Page 44 of The Girl Out of Time
“Excuse me?”
“And I suppose you must also like embroidery, reading character-building novels, and playing piano.”
She frowned, stuttered, then ran after him. “Well, if you really want to know, I likelongerwalks, I’ve never embroidered, and I’d rather dance to piano music than play it. As for the books …” She shrugged. Some in her collection would definitely not be considered character-building.
“Hmm.” Daniel slowed down his pace. “That’s curious.”
“What?”
“I’m certain my mother has a long list of characteristics and proficiencies my future wife would be required to have.” He gave her a sidelong glance. “I’m surprised she picked you.”
So it was the duchess who’d arranged the marriage. It made sense now why Daniel had been so upset with her yesterday. Did he have any choice, at all? Did Maria have a choice? If she had been running away before Emmeline popped her out of this time, this might explain it.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
He furrowed his eyebrows. They’d reached the beach now, and the wind played with his golden locks. “For what?” he asked.
“For you. For this situation.”
“You needn’t pity me.”
“Why, because you’re a man, and therefore should be in control of your destiny?” She wrapped the scarf tighter around her to battle against thecold morning. “I understand what it’s like to have your parents try to direct your life. It’s the same frustrating feeling, whether you’re a duke’s heir or anybody else.”
His expression softened. “An arranged marriage.” He scoffed at himself. “What is this, the eighties?”
She let out a short laugh.
“Did your father consultyou?” he asked.
“Oh, please. He and Mother will do what they want with me, since theyclearlyknow better.”
The corner of his mouth lifted, and they walked in a much more comfortable silence for a minute. Then he spoke again. “If you like longer walks, I recommend going to the castle ruins. They’re in the other direction, over there.” He motioned toward the cliffs in the distance.
Emmeline perked up. “Castle ruins?”
“It burned down two or three decades ago. Father says it was the inspiration for one of those silly books, with plucky heroines and mysterious heroes, ghosts and murders and—”
“The Visitor in Scarlet?”
“Ah. I see he’s infected you.”
“I’ve read the author before.” She smirked. “Feel free to add it to your list of things a bride shouldn’t be.”
Daniel relaxed his shoulders. “I apologize for my—well, everything. I’m sure you’d make a fine fiancée to someone.”
But not to me, Emmeline finished the unspoken part of the sentence. Whatwaswrong with her? Would she have been a better match if she’d gone to finishing school, as Mother had wanted? If instead of asking Grandma to teach her how to lock-pick, she’d have asked to be taught embroidery?
A sharp gust of wind blew toward the sea, making Emmeline grab her bonnet and scarf. As she began to wrap the scarf around her arm again, she paused.
InThe Phantom of the Opera, Raoul retrieved Christine’s scarf from the ocean when she’d lost it. It was how they’d met—so sweet and romantic.
She narrowed her eyes and looked at Daniel. His gaze was pointed forward, but he’d surely see it …
Relaxing her arm, she let the scarf slip. A gust of wind picked up the silk and carried it toward the water.
“My scarf!” she said, perhaps a touch too dramatically.
Daniel paused and looked at the sea—and the scarf landing on its surface.
