“He was rather intimidating.”
Emmeline smiled. “I agree with you.”
“You don’t believe I had anything to do with your attack, do you?” Mary asked with hesitancy in her voice.
Emmeline shook her head. “I do not,” she replied.
Mary let out a sigh of relief. “That pleases me immensely to hear, milady, because I would never betray you.”
“I am well aware of that.”
Stepping back, Mary said, “If you would sit in the chair, I will put your hair in a simple chignon so you can join Lord Oliver.”
“Thank you,” Emmeline murmured as she sat down.
While Mary was brushing her hair, she commented, “I think it was sweet how Lord Oliver fussed over you last night.”
“I thought so, as well.”
“You two appear to be getting rather close.”
Emmeline frowned. “It would appear that way, but something is holding Oliver back. He doesn’t fully trust me.”
“Why do you suppose that is?”
“I know not, but I intend to break down his defenses until he has no choice but to trust me,” she asserted.
“How do you plan to do that?”
Emmeline blew out a puff of air. “I have no idea,” she replied, “but I can see in his eyes that he holds me in some regard.”
“It is evident to everyone that he cares deeply for you,” Mary remarked as she twisted her hair into a chignon.
“I want a true marriage with Oliver, and I am willing to fight for it.”
“I am pleased to hear you say that,” Mary said, stepping back.
Emmeline rose and turned towards her lady’s maid. “Perhaps I should ask if he wants to take a walk along the beach, and I could broach the subject again.”
“I would imagine it would be less eventful during the day,” Mary teased.
She smiled. “That’s true.”
“You’d better hurry if you want to join Lord Oliver for breakfast,” Mary urged.
“You are right, of course,” she said as she walked over to the door.
Emmeline hurried towards the dining room, finding herself eager to see Oliver, and she was pleased to see him sitting at the head of the table. He rose from his chair when she walked into the room.
“Good morning, Emme,” he greeted with a smile.
She waved him back down, then said, “Good morning, Husband.” She walked over to the buffet table, picked up a plate and placed a piece of toast on it.
As she sat down to the right of him, Oliver eyed her with concern. “How are you faring this morning?”
“I am well.”
“Are you?”
“I assure you that I am.”
Oliver bobbed his head. “I am relieved to hear that,” he said. “The constable is still interviewing the servants.”
“He has been here all night?”
“He has,” Oliver confirmed.
“Does he have any information about why I was attacked?”
“Not that he has been forthcoming about.”
Emmeline placed her white linen napkin onto her lap. “I intend to start sleeping with a muff pistol under my pillow.”
“That is wholly unnecessary,” he replied. “I will keep you safe.”
“You won’t always be around.”
A pained look flashed into his eyes. “That is true,” he admitted, “which brings me to something that I have been meaning to speak to you about.”
“Oh?” she asked as she picked up her toast.
He cleared his throat, and Emmeline could see uncertainty on his features. “It would appear that…” His voice trailed off. “We can discuss it later.”
“Are you sure?”
“I am,” he said firmly.
After she took a bite of her toast, she placed it back on her plate and reached for her cup of chocolate. “Would you care to take a walk along the beach after breakfast?”
Oliver smiled, causing her heart to take flight. “I would.”
“That pleases me.”
The butler stepped into the room, met her gaze and announced, “Lord Taylor is here to call upon you, milady. Are you available for callers?”
“I am,” she replied, pushing back her chair. “Would you show him to the drawing room?”
Grubbs tipped his head. “As you wish.”
After the butler departed from the room, Oliver asked, “Would you care for me to join you when you speak to your uncle?”
“Would you mind?”
Rising, Oliver said, “Not in the least.” He walked over to her and helped her rise. “I have some questions of my own for Lord Taylor.”
Oliver tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and led her to the drawing room.
They stepped into the room and saw her uncle pacing with an agitated look on his face. When his eyes landed on her, he let out a sigh of relief and rushed over to her.
“I am so pleased that you are well,” Lord Taylor said, stopping in front of her. “When I heard that you were attacked, I rushed right over.”
She gave him a baffled look. “How did you hear about the attack?”
Lord Taylor chuckled. “I see that you vastly underestimate how quickly gossip can spread through a small village.”
“I suppose I have.”
Turning his attention towards Oliver, her uncle grew solemn. “Thank you for saving my niece’s life,” he said. “It is a debt that I can never repay.”
“It was my privilege to protect my wife,” Oliver said.
“I imagine it was,” Lord Taylor remarked. “It was most fortunate that you had a pistol close at hand.” Not bothering to wait for Oliver’s response, he turned his attention back to Emmeline. “How are you faring?”
“I am doing well,” she admitted.
“Your aunt will be relieved to hear that.”
Emmeline gave him a timid smile. “I hope that is the case. We didn’t part on the best terms.”
“Betty will come around,” Lord Taylor said as he placed a hand on her shoulder. “After all, we are family.”
“Yes, we are,” she agreed.
Lord Taylor briefly glanced at Oliver before saying, “And that includes your husband,” he added. “We may never understand why you didn’t marry the duke, but it is time that we accept your decision.”
Emmeline felt elated by her uncle’s remark. “Thank you,” she gushed. “That means a great deal to me.”
Oliver spoke up. “That is most generous of you, Lord Taylor.”
Her uncle put his hand up. “Family does not make
