Oliver’s face softened as he stopped on the road and turned to face her. “Even though our marriage is one of convenience, that doesn’t mean I want to live separately from you.”
“What if we live in Town for the Season and Lockhart Manor during the winter months?” she asked hopefully.
“That is something I am willing to discuss.”
Emmeline smiled. “Thank you, Oliver.”
“But it is not up to me,” he replied.
“No?”
Oliver shook his head. “You will have to get Jane’s approval first.” He shuddered. “She can be quite frightening at times.”
She laughed. “I think I can convince Jane of our plans.”
Oliver turned his attention towards the road. “How much longer before we arrive at the cottage?” he asked.
“It isn’t much further,” she replied.
“I couldn’t very well have left it alone,” Emmeline declared as she reached for her glass on the table.
Oliver chuckled. “Of course not.”
“My mother was rather furious that I brought the rabbit home, though. She didn’t seem to care that it was hurt.”
“How silly of her,” Oliver teased.
“I thought so, as well.”
“Whatever became of the rabbit?”
Emmeline took a sip of her drink, then said, “My mother wouldn’t let me call the doctor, but she did finally relent and let the grooms keep the rabbit in a box in the stable until it healed.”
“That sounds like a fair compromise.”
“When the rabbit was well again, we released it back into the wild.”
Oliver leaned to the side as a footman placed a dessert plate in front of him. “I think it is admirable what you did for that rabbit.”
“It was a trivial thing,” she replied as she returned the glass to the table.
“I disagree. Most people wouldn’t have even noticed a rabbit in distress.”
“Perhaps, but I have always loved animals,” she said.
Picking up his fork, Oliver asked, “If that is the case, we could always get a dog as a pet.”
Emmeline’s eyes lit up. “Are you in earnest?”
“I am.”
“I would love a dog!” she exclaimed. “I have always wanted one, but my father was adamant that dogs were only meant for hunting.”
He smiled at his wife’s excitement. “Then I shall see to it.”
“Oh, thank you, Oliver,” Emmeline gushed. “You are a wonderful husband.”
“I daresay that you are rather easy to please.”
Emmeline smiled broadly as she glanced down at her plate. “I am too excited to even eat my dessert.”
“That is a shame, since dinner was superb,” he said. “I shall have to give my compliments to the cook.”
“Mrs. Davies is an extraordinary cook.”
Oliver glanced over at the window and noticed that the full moon was bright in the sky. “Would you care to take a walk along the water’s edge?”
“That sounds lovely.”
He pushed back his chair and rose. “I just hope we don’t see a fish in distress,” he joked. “I have no desire to get wet this evening.”
Emmeline laughed as he hoped she would. “One day, you will tire of teasing me.”
“I don’t believe that to be the case,” he replied, extending his hand to her. “It is becoming my favorite thing to do.”
She slipped her hand into his and rose. “Thank you,” she murmured.
He didn’t relinquish his hold of her hand but moved it to the crook of his arm. “Would you care to retrieve your shawl before we depart?”
“I don’t believe that’s necessary.”
As he led her out of the dining room, he said, “I can see the allure of Lockhart Manor now.”
“You can?”
He nodded. “The manor is a decent size, and it is located in the most beautiful place.”
“That it is.”
Once they arrived at the entry hall, the butler opened the door and they stepped outside. They walked across the lawn towards the cliff’s edge.
Oliver stopped and stared out into the Thames estuary. “I don’t think I could ever tire of this view.”
“I found a footpath down to the water,” Emmeline informed him. “It isn’t far from here.”
“Lead the way, my lady.”
Emmeline led him a short distance before she removed her hand from his. “It is best if we go one at a time down the footpath,” she suggested. “It isn’t treacherous, but it is rather narrow.”
He followed her down the path, and it wasn’t long before he stepped onto the sand. His eyes scanned the large cove and noticed an upcropping of rocks that sat randomly along the beach. The welcoming sound of the water slapping against the shore could be heard.
They started walking side by side. “You must have enjoyed coming here to Lockhart Manor as a child,” Oliver said.
“Sadly, I didn’t know this place existed until I spoke to my father’s solicitor,” she shared.
“Do you know why your father never spoke of this place?”
“The solicitor mentioned that my father watched his parents wither away here, so I must assume that is the reason.”
“I wonder why he didn’t just sell the property, then.”
“I know not,” she replied, “but my uncle never mentioned the property, either.”
Oliver glanced over at her and asked, “What do you intend to do about your uncle?”
“When we arrive back in Town, I will send him a letter informing him that we have taken up ownership of Lockhart Manor.”
“If you would like, I could have my solicitor write a missive to your uncle,” Oliver suggested.
Emmeline bobbed her head. “That is most kind of you.”
“It is a small thing, and you must know that I would do anything to ensure you are taken care of,” Oliver asserted.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
Oliver stopped and placed his hand on her arm, turning her to face him. “I am in earnest, Emme,” he said. “I promise that you will never want for anything in this life.”
She met his gaze with an expression of profound sadness, causing his heart to lurch at the sight of it.
“What is it?” he asked.
“It’s nothing,” she replied.
He took a step closer. “I daresay it’s not nothing.”
“You can’t give me the one thing that I want,” she said in almost a whisper.
He felt like a boor as he responded, “I have my reasons.”
“I understand.”
“It has nothing to do with you,
