Emma’s words still rang in his ears. Her simple declaration meant more than she could know. He did not think any words spoken to him in his entire life had touched his heart in such a way. Certainly not from his own family. He was a means to their lifestyle, and they had little interest in how he obtained the funds they consumed. He had been presented with commendations and even a medal for his bravery at the battle of Copenhagen, but he considered those actions merely his duty, and the words of the admiral rang hollow when Sidney compared them to Emma’s. She considered him a hero? A hero was supposed to be fearless, and Emma knew his dark fears. She had seen him attacked by a fit of panic, paralyzed with terror, and thinking he might die just from a memory. A hero did not falter, doubt himself, or make poor decisions. Sidney did all of these things, and yet Emma still looked at him with her wide eyes full of admiration. He allowed himself to savor the feeling.
