Her face crimson in renewed embarrassment, Emmaline faced the source of the low baritone, but her eyes widened as she attempted to hold her laughter upon witnessing the vision before her.

Henry.

He laid there very still, limbs sprawling around carelessly, eyes staring unfocused on the ceiling. His mouth half opened, he was breathing roughly in regular intervals – his nose flared with each breath he took. He looked so sinfully adorable with the opening of his garb widely apart, revealing his well-toned body. He had never been more charming with his hair tousled and face flushing furiously, shamelessly admitting his excitement.

Then, as if someone had thrown a bucket of cold water over his head, he snapped out of his stupor and snarled viciously at her, scrambling up into sitting position. Then he groaned piteously, so unlike his usual cool self, “Tell me, Emmaline. Why do you always have to haunt me even in my waking time?”

Emmaline placed her fingers on her chest as she gave his a look of mock surprise. “So you do think of me as well?”

A grunt that sounded very much like a yes drew a chuckle from her.

“But I remember you denied any attraction to me last night.”

His eyes widened in realisation, before they narrowed back accusingly at her, “You were listening to our discussion.” A string of curses left his mouth.

Emmaline ignored the curses and shrugged lightly. “I couldn’t help it. You boys were very loud.”

The horrified look on Henry’s face drew another chuckle from her. Awkward Henry. He never changed. Perhaps he didn’t have that much experience with the ladies as well. After all, the Henry she had always known preferred the company of his books, at least when it comes to social gatherings.

“I thought you retired straight to your room. You did arrive late last night!” Henry spouted with a groan. He looked as if he was ready to kill himself.

“And I thought I was going to say hello properly before that.” Emmaline replied, suddenly very intent on studying the tip of her nails, “I couldn’t possibly barge in and made a fool of myself in front of the entire group of gentlemen.”

Another groan and a smack on his forehead. “No wonder you were so crossed!”

“Yes.” Emmaline nodded, “And what did you call me again?”

A grumble answered her question.

“That boy-girl Emmaline. Was that correct?”

A nod and a gruff apology, “That was very condescending and rude of me. I’m very sorry you had to hear that, Em.” Henry appeared thoughtful for a moment, and added with a grin, “But hey, you know it’s not the truth. Even Raoul fell for you.”

Emmaline shot her a dirty look, and Henry once again cringed for managing to utter the wrong word again. “Don’t even mention Raoul’s name in my presence. I am definitely going to turn his proposal down if you must know. Or perhaps you are happier if I marry him to join your family tree officially?” There was a mischievous twinkle in Emmaline’s crystal blue eyes, and that caused Henry to let out a bark of laughter.

Eventually, the laughter died and they settled on companionable silence. Emmaline was the first to break the silence.

“Hen, you just kissed me,” she told him as she twiddled her thumbs, eyes downcast, “What do we do, now?”

Henry scowled at Emmaline’s pet name for him, but he decided to let it go this time. Stretching his lips into a lazy smile, Henry settled his hand on top of Emmaline’s, his thumb caressing her skin softly. Slightly embarrassed, she tried to pull it back, but he restrained her, clutching her hand so it wouldn’t slip away. Instead, he twisted her palm open and kissed it tenderly, his lips a lingering warmth. Smiling against her palm, he declared meaningfully, “I’m not giving up this hand to any man.”

Emmaline’s face brightened up instantly. This was the best thing she had ever heard since the night she arrived at the manor. “So?” She looked at him expectantly, “What are we now?”

Henry cocked his head thoughtfully to one side, pursing his lips as he replied, “I don’t know. You tell me.”

From the red tinge on Emmaline’s cheeks, he could tell that he had annoyed her, again. “Henry…” her voice was menacing as she lifted her fist, ready to strike. Henry grinned as he lifted his arms as if to protect himself and laughed boisterously as Emmaline launched herself at him. Just like old time.

“Does this how a lady of your education behave, Em?” he mocked, ‘ouch'ing every time her fists made a contact with his body.

“When the situation calls,” Emmaline responded dryly, “Besides, you deserve it.”

All of sudden, she stopped. Sitting on her heels, she wiped her eyes and started to sniff quietly. Stunned, Henry scrambled to sit up, dumbfounded at how easy it was to make Emmaline cry these days. “I’m sorry,” he offered.

His apology had only made Emmaline cried harder, and for a reason he was afraid to name, it crushed his own heart. It hurt seeing her that way. He wished he didn’t tease her in the first place. Gently he gathered her smaller frame into his arms, slowly caressing her racking back.

“Sorry,” he offered once again.

When he failed to reach out to Emmaline in the end, he lifted her chin gently and lightly kiss her upturned lips.