Angel of Mercy

Chapter 32

Ethan didn't have a chance to speak with Emma alone until after the household had gone to sleep. If not for that ridiculous ex-finance of hers he could have spent the night in her room again. He hadn't slept so well in years. There was something about Emma that made him feel alive again, needed, cared for. For so long he'd been alone with no one to confide in, no one to look after, no one who would mourn him if he died. Well Huxley would probably be sad but that was hardly the same thing.

He softly knocked on her door then let himself in. She was brushing her hair on the bed.

"Here I'll do that," he said, taking the comb from her.

"Oh, you don't –

He ran the brush through her beautiful thick hair.

"Just because I walk funny doesn't mean I can't do other things."

Emma laughed. "You're walking will improve with time."

"I certainly hope so. What did Peter say?" he asked.

"That he wants to marry me."

"And what did you say?"

"No of course."

"How did he take that?"

"Not well. He said he was my only option, and I would be a fool to turn him down. When I, brought up still not having a dowry, he said that it no longer mattered."

Ethan scuffed. "He's up to something. I want him gone."

"He's determined to change my mind."

"And will he?"

Emma took the comb out of his hand. "You know he won't."

"But you still refuse to marry me?" he asked.

Emma ducked her head. "It's not what I want, it's what's right."

"What's right is going to make both of us miserable." Ethan pointed out.

"You don't know that." Emma said. 

"Actually, I do."

"Ethan don't make this difficult." Emma pleaded.

"Fine, we won't discuss it anymore."

"Peter wants me to decline the position in Leeds." Emma mentioned.

"Well, we both know it's not because he wants you to stay at Lavender Hall."

"He wants me to accompany him back to the village." Emma explained.

"Where no doubt he imagines you two settling down and having a number of children."

"He indicated as much," Emma admitted. "But I told him I wouldn't marry him."

"At least I'm not the only one you're rejecting." Ethan said bitterly.

"Ethan be serious!"

"I am!"

"Peter says if I won't return with him then he insists on joining me on the journey to Leeds. I think he's convinced he'll be able to change my mind if we're cooped up in a carriage for hours together."

"A futile endeavor. You told him no, didn't you?"

"Yes, but Peter seems to have selected hearing and only picks up the things that agree with his plans."

"I do not like him here Emma." Ethan declared. 

"I know. I don't like it either."

"You truly intend to leave at the end of the week?" he asked.

"I must." she said brokenly.

He pulled her close. If only his broken heart could heal as easily as his injuries. Getting over losing Emma would not be a simple task.