Page 41 of A Duke Reformed
Solomon's grip on her waist tightened slightly. "Who?"
Emma inhaled deeply, her pulse quickening as she met his gaze. "Lord Pearlton. But it's nothing that I cannot handle." Emma glanced around, suddenly aware that they were in the middle of a ballroom. "He hasn't done anything, precisely. But Cecilia is getting troubled by his constant presence, and the things he always wants to talk about. She cannot socialize because he is always there, lurking. So, I decided to pay more attention to her for a few weeks, so that when Lord Pearlton makes her uncomfortable again, I'll be there to tell him off."
"And your father?" Solomon questioned. His grip on her waist stiffened even further, and Emma had to resist the urge to shiver.
"He sees Lord Pearlton as a respectable match. An earl, rich and well-connected. He thinks Cecilia should be flattered by the attention."
Solomon's brow furrowed. "Who is Lord Pearlton?"
Emma hesitated, her gaze flickering over the crowd as they moved in slow, practiced steps. "A man I have no desire to ever properly introduce you to."
"Point him out," Solomon said, scanning the room.
Emma let out a quiet breath and shook her head. "Thankfully, he is not here this evening, so Cecilia can relax a bit."
Solomon exhaled slowly. "All right. But that does not mean he won't still be a problem tomorrow."
Emma sighed. "I know. But not to worry, I have it under control, Your Grace. I just wanted you to understand why it's important I concentrate on Cecilia now."
"It's priority," he said to her. "Your family comes first. It's the reason you were even doing the lessons in the first place. Still... I know you claim to have it under control, but if you need my help..."
"I know," she whispered.
Solomon lowered his head and met her eyes, searching them. "It's admirable... what you're doing. Putting your family first like this."
Emma had to force herself to focus on the dance, to avoid letting her mind wander too far. But the compliment hit her in a way she hadn't anticipated. It made her feel seen, understood. It feltlike he had put a blanket over her heart, warming something inside her that she hadn't realized was cold.
"Thank you," she said, clearing her throat as the dance continued. She was trying to distract herself, trying to focus on something other than the swirling feelings that had suddenly erupted inside her. "Before I forget," she added, casting a quick glance at him. "I know we don't know when it will be, but for our next lesson, I think it's high time we focus on the art of making long-term friendships."
Solomon chuckled softly, a low, warm sound. "Friendships? Now that sounds like something I could use a lesson or two in. I'll admit."
"Did you have friends in the town where you grew up?" she asked him.
Solomon paused for a moment, as if considering the question. His gaze briefly shifted to the side and his mind seemed to wander, as if trying to find the right words. "Not many," he admitted. "It's not one of my strongest points."
Emma raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "That must have been lonely, especially growing up."
He gave a small smile. "Not necessarily. I was never a fan of large gatherings. Overtime, I learnt not to rely on others too much, especially when they only see you for what you can provide. I suppose that's why I focused so much on my work. It was something I could control."
"Well, I suppose now's the perfect time for you to learn how to make those friendships."
Solomon shrugged. "And I suppose it simply cannot be that hard. I was able to make a friend out of you, and you can be quite uptight, but you make a good friend."
A short laugh escaped from her lips, and almost in the same moment, she felt the shift inside her, the subtle tug in her chest. Slowly, so slowly, she realized something she hadn't wanted to admit. She knew Solomon was handsome. She had always known that.
But now... for the first time, she realized she was starting to find him attractive. She was getting drawn to him. Charmed by him.
Emma swallowed and lowered her head. Thankfully, she had caught it in time. There was still ample time to pull herself back, to put up her walls.
As the music began to slow, the dance nearing its end, Emma felt a tightening in her chest. She could hear the orchestra's final notes drifting through the air, but they felt distant, as though they were coming from another world entirely.
Solomon let go of her and bowed, but she could still feel the lingering warmth of Solomon's touch on her waist.
Emma, concentrate. You're not too far gone.
It was so easy to be swept up in the moment, in the way he made her feel seen, heard, understood. But she had to remind herself that it was dangerous. Too dangerous. Emotions like that could make her impulsive, just like her father. She had seen the consequences of that first-hand. She didn't need love. She needed convenience.
And Solomon... well, he had made it clear he wasn't interested in marriage. He had his own path to take. He was a man of business. There was certainly no future there. All she was doing was setting herself up to get hurt.
