Ethan had trouble sleeping that night.

He couldn't get the memory of kissing Emma out of his head.

Has he ever kissed a woman he cared for? Truly cared for.

But maybe that's the wrong question. The kissing was irrelevant; the reason he couldn't get her out of his head was because unlike Francesca and countless others he knew Emma. As a person, as a woman, as a friend. And she knew him, that he disliked beets and turnips, studied astrology, enjoyed horseback riding and archery and was soft touch when it came to injured animals.

Before Emma he'd never had a chance to get to know any of the ladies from court. For one they always had to be chaperoned and for another they were foolish girls only after his title and money. He'd always known someday he'd have to marry and produce an heir and likely it would be to a woman such as he described but how can he do that now? Knowing what it is like with Emma, how she makes him feel.

Of course, her reaction to his kisses wasn't exactly his desired intention. Was that all she really thought of him? Titled, selfish and spoiled. Yes, he had money but even if he didn't, he still wouldn't have left her like that idiot Peter. It still required hard work and intelligence to manage an earldom and he'd essentially been doing it on his own since he was eighteen. If Reggie was Earl, they'd all be poor and destitute by now.

And speaking of his cousin he needed to have a talk with him about the day of his accident. Emma kept insisting foul play had been involved. Maybe Reggie remembered something of that day to shed light onto the questionable circumstances.

As for Emma, he'd remain true to his word.

Hewould not touch her again.