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“What do you mean?”

“Emma, I cannot explain every detail of every situation. I do not have the time, nor the patience, nor the will. You will leave your sister be, and I will explain my reasoning when we return home. You can wait a few days, can’t you?”

It was true that there were only three days remaining until they would leave the party, but it was an awfully long time to wait. She couldn’t stand the thought of her sister suffering and not doing anything to help her, even if it was simply offering her support through it. Then again, her father did not take kindly to disobedience.

“Of course, Father,” she replied. “I shall leave her until then.”

She was, of course, lying, but he accepted it and turned back to his conversation as if she were not there at all. Thankfully, his inability to acknowledge her served her well in that respect, as he would not notice her disappearance.

She made her way quickly to Sarah’s room, knocking gently on her door.

“Sarah?” she asked softly. “May I come in?”

She did not receive a response, but she could clearly hear her sister on the other side of the door.

She was crying.

Without another thought, Emma forced her way in.

CHAPTER 11

Levi knew that he was playing with fire by sending Miss Winston a note, but she had left him no other choice.

He wanted Miss Kendall to forgive him, and he did not want to make an offer only to not keep it. And so, without much thought, he set upon finding a way to bring an end to Miss Winston’s plans once and for all.

It had worked well, in the end. She had gone to see him expectantly, and for a brief moment he pitied her, knowing that he was going to break her heart with his words. But it had to be done.

“I am so pleased that you asked to see me, Your Grace,” she beamed. “It has been such a long afternoon.”

“Did you enjoy yourself?” he asked, hoping that it might serve him well to ease into the more difficult part.

“Well, I was with quite an unfortunate young lady. She spoke only of the baked goods she likes to make. I could hardly believe it when she said it. Could you imagine? We ladies do not bake, such things are for servants!”

“Yes, I suppose your interests are far more ladylike, aren’t they?”

“I enjoy the pianoforte, and I am told my watercolors are of superb quality. You are welcome to see them whenever you wish.”

“Miss Winston, you and I must speak.”

He had said it more bluntly than expected, but it was as though she had missed that entirely.

“We do, Your Grace. That is why I have been so excited to see you. I understand now may not be the opportune moment to begin a courtship, but I would love to begin one upon our return.”

She stepped closer to him, dangerously close, and looked up at him with wide eyes. He found himself missing Miss Kendall’s gaze—the flare of her eyes when she suspected him, the brightness when she followed an intriguing idea, the startled wideness after he caught her at the tree. Every one of her expressions had come naturally to her, but here with Miss Winston, the innocence was forced. He took a step back, but his back hit the wall and she stepped forward once more. He placed his hands on her shoulders and gently pushed her back.

Her brow furrowed at him, and at once all hopes of being gentle with her abandoned him.

“I have asked you here to request that you stop this.”

“What do you mean?”

“This. You are acting as though I am your husband, and even though you have been caught doing it and warned about it you are continuing to do so.”

“Do not act like you haven’t been enjoying it. I thought we had an understanding between us!”

“And what exactly did you think that understanding was? Miss Winston, you have been throwing yourself at me since we arrived, and I admit some fault in that as I was kind to you at that first dinner, but it was not an invitation for you to follow me at all times.”

She staggered backwards, face pale in shock, and then glared at him.