Chapter Twenty-Seven

When Tabitha told Emma that Alvaro was hosting a few political associates and their families for dinner, Emma's first inclination was to request a tray in her room and avoid interacting with people who would surely have heard all about her ruination of Nick's name. But then Tabitha mentioned Nick would be in attendance, and Emma suddenly found herself wanting nothing more than to attend.

According to her sister, each of the three men who were coming had a daughter of eligible age, and Emma knew she would need to keep them away from Nick.

At least, that was what she told herself, though she had small suspicions that her reasoning went beyond keeping him from her inheritance.

When the guests began arriving, however, Emma found herself wishing she hadn't changed her mind. With no sign of Nick, even when most of the guests had been shown into the drawing room to await the announcement of dinner, Emma was surrounded by the ladies in question, all of them apparently desperate to know her better.

"Is this your first time in Town, Miss Mackenzie?" Miss Weston asked, though she seemed more fixated on the house than on the conversation. Her eyes traveled the room as she spoke. "I haven't seen you here before."

Emma resisted the urge to sigh. "No, I had a Season a few years back, but my Grandfather doesn't especially enjoy London."

"You can't have had much opportunity, living in the country at your age," Lady Louise said with a haughty sniff. "My father almost never leaves London, so I am always at the center of Society."

"And yet you still haven't found yourself a husband," Miss Albury muttered under her breath, but not so quietly that the others didn't hear her.

Lady Louise glared at her. "You're one to talk, Miss Albury. This will be your third Season, will it not?"

Holding back a groan, Emma searched the room for anyone else she might talk to. She knew there were kind and sweet women in London, but somehow she always found herself surrounded by the ones who cared only for themselves. Where were the ladies like Catherine, who currently sat with Miss Albury's younger sister and seemed to be having a perfectly lovely conversation? Miss Weston seemed kind enough, but the other two...

"What do you think, Miss Mackenzie?"

Emma's head snapped back to Lady Louise. "I'm terribly sorry; I missed what you said." In fact, she hadn't been trying to listen.

Lady Louise scoffed, as if she hadn't expected more from a simple country miss. "I said it is no surprise that Mr. Forester has yet to make an appearance, after everything. The man must have finally realized he has no place in polite Society and will be ignoring invitations from here on out."

Emma frowned. "Perhaps he is merely running late."

"Mr. Forester is always fashionably late," Miss Weston added helpfully. She had perked up at the change in topic, and Emma had a feeling she would need to keep Miss Weston and Nick far apart from each other. "I do hope he makes an appearance. I haven't seen him since last Season."

"You mean when he rejected you?" Miss Albury said with a sneer. "One has to wonder if all these rejections of his aren't as truthful as we once believed. I'd wager any woman of value took his measure and realized he was made of nothing but false promises. Surely they rejected him ."

"Did you hear he is neck deep in debt?" Lady Louise replied eagerly. "I heard he owes thousands of pounds and that is why he pays no heed to"—she threw a sharp look to Miss Weston —" humbler women."

" I heard he is completely mad and believes all the nonsense people say about him, as does anyone who calls themselves his friend." Miss Albury's cold gaze shot to Emma for half a second. "Anyone would be a fool to associate with such a man."

Lady Louise started to respond. "I heard—"

"Mr. Forester is set to inherit one of the most profitable estates in Staffordshire," Emma said, unable to listen to any more of their ridiculous gossip. Though the ladies stared at her, their expressions doubtful and wary, she continued forward. "From my grandfather. I'm assuming none of you have taken the time to have a conversation with him, or you would know he is one of the most intelligent men in London. Yes, there are a good number of things people have said about him that aren't true, but I know for a fact there is a good deal of truth as well."

Lady Louise raised an eyebrow. "Such as?"

Oh goodness, why did Emma's mind suddenly draw a blank? She had worked so hard to ignore all the rumors she'd heard that now she couldn't recall any of them. She would simply have to speak of what she knew for herself.

"He rarely speaks unkindly of anyone, and he is one of my brother-in-law's closest friends because of his good heart. He cares not one whit where a person comes from as long as they act with honor and kindness, and I daresay there are few men who rival him in cleverness."

"I am pleased to learn you think so highly of me, Miss Mackenzie."

Emma nearly jumped out of her skin at Nick's voice close behind her. She spun around so quickly that she lost her balance, but he steadied her, his hand lingering on her waist for a long few seconds before he took a step back.

"Mr. Forester," she breathed, confused that she could still feel his hand on her side even though he'd distanced himself from her.

"My apologies for arriving so late," he said with a small smile. It wasn't the bright and broad smile she especially liked, but this one pierced her just as deeply. As ridiculous as it sounded, she almost thought this warm smile was meant especially for her, because it shifted as soon as he turned his attention to the three ladies behind her, growing harder. "I had to do a bit of rescuing on my way here."

Miss Albury scoffed. "Oh, Mr. Forester, we will hardly believe that nons—"

"Who needed rescuing?" Emma asked, wincing a little when Miss Albury glared at her for interrupting. It was worth it when Nick smiled at her again.

His eyes danced as he said, "My new acquaintance, Mr. Humphrey." He gestured to a man who was in conversation with Tabitha but looked over when he heard his name. "The poor man is new to Town and was planning on scrounging up some food in Seven Dials, of all places."

Emma had heard of the slum but had no idea whether Nick's shudder was exaggerated or appropriate to the situation. She didn't especially want to venture to the neighborhood to find out; she had had enough of wandering places she didn't belong.

Mr. Humphrey bowed to Tabitha, then approached with an easy smile. "I will forever be grateful for the rescue," he said, clapping Nick on the shoulder. "My cook is a day behind me, and I didn't have the foresight to pack something for the road."

"American?" Miss Weston guessed from his accent, her eyebrows high. "What brings you all the way to England?"

"Business," he replied. "And I'm lucky I came across Forester here, or I might have been lost on the streets all night."

"How good of you, Mr. Forester," Emma said, her cheeks heating because the expression on Nick's face had her transfixed.

Nick leaned in closer, as if his response needn't be heard by the others. "Anyone would have done the same. Although, I rather enjoy rescuing poor souls who find themselves where they shouldn't." Then, louder, he said, "It is your dear sister who should be thanked, as I surprised her with our uninvited guest, and she welcomed him in without question."

"Any friend of yours is always welcome," Tabitha replied, though she blushed from the praise.

Emma's heart warmed, seeing her sister so happy, and she tried to silently tell Nick how much she appreciated his thoughtfulness. Whether he understood her expression, she wasn't sure, but she couldn't look away from his gaze.

Humphrey cleared his throat.

Blinking, Nick snapped to attention and tucked his arms behind his back. "Introductions," he said, as if he needed the reminder. "Humphrey, this is Lady Louise Hartwright, Miss Anne Weston, and..." He paused, cocking his head to one side as he studied Miss Albury and her permanently disgusted expression. "You'll forgive me, but I've forgotten."

Miss Albury turned pink, and her haughtiness finally slipped.

"Oh yes, Miss Mary Albury. I do beg your pardon for my momentary lapse, Miss Albury. Sometimes one forgets things when surrounded by so many dear friends ." Nick didn't look repentant in the slightest, and his words seemed to be a warning. One Miss Albury must have understood because she dipped her head once.

"And this beauty?" Mr. Humphrey said, his eyes on Emma.

She didn't know what to do with that, feeling rather awkward as the seconds ticked on with Nick saying nothing. He simply watched her as intently as Mr. Humphrey did.

When she was sure she couldn't stand any more scrutiny, Nick finally spoke. "This is my darling friend, Emma Mackenzie, Lady Harstone's sister." He said it with such warmth and affection that Emma felt as if she caught on fire.

Though she sank into a curtsy, she kept her eyes on the floor. Nick considered her a friend? She didn't understand why she liked that idea so much, but she did. A week ago she had thought she hated the man, but now that he had been laid bare, she kept discovering more things to like about him. But what did he mean when he looked at her so intently? Oh goodness, and he had called her darling . She almost hadn't realized in her confusion over the idea of a friendship, but the word seemed to fix itself on repeat in her mind. Darling. Darling. Darling.

What did it say about her that she rather liked that he had attached that word to their friendship?

"Ah," Mr. Humphrey said, pulling her attention back up. "I heard a good deal about you on our way here, Miss Mackenzie."

Her face had most certainly gone bright red as she looked up again. Nick had spoken of her? "Good things, I hope."

"Well, Forester seems prone to exaggerate, I'll admit, but he didn't exaggerate your beauty. Perhaps there was truth to the rest."

"I am not certain I would trust his opinion so readily, sir."

"Indeed not. I intend to form my own opinions this evening, if you will give me the pleasure. Might I accompany you into dinner, if that is not breaking some rule of formality?"

She should have been flattered and enjoyed his compliments, but Emma stood there feeling uncomfortable with so many eyes on her. Mr. Humphrey was undoubtedly handsome, and thus far she had seen no reason to dislike him, but her thoughts about Nick were swirling around in her head, too jumbled to make sense of them.

Darling friend.

"Yes," she whispered after much too long. "Yes, I would like that. Mr. Forester, might I speak to you for a moment?"

As the other ladies jumped into conversation with Mr. Humphrey, Emma took hold of Nick's arm and dragged him several feet away to the sound of his chuckles.

He spoke before she could. "You cannot possibly already have objections to Mr.—"

"Why did you pretend to forget Miss Albury's name?"

Nick's eyebrows rose, as if he hadn't expected that topic of conversation. "Miss Albury?"

"You embarrassed her. But why? I never took you for a cruel man, Mr. Forester." Especially after she had praised his kindness so highly.

Clenching his jaw, he thought over her question. All traces of his smile had gone, though he didn't look angry. Simply thoughtful. "I have listened to far too many of her judgments to like the way she was looking at you," he said slowly, as if making sure he said the right thing. "Her tongue is as sharp as her finances are dismal, and I wanted to remind her of the value of kindness when she has little else to recommend herself. She can say what she wants behind her own walls, but I wouldn't have been able to bear her speaking ill of you, Emma."

Oh. Emma didn't know what she'd expected, but it wasn't that. "Th-thank you," she said, only now realizing her hand was still on his arm, because Nick had put his fingers over hers. "I would not have expected that from you."

"Because I am a beast?"

Emma's eyes went wide. Either he had heard of her story of the day they'd met, or he had guessed correctly what she thought of him. Used to think of him. "A beast?" she asked, slightly breathless.

He grinned wide. "Yes, it does seem a bit fantastical, but one of your nieces said something to that effect, and I thought it sounded appropriate. I have been a beast to you, and others, and I am trying to make amends where I can."

"That is very good of you."

"I thought so." He laughed when Emma swatted his arm. "You can't expect me to change my ways overnight, can you?"

Emma shook her head, her smile feeling permanently fixed in place. "Yes, I suppose that is asking far too much. It's a miracle I could think you might change at all."

"I wholeheartedly agree. I've been a beast for most of my life, and I haven't been lucky enough to find someone to break my curse before now."

Oh goodness, Emma hadn't expected him to say something like that. Even if he had no idea what she had said about kisses breaking curses, she couldn't help but think about the idea of kissing someone like Nick Forester. Would he be the sort to take his time, keeping his kisses slow and gentle, or would he take charge and dive in without hesitation? Excepting her horrid encounter with the man outside Nick's apartment, which she had done her best not to think about since for fear of falling into a panic, Emma had never kissed a man, and she hardly considered that a kiss in the first place. But she had seen how unafraid Alvaro was of showing his affection for Tabitha. Would Nick be the same way? He was so confident in everything else, and...

And he had called her his darling friend.

She had probably turned bright red again, and she could tell the moment Nick noticed the heat rising in her cheeks. His expression shifted from laughter to something more serious. Almost like interest.

He squeezed her hand, leaning in closer. "Are you well, Emma?"

She could hardly say. "I . . . Yes, I—"

"Trying to steal my dinner partner, Forester?" Mr. Humphrey laughed at his own joke as he held his arm out to Emma and broke her gaze, her heart racing with no explanation for it. Mr. Humphrey must have startled her with his sudden arrival, though she wasn't certain he had.

Nick hardly reacted to the interruption, but his smile grew, as if he knew the cause of Emma's sudden nervousness. "She is all yours, Humphrey, though I suggest watching your step. She may be beautiful, but her strength is in her mind."

"I shall do my best to keep up."

As Emma switched from Nick's arm to Mr. Humphrey's, she tried to shake away the fog that had settled over her. She had never struggled to converse with people; then again, she had never had anyone look at her the way Nick did. She had never had anyone give her such meaningful compliments. She had never...

She had never known anyone like Nick Forester. What was happening to her? She'd never imagined kissing someone, let alone a man she hadn't been able to stand a week ago.

Though her conversation with Mr. Humphrey throughout dinner was interesting enough, Emma couldn't help but glance at Nick every few minutes. He sat far enough away that she couldn't hear what he and Miss Weston discussed, but he seemed to be enjoying himself. So did Miss Weston.

Emma didn't like that.

Thankfully, the distance from Nick helped her relax and act more like herself than the confused and flustered woman she had been in the drawing room. Though she couldn't fathom why he would have made her act so strangely, she was glad to know his effects were only temporary. It made it possible for her to think clearly while speaking with Mr. Humphrey, which helped her come to the conclusion that she and Mr. Humphrey would not suit.

That conclusion had come rather quickly, after the man had waxed long on the uselessness of books and stories, claiming facts and physical labor were far more important than "silly fantasies," as he'd put it.

Nick must have heard that declaration as well, because he met Emma's eyes and winced.

By the time the ladies left the men to their port, Emma was glad to get away, finding herself a seat away from the other ladies, who inexplicably returned to their conversation about Nick and his many failings.

"You don't seem yourself tonight, Emma."

Emma looked up as Tabitha joined her, putting on a smile even though she knew her sister would see right through it. "I suppose I am not," she agreed. "I think I am simply tired from all the excitement since our arrival. We have yet to have a quiet day."

Pursing her lips, Tabitha studied her in the same way she studied the girls when one of them was keeping a secret. Though she'd married only a year after Mama had died and Emma had gone to live with Grandfather, that hadn't stopped her from mothering Emma just as much as their actual mother had done. She always knew when something was bothering Emma.

"I am not so certain it is London that has you out of sorts," Tabitha said finally.

Emma frowned. "What else would it be?"

"I think you're starting to wonder if you're wrong about your choice to stay away from love."

"I haven't chosen—"

"You can pretend all you want," Tabitha said, taking hold of Emma's hand. "I did the same thing before I met Alvaro. I believed I would grow up on my own and help you find the kind of happiness Mama didn't have. I would have been perfectly content to live out my days alone as long as you were happy."

Emma hadn't known that about her sister, and she furrowed her brow, trying to imagine it. Tabitha had been married for almost a decade, and she'd become a mother eight years ago when she had Sophia. Emma couldn't imagine her being alone.

"What changed?" she asked, even if she was uncertain about where this conversation might take her.

Tabitha's smile faded a bit as she said, "I realized that not every man is like Father."

Emma winced. "What does Father have to do with any of this?"

Though she fought to keep her expression light, Tabitha's eyes were sad as she squeezed Emma's hand. "I know you didn't know him well, but there were a few years when he was a good father. Before he got it into his head to see the world and find his fame and fortune, I believe he was content with the little life he had given us.

"I was around seven when he left the first time. I remember Mama crying most of the night, and I didn't understand why for a long time. Not until he had been gone for several weeks." Tabitha took a deep breath. "She loved him so much. Their marriage was arranged, but I am certain she loved him from the beginning. And when he left, I think he took a part of her heart with him."

Emma hadn't heard any of this. Mama had never said much about her husband, and Emma had learned not to ask. But she wanted to ask now. "When did he come back?"

"About nine months before you were born." Tabitha shook her head. "He stayed for only a few weeks before he was gone again, and then we didn't see him again until you were three or four." Brushing a tear that slipped onto her cheek, she tried to smile but did a poor job of it. "I think every time he returned, Mama was still hopeful he would stay, until..."

"Until he died," Emma finished. She'd been only eight when they'd received the news that he had been lost at sea, but she remembered so vividly that her mother was never the same after that, like her light had been snuffed out. "Perhaps you're right. Perhaps I am trying to protect myself from heartbreak. Mama was perfectly able to care for us on her own, and she could have been saved the ache of being left behind if she hadn't—"

"If she hadn't married Father and fallen in love, she never would have had us." Tabitha wrapped her arm around Emma's shoulders. "I don't think she ever regretted falling in love. And I know she wouldn't want you to be alone all your life simply because you are scared of what love might bring you. Just because she experienced heartbreak doesn't mean everyone does. I couldn't dream of a life without Alvaro now that I know what it is to have him."

"Yes, well, you were lucky and found a perfect man," Emma grumbled, rubbing her chest below her collarbone. It felt so tight, like she couldn't fully breathe. "Your love story is a dream."

Chuckling, Tabitha shook her head. "You think there aren't days when I want to wring that man's neck? Or moments when I wish he would leave me in silence so I can hear myself think? No love story is perfect, Emma, and we've had our share of bumpy roads. But that is what makes the journey exciting." She squeezed Emma's shoulders and then stood, crossing the room to join the wives of Alvaro's colleagues.

Emma sat there on her own even though the men began filing into the room. She hardly wanted to have any conversations right now, overwhelmed as she was, but she knew she couldn't leave Nick alone with the young ladies for too long. She doubted he would be interested in any of them, but in case Miss Weston was more interesting than she seemed, Emma intended to take up as much of Nick's time as she possibly could.

He couldn't fall in love with anyone if he was too busy talking to her.

"Miss Mackenzie, I was hoping to find you on your own."

Emma barely held back a groan as Mr. Humphrey took a seat beside her. She had barely spoken to him during the last half of dinner, focusing more on her pudding, but apparently her disinterest had not been enough of a deterrent. "Mr. Humphrey," she said, searching for an excuse to go speak to anyone but him.

He gave her a lopsided smile and seemed to waver a bit in his seat. "You truly are the most beautiful woman here," he said, his words slurring. How much had he had to drink?

"Thank you, Mr. Humphrey. If you will ex—"

"Did you know I have quite a fortune to my name? Far more than any of these English. Have you ever been to America?"

Emma bit her lip. "No, sir, I have not. I am quite fond of my English countryside."

"That is because you haven't seen Virginia. You will love it."

"Excuse me?"

"Forester said you are in need of a husband."

"Did he now?"

"He said you need someone who can handle you."

Scoffing, Emma rose to her feet, but Mr. Humphrey simply followed. "Sir," Emma said, "I need to speak to—"

He slipped around her, cutting off her path toward Catherine and Tabitha. A flash of memory from the other night sent her heart racing, though she hoped Humphrey would not be foolish enough to touch her. "I can offer you a blessed life, Miss Mackenzie."

"This is highly inappropriate, Mr. Humphrey."

"I have more land than you could dream of." Though Emma had been trying to keep her voice down, Humphrey spoke at full volume. "All the money you could hope for."

"I have no intention of settling down, sir. Now, please, kindly step aside so I may—"

"We could be on a ship tomorrow if you—"

"I think that's enough, Humphrey," Nick said, appearing at Emma's side with a cold glare in his eyes. He spoke quietly enough not to draw attention to their corner of the room, but there was no mistaking the warning in his voice. "I believe the lady has given you her opinion. Miss Mackenzie, I have come to remind you that you owe me a rematch on our game of chess."

Emma nodded, even if she had no idea what he was talking about. "Yes, of course, Mr. Forester. I know how wounded you were by your loss."

Nick let out a laugh, poorly disguised as a cough. "Exactly. You'd caught me on a bad day, and I need to restore my dignity. Humphrey." He nodded his head once and then offered his arm to Emma, leading her away without waiting for Mr. Humphrey to respond.

Emma let out her breath as soon as Nick helped her into a chair at the chess table. "Thank you," she whispered. "I didn't want to cause a scene and ruin the night for Tabitha and Alvaro."

Chuckling, Nick settled into his own chair and began setting out the pieces. It seemed he intended for this game to be real rather than merely an excuse. "I think Harstone could use a good scandal in his life," he said lightly. "The man is painfully perfect."

"It's a wonder the two of you became friends, being so different."

Despite the implied insult, Nick's grin grew as he looked up and met Emma's eyes. His blue eyes were so bright tonight, reflecting the candlelight of the room and giving him a mischievous look. He gestured for Emma to make her first move, and then he said, "I owe the friendship entirely to Lord Calloway."

As Emma moved a pawn forward, she was surprised by the honest answer. "Truly?"

Nick nodded, shifting his own pawn. "Calloway knows a bit of Spanish from his many business dealings on the Continent. He and I have been friends since we were boys, and he was one of the first people to accept Harstone into British Society. Harstone was probably glad to find someone who came close to matching his talent with languages, even though Calloway's Spanish is, so I hear, questionable." He laughed, his eyes slightly distant, as if remembering those days.

Emma couldn't help but grin along with him as she moved her next piece. They each made their moves quickly, which promised an interesting game. "I was so young when I met him that I remember thinking Alvaro was speaking nonsense when he first came to Tutbury. Tabitha thought his accent the most perfect thing in the world, and then she became obsessed with learning Spanish to match him."

"Your sister is far more intelligent than me," Nick said with a chuckle. "Harstone has always found it rather amusing to converse with Calloway in Spanish as often as possible because my language skills are dismal. I still can't understand any of it, no matter how hard I've tried."

Emma took his bishop, shaking her head. "You already know I am as helpless as you. I think he has lost much of his accent so I could better understand him when I was a child."

"He knew he would have to win you over as well because he was unfailingly in love with your sister the moment he met her." Nick said it with a groan, but his smile belied his pretended irritation. He captured Emma's rook with his knight, apparently unaware of the danger he had put himself in with that move. "I might have thought your brother-in-law mad if he wasn't the happiest man I know."

"It does seem incredible for someone to know so quickly that a match would be a good one," Emma agreed, quickly taking the knight with her own. "I don't believe I could be confident in my knowledge of a person without knowing him for a good while."

With a glance at Humphrey, who was glaring in their direction, Nick chuckled. "You mean you weren't considering the generous suit being offered to you tonight?"

Emma adopted her own glare, hoping Nick felt the brunt of it. "I have you to blame for that ridiculous man, Nick Forester."

He raised his hands in surrender. "I honestly didn't intend for him to be anything but a last-minute dinner guest."

"He said you told him I needed a husband. That I needed to be handled ."

Groaning, he shook his head. "That is not what I said. I said there are few men worthy of a woman like you, and no man of sense would think he could ever control you. I said it would take a strong man indeed to handle your tenacity and independence." He frowned, as if reviewing his own words to ensure he hadn't said anything insulting. It was such a change from the quick-to-insult man she'd known before that Emma could only stare at him. "We men are fragile creatures," he continued, "and there are few of us who would be willing to admit they may not be the most intelligent person in a room."

She cocked her head to one side, trying to understand why he seemed so different. It was more than what he was saying; it was how he was saying it. There was no trace of the dishonesty that had followed him around before. " You would admit such a thing?"

"In a heartbeat. I know very well you likely do as much for the Mackenzie estate as your grandfather does, if not more."

Shocked, Emma stared at his expression, as if she might find some sign of him secretly laughing at her. But she found only sincerity. "How do you know that?" she asked. Her grandfather didn't even know how much she interacted with their tenants and worked with them to ensure their land was profitable.

Nick grinned. "I would never go to battle against someone without knowing them. And I know there is nothing you cannot do if you put your mind to it. You would never be foolish enough to take over from your grandfather without knowing what you are doing. That, my friend, puts you a cut above me, as I never had the opportunity to learn from my father. He was gone before he could teach me."

"My father abandoned my mother." Emma's eyes went wide. She hadn't intended for that to be her response, and yet it had slipped off her tongue so easily. It was as if Nick's praise had made her feel safe, and she was apparently still reeling from her conversation with Tabitha. "Forgive me. I didn't intend to say..."

Frowning, Nick seemed to be waiting for her to expound. "What?"

Did she really want to tell him such a horrible thing? Doing so would mean she trusted him to keep it to himself rather than use it to injure her as she had injured him. She ducked her head, taking a deep breath. "He made her believe that he loved her, but then he left and came back only when he wanted... I barely knew him. I watched my mother live each day with an aching heart until she was no longer strong enough to bear it. She died from a broken heart, Nick, and I never want..." She clasped her hands together, gazing at her fingers. "That is why I am so determined to take care of myself. Why I am afraid of marriage. My mother was an incredible woman, and she raised us on her own. She was so brave. I pretend I want to do what she did, and I know I would be strong enough to live my life without a partner. You apparently believe that as well. But... I don't want to be alone. That sounds miserable." She blinked away tears, praying she wouldn't lose her composure. "Yet I am terrified that if I let myself imagine having someone to share it all with me, I will end up just like her. Abandoned. Heartbroken. Lost."

Nick moved slowly, his eyes watching her so intently as he reached over and gently brushed her tears from her cheeks with his thumb. It was as if he was waiting for any sign that she might not want his touch, when in truth she craved more of it. "I do not think there is a man on this earth who could leave you behind, my dear Emma. Believe me."

She did believe him—she believed that he believed it, though her heart didn't beat strongly enough for her to agree. Unless she came across some miracle and found someone she trusted without question, she would have to remain on her own. That inheritance was her last chance.

But her only chance would leave Nick without one of his own.

She grimaced, wishing she had a different option. She looked down at the chess board, realizing their skills had been matched so perfectly that they were left in a stalemate, only their kings left in a game that could never be won. How fitting.

"I should go see if Tabitha needs any assistance with the rest of the evening," she said softly, rising to her feet.

Nick mirrored her, looking as if he wanted nothing more than to keep her there as he reached out. He didn't touch her, though, his hand lingering just beyond her arm. "Emma, I am sorry about your father. I hope you know that not every man is like him."

"Thank you for your rescue from Mr. Humphrey."

"I have the perfect man for you." Nick spoke so quickly that his words were barely intelligible.

Emma blinked. "What?" After all of that, he still wanted to throw men at her? "Nick, I don't want—"

"No more games." He pursed his lips, which didn't exactly give Emma much confidence in what he was saying. Still, his expression carried something she had never seen before, and he spoke with conviction, like nothing had ever been surer. "This one could really be the one. I know you're scared, and you have every right to be. But do you trust me?"

She shouldn't. She had only just come to consider the man a friend, and there was always the chance that he was trying to trick her to get the inheritance for himself. But she trusted him more than she had ever trusted anyone. "Yes," she said, feeling that word resonate throughout her body.

Nick's shoulders dropped in relief. "Thank you. And I promise you, Emma, this will be my last effort. If you do not believe with your whole heart that this man could make you happy, I will surrender. And if that ends up being the case, I only ask for your help in restoring my lands, though I hope we will not need to resort to those drastic measures. I have a good feeling about this match."

Too curious not to ask, Emma cocked her head. "Who is he?"

But Nick smiled that private smile from before and shook his head. "In time, dear Emma. Go see to your sister. I will convince Humphrey that it is in his best interest to make his way home for the night." He gave her one last smile, and then he was gone, crossing the room with determination.

And Emma slowly made her way over to her sister, her cheeks warm and her heart pounding because he had called her dear Emma . She rather liked that.