(Author's Note: I hope you guys are enjoying the story that I'm finally expanding on. Life got in the way, but this story never left my brain and I'm pleased that after all these years, I'm able to continue. Please feel free to leave a review to let me know what you think.)

As Emily approached the pub, she preemptively pulled her hood up and tightened it around her face. She didn't want anyone to notice her. To her surprise, the pub was nearly empty, aside from a small group of merchants that always passed through town on the way to the docks. And then she saw him.

Lord Barkis was sitting at the same table, again with a pint of mead, playing with a coin and watching the reflection of the candlelight dance off the walls. Noticing that no one she knew was there, she decided to enter.

When the door opened to the pub, the first thing she felt was the warmth of inside battling with the chill of the night air. The first thing she smelled was body odor and alcohol, mixed with the spices of hot wines that lined the wood stoves behind the bar. She stepped in, keeping her hood up as to not draw too much attention.

She walked to the bar and took a seat, just within line of sight from Lord Barkis. That night's bartender approached her, cloth in hand, wiping out a pint glass he had just rinsed.

"What can I get you?"

"Spiced wine, please." Emily took her coin purse from the pocket in her hood and slid a silver coin his direction.

"That's too much," He said. "It only costs a quarter of that."

"Doesn't matter." Emily just wanted the warmth of the wine to unfreeze her bones. "Bring me two then."

He took a ladle from beside one of the pots and filled two mugs with the warm, red liquid, being careful to leave behind the cloves.

"Here you are," He said, before walking away.

Emily blew on her steaming drink to cool it before taking a sip, the strength of its smell thankfully drowning out the unpleasant odors from her surroundings. She drank and the tangy drink reminded her of Christmas potpourri that Miss Gail would put in every room of the mansion.

She glanced over at Lord Barkis, disappointed he had yet to notice her presence. She loosens her hood to allow more of her face to show and tried to keep from staring, waiting for jus gray eyes to find her. She waited for what seemed like an eternity before she saw him get up from his seat and walk over to her.

"Now," he said, a flirtatious smile following his words. "What do we have here?"

Emily had to keep from shuddering as her cheeks flushed. His muscles were rippling through his tight, white shirt, sleeves rolled up revealing his forearms. Her eyes followed the pink curve of his lips up to his warm gaze.

"I believe it's a lady out for a drink," She retorted. "Can't be such a rare occurrence."

He smirked. "Of course not, but what is rare is a gem like you being in a place like this." He sat beside her, leaning ever so slightly in her direction. "I hope you haven't forgotten me." He looked at her, clearly hoping she'd remembered.

"Lord Barkis, how could I?" Emily let down her hood, finally comfortable enough to show her head entirely. "What are you doing here two nights in a row?"

"Not much else for a guy like me to do," He said as he placed his coin in his pocket. "I don't have any friends here as it's not my home…yet." His eyes caught hers. "What about you? What brings you to the pub tonight?"

"I was out for a walk and got cold, figured I'd come in to warm up a bit." Emily tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Would you like some hot wine?" She gestured to the extra mug in front of her.

"Well, I'm not really too fond of wine," He responded. "But for the lady, I'm happy to oblige." He took a sip and Emily watched closely as his lips wrapped around the rim of the mug, traces of wine outlining his lower lip and he raised his cup. When he pulled it away, a small drip ran down his chin and he caught it with his hand before it stained his shirt. "My God, I do apologize. That's not very attractive of me."

"Are you trying?" Emily asked, snickering as she watched his embarrassment.

"Trying to what?"

"To be attractive?" Emily's cheeks flushed again.

Lord Barkis held up his hands. "Guilty," he admitted. "It's hard to not try and impress a beautiful lady like yourself, Miss Carpenter."

"Please, call me Emily. No need for formalities in a place like this"

"As you wish."

The hair that Emily had tucked behind her ear had once again came loose, so he reached up and tucked it behind her ear once again.

"You know, I'm to be married soon," She said. His posture changed slightly as if he was recoiling from the statement.

"Is that so?" A look of disappointment clouded his eyes. "And who is this lucky man your parents have chosen?"

"Alexander Hampshire." Emily looked down as she said it, barely hiding her distaste."

"Oh, that buffoon?" Lord Barkis evidently had some distaste of his own. Before Emily could ask, he answered her unspoken question. "Yes, I know him. I grew up with him. I had no idea he was in town as well."

"What causes this apparent disdain you feel for him?"

"Well," he started, "it's a little complicated. For now lets just say that going from poverty to being the wealthiest man in the city can change a person. I hope he's to your liking?"

"I'm not sure," Emily admitted, her hands nestling her nearly empty mug. "He's nicer than I imagined he'd be, but not nearly as attractive as I'd hoped. He's not who I hoped he would be." Emily glance at Lord Barkis, his face inquisitive. She quickly spoke again, embarrassed by her little slip. "I'm not completely onboard with an arranged marriage to be honest. I had hoped to find love one day and break the mold, if you will. But mother has always said 'Emily, it's a husband's job to take care of the finances and the wife's job to stand by his side.' She doesn't really support my wishes unless they coincide with father's. Which his wishes now are to choose my husband for me. Whatever benefits the family, right?" Emily scoffed and finished her wine.

Lord Barkis reached out and placed his hand on hers. It was softer than she thought it would be and the warmth of his skin warmed her heart. "Well, what's wrong with the idea of true love?"

Emily smiled. "As much of a pleasure this has been, sir, I really should be heading home before my parents notice my absence."

"Alright," he said. "Let me walk you home."

"No, it's alright, I'll be fine."

"No, Miss. It wouldn't be very gentlemanly of me to allow you to walk alone. God forbid anything were to happen to you." He stood and walked over to the table he was at to grab his coat. "Alright," he said upon returning, "Let us get going."

The walk to Emily's house was quiet. She didn't know what to say to him without making a fool of herself, her attraction to him growing stronger with every step. As they approached her house, he stepped in front of her.

"Emily, I'm going to ask you a question and it may come off as inappropriate."

"Okay," Emily said pensively.

"Would you be so kind as to meet me in the park tomorrow? At the Gazebo by the pond? I've liked talking to you and I'd like to get to know you better."

Even though she knew it was wrong, Emily couldn't stop herself before she said "Yes."

"How about midday?"

"Sure." She said. Then Emily's palm flew up to her forehead as she remembered Lex's request to take lunch with him. "Oh, I can't. I'm busy. Can we meet tomorrow evening, after dinner?"

Lord Barkis snickered. "A fan of the dark, are we? Evening it is."

Emily curtsied and Lord Barkis took her hands in his.

"I look forward to it." He said.

He stood there and Emily felt him watching her as she entered her house. With one more glance into his eyes and a soft smile mimicking his, she shut the door.