“Is vanity not a sin?” Emily teased.
“Pride and vanity are not the same thing, and pride is only bad if it is in excess.” Luke’s tone was serious.She needs to understand just what she has achieved; I will not let her downplay her success.“You must celebrate your accomplishments.”
“It is hard when you cannot share them with others.” Emily’s smile faltered, and Luke heard a note of sadness in her voice.
His own heart twisted and he asked. “Who would you share it with?”
“My sisters, those people who were close to me. It would just be nice to show them that I am capable, that I do not need to be looked after.” Emily sighed and looked at him. “Is it vain to want that appreciation?
For a moment, he said nothing. He knew she was thinking of the words the Marquess had claimed were hers. Knew that many women were called vain, where men would be called accomplished. But she was not vain.She should be proud.
“It is only natural that you should want to be appreciated for all your hard work. I do not think it a vain thing at all.” He poured all his sincerity into his voice, clenching his fists to keep from reaching for her hand. “I know that it may not be the same or that it may not mean as much, but I am proud of you.”
He thought she would tease him, perhaps make a joke, but instead, her eyes widened, eyebrows arching. Her breath caught and she looked away. Luke frowned.
“I did not mean to sound patronising.” He growled softly. “I was not teasing you, I meant it genuinely. I am so, very, very, proud of you and all that you have accomplished.”
“You did not sound patronising.” Her voice was small and soft, a catch to it that Luke did not understand.
“Then what offense have I caused?” he asked.
“You have not offended me.” Emily replied, still not looking at him.
“But I seem to have caused some kind of upset. And I would understand what I have done.” He moved towards her, almost reaching for her and then stopping.
She turned back to face him, her face neutral as she shook her head. “It does not matter.”
“Clearly it does.” He insisted.
Something thick and heavy spread between them. It filled the spaces between the trees, catching the leaves in its wake.
“It is nothing.” Emily whispered.
He tried to see what she was hiding. “Please, I do not want you to be upset. Not because of me.”
“Then you would accept it at the hands of another?” she turned to face him, a ghost of a smile on her face, even as her teasing tone did not quite match her eyes.
“I would not tolerate it from any other, but I can only control my own actions.” He replied, the tension between them seemed to ebb a little.
“That is good to know.” Emily said.
“Will you tell me what happened? I would like us to remain friends.”Friends.The word shattered the stillness of the forest. His breaths came a little more freely and he moved away from her.
Emily cocked her head towards him, her face still neutral, though her mouth started to quirk upwards. “Are we friends?”
“I think so.” Luke admitted.Why does it feel as though I am walking into a trap?
Emily raised an eyebrow at her. “You sound unsure.”
“I can only speak for myself, and not for you.” Luke explained, his voice more earnest than he had intended. “But for my part, I consider you a friend.”
“Well, as a friend, then perhaps you will do me a favour.” She gave him a sidelong look.
“And what is that?” he asked.
“Let me get away.” She whispered, closing the distance.
“What?” he felt something brush his side, and then a weight shifted.
