believe I have anything in my wardrobe that would fit that description,” Emily said with a straight face.
“I would think not,” Blair quipped. “But I am certain you will be lovely.”
It was Emily’s turn to clear her throat. “Seriously, give me a hint. What will you be wearing?”
“The traditional crested blazer, collared shirt, trousers.”
“No socks or shoes?” Emily was enjoying their banter.
“Socks with sandals,” Blair joked.
Emily snorted. “That really should be against the law.”
“I agree. It will be tasseled loafers and socks.”
“Thank goodness. Sounds to be fun.”
“It usually is. Fun and well-behaved, if you can believe they can coexist.”
“What a concept.” Emily cackled. “I suppose we should make plans to meet.”
“And a place to stay,” Blair said, matter-of-fact.
Emily got a lump in her throat. Of course they would spend the night. Taking a train back to Cambridge in the wee hours would be dreadful.
“My friend Bart offered a room at his house, but I didn’t think it would be appropriate.” Blair must have sensed her uneasiness. “I can secure two rooms at The Savoy if you’d like.”
Emily blinked several times again. She hesitated. She surely couldn’t afford the price tag and was unsure how to approach the situation.
Blair made it quite easy. “Of course you would be my guest.”
“That is too kind. And generous.” Emily knew The Savoy rooms were quite pricey. She couldn’t imagine how much two rooms would cost.
“It would be my pleasure.” Blair touched her wrist. “It’s my way of returning the favor of your invitation to the Christmas market.”
Emily was speechless. Sitting before her was a gentleman and a scholar. She thought of pinching herself. Emily was raised with impeccable manners and was taught to be gracious when someone paid you a compliment or made a generous gesture. “It would be my pleasure to join you.”
“Excellent. Then it’s settled. We can take the train from Cambridge around noon and return the following day. Does that meet with your approval?”
“Very much so.” Emily was gobsmacked. This would be her first real New Year’s party as an adult.
Ever since her father vanished she had spent New Year’s Eve with her mum, hoping her father would come flying through the door making it an incredibly happy New Year.
But he never came. Perhaps this change in her routine would set the course for a new approach to life.
Of course there were her studies, but spending time with Blair made her realize how important companionship is.
It was extremely clear that Blair wanted more than a friendship, and Emily was very okay with that. Once again, she wondered how much information about her life she could or should share with Blair. She certainly didn’t want him to think she and her family were dodgy.
“My turn.” Blair stirred her from her musings. “A penny for your thoughts.”
Emily waited until the waiter placed the pints on the table.
“There is something I carry around with me every day,” she began. “Not anything physical.” She realized she may have sounded like there were bats in her belfry. “Before you think I’ve lost the plot, we have a big secret in our family.”
Blair furrowed his brow. “You’re not related to Jack the Ripper by any chance.” He noticed immediately from Emily’s expression that she did not appreciate the attempt at humor.
“That might be better, actually.” Emily was being sardonic, which Blair understood.
“Terribly sorry. Please continue. But only if you want to.”
Emily decided to share her secrets with this man. If he was going to judge her then so be it. But if he was the man she had begun to know and appreciate, she could feel safe sharing it with him. So, she hoped.
“When I told you that my father doesn’t live with us, that much is true.” She took a swig of courage from her mug. “He went on the lam. There were some dreadful people after him. Or so I’ve been told. Powerful people. He was concerned for our safety and left in the dark of night.”
Blair’s heart softened. “That’s bloody awful.” He took her hand. “When did this happen?”
“About ten years ago.” Emily’s eyes were misty. “We get notes and packages every month, but they’re unmarked.”
“Unmarked?” Blair asked.
“Someone delivers them to our front door.”
Blair looked stupefied. “And you don’t know who it is?”