Oliver took a step closer to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. He leaned closer, drawing their faces near, and brushed his lips over hers. He heard her let out a staggered breath, but she remained still. Once he was sure she wouldn’t run away, he pressed his lips against hers.
He intended it to be a chaste kiss, but as he felt her softening in his arms, he decided to give her a proper kiss. Slowly, he brought his arms around her and gently brought her towards him. She came willingly, and he took a moment to deepen the kiss.
He was so lost in the moment that he barely registered his sister’s exclamation. “Unhand my friend!”
Rather than do Jane’s bidding, Oliver leaned back and was gratified to see that Emmeline’s eyes were still closed.
Jane came closer. “I’m serious, Oliver,” she said firmly. “Emmeline is engaged to the Duke of Billingham.”
“Not anymore,” he replied, his voice hoarse. “She has agreed to be my wife.”
Jane shifted her gaze towards Emmeline. “Is Oliver in earnest?”
Emmeline smiled. “I am going to marry your brother.”
To his surprise, Jane swatted at his sleeve. “You’d better be true to Emmeline, or I will kill you myself.”
Oliver huffed. “This marriage will be in name only.”
“Are you sure?” Jane asked. “It appeared that you two were getting along quite nicely before I walked into the room.”
Oliver cleared his throat. “That was only to seal our agreement with a kiss.”
“I think it might be best if I return home and pack,” Emmeline said.
“Make sure you pack light,” Oliver advised. “We will only stop to swap out the horses.”
“I understand,” she replied.
Jane glanced between them. “You are eloping?” she questioned.
Emmeline nodded. “I can’t marry Oliver without my guardian’s consent before I am twenty-one, and the duke intends to marry me on my birthday.”
“Mother is going to be furious,” Jane declared.
Oliver shifted his gaze towards Jane. “You will not tell Mother until after we depart.”
“But—”
He cut her off. “I am serious, Jane,” he stated, his tone brooking no argument. “We don’t want anyone to tip off Lord and Lady Taylor.”
Jane pressed her lips together. “I can agree to that.”
Emmeline met his gaze and said, “Thank you, Oliver.” He could hear the sincerity in her voice.
“You are welcome,” he replied with a lopsided grin. “Now, you’d better return home before your aunt and uncle grow suspicious.”
Taking a step back, Emmeline bobbed her head. “I shall see you tonight.”
“I will pick you up at twelve in front of your townhouse.”
He could see relief flicker in her eyes. “I will be ready.”
“Good.”
After Emmeline departed from the room, Jane stood her ground as she glared at him.
Frowning, he asked, “What is on your mind, dear sister?”
“What you are attempting to do is asinine,” Jane declared.
“I disagree,” he replied. “Emmeline needs my help.”
“So you are helping a damsel in distress,” she said, her eyes narrowing. “Is that it?”
“I suppose it is.”
Jane tossed her hands up in the air. “What happens to Emmeline when you grow tired of her and toss her aside?”
“I can assure you that won’t happen.”
Jane took a commanding step towards him. “If you hurt my friend, I will find a way to hurt you.”
“You are resorting to threats now?” he asked.
“It isn’t a threat,” she said in a low voice. “It is a promise, Brother.”
Oliver watched as Jane turned on her heel and exited the room without saying another word. He had to admit that his sister could be quite frightening when she wanted to be.
But, for now, he needed to make some preparations so he could elope with Emmeline.
Chapter Five
“I wish you luck,” Mary said.
Emmeline smiled at her lady’s maid. “Once I am settled in at Hawthorne House, I shall send for you.”
“I will be waiting.”
Walking over to the open window, Emmeline stuck her head out and glanced down at the courtyard. “I haven’t climbed out of this window in years,” she shared. “Let’s hope I don’t fall.”
Mary came to stand next to her. “I remember the first time I saw you climbing down that wall, I nearly fainted.”
“It is much easier than you would imagine,” Emmeline said. “The bricks jut out just enough to make excellent footholds.”
“That didn’t stop your parents from forbidding you from doing it,” Mary pointed out.
Emmeline smiled at that memory. “That is true,” she replied. “They were so worried I would break my neck.”
“As would any good parent.”
She took a moment to adjust the sleeves of her grey traveling gown before saying, “I should go now.”
“I hope your journey is safe and uneventful,” Mary remarked.
“As do I.”
“Do you have your muff pistol?”
Emmeline held up her hand to show the reticule around her right wrist. “I have it right here.”
Mary nodded in approval. “You’d better hurry,” she said. “You don’t want to keep Lord Oliver waiting.”
“No, I don’t.” Emmeline took a deep breath. “Am I making a mistake?”
“I’m afraid I can’t answer that,” Mary replied. “Only you can.”
Emmeline grew silent before admitting, “I don’t think I am. I find that I only feel excitement at this adventure.”
Mary gave her an encouraging smile. “Then you must trust your instincts.”
“Thank you for being my friend for all these years,” Emmeline said. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
“You probably would have looked horribly disheveled,” Mary teased.
Emmeline giggled. “That is a fair statement.”
The long clock chimed, alerting her to the time.
“This is not a goodbye,” Emmeline said as she placed her hand on the windowsill. “I shall see you soon.”
“I will be looking forward to it.”
It only took Emmeline a few moments to climb through the window and descend the wall. Each time her toes found a foothold, she grew more confident, and it didn’t take long for her to step down onto the cobblestone courtyard.
With light steps, she hurried over to a bush and picked up the valise she had previously hidden. She made her way towards the front of
