Dinner was a dull affair, as Emily was seated far from Mr. Williams, who was the only person of interest at the table. Emily assured herself she felt that way because he was new in town, and she had known all the others at the table for more than two years. Regardless, she found her eyes straying to the other end of the table more often than was proper, and she quickly lowered her eyes and looked away when she caught him looking at her as well.
Mr. Thistle, the local magistrate, was seated to Emily’s left. He was a bachelor but, being over sixty, was not an object of much interest to the young ladies. Even so, Emily usually honored him with a light flirtation, as he had an eye for a pretty girl, and she knew he enjoyed teasing her. Tonight, however, she paid Mr. Thistle little heed, her thoughts distracted by Mr. Williams, until she heard him mention the highwayman.
“What highwayman?” she asked, her first contribution to the conversation other than a polite nod here and there.
The old man was delighted to have Emily’s attention. “You must have heard talk of it by now.”
Emily assured him she had not.
“Ah. What a novel position for me to enjoy. It is unusual that I, a gentleman, am able to import some small bit of news to a lady.” Mr. Thistle chuckled at his own witticism, until Emily reminded him that he had not yet shared his bit of news.
“Yes. Well it seems some brigand has robbed three carriages, on the London road, only a few miles outside Stonehurst.”
“How shocking,” Emily replied, her interest truly caught. “I hope no one has been injured?”
“Not yet; apparently there has not been cause. In each case, the inhabitants of the carriage surrendered their belongings without protest. I happen to believe that the wise course. Of what value is some trinket in comparison with one’s life?” Emily murmured her agreement. “If you ladies make a trip to town, or even to Rye or Hastings, be very careful.”
Emily agreed that they would, and before she had a chance to ask any other questions, her mother was giving the signal that it was time to leave the gentlemen to their port, and the ladies retired to the drawing room, where the talk was all of the mysterious highwayman.
“I have heard that he is very gallant, and there is even talk of him being a gentleman fallen onto hard circumstances,” one of the ladies offered.
“Nonsense.” Lady Abernathy contradicted in a voice that would brook no argument. “He’s a common thief. No gentleman of my acquaintance would ever behave in such a dastardly fashion.” Lady Abernathy was the wife of an earl, and took her position very seriously. She had steel gray curls that looked as though they were hard to the touch, as did all of her tall, skinny, angular body. Her posture seemed almost painfully straight, as if she had a poker down the back of her dress. It made Emily dreadfully aware of her own posture, and she always strained to sit straighter when Lady Abernathy was present.
Since no one dared contradict Lady Abernathy, who outranked everyone in the room, it was probably a good thing the gentleman chose to rejoin the ladies soon after her pronouncement. Lady Smithfield promptly suggested Lydia entertain the guests by playing the pianoforte for them.
“I have a much better notion, Mama,” Emily announced. “You know that while Lydia plays divinely, she has an even prettier singing voice. And I believe I have noticed the vicar’s pleasing baritone at church, as well. Why don’t I play the pianoforte, and Lydia and Mr. Sedgewick can favor us with a duet.”
Lydia and Sedgewick looked less than pleased at this idea, and Lady Smithfield looked none too happy either, but Lord Abernathy took up the idea wholeheartedly, mentioning he loved to hear a duet.
Satisfied her plan was working, Emily consulted with the two reluctant singers on a selection. They all agreed to a simple ballad, and Emily began to play. She was sorry that her position at the instrument didn’t enable her to see their expressions, but they sounded romantic enough, and at least it should start them thinking, singing a love song together. She did manage to sneak one peek behind her, and was unhappy to see Mr. Williams studying the two as intently as she was.
Everyone clapped loudly at the conclusion of the song, and before Emily could suggest another duet, Lady Smithfield hurried to remind Lydia that it was her turn to play for them. Emily graciously retired and sought a seat next to the vicar.
“I hope you didn’t mind my suggestion that you and Lydia should sing. I thought you both performed wonderfully.”
“Well, I would have preferred not to have been thrust into the center of things as I was, but I must admit it was rather enjoyable.”
“Well, I thought it would have been a shame if you and Lydia had never had the chance to sing together. I think you are a perfect match.” As Jonathan colored at this and looked rather alarmed, Emily thought she had gone a little too far and amended her statement. “Your voices, I mean. They seem perfectly matched.”
Jonathan thanked her rather huffily and excused himself, and Emily realized she’d have a hard time getting these two together, blessed, as they both were, with a surfeit of propriety.
“Are you trying your hand at a little matchmaking, Miss Smithfield?”
Emily jumped, as she hadn’t seen Mr. Williams approach. Still, although her heart fluttered, she managed to answer composedly enough. “Was I that obvious?”
“Well, you were a trifle heavy-handed, but for a first attempt it was probably not so bad. At least, I assume it’s your first attempt. You do not fit my notion of an experienced matchmaker.”
“And just what is your notion of an experienced matchmaker?” Emily asked him, smiling up at him as he took the seat next to her.
A picture of his father rose briefly in his mind, and he smiled grimly to himself. “Oh, I don’t know, older perhaps. Not quite so beautiful.” He watched in wonder as Emily blushed and looked uncomfortable at this remark. He reminded himself that this was a country girl, unused to the attentions of gentlemen. For some reason that thought pleased him. As Emily had not responded to his compliment, he spoke again in an attempt to put her at ease. “I have no experience as a matchmaker myself, but it seems as though it would be a difficult endeavor.”
“It is,” Emily agreed, happy to have someone sympathize with her and even happier for the change of subject. “Especially when I have two such difficult subjects.”
“May I ask why you persist, then, since it’s obvious they’re so unwilling to cooperate?”
“Oh, they are not unwilling, I assure you. At least,” Emily amended, as she realized it was disloyal of her to betray her sister’s confidence, “I do not believe them to be.”
“And why is that?” Alexander was very interested in her answer, as he hoped it matched his own conclusions.
“Oh, it is just something you can tell. It is hard to describe. I suppose you’d have to be a lady to understand.”
“Oh, I don’t think so. I think gentlemen can sense these things as well.”
Emily wondered if it was just her imagination that caused her to believe that they were no longer speaking just of Lydia and Mr. Sedgewick. She could not think of a thing to say in reply, and realized she and Mr. Williams were staring intently at each other. With an effort, she lowered her gaze.
“How long a visit do you make here, Mr. Williams?”
“I am not certain. There are extenuating circumstances.” Alexander realized this was a strange reply and hurried to explain. “That is, I don’t have a position at the moment, as I was serving in a parish on a temporary basis, until a vicar took over the living. Once he did, I was forced to look elsewhere, so I’m here staying with Sedgewick until another opportunity presents itself.”
Emily was a little disappointed at his lack of ambition. He seemed intelligent and gentlemanly; in her opinion he could go farther than being a humble curate. But it occurred to her that she did not know him well enough to say so, and she held her tongue. She decided to try instead to convince him to aid her in her matchmaking schemes. As the vicar’s close friend, he could influence him greatly. Before she could begin, Lady Smithfield interrupted.
“Emily, Lydia, Lady Abernathy proposes to have a ball.”
“Truly?” Emily jumped up excitedly, while Lydia just smiled her acceptance of the treat. “What is the occasion?”
