Page 101 of The Girl Out of Time
“Attached to the cradle,” he murmured through barely moving lips.
Emmeline glanced toward the stone, then down, then at the guard, and finally rolled her eyes.
Theo’s eyebrows knit together. “What?”
“Wait.” She fanned her face and made another step back. “Oh, my goodness. The air … I need air.” She fanned harder and swayed on her feet until the attendant fell for the trick and rushed toward her.
“Miss,” he said as she elegantly collapsed, closing her eyes enough to make it look like she’d fainted, but could still perceive some movement around her. A few other gasps came from around the room, and Louisa hurried to her side.
“Do you have smelling salts? What do you mean, no? What kind of a museum attendant are you?” Louisa said.
After ten more seconds, Emmeline thought she’d spare the poor man and came back to consciousness with a light groan. The attendant and Louisa helped her to her feet and led her to a nearby sofa.
“I’m fine, thank you. Just a temporary lightheadedness,” she said to the attendant. “You may leave.”
Louisa stayed beside her, finally relieved after three more assurances that Emmeline was all right. Theo approached, winking at her.
Mission successful.
“Let’s go see something else, shall we?” It was best to leave this room. She’d used up all of the attendant’s goodwill, and if they’d seen the pouch attached to the stone, she didn’t want to get accused of stealing it.
“Of course,” Louisa said. “How about the mineral collection? I heard they have some of those meteorites …” She threw a glance over her shoulder as she led Emmeline toward the door. “Hmm.”
Emmeline followed her gaze. Lady Cassiopeia was nowhere to be seen.
“Well, let’s count ourselves lucky,” Louisa said. “To the minerals!”
Theo frowned, but quickly disguised his expression and looked at the floor.
After the minerals—which were more exciting than the name implied and included an uncut aquamarine, its clear, light blue reminding Emmeline of a piece of glacier ice—followed a collection of coins, then terra-cotta vases. They were meandering along, Emmeline fighting the desire to yawn—one could only look at so many vases in a single day—when someone bumped into them.
“Apologies” he said, Emmeline recognizing his voice before she looked up, and right as Louisa went, “Daniel?”
“Sister.” He stepped away to a suitable conversational distance. “I didn’t know you were here.”
Louisa pursed her lips, and Emmeline could tell she was dying to shoot back, “I knewyouwere,” but she didn’t.
“And Miss Marshall.” Daniel nodded to her.
Emmeline thought she’d been dreading this moment—or maybe looking forward to it—or maybe, was undecided about what exactly her emotions were—but the most surprising thing was that none of it happened. Her stomach didn’t contract from nervousness, nor did her heart leap in joy. She acknowledged that Daniel looked as good as always, his blue eyes shining, golden blond hair swept back in perfect waves, and …
She felt nothing.
But he was still a part of the family and would likely be less forgiving than Louisa, so she had to be careful. “Lord Farenham,” she greeted. “It’s a pleasure to see you. I hope—that is, not that I had the intention of seeking you—”
“Don’t fret, Miss Marshall.” He gave her a slight smile. “I don’t share my mother’s extreme views. I was angry at you at the time, but I must admit, your deception was not all for the worse.”
“Really?”
“He wants to say he’s glad he didn’t have to marry, after all.” Louisa pouted.
“You, too?” Daniel said to her.
“I could’ve had her as a sister!”
“Excuse me.” Theo brushed past them, leaving through the nearest door.
“I wasn’t aware your desires for a match preceded mine,” Daniel said.
