“You’re no daughter of mine anymore.”
The words still echoed in Emily’s mind as she wrapped her shawl tighter against the evening chill. Outside, the distant thump of music from the village hall carried on the wind. She could almost picture them all insidelaughter, dancing, the swirl of skirts. Sarah had probably worn that awful leopard-print dress again, the one that made her look like a disheveled caterpillar. Emily sighed and turned back inside, the weight of loneliness settling in her chest.
Earlier, Sarah had burst in, cheeks flushed with excitement. “Did you hear? Theyve brought some men from the city to help with the harvest! Were going to the dance tonightcome with us!”
Emily had laughed weakly. “And whos going to watch William? Should I bring him along?”
“Couldnt Aunt Margaret mind him?” Sarah suggested carefully.
Emily shook her head. “Not a chance. She still hasnt forgiven me for turning down Thomas to go study in London. Never mind that I came back with a baby instead of a degree. She only started speaking to me again two months ago.”
Sarah sighed. “Fine, Ill go with Rebecca. But Ill tell you everything tomorrow!”
Now, as Emily tucked William into bed, she lingered in the doorway, listening to the faint strains of music. For a moment, she let herself imagine itthe warmth, the chatter, the way the room would hum with life. But the fantasy dissolved as quickly as it came. She turned away and went to bed.
Morning came too soon, and with it, Sarahs breathless arrivaljust as Aunt Margaret decided to visit. Emily pressed a finger to her lips, but Sarah was already gushing.
“You missed out! There were some lovely lads there. One of themHarrywalked me home. Charming, really funny. And tonight, were meeting again!”
Aunt Margarets lips pursed. “Married, I suppose?”
Sarah shrugged. “Didnt check his ring finger. Even if he is, itll be something to remember.”
“Girls these days,” Aunt Margaret clucked. “Thomas wouldve been a fine match. My Emily here wasted her chance, but you, Sarah, could still turn his head.”
Sarah barked a laugh. “Aunt Margaret, be serious! Whod want himor his mother, for that matter? God save me from that kind of happiness!”
Then, something impossible happened. Aunt Margaret, thoughtful, turned to Emily.
“You ought to go to the dance yourself. Ill mind William. Who knows? You might meet someone steadysomeone reliable. William needs a father. Just dont pick a married one. They can smell a lonely woman a mile off. Understood?”
Emily could hardly believe her luck. She kissed her mothers cheek impulsively, earning only a grumbled, “Oh, stop fussing.”
That evening, Emily stood in her best dress, laughing with the girls as if shed never left.
Then someone whispered, “Lookhes here again.”
Emily followed their gazeand her legs nearly gave out. She turned sharply to Sarah. “I should go. William might be crying”
“Emily Whitmore!” Sarah hissed. “First time out in ages, and youre already bolting? You havent even danced!”
But Emily was firm. “Im leaving. Besides, isnt that your Harry coming? You wont be bored.” She slipped toward the dooronly for a hand to catch hers.
“Care for a dance?”
She didnt look up. “I dont dance.”
The stranger was persistent. “Just one. Please?”
Reluctantly, she turnedand her heart stuttered. It was *him*. The man whod unraveled her life in a single night. And judging by his smile, he didnt even remember.
“One dance,” she agreed stiffly.
He spun her effortlessly. “Your husband must be worried.”
“Im not married.”
His smile turned sly. “Then Ive still got a chance?”
She pushed away. “Dont count on it,” she snapped, fleeing into the night.
Tears burned her cheeks all the way home. Shed remembered him every dayhad loved him instantlyand he hadnt known her at all.
Theyd met on a train. Shed been crushed after failing her university exams; hed been visiting family. Seeing her gloom, hed teased, “Names James. Mum calls me Jamie, my nieces say Uncle Jay. Take your pick.”
Shed laughed. “Jays funnier.”
Hed offered his hand. “Nearly proper introductions, then. And you are, lovely creature?”
“Emily.”
“Regal,” hed said, as if it were fact.
One conversation led to another. She confessed her failure, her mothers inevitable disappointment.
“Study over winter and try again,” hed advised.
Shed brightened. “I never thought of that. Thank you.”
Then hed studied her, thoughtful. “Has anyone told you youre beautiful?”
Shed flushed. “Im ordinary. But thanks.”
Hed leaned closer. “Not ordinary.” Then hed kissed herand the world had dissolved. What followed was equal parts shame and sweetness. Hed left early, whispering, “Ill find you.”
Only later did she realize hed never asked where she lived.
Then the baby came. Her mothers disgust had been absolute.
*”Youre no daughter of mine anymore. Who even is he? Youll live in Grans cottage and raise that child alone. Grow up.”*
Emily had worked at the library until her due date. Sarah had met her at the hospitalher mother hadnt even come. Only when William was five months old did she finally appear, eyeing the baby coolly. “Not our blood.” But shed kept visiting, bringing toys.
Now, bleary-eyed at dawn, Emily coaxed William to eat his porridge. “If you dont eat, you wont grow big and strong like your daddy.”
A voice from the doorway made her drop the spoon.
“Flattering. Is this my son?”
Emilys breath caught. “How?”
James grinned. “Told you Id find you. Didnt know Id be a father by the time I did.” He wrinkled his nose at William, who giggled.
By morning, her mother found Emily radiantand a strange man bouncing William on his shoulders.
“This him?”
Emily nodded, beaming.
Her mother extended a hand. “Margaret Whitmore. Ill be watching what kind of manand fatheryou are.”
James shook it solemnly. “Understood.”
