“Do you love Raoul?” he blurted, his fists clenched as soon as he realised his blunder.

The answer should have come with ease since she had known it a long time ago. Even as friendship blossomed between them as the result of their close childhood and proximity, she had never regarded Raoul Charles Fenton as a potential candidate for her love life.

However, as she gazed deeply into Henry’s eyes, Emmaline found it hard to tell the once adorable childhood friend the matter of her heart, afraid of the latter’s reaction. Instead, she took a sudden interest in her shirt’s buttons, prolonging the time.

“No.” Emmaline decided on the truth. She felt crying and laughing at the same time, but she steeled her resolve, willing herself not to weep in front of Henry. This was the only way she could preserve her dignity.

Uncle George and Aunt Aurelia had been supportive of the proposal. As far as they concerned, it was wonderful news considering the closeness of their two families. There was also no doubt that they treated Emmaline as their own daughter. And Emmaline…was deeply indebted to the couple who had taken her while no one from her family had been willing to spare a bit of love for the lonely nine-year-old who had just lost her parents.

Unexpected relief washed over Henry as he suppressed the urge to circle his arm around her shoulders and crushed her into his embrace. He had somehow managed to get himself tangled in her problems by asking the question, so he didn’t want to add to the troubles. But his relief at Emmaline’s answer had to mean something.

However, he was once again baffled by his own stupidity as he blurted mindlessly, “Do you love someone else?” Self-destruct was the only appealing idea for him to do at the moment. He felt downright imprudent. And embarrassed. That wasn’t how their conversations usually transpired.

Aquamarine orbs widened in surprise, Emmaline found herself stumbling for an answer, searching her brain for an appropriate response to his blunt question. An uncertain smile started to spread across her features, and amusement melted the coldness in her heart as she finally resolved in another half-truth. Placing a palm flat against his chest, she tiptoed and whispered her answer in his ear; a slight smile appeared as she caught Henry’s astonished expression at her boldness, “I supposed. Do you?”

“What?”

“Love someone?” Emmaline knew well she was pushing her luck, but she could care less. The moment she told Henry she didn’t love Raoul was enough a statement to shatter her cover of indifferent shell. Like it or not, she would demand an honest answer. Jabbing a finger at his chest, her lips curved up into a slight smirk as she warned him, “And don’t try to run away.”

Tit-for-tat.

A genuine smile spreading on his features, Henry simply gathered her smaller frame into his arm and tucked her head under his chin, his eyes fluttering close in appreciation as

he revelled in the silky texture of her hair. He had never done this before, but the urge was there and there was nothing he could do to stop it. A week ago and he would never have dreamt of touching her this way. Now that he gave in, he loved the sensation their close proximity had brought forth. He knew she was waiting for his answer, but he savoured the silent moment, enjoying every second of the soft drumming sounds of his heart beating against his ribcage, with some strange, unfamiliar emotions fluttering.

He could sense resistance coming from Emmaline, but instead of letting go, he tightened his arms. Quickly he shielded both of them under the umbrella as she shivered against him, unconsciously snuggling up to the source of his body heat. Smoothly he steered her away from the spot.

“Where…?” anxiety sounded in the unfinished question, and Emmaline finished it with a reprimand, “I’m not going back with you. Besides, you dodged me. Again.”

Lifting his eyebrows in mock astonishment, Henry countered her accusation with a mild, “Did I?”

“Yes, you did.” Nodding in satisfaction, she apparently took pleasure in measuring his reaction, “Don’t tell me you don’t feel. You’re a human being, after all.”

Henry needed a few seconds to consider his response. After all, he was suddenly in the mood for a light bantering.

“Let’s just say that…” he said conversationally, a hint of teasing in his voice, “I still don’t understand a lot of things.”

Almost smiling, Emmaline merely shrugged, “I knew you would say such things.” Quickening her pace, she followed Henry silently. Sensing her willingness to follow him, he tightened his hold on Emmaline’s shoulders and steered her to the direction of a shelter not so far away from where they were.

His sanctuary.