“I thought you would be pleased,” Lily said. “But we must get you dressed. Mr. Livingston has come to call.”
Her brows furrowed. “Calvin is here, at this early hour?”
Lily laughed. “It is not early. You just slept the morning away,” she teased. “I have been up for many hours, preparing my plans for school today.”
“How is the new teacher?”
“She is wonderful, but she isn’t you,” Lily said. “Although, the girls seem to be taken with her.”
“That is good.”
Lily grinned. “You can still visit the school and teach the girls a thing or two about the needle,” she said. “Your needlework is exquisite.”
Emilia placed her feet over the bed. “I don’t wish to intrude.”
“It is your school,” Lily contended. “You can come and go as you please. Perhaps you can even bring Miss Clarissa on your next visit.”
“You are right. I do believe I will come visit tomorrow and I will try to convince Clarissa to accompany me.”
Lily approached the wardrobe and removed a pale green gown. “I still find it interesting that you and Clarissa are starting to grow rather close. You two are opposites, in practically every way.”
“Yes, it is rather interesting,” Emilia admitted. “But I am excited to have a sister. I have always wanted one.”
“Having a sister is not like having a pet,” Lily joked.
Emilia laughed at that comparison. “I know, but Clarissa is coming around, I can feel it.”
“For your sake, I hope you are right.” Lily held the gown up. “Now, let’s get you dressed.”
With Lily’s assistance, Emilia got dressed and styled her hair into an elegant chignon. She departed from her bedchamber and headed for the drawing room, her curiosity piqued as to why Calvin was here.
She entered the drawing room and found Calvin pacing back and forth, his face clouded in agitation.
“Is something amiss?” Emilia asked, concerned.
Calvin stopped pacing and looked at her. “Emilia,” he said. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with me at such an early hour.”
She decided to lighten the mood by saying, “I have been informed by my lady’s maid that it is not that early.”
He took a step towards her. “I just feel awful about what transpired yesterday on our carriage ride and I was hoping for a chance to explain my behavior.”
“There is really no need…” she attempted.
He spoke over her. “There is,” he insisted. “My behavior was utterly unacceptable and I humbly beg your forgiveness.”
Emilia gave him a weak smile. “You do not need my forgiveness, considering there is nothing to forgive.”
Calvin released a heavy sigh. “You are being far too gracious, Emilia.”
“Come, let us have a seat and discuss what has you so upset,” Emilia suggested as she settled on the settee.
He took a seat across from her in an upholstered armchair. “I had promised you a pleasant carriage ride, but I ruined it by letting emotions get the best of me.”
“You did seem rather bothered by Fredrick’s presence,” Emilia said.
“That is putting it lightly,” Calvin admitted. “My father… or rather, our father would constantly compare me to Fredrick, and I always came up lacking.”
Emilia’s heart went out to Calvin. “It was unfair of Father to do such a thing.”