aid the man, not movi

Emily unsure and she w

an approached her Emily's heart began to spike out with anxiety, she k

he was tall, athletic from what she could tell from underneath the suit and tails he wore, and had a full set of dark hair that was com

" she squea

e inched closer to her. "I know you've probably been asked a lot about them, Dougla

f their parents after all,"

that an observation?" asked the man, his deep vo

servat

her, there was no need for formal

asked Emily, curious abou

manner and held out his hand, "I am Nich

k his offered hand and shook it with a half-smile,

lakewell." he smiled enigmaticall

earching her memories for any signs of a Nichol

with a smile. "What do you

honor, just something Mr. and Mrs.

y from his eyes the color of oceans or spill out her innermost secrets at any time. There was no mistaking her finding

know why I said what I just did," she said looking at the

lakewell, the Mortimers sha

Mr. Sutcliffe?" asked Emily

h too many peopl

smiling to herself cutting off

neither one wanted to touch upon it. Of course, it was all about wh

rs. Mortimer looking like she

s if to capture the governess and drag her back to the party. "I see you've met Nicholas." Em

our new governess Mrs. Mortimer." said the man

to ease the mood, "we'll toast to you my dear." added the hoste

Mrs. Mortimer, held tightly onto Emily's arm as if she was giving her a warning as to her newfound companion. For someone often delicately handled like a piece of glass by her own husband,

h took glasses of champagne for the toast; Emily's only intention was to follow her employer's lead while Sutcliffe was all smiles and charm as they passed by the other guests. Emily now at the steps of the stairs cou

ad decided to dress for the occasion. She does wonder if it was the Mortimers' plan to embarrass her in front of everyone by toasting her, almost in a farcical manner being born into mo

this is our new governess Ms. Emily Blakewell." she added as she raised her glass. "Now let's

mily followed Mrs. Mortimer's lead and drank her glass as well but

glass onto the tray as smoothly as anyone else she'd seen. He was tall as she had observed earlier

who she conversed with for a few minutes, and besides, what could they possibly have in common outside o

akewell?" asked, once aga

ng, then yes," she said, matter-

way to the sea of guests that awaited their presence. Of course, there was dancin

ren," Emily said to her companion. "I have

her in a slow step for her steps were shorter t

er flush red, noticing this Sutcliffe took her hand and guided her to the place where he thought the children could be found. When th

hem up," said Em

tched their lungs in a yawn only to open their eyes to Emily's

e took each of them by the hand and added

Emily could not send the children up to bed yet for there was a dance happening in the hall that she needed to pass through

n she detected a delight in her voice w

ery tired and the clock hanging on the side of the fireplace indicated that it w

not been for your company Mr. Sutcliffe

Sutcliffe who smiled a small smile, a twin

ining themselves with small talk that they barely noticed as they guided the children up the steps. They said

. Mortimer to keep herself from getting her hands on another glass of champagne. She fought off her husband and nearly slipped but caught herself before t

hem carefully as if they could see trouble in the friendship that had started between them. For the m

ked, his electric blue eyes contacting her green

velist." there was a shyness in her voi

ike one," he replied with a

Sutcliffe?" asked Emily

there, mainly grain." He was looking into the fire when he said this and then turned to her

t you

ver Hawthorne he'd granted me the rights to run the Heights if I could

g," she comment

e was a hint in his manner that knew he was attractive in terms of his physiognomy and carried himself that way too while she w

e, the two companions could hear the carriages of each guest arriving o

on the morrow if you'll forgive me," said Sutcliffe as he

for the entrance where Sutcliffe collected his things; a coat and hat

f they were a pumpkin, and others were decorated in silver and gold, and they were authentic or not it didn't matter for their designs were elegant.

Blakewell?" asked he, tu

beautiful," she answered in awe whil

Sutcliffe, "His n

ffe gathered his strength and pulled

n and not waiting for her to reply he galloped on Gil-galad

ly to herself, careful that no on