''Because he is a scoundrel. He is continually unfaithful to my mother and one evening when she objected to his behavior, he beat her, brutally. When I saw her black eyes and busted lips, I was unable to control my anger.''
''What a horrible situation for you, my poor dear. I am quite shocked.'' She put her hand on his arm in a gesture of support, but he pulled it away from her.
''Emily, whatever you feel for me and, however, my situation came about, it is inappropriate for you and me to touch. You are compromised on two fronts. First by my stupidity in entering into this ridiculous auction and second by my financial situation. I am endangering you. As soon as the auction is finished, I will wish you well and leave your life forever.''
''Charles, stop walking and look at me.'' When he'd told her about the situation with his mother, Emily had stopped walking, hoping he would do the same. She'd wanted to comfort him, but he'd just carried on. ''Charles stop, damn you.''
He stopped. her harsh words ringing in his ears. When he turned to her, she could see more sorrow in his eyes, and it pained her greatly. ''You will not leave my life. I forbid it. I have never met a man like you. I don't care that you are the most handsome man I have ever seen. More important is that you are a man of principal and a man who cares passionately about people. Especially women. You will take those few steps back to me, take me in your arms and kiss me, this instant.''
''Oh Emily. I cannot do that. I vowed to myself that I would not touch you. You don't seem to understand. I have told you several times. I will repeat myself. I have no means to keep you. Do you want a life of poverty?''
''I don't care about money. It is you I want. If you will not love me, then I will never marry any man.''
''Then you will remain single. In the first months of our marriage, you would be happy, but as time went by, a life of poverty would eat away at that happiness. You don't know what you are asking me to do. You are asking me to take you down a path that will ultimately lead to misery, and I won't do that to you.''
''Mr. Carrington, you are quite the most frustrating man I believe it is possible to encounter. I know you are doing this for the right reasons. However, without you, what substance would my life have? I understand your point of view, but you must change it. I demand you do so.''
''I do not react kindly to ultimatums, Emily. You may follow me back to the house from where I will take my leave of you, or you may continue the walk alone. In either case, this is the very last time you will see me. I bid you farewell.”
*****
''Emily, please dry your tears. Here, take this,'' Beatrice passed her a handkerchief.
''Now tell me, what is so bad that you have held onto me and constantly cried for the last ten minutes?''
''Those three arrogant, cruel men.''
''What about them?''
''You know I want Charles, desperately?''
''Yes, I remember how upset you were when he left you. And if you want my opinion you should forget him.''
''I can't forget him. I am in love with him, and the worst of it is.......oh Beatrice.'' Emily began to sob again.
''Dear cousin, it pains me so much to see you like this. If Mr. Carrington has no means and refuses to be with you, what can you do? You have little choice but to accept it and carry on with your life.''
''To make matters worse. I have learned from the Duke that he is going to bid the sum of twenty thousand pounds for me, and I also know that Mr. Masters is unable to bid so much. I am going to be stuck with that arrogant, conceited man, and I can't stand the thought. The plans I had to manipulate the bidding in my favor have come to nothing. The Duke simply has too much money and has decided to outbid everyone regardless.''
''And what has Mr. Carrington been bidding.''
''A pittance. The other two have been laughing at him. But Beatrice, the man I love has no money and certainly not twenty thousand pounds. That is enough to keep a peasant family for a thousand years. I am trapped in a terrible situation.''
''No, you are not. You are an independent woman, and you are strong. Simply tell whoever wins the auction that you are not interested in courting them.''
''But how can I refuse the advances of a Duke. If I refuse, my mother and father will see me into a sanatorium.''
''No, they will not. You are being melodramatic now. Let the men have their fun and be done with them.'' Beatrice held Emily tightly and stroked her hair as Emily sobbed into her shoulder.
*****
''Cabby, can you travel any faster?''
''It's the fog, Sir. I don't want to run anyone over.''
''Well go as fast as you can. We have no time to spare.'' Charles looked at his friend James. ''Thank you so much for doing this. It is a favor I will never be able to repay.''
''Not at all Charles. You are a dear friend, and it is I who will never be able to repay you. You remember how you fought off that prefect at school? The one who wanted to give me twenty lashes. Well, if it hadn't been for you knocking him unconscious, I would still have the scars across my backside.''