Emily is in town.Luke felt a thrill run through him, which surprised him. He shook his head, trying to clear it. It was probably just surprise, after all, they had not had a chance to speak since their lesson the night before.
Perhaps it is just irritation that she would let another woman wander around unchaperoned.But that did not feel right.
“It would not happen to be this one, would it?” Rodger held up the book he had tripped on.
“That is it!” Lady Marie exclaimed. “Thank you!”
“I am afraid I may have stepped on it by accident. If it is damaged, I will buy you a replacement.” Rodger ran a hand through his hair and smiled at Lady Marie.
“Oh, you need not do that. It was my own silly fault. I should really have left it at home, but I just needed to know what was going to happen next.” Lady Marie clutched the book to her.
Rodger gave her a knowing smile. “Ah, I expect I know where you are.”
“Have you read it?” her eyes widened.
“Several times. It’s one of my favourite novels.” Rodger admitted.
“It is my first time! It has been on my reading list for ages, but I’ve never managed to find the time to fit it in.” Lady Marie blushed.
“Well, I am glad you have now.” Rodger said. “I only hope I have not ruined the book with my clumsiness.”
“It is hardly your fault. I was the one who dropped it.” Lady Marie replied. “And it looks like the important pages are as yet undamaged.”
“Perhaps we should escort Lady Marie back to her companions?” Luke suggested.
“Only if it is not a bother.” Lady Marie looked between him and Rodger. “I would not wish to cause you any trouble.”
“It is no trouble. Besides, I doubt my brother would allow us to abandon a young woman alone.” Rodger gestured for Marie to walk beside them.
“No indeed, I would not. And I would say I was surprised at Miss Pembleton, but that would not be the truth.” Luke said.
“Emily did offer to come with me, but well… Natalie is so excited about the ball, I knew she would be furious if I dragged her from the modiste.” Lady Marie ran a hand through her hair.
“It was nice of you to consider your sister’s feelings, even if it was not entirely proper.” Rodger said.
“It is a little self-serving, Lord Baine. I had no wish to deal with her ire.” Lady Marie laughed and Rodger joined in.
Luke could not help but smile as he recalled the way in which Lord Peter and Lady Natalie argued. “You are from a family of strong opinions it would seem.”
“As are you, Your Grace.” Lady Marie replied as they began to walk towards the modiste together. “I think that is why Ilove reading as much as I do, it gives me a respite from their opinions.”
“You use it to escape?” Rodger asked.
“Escape, or perhaps explore. I find that reading truly broadens ones horizons, do you not think?” Lady Marie beamed. “Take Tom Jones – Fielding seeks to explore morality and human fallibility, and in so doing encourages his reader to interrogate concepts of good that allow for human complexity.”
“Exactly! I love that Fielding does not seek to guide his reader, but offer us a critical lens into the themes of virtue as a practice rather than as preached.” Rodger added.
Luke tried to follow the exchange, but found himself struggling to focus on the conversation. It did not help that he had not read the book in question.Is this how Emily feels?
The thought hit him hard, twisting like a knife in his chest. It struck him in that moment, how isolating not being able to read would be. How lonely would it be to constantly sit on the outside of a conversation, unable to break in?
He imagined Emily being able to join in conversations, to connect with people.Perhaps then she will see what she has to offer.The thought took him by surprise, and he shook his head.
Lady Marie’s voice jerked him back to the present. “My siblings are forever teasing me about my reading list.”
“Why would they do that?” Luke asked, trying to rejoin the conversation and force thoughts of Emily from his mind.
“Because I am forever adding things to it.” She laughed.
