Proper Secrets (29 page)

“Really Peter, we have not played in months and are not likely to anytime soon,” said Emily.

“Indeed, Miss Emily and I were learning a duet before she had to leave so suddenly,” said Mr. Corey, “Perhaps we shall play it tonight?
 
Do you remember it, Miss Emily?”

The light of comprehension in Capt. Wingrave’s eyes made Emily feel as if she were about to be in the middle of a dog fight.

“I already knew it.
 
I was teaching you, remember Mr. Corey?”

“Yes, of course.
 
I’ve been practicing in anticipation of your return.
 
I hope that you’ll spend a great deal of time here in Dunbarrow now that you are in society here,” he said.

“I hope that she does not, for our family would miss her in Tripton,” said Peter.

“But, Miss Emily is too grown to have that much attachment to her home.
 
Indeed, some may think it is only a matter of time,” said Mr. Corey.
 
Emily could feel the heat leaving her skin as the three men stared each other down like statues that had grown eyes.

“Excuse me, I was on my way to greet our hostess,” said Emily.

“Allow me to escort you,” said Capt. Wingrave.
 
Mr. Corey narrowed his eyes, but Emily took the Captain’s arm.
 
Peter and Mr. Corey parted in their wake.

“Such interesting friends you’ve made,” said Capt. Wingrave.

“Mr. Corey is very attentive,” said Emily.

“To you, or your status?”

“What an assumption!
 
Apparently my myriad charms are only worthwhile to you.”

“Nonsense, but I very much doubt that a man like Mr. Corey can appreciate them to their fullest.”

“You speak very harshly for one whose last words were to tell me never to think of him again,” said Emily.

“I am still keeping my word to you.
 
And it matters not what I said, you take pleasure in doing the opposite, therefore you must have been thinking of me profusely.”
 
Emily’s mouth dropped open.

“I have spent my thoughts much more wisely than that, on those who can and have attached themselves to me,” she said.

“It is not by my doing that we are not attached.
 
Or do I need to ride off to battle and let the Sypass beat me senseless to prove my despair?”

“Do not shirk responsibility for this, it is by your actions, and those you choose to condone.”

“As you wish, Miss Worthing,” said Capt. Wingrave as he delivered her to Mrs. Annesley, then vanished into the crowd.
 
Emily politely chattered with her, and completely forgot to speak with Mr. Annesley.

Mr. Edward Annesley did not speak to Bridget until it would have been absolutely impolite to ignore her.
 
Her wounded countenance and weak smiles cut Emily to the bone as he addressed her.

“And Miss Bridget, how are you?” he said after paying his respects to Lord and Lady Worthing.

“I am well, sir, thank you,” she said.
 
With none of her usual vigor, Bridget made a pathetic impression.

“Good, good.
 
We here in Dunbarrow have been enjoying mild weather,” said Mr. Annesley.

“What a pity.
 
Not as much wind music,” said Bridget.
 
He gave a forced beat of laughter.

“Most people do not believe in wind music.
 
I hope you enjoy the evening,” he said, taking his leave.
 
He met Emily’s eyes as he left, and whatever he saw there startled him.
 
She could only imagine it to be an uncontrollable fury, breaching her practiced visage.

“Bridget,” she said, going to comfort her sister.

“It is alright, Emily.
 
I told you before, I want someone who will look at me with love forever, not just for a time,” said Bridget.
 
Dread swirled in the notes as musicians warmed up to play.
 
Emily whispered to herself that nothing hugely terrible could ensue if she begged forgiveness to stay with her sister.
 
No one could possibly argue that Bridget looked well.

“Emily, dear sister, let’s have a dance,” said Peter as he snuck up behind them.

“I…
 
I need to stay with Bridget,” said Emily.
 
Her excuse made no impression on him.

“Bridget has Mama, and I want to speak with you.
 
Come,” said Peter.
 
Of all the people in her life, Peter ignored her scowling the most.

“I will be fine for a bit without you, Emily.
 
Do not spoil the ball over me,” said Bridget.

“Fine, let us get this over with,” said Emily.
 
She glared and Peter smirked as they began the dance within sight of Capt. Wingrave, a slow, flowing performance.

“I do not like your friend,” said Peter.
 
He did not bother with a gentle lead into the conversation, just like him.

“Oh?
 
Which friend?
 
For I have many,” said Emily with no little snark implied.

“He is not the equal of certain other people,” said Peter, turning aside her play at sarcastic insensibility.

“Certain other people should not be as high in your estimation as they are.”

“As high, and more.
 
Being his second, I’ve seen all I need to know of Capt. Wingrave.
 
He is beside my father in wisdom, and just as honorable.”
 
Emily squinted at him.

“Should I take Mary Wingrave into my confidence and profess her to be a shining example of women then?
 
You are journeying toward traitorous remarks, sir,” said Emily.
 
Peter sighed.

“I know it must seem that way.
 
Again, I pose to you that we don’t know the whole story, and that perhaps the Wingraves have a just reason for their behavior,” said Peter.

“You don’t know,” Emily muttered.
 
Peter cocked his head.

“You do.
 
What is it?”

“It seems our family is just as guilty of keeping secrets.
 
Regardless, you are advising me to hurt a friend to please one who is not even that to me.
 
The wisdom of that rings hollow.”

“I am advising you not to overlook how much in love one is, while the other relishes in your convenience.
 
You will not tell me, what you know?”
 
The room spun despite the slow tempo, and Emily nearly stumbled.

“Let us not speak of love.
 
It cannot be satisfied, and may as well not exist.
 
It would bring us all less pain.
 
Do not apply to me for answers.
 
Ask your Captain,” said Emily.
 
Peter colored.

“I know my Captain, and that he thinks of you.
 
Do not slight him in a childish fit of revenge,” said Peter.
 
The earnest manner of his request kept Emily from storming away mid-dance, and sealed her lips against angry retorts.

“I loathe that you like him,” she said.
 
Peter laughed at her petulant pout.

“He has a host of good qualities, and is, I daresay, quite handsome in his green coat.”
 
Emily blushed and laughed.

“As you are, brother.
 
I almost never got to see it.
 
Take care to come back to Tripton wearing it and Mary may accept you yet if she ever returns to Reddester.”
 
Peter gave a half-hearted smile.

“If that was all it would take.
 
Besides, I would not ask again after being refused.”

“Then by your standards, Capt. Wingrave is lost to me,” said Emily.
 
Peter turned a sharp eye on her.

“You refused him?”

“I think so.
 
I cannot be certain he was really asking.”

“You should not have done so,” said Peter.

“You were not there, having the conversation we’d just had.
 
Don’t badger me, Peter.”
 
He gave an annoyed huff.
 
The dance ended and they walked toward Lady Worthing.

“If you--“ Peter started.

“Miss Worthing!
 
I have not seen you in ages!” cried Mr. Sharp, intercepting them.
 
Were it not for his genuine smile, Emily might have groaned at the appearance of him.

“Hello, Mr. Sharp, allow me to introduce my brother, Swtnt. Worthing.”
 
The men nodded, Mr. Sharp more jovial than Peter who suspected exactly the truth.

“How have you been in these weeks?
 
I had a fine hunt, but could do with another dance, if you’d consent to it and your brother is agreeable,” said Mr. Sharp.

“I have been very well, and Peter is agreeable, thank you,” said Emily, switching partners.
 
She did not give Peter time to object because she could see that he wanted to.
 
Mr. Sharp’s happy manners soon made her ignore the lecture Peter had delivered.
 
Emily had no obligation to slight others in favor of Capt. Wingrave after all that had happened.
 
She wasn’t accepting their proposals, just dancing and talking.

“I heard that you left Dunbarrow earlier than planned.
 
Mr. Corey was heartbroken for a few minutes until another party was had,” said Mr. Sharp, “I’m sorry for the confusion you must have gone through, thinking your brother dead.”

“I would have taken confusion over despair.
 
We thought he was gone for an entire month.
 
It was the worst time of my life, but it is over now.
 
You said you had a fine hunt?” said Emily.
 
Speaking to Mr. Sharp of her troubles felt out of place within his casual banter.

“Oh yes, didn’t actually kill many things, I’m not a good shot, but being outdoors with my friends is reason enough to go,” said Mr. Sharp, “I only wish the servants at the lodge we hunt were more respectful.
 
You know, I had to ask three times for them to serve my breakfast in my room before they understood it should be served that way every day?
 
And they never got my boots really clean, still scuffs around the soles.”
 
All of the good humor Mr. Sharp inspired deflated at this entitled speech.
 
She frowned, but tried to salvage the discussion.

“How were the servants to know, unless you expressly wished it, that your breakfast should be delivered to your room?” she inquired.
 
Mr. Sharp laughed, though now it had a different tone to it than she’d noticed before, an unbecoming, and cavalier haughtiness.

“After the first day of my requesting the correct behavior, I expect them to get it right the second day.
 
But that is droll, let us talk of the ball,” and so he did, with little encouragement from Emily.
 
Had she not noticed that Mr. Sharp’s carefree spirit came from want of responsibility?
 
With a shake of her head, Emily chided herself for being so absent-minded during her first stay at Amberose.

Mr. Sharp released her from his company only for Mr. Corey to claim her for a dance.
 
He spoke of many things, disparaged the military service of heirs, flattered her figure in her gown, among other superficial statements.
 
Peter’s opposition to their friendship did not at all please him.
 
Emily fell to one line of thought that intrigued her, and so acted upon it.

“I am so happy you are come back to Dunbarrow, and wish that you had never gone.
 
I was desperately lonely,” said Mr. Corey.

“You said, Mr. Corey, that you thought of visiting Tripton, but didn’t because we would be wintering here.
 
It was months away though, and I wonder that you had the patience to be without my company since you so enjoyed our time together,” she said.
 
His mouth worked open and closed for several seconds before he smiled politely.

“I had business,” he said, “It could not be delayed, or I would have visited you anywhere.”

“Oh, I see.
 
That is understandable,” she said.
 
Emily could not admit disappointment, for her feelings had not been caught up in the schemes of the Dunbarrow gentlemen, but she did feel pity for them.
 
Perhaps they were self-aware, and acted knowingly in such a way, or perhaps not, and Mr. Corey, and Mr. Sharp had made designs on the wrong woman.
 
She pondered them by herself in the courtyard after escaping the next invitation to dance.
 
Emily leaned against a tall hedge on the outskirts of the lit ballroom, close enough to hear, but not within sight.
 
With no peace of mind to be had, Emily sucked in a breath and rejoined the party, thinking she could finally beg an unwillingness to dance.
 
She returned to her mother, not realizing who Lady Worthing spoke to until it was too late.

“Oh, Emily, I was talking with Capt. Wingrave of Peter’s capture.
 
Forgive me for morbidity,” said Lady Worthing.

“If I were his mother, I’d want to know as well.
 
Excuse me, I’ll go get a beverage,” said Emily.