“Perhaps.” Luke murmured but before he could say anything else, Emily walked into the room with her maid.
Their eyes met and she inclined her head, a fire in her eyes that made him think of their argument the night before.
“Good afternoon, Your Grace, Lord Baine.” She smiled at Rodger.
“It is good to see you, Miss Pembleton. I trust you are feeling well?” Rodger asked.
“Much better than I was, thank you for asking.” She replied.
“I am sorry not to have been more help.” Rodger blushed. “I am afraid I was rather useless.”
“You have nothing to apologise for. It is not your fault.” Emily – Miss Pembleton, Luke chided himself – shook her head.
“That is what Lady Marie said.”
“And she is right.”
“That reminds me, I meant to get back my copy of the symposium from her so that I could lend it to you. I thought it would be nice for you to have something to read during your recovery.”
“Ah! That must have been why she was asking after you when I passed her just now.” Miss Pembleton gestured behind her. “I think you will still be able to catch her, she was heading to the Western library.”
“Excellent. And then I shall be able to lend you the book. It really is a wonderful translation.” Rodger inclined his head towards her and then left without another word.
Luke sighed. “I apologise for his lack of manners. The symposium is one of his favourite works.”
“You need not apologise. His excitement is endearing.” She replied coolly. “And I for one, do not expect flawlessness.”
“Or even courtesy.” Luke countered.
Emily gave him a flat look as her maid retreated further into the room. “Is it not courteous to wish to lend me a book to read?”
“You told me you hate reading.” Luke murmured, glancing at the maid.
Propriety would not allow them to be alone together, and he had allowed that to slip last night.I was too distracted.He had no desire for anyone to think anything untoward might have happened.
She raised an eyebrow at him, folding her arms across her chest. “And you told me you only learned philosophy for your brother. Is it not possible I might do the same?”
Before Luke could say anything else, Lord Arthur appeared at the door, his hair a mess as he almost collided with his aunt. Without thinking, Luke intercepted him, not wanting him to knock her down in his exuberance.
“I am sorry, your grace.” Lord Arthur panted.
“That is quite all right. I know you meant no harm.” Luke moved away from the boy. “You seem to be in rather a hurry though.”
“I was hiding from my mother.” Lord Arthur explained.
“And why exactly are you hiding from Rose, Arty?” Emily arched an eyebrow at her nephew. “What trouble have you been causing?”
“Aunty Emily!” Lord Arthur exclaimed, moving towards her. “I have been looking everywhere for you.”
“And now you have found me.” She beamed at the boy, all the tension from the moment before fading into softness and warmth.
“I was wondering if you might read to me a little?” he asked, holding up a book hopefully.
If Luke had not been watching Emily – Miss Pembleton’s – face at that moment, he would have missed it. Hesitation flashed across it as the boy made his request. Luke frowned.
“I… What if I told you a story instead? Have I ever told you the tale of the lion and the mouse?” Emily smiled at her nephew.
“A hundred times!” Lord Arthur shook his head, pouting as he looked at his aunt. “And the one about the rabbit and the mouse, and the falcon. And practically a million others.”
