“How? He barely seems to notice me. Although...” Emily paused as she remembered what she’d overheard.
“Although?”
She shrugged. “I overheard him talking to himself before we left.”
“About what?”
“Me,” she confessed. “He said he desired me and yet I see no proof of it. I’m afraid I’m at a loss as to how to deal with him. He is unlike any man I’ve ever known.” Emily looked at her. “What of you? How did you catch Lord Orrick’s notice?”
“I breathed. He knew my mother and elder sisters had all survived multiple births and that I had a nice dowry. ‘Twas all I needed.”
That wouldn’t help her cause any. And even worse, Emily’s mother had perished in birth.
“Lord Draven doesn’t seem to care about either of those.”
“Nay. ‘Twill take some thinking.” Christina bit her lip and scanned the hall. Her eyes widened, then she smiled. “And I think I know who can help us with the thinking!”
She grabbed Emily’s arm and literally dragged her to Simon’s side.
Christina smiled up at him. “Milord, might we borrow you for a moment?”
“Nay, Christina,” Emily breathed. “You can’t be serious! He’ll tell Lord Draven.”
“Not if we swear him to secrecy. You are a man of your word, are you not, Lord Simon?”
“Depends on the word,” Simon said evasively looking back and forth between them. “I sense mischief afoot and there is nothing I treasure more than good mischief.” He rubbed his hands together. “What is it you ladies are up to?”
“First you must swear yourself to eternal secrecy.” Christina narrowed her gaze on him.
“Very well, my lips are eternally sealed.” Simon pinched his lips closed with his thumb and forefinger.
Christina nodded her approval. “Emily wants to marry your brother.”
“Christina!” Emily gasped, horrified that she would just blurt it out so indelicately. “How could?—”
“Oh, shush. No need in beating around it. Time is of the essence. Lord Draven needs an heir and the best way to help your father is to unite your houses. Is that not right, milord?”
Simon looked askance as he appeared to ponder the question. He crossed his arms over his chest and stroked his chin. “How should I answer this?” He covered his lips with two fingers. “The greedy part of me that is in line for Draven’s lands says, nay. He needs no heir. I would like greatly to have such wealth, however the dutiful brother in me would agree with you.”
His teasing air sobered as he met Emily’s gaze. “What of you milady? I would know your feelings for my brother before I commit myself.”
Her feelings. That was a hard question to answer. “He seems suitable enough for a husband and all I want is to save my father.”
Simon snorted. “Is that all you require?”
“He needs someone to take care of him,” Emily tried again.
Simon laughed. “That is truthfully the last thing he needs. I assure you, he can handle himself well enough. Try again.”
Christina nudged her with her elbow. “Tell him, what you told me, Em.”
She shook her head.
“He makes her breathless, and she is quite infatuated by him.”
Emily opened her mouth to reprimand her friend, but Christina would have none of it. “Her heart beats faster around him and she senses a goodness in him. Is she right, milord?”
Simon nodded, then narrowed a menacing glare on Emily. “Very well, I will help you, but know this, Draven has been badly hurt and if what you really seek is vengeance on him for your father, I will kill you myself before I see him harmed further.”
