“See that you are,” Betty asserted, rising. “If you will excuse me, I need to see to the preparations for my journey.”
Oliver rose and offered his hand to assist Emmeline.
There was uncertainty in Betty’s eyes. “I hope you will write to me while I am away,” she told her niece.
“I will.”
“I am happy to hear that. You are the only family that I have left.” Tears came to her aunt’s eyes.
Oliver slipped his arm around Emmeline’s waist. “You are always welcome in our home, Lady Taylor,” he offered.
Betty gave him an appreciative smile. “Thank you,” she said. “That means more to me than you will ever know.”
Emmeline stepped forward and embraced her aunt. “I love you, Aunt Betty.”
“I love you, too,” Betty murmured as she wrapped her arms around her.
After a moment, Emmeline dropped her arms to her sides and took a step back. “I hope your journey is uneventful.”
“As do I,” Betty replied, “and I am indeed grateful that you called upon me today.”
Oliver offered his arm and led Emmeline to the door. “That went well,” he said after they were situated in the coach.
“It did,” Emmeline agreed. “Much better than I expected.”
“I must admit that I do feel bad for Lady Taylor.”
“As do I.”
Oliver reached for her gloved hand. “She must come to terms with the fact that her husband wasn’t who he appeared to be.”
“He hid a part of himself from her,” Emmeline said.
“I am relieved that there are no more secrets between us,” Oliver remarked. “You see me for who I truly am.”
Emmeline smiled up at him. “You are a man worth loving with all of my heart, wholly and unrestrained.”
Leaning closer, Oliver replied, “It is because of you that I am a better man, and I will strive to always be worthy of you.”
He pressed his lips to hers, sealing their words with a kiss.
Epilogue
Six months later
Oliver sat in the coach as he held up the black puppy to inspect him. “I have no doubt that Emmeline is going to adore you,” he said with an approving smile.
As he lowered the puppy to his lap, the coach door opened and Corbyn slipped in across from him.
“What is that?” Corbyn asked, pointing at the dog.
Oliver grinned. “It is a puppy.”
With an exasperated look, Corbyn pressed, “Clearly, but why do you have a puppy?”
“It is for Emmeline,” Oliver replied as he felt the coach jerking forward. “I found him rummaging in the alley, and I decided to give him a home.”
Corbyn lifted his brow. “Are you certain that Emmeline would even want a dog, considering she is increasing?”
“I am,” he responded confidently. “I have no doubt that she will love this surprise.”
Growing solemn, Corbyn said, “I have come to inform you that we arrested all of the conspirators of the radical group without incident.”
“That is wonderful news.”
“It is, and it is my ardent wish that they will plead guilty rather than have a lengthy trial,” Corbyn remarked. “It would save you from having to testify.”
“I don’t mind testifying if the situation warrants it.”
Corbyn reached into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a piece of paper. “I have your next assignment,” he shared.
“It will have to wait.”
Corbyn looked at him in disbelief. “Pardon?”
“I have been sleeping off and on in the rookeries for nearly six months to maintain my cover,” Oliver said. “It is time I took some time off to spend with my wife.”
“Then take a few days—”
Oliver held his hand up. “I intend to take Emmeline to Lockhart Manor for a few weeks.”
“That is disappointing to hear,” Corbyn muttered.
“In a few months, my wife won’t be able to travel due to her condition, so I’m afraid it can’t wait.”
“I should dismiss you.”
Oliver shrugged. “It is your right.”
Corbyn tucked the paper back into his pocket, then said, “It is a good thing you are a competent agent.”
Oliver smirked. “Was that a compliment?”
“Merely an observation, nothing more.”
“Why don’t you take some time off?” Oliver asked, petting the small puppy as it drifted off to sleep in his lap.
Corbyn shook his head. “I’m afraid I don’t have time for that.” He hit the top of the coach and it began to slow down. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have work that needs to be done.”
Without saying another word, Corbyn exited the coach and walked down the pavement. The coach started rolling down the street again as Oliver continued to pet the sleeping puppy.
Oliver took a moment to contemplate how truly lucky he was that he had agreed to marry Emmeline. Every night he spent away from her, he held a portrait miniature of her in his hand, reminding himself just how much he loved her.
The coach came to a stop outside of Hawthorne House, and he waited for the footman to open the door before exiting. Pratt opened the main door, and his eyes grew wide at the sight of the puppy.
“I brought home a surprise for Her Ladyship,” Oliver said, holding the puppy up. “Can you prepare some scraps for his supper?”
Pratt tipped his head. “Yes, milord.”
“Where is my wife?”
“She is in the drawing room.”
Oliver held the puppy behind his back as he walked across the entry hall. He stepped into the room and saw his wife reading a book on the settee.
“Shouldn’t you have your feet up?” he chided lightly as he stepped further into the room.
Emmeline gasped as she looked up. “You are home.”
“I am.”
“Did you finish the assignment?” she asked.
“I did, and I have a surprise for you.”
She eyed him curiously. “Whatever could it be?”
He brought the dog in front of him and said, “I found this puppy in the rookeries, and I remembered that I once promised you a dog.”
Emmeline rose and approached him. “He is adorable,” she gushed as she accepted the puppy. “I love him, Oliver.”
“I thought you might.”
Emmeline leaned in to kiss him, but she stopped herself. “You smell awful.”
He
