06-06-2025, 06:24 PM
She half smiled and tipped her shoulder to brush aside the trip to London. The complexities of family were never pleasant topics of conversation for Natalie, and while she would talk if pushed, she was unlikely to volunteer more than Emily already knew. She’d gone there expecting admonishment, particularly given her grandfather had sent his most trusted aide all the way to escort her from Moscow, whether she was willing or not. Honestly, the ire might actually have been easier to bear. Instead Edward used the occasion to remind her exactly where, and from whom, the Northbrook’s power came from – not that she’d ever had cause to forget. Only, in drawing her attention to those lines in the sand he had not galvanised her desire to protect the tentative life she made in Moscow, as intended, but made her realise just how easily she might find herself on the wrong side of them. Hardly a treason she could confide – in anyone.
Emily didn’t mention the reception, and she was glad to sidestep it. She knew Emily would bear no ill feeling, though she was probably concerned to know how Jay was doing. Or possibly curious why Natalie had been the one to sit with him outside the venue. But there were no easy answers for any of that, and it pressed on something tender Natalie wasn’t particularly keen to examine. She trusted Emily would be delicate if she did ask simply because it was the way she was, not that Natalie would be remotely offended by a direct approach. What she didn’t trust was her own response. The more painful the truth, the more apt she was to wield it like a self-inflicted weapon.
She distracted herself gladly with the menu and Emily’s description of the honeymoon. The sweetness of the blush actually made her laugh a little, not unkindly, but because she found it endearing. For all her staid, aristocratic manners, Natalie never professed to being a lady, and honeymoons weren’t for sightseeing. “I’m sure Italy is beautiful. And I’m also sure you’ll see far more of it next time.” She smiled, a brow raised in tease, but honestly she was glad to see the uncomplicated happiness. If anyone deserved good things, it was Emily.
The waitress spared any further blushes Natalie might tease when she returned for the order. She handed the menu back without having perused it with any seriousness; she was here for the company more than the food. “That’ll do for me too,” she said, then added with a smirk. “Minus the pickles.”
Natalie truly at ease was a rare thing. She could act the social part, and frequently did, but it was always at a removed distance; a facsimile of what was expected of her, with little ever allowed to pierce her sardonic armament. Though she’d already guessed the news, her smile when it was shared was genuine pleasure. The warmth of Emily was infectious in a way she couldn’t really describe. They’d never had reason to discuss motherhood and she hadn’t even known it was something Emily wanted, but looking at her now it seemed the most natural fit.
“Congratulations to you both,” she said. Then, without a pause for thought, but with truthful sincerity, she added, “I can’t think of better parents.” Given the tragedy shadowing Emily’s past, she knew how much that might mean; that sometimes happiness could be tinged with a little sadness. But often that was where strength came from too. She’d seen Jared with Ekene in Sierra Leone; witnessed first hand what the nurture had done for a child that lost everything in life’s maelstrom. She really couldn’t think of two people better suited to the task. “Your sisters must be excited too.”
Emily didn’t mention the reception, and she was glad to sidestep it. She knew Emily would bear no ill feeling, though she was probably concerned to know how Jay was doing. Or possibly curious why Natalie had been the one to sit with him outside the venue. But there were no easy answers for any of that, and it pressed on something tender Natalie wasn’t particularly keen to examine. She trusted Emily would be delicate if she did ask simply because it was the way she was, not that Natalie would be remotely offended by a direct approach. What she didn’t trust was her own response. The more painful the truth, the more apt she was to wield it like a self-inflicted weapon.
She distracted herself gladly with the menu and Emily’s description of the honeymoon. The sweetness of the blush actually made her laugh a little, not unkindly, but because she found it endearing. For all her staid, aristocratic manners, Natalie never professed to being a lady, and honeymoons weren’t for sightseeing. “I’m sure Italy is beautiful. And I’m also sure you’ll see far more of it next time.” She smiled, a brow raised in tease, but honestly she was glad to see the uncomplicated happiness. If anyone deserved good things, it was Emily.
The waitress spared any further blushes Natalie might tease when she returned for the order. She handed the menu back without having perused it with any seriousness; she was here for the company more than the food. “That’ll do for me too,” she said, then added with a smirk. “Minus the pickles.”
Natalie truly at ease was a rare thing. She could act the social part, and frequently did, but it was always at a removed distance; a facsimile of what was expected of her, with little ever allowed to pierce her sardonic armament. Though she’d already guessed the news, her smile when it was shared was genuine pleasure. The warmth of Emily was infectious in a way she couldn’t really describe. They’d never had reason to discuss motherhood and she hadn’t even known it was something Emily wanted, but looking at her now it seemed the most natural fit.
“Congratulations to you both,” she said. Then, without a pause for thought, but with truthful sincerity, she added, “I can’t think of better parents.” Given the tragedy shadowing Emily’s past, she knew how much that might mean; that sometimes happiness could be tinged with a little sadness. But often that was where strength came from too. She’d seen Jared with Ekene in Sierra Leone; witnessed first hand what the nurture had done for a child that lost everything in life’s maelstrom. She really couldn’t think of two people better suited to the task. “Your sisters must be excited too.”