Emily Hudson by Jones Melissa

Author:Jones, Melissa
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: PENGUIN group
Published: 2010-06-14T16:00:00+00:00

“You would do well to allow me to order for you,” said Lord Firle.

As he studied the menu Emily took great pleasure in observing his countenance, the quick life in his face. She examined it quite secretly, she felt: he was occupied and quite unaware.

They were seated in a private curtained booth to the back of the dining room. He asked the waiter how long the lamb had been hung and detailed questions about the sauce. He appeared in his element, ordering extravagantly, both precisely and vaguely, with great care. The other diners had all looked at them when they came in, and had remarked upon them quite openly, she felt. She had never before felt so prominent in a public place, and Emily was not sure how that made her feel. Yet at the same time, as ever with London, she was so marvellously secret, anonymous, away. She felt beautiful in his company.

They ate and drank lightly but well and were very frivolous and very gay, egged on by Firle’s extravagant mood. Emily caught it, the speed and precision of his thoughts, observations and discourse, responding to it with something of her own wildness and spirit. She felt free to exercise her curiosity.

“What do you like to do? What are your occupations?”

“I have already told you,” he replied. “I have none. In this country, gentlemen have pursuits—it’s far safer.”

She laughed. “Pursuits?” she repeated, feeling very daring.

“Hunting, fishing, shooting—the eternal round. We are very partial to our pleasures in Europe,” he said, with his usual lightness, but a greater concentration in his gaze.

“Lord Firle, I don’t think we should—”

“Of course we should not. You are quite right.” He turned away from her, raising his hand. “Waiter, my account.” He looked stern, displeased, and just for a fraction of a second reminded her of her uncle. Then he smiled. “I must take you home.”

They took a cab. It was cold and she held herself away from him, only allowing herself to observe him out of the corner of her eye. He did not try to speak to her—all the ease and hilarity of the evening seemed to have disappeared.

“I think I have behaved like a fool,” she said at last, quietly but quite distinctly.

“You did not consider that a minute ago,” he replied coolly.

When he handed her out into the cold night she felt his disappointment in her and an utter misery at their parting that was quite absurd. The horse stamped and snorted and the driver stared straight ahead.

“Have you ever been kissed?” he said at last, quite gentle.

She shook her head, feeling sudden tears. “No.”

“Would you like to be?”

She could not answer, only looking at his eyes that had lost their color in the darkness. He made a move as if to leave her and she reached out for his sleeve. When he kissed her it was all there was.

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