“You may say that now, but life has a way of moving forward, whether we like it or not.” He smirked. “Besides, you may discover you truly enjoy being married to me.”
The light returned to Emmeline’s eyes. “I don’t believe I have met a man who is cockier than you,” she teased.
“Then you haven’t met my friends yet.”
“I have not,” she replied, “but they can’t possibly be worse than you.”
He chuckled. “Trust me when I say they are.”
Emmeline ran her finger along the edges of her book as she asked, “How do you think your friends will react to our elopement?”
“They will be surprised, as will most of Society,” Oliver answered. “But I have never been one to care what others think.”
“I hope this won’t affect your reputation too harshly.”
Oliver felt a trickle of sweat roll down his back. “Generally, it is the woman’s reputation who suffers from an elopement, not the man’s. But you need not fear about that.”
“Why do you say that?”
“My family and I will keep you safe from the slander and gossip,” he encouraged. “No one will dare give you the cut direct, I can assure you of that.”
“That is a relief.”
Finding himself curious about one thing, he asked, “How did you manage to escape your townhouse?”
A mischievous smile came to Emmeline’s lips. “I climbed down the exterior wall from my bedchamber.”
“You climbed down the wall?”
“I did.”
“How did you learn to do that?”
Emmeline shrugged one shoulder. “It is quite simple, actually,” she shared. “I started climbing walls when I was younger, much to the chagrin of my parents, and I find it comes naturally to me.”
Oliver rubbed his hand over his chin. “That is an unusual pastime for a lady to have.”
“I spent nearly every Season at the townhouse, and I found I did not like sitting idly by as my parents went to social events,” Emmeline explained. “I tried to be active and engaged in some kind of pursuit.”
“Have you tried needlework?” Oliver teased.
Emmeline grinned. “I assure you that I am proficient at embroidery. You need not fear in that regard.”
“I never questioned that.”
“My governess ensured that I learned all types of needlework.”
“You didn’t attend boarding school?”
Emmeline shook her head. “I did not,” she replied. “My mother couldn’t stand the thought of me being sent away to be educated.”
“Jane attended boarding school, and I can only imagine the mischief that she got herself into.”
“I have no doubt,” Emmeline remarked. “That is why your sister will always remain one of my dearest friends.”
Oliver grimaced as he said, “I should warn you that Jane does not think highly of me at the moment.”
“Why is that?”
“She does not approve of my reputation as a rake,” he responded, “and, frankly, neither does my mother.”
“Has your mother said anything to you?”
“No, but I can see the disappointment in her eyes.”
“If that is the case, then why do you continue on as you have been?”
Oliver pressed his lips together, then said, “I’m afraid you wouldn’t understand my reasons.”
“I’m more than willing to listen—”
He cut her off. “There are some things that I am not willing to discuss with you.” His words were curt.
Emmeline retrieved her book. “As you wish,” she muttered.
Oliver felt like a cad, but there was a side of him that he could never reveal to Emmeline, no matter how much he wanted to confide in her.
Chapter Six
Emmeline did not feel any different, despite now being a married woman. She snuck a glance at her husband as he rested his eyes, and she found herself only feeling immense relief. She knew that she had made the right choice between marrying Oliver over the duke. It was not a love match, but at least they were on friendly terms.
Her aunt and uncle may never understand her decision to not become a duchess, but that didn’t really matter now. She had made her choice, and there was no going back on it. She started fingering the gold band on her left hand. Her fate had been sealed the moment she stood in front of the anvil priest.
Her eyes shifted towards the green countryside outside the window. How she wished she could ride her horse through the fields, her hair blowing behind her. Would Oliver insist that she be accompanied by two footmen as the duke had ordered? She truly hoped she hadn’t gone from one gilded cage to another.
Oliver’s voice broke through her musings. “Any regrets?”
She met his gaze and replied, “Not at the moment.”
He smiled. “That is good to hear.”
“Do you have any regrets?”
“No.”
She returned his smile. “I am happy to hear that.”
Oliver adjusted his white cravat. “I must admit I will be relieved to finally be out of this coach,” he said.
“When will we arrive back in Town?”
“It shouldn’t be much longer.”
“That is a relief,” she murmured.
Oliver chuckled. “The good news is that your uncle didn’t arrive in time to stop the wedding.”
“I doubt he even bothered to travel to Gretna Green.”
“No?”
Emmeline shook her head. “My lady’s maid wasn’t going to inform them of my departure until after breakfast, and I’m sure my uncle would have realized a trip to Gretna Green would have been in vain.”
“Did you leave a note?”
“I did,” she replied. “It wasn’t long, but it informed them that I chose to elope with you rather than marry the duke.”
“Are you sure you don’t have the slightest regret at not being a duchess?”
“None,” she said honestly. “I never aspired for such a lofty title.”
“That is a rarity amongst the ton.”
“I suppose so.”
Oliver appeared to be deucedly uncomfortable as he adjusted the lapels of his blue jacket.
“I can’t help but notice that you would seem more comfortable if you removed your jacket,” Emmeline suggested.
He stared at her blankly. “I wouldn’t dare.”
“We are married,” she teased. “I am sure I will see you without your jacket on when we arrive at Hawthorne House.”
“Quite right.” Oliver leaned forward
