Back in those days, my colleagues and friends looked at Emily with a sense of envyshe had managed to win the affection of a mature and well-to-do gentleman. Henry was fifteen years her senior and directed the very firm where she was now employed.
Shes barely walked through the door, and already shes getting married, they whispered behind her back.
Talk about the bottom rung to the top of the ladder!
Exactly!
Emily, however, had no intention of bragging about her relationship with the boss. The truth was, their romance began even before she stepped foot in the company. In fact, she had no inkling that Henry was the director when she went for her interview, entering the whole affair quite blindly. Nevertheless, she was appointed to the position promptlythough Henry insisted he took no part in the hiring, claiming that the personnel manager made his decision purely on her credentials.
Later, when Emily learned the truth, she asked Henry to keep their connection under wraps. But all secrets have a way of surfacing. Before long, the whole office knew about the affair, and the gossips wasted no time tearing into the widower and his young beauty.
Emily was never one to boast about her looks and believed she held her position on merit rather than a pretty face. The busybodies, of course, thought otherwise.
Not even two years since Margarets gone and now Henrys ready to wed again, they muttered.
MargaretMargaret Darlingtonhad been the previous owner of the firm and Henrys late wife. Theyd been married for ten years when Margaret suffered a tragic accident, leaving Henry both her fortune and her business.
Suddenly, Henry became one of the countys most eligible bachelors. Still, during the first months after Margarets death, he retreated into himself; his grief made him more attractive to some women, who found his loyalty alluring.
How faithful
Hes like a swan! sighed the ladies, casting longing looks his way.
Henry was not what one would call a Casanova or a dashing type. Rather, it was his bank account that seemed to draw a particular sort of womans interest. But Emily, clearly, had fallen for Henry for other reasons.
Their meeting had been quite ordinaryhe accidentally bumped her with his shopping trolley at the local grocers, snagging her tights and scuffing her suede shoes and then rebuked her for cutting into the queue.
But Emily stood her ground, retorting with such spirit that Henry ended up paying for her shopping and then chased her halfway across the town centre to apologise.
I beg your pardon; truly, its been a difficult day, he said. May I help you with your bags?
No, thank you. I have my car just here, Ill manage, she replied.
Truth be told, Emily didnt own a car. She waited until Henry left and made her way to the bus stop. Whether it was luck or fate, Henry passed that way, saw her waiting, and pulled up beside her.
Come, let me give you a lift.
No, thank you.
I wont move till you do, insisted Henry, blocking the stop so thoroughly that fellow passengers pleaded with Emily to accept, just to clear the way.
In the end, she gave in.
Henry proved quite agreeable when he wasnt shouting nor running over peoples toes. Emily thought, in different circumstances, they could at least have been friends. But Henry was set on something more; he fell in love, though hed previously believed no one could replace Margaret. Then Emily came alongunlike Margaret in both looks and nature.
Something about her ensnared him, such that upon discovering her address, he began appearing daily, waiting for her at her door. In time, she relented and agreed to a date. Months later, she found herself working at his company. Coincidence? Perhaps.
Henry wasnt bothered by idle chatter among his employees. He was simply happy and didnt try to hide it. Though he didnt spoil Emily with lavish gifts, she was never short of his attention.
She enjoyed the way he looked at her, as well as the grand flat in the centre of town, the fine motorcar, and the promising future he offered. Soon enough, her belongings were moved in, and Emily was introduced to Henrys mother, Mrs. Agnes Harwood.
Agnes was a quiet soul and doted on her son in every way. After his wife had passed, Henry moved his mother inshe cooked, tidied, pressed shirts, and saw to the household.
Even with Emilys arrival, Agnes carried on as usual. Emily didnt complain; she had no designs on running the household herself and happily ate whatever Agnes prepared. All was well, until Henry thought of marriage.
What troubled Emily was that, even after Margarets passing, Henry kept his wedding ring on.
I still feel a connection with Margaret, he confessed. It bothered Emily, so she gently asked him to take the ring off.
All right Henry hesitated. If it upsets you, Ill do it.
Youre not married; otherwise it feels as though Im going with a married man, she explained, and Henry conceded, tucking the ring away and, for a time, forgetting about it.
When the moment came to propose, Henry retrieved a small box from his safeinside was a unique family heirloom, a beautiful diamond ring.
The setting was perfect: a restaurant, live music, wine, and at the bottom of her glassa treasured ring.
Emily nearly choked when the ring caught her lips. Marry me, Henry said, reaching for her hand. But she pulled away.
No.
What do you mean, no? he stammered.
I will not wear that ring.
But its a family piece! Theres nothing else like it! You have no idea how valuable it is! Henrys face reddened.
It doesnt matter. I cant wear the ring your late wife wore.
Why ever not?
Its bad luck.
Dont be ridiculous, he insisted.
Whats next, Im to wear her wedding dress? Your mother said its still somewhere among her things.
A dress can be bought new. There was never any need to buy new jewellery, though. Its a remarkable set, they dont make them like this these days. Look at the craftsmanshipthe gold!
No. I wont wear something second-hand. And I dont want to see that old ring on your finger, either, she nodded at Henrys hand. You know how I feel.
Is that your final decision? he asked, frowning.
Yes. Im sorry, said Emily, rising from her chair. The evening was ruined.
I think perhaps we need a break, Henry said.
I was thinking much the same.
She left, and Henry did not try to stop her. The musicians played on. The waiter brought their meal, and the ring stayed in its little box.
At work, Emily kept well away from her boss. Henry barely left his office. That evening, she went to her parents house. They welcomed her and advised her to end things and seek someone her own age.
Youre a clever, beautiful girl, Emily! You dont need Henryhes all those years older, and a widower to boot!
Emily didnt reply. She honestly didnt know what was best. On one hand, Henry was a decent prospect for a husband; on the other, she was unnerved by his inability to let go of Margaret.
For several days, things hung in the air. Henry never called. Emily kept avoiding him. Eventually, she even took sick leave, feeling unwell. Rumours swirled through the office: the boss and his beauty were no more.
Henry himself fuelled the gossip with his dark moods. He grew short-tempered with everyone, including his mother. Agnes finally tried to discuss Emily with her son, but he brushed her off with vague answers and irritation.
Agnes disliked seeing her son in pain but unable to act. So, she decided to visit Emily herself.
Mrs. Harwood! Emily exclaimed, surprised. Shed not expected company.
Hello, dear Emily. How are you?
Im under the weather, thats all.
So thats why youre staying away? To spare me your cold? Agnes narrowed her eyes.
Not quite, Emily blushed.
Then do come back. Henry can barely function without you.
He doesnt show it, Emily pressed her lips together.
Hes proud, you know. He hasnt even explained whats happened. What did you quarrel about? You love each other!
He wants me to wear his late wifes ring.
I see. So if not for that, all would be well?
We need to get rid of itsell it and buy something new. I cannot wear something another woman wore, and now Im expected to live in her shadow. Besides, jewels hold energy.
I agree, Emily. I suspect Henry isnt ready for marriage. He clings to Margaret, to the pasteven as he loves you.
You cant build something new on whats old, Mrs. Harwood, Emily said softly. Im sorry. Thank you for coming.
Agnes left, pitying both her son and his fiancée. Such a small thingyet its roots ran deep.
After a week away, Emily braced herself to return to the office, determined to avoid Henry. In that time, he hadnt called once. Hurt, she decided to resign and look for work elsewhere.
Henry signed her notice, saying nothingjust sat, sulky as a child with an empty larder.
Youre a grown man but behaving like a boy, Emily said as she left.
Blame yourself! No ones ever turned me down before Henry grumbled.
Emily said nothing more. She knew shed made the right decision. As she left, she spotted Henrys ring glinting on his finger.
I did the right thing, she thought. Hell never let his wife go. And with that, she packed her things. Her heart felt lighter, and she was sure she had chosen well.
Henry, meanwhile, would remain hurt for a long while, unable to fathom why Emily had failed to see the catch she could have married in him.
