Emma felt warmth rush to her cheeks at Leander’s bright smile, her fingers instinctively tightening around the ribbon at her wrist. It was ridiculous how just seeing him could make her feel as though her thoughts had scattered like leaves in the wind.

“Oh, yes,” she replied, forcing herself to sound composed. “My father—” She hesitated, her lips pressing together briefly before continuing, “—well, he considers our attendance at these sorts of events something of a charitable endeavour.” She gave a small, wry smile. “A way to—how did he put it?—elevate the occasion with our presence.” Her tone was light, but there was no mistaking the flicker of embarrassment in her expression, her families rise in class still made her feel awkward and deeply uncomfortable.

She shifted slightly, looking at the towering corn around them. “So, yes, I will be here all weekend.” She stole a quick glance at him before glancing away just as fast, her heart giving an odd little skip. “Which means I shall have plenty of time to explore the festival properly. And perhaps even… the barn dance.”

She hadn’t meant for the last part to sound like an invitation, but as soon as the words left her lips, she wondered if that was what they had become. The thought sent another wave of warmth through her, and she quickly busied herself adjusting the lace cuff of her sleeve, hoping he wouldn’t notice how flustered she suddenly felt.