Emmaline stared up at Mr Conroy and imagined what it might be like to be married to such a man. She wasn't the only girl; every girl who was old enough to have a crush had a crush on Mr Conroy. He'd only been teaching in Piedmont for two years and every girl in his class had been devastated by his beauty.
Emmaline wished she were a little taller, a little more lush, and had long, straight, sleek hair like Diana's hair, or a body like Claire's. He'd never looked once at her unless he was teaching her something.
To be fair, he never looked at any of the girls at all. He did his job and went home and that was all.
He was known for it.
Sighing, she stretched in her seat and thought about Thursday and then the weekend. Thursday was Valentine's Day and there was a dance at the town hall on Saturday. She knew she wasn't the only girl imagining what it would be like to show up on the arm of Mr Conroy.
With his beautiful jet-black curls, striking blue eyes, and soft, elegant hands. Not like the farm boys in class, or any of the town boys even. They were all so big and oafish and dull in comparison to the refined teacher.
Sighing again and stretching as she stared at him reading at his desk, she was mortified when his eyes lifted and met hers in disapproval. Even his scowl was beautiful!
"Is there an issue, Miss Emmaline?" he asked in his no-nonsense, clipped way. "Do you need the privy?"
"No! No, sir, sorry. I was just a bit restless. I'll finish the chapter!" she promised, looking back down at her book as the other students all sniggered.
"You know the rules about disrupting silent reading," he spoke coldly. "You will stay after school today."
"Yes, Sir," she sighed, both loving and hating the extra time she would get to spend with him. She didn't want him upset with her!
She got a few frosty looks as class let out, especially from Jemima who had announced to everyone on more than one occasion that she fully intended to get Mr Conroy to ask her to marry him by the time school ended in a couple of months.
Still, Emmaline wasn't worried. He always chose someone to stay after to be lectured and this was the first time it was her. She was usually a model student in the hopes he would notice her for that.
She sat up straight and still as the others filed to the coat hall and left.
Mr Conroy sat in his seat, writing in a notebook as the others left, having already dismissed them.
As soon as the front door closed and the entire one-room schoolhouse was quiet, he finally looked up from his desk and looked around. Getting up, he only glanced at Emmaline before going and checking the coat hall.
He came back, looking over Emmaline with a cool and calculating look, his eyes taking all of her in.
"Come to my desk," he commanded.
Emmaline went rigid, a bit terrified. He gave swats at his desk!
Still, she stood and followed him to his desk, knowing it would be worse if she balked.
She didn't deserve swats, though!
He sat down in his chair and faced her, confusing her since he had to stand to give swats. It seemed he likely wasn't going to hit her, probably just make her write on the chalkboard.
"You're about to graduate, aren't you, Emmy?" he asked almost gently.
"Yes, sir," she agreed quickly, blushing as he looked her over again.
"You turned eighteen already, as I recall. Your friends all said so back before Yule. Yes?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Good. I've noted you do not have a young man courting you. Donovan Prastille has made mention of you several times, but never approached you."
She wasn't sure if that was a question, so she stayed quiet. Donovan had boasted to others that he meant to ask her to the Valentine's dance only yesterday. He knew she wasn't interested in a farm boy, especially not a giant clod like Donovan.
"Do you return his interest?" he asked when she remained quiet.
"No, sir!"
"And yet, you do have an interest in a man?" he asked almost mockingly.
Emmaline blushed to her ears, her face burning.
"Come closer," he commanded, then put hands on her waist and pulled her up into his lap when she moved close enough.
Emmaline was thrilled as she looked up at him in surprise, his hands on her waist as he held her close.
"Have you longed for this, Emmy?" he asked lightly.
"I... sir... I have. You're so very lovely!" she breathed, horrifying herself with the words that spilled out.
He chuckled, then leaned in closer as he stroked a curl off of her face. "You're lovely as well, little Emmy! I have seen you. Watched you watching me and I have grown very fond of you! Incredibly fond, indeed. I have wondered when I leave here after school has ended and I can go and teach at the college... if I might bring someone with me. A wife. Would that suit you, little Emmy? To go back with me as my wife? See Lucana?"
"I would like it so very much!" she breathed, stunned and delighted. Surely she was dreaming!
"As would I," he smirked, then pulled her in closer to him and leaned in, pressing his lips to hers.
A kiss!
He had kissed her!
Emmaline's lips parted as she looked up at him in awe and he smiled before leaning in to kiss her again, then again.
When his hand slid up her waist to her breast, she twisted away and moved his hand back down. She was sure it had been an accident, he hadn't known she was turned that way!
