by Laura Beers
Oliver stiffened. “I suppose you will have to be satisfied with the children that Baldwin and Jane will have.”
“I think you are making a terrible mistake.”
“In what way?”
“I truly believe that you and Emmeline could be a brilliant match, but it would take some work on your part.”
He shook his head. “I fear you are not listening to me.”
“I am,” she replied, “but I am also listening to what you aren’t saying, as well.”
“Which is?”
Rising, his mother walked over and stopped in front of him. “You are scared to open up your heart again.”
“You are reading too much into this.”
“Am I?”
“Yes,” he said, his voice rising. “Emmeline and I have only ever been just friends.”
“People don’t go around kissing their friends.”
He clenched his jaw. “I believe I sufficiently explained my reasons for doing so.”
“You did, but I believe your reasons to be foolhardy.”
Frowning, he replied, “I am done with this conversation, Mother.”
Disappointment flashed across her face. “As you wish,” she murmured.
“Will you inform Emmeline that I have gone out for the evening?” he asked as he walked towards the door.
“Why not inform her yourself?”
“Because she is in the bath, and it would be entirely inappropriate for me to do so.”
“You are married—”
“In name only,” he reminder her.
His mother clasped her hands in front of her. “Why must you go out?” she asked. “It is Emmeline’s first night at Hawthorne House.”
“And I have no doubt that you will entertain her splendidly.”
“At least stay for dinner.”
Oliver opened the door and replied over his shoulder, “I shall eat at White’s.”
“You are making a terrible mistake, Son.”
He turned back to face his mother. “Emmeline knew what she was getting into by marrying me,” he said. “I have no doubt that she will be fine.”
“I just think—”
“You don’t get to have an opinion on this matter,” he interrupted. “Emmeline and I made our decision, and you will respect that.”
His mother’s face grew expressionless. “As you wish.”
“Thank you.” Oliver spun back around and closed the door.
He walked purposefully down the hall and descended the stairs. As he stepped into the entry hall, he saw Pratt step out from the drawing room.
“Ensure my horse is waiting out front,” he barked.
Pratt tipped his head. “I shall see to it,” he said before departing to do Oliver’s bidding.
As he paced the entry hall, Baldwin emerged from one of the rooms and gave him a questioning look. “Whatever is the matter?”
Oliver stopped pacing and faced his brother. “I just had the most uncomfortable conversation with Mother.”
“Pray tell, what was it about?” Baldwin asked, growing serious.
“Emmeline.”
“Ah,” his brother said. “What about Emmeline?”
Taking a step closer, Oliver lowered his voice as he admitted, “Mother disapproved of the fact that Emmeline and I entered into a marriage of convenience.”
“Did you explain your reasons?”
“I tried, but she kept spouting nonsense about how Emmeline and I would suit if I would just make an attempt at it.”
Baldwin gave him a knowing look. “She is not entirely wrong.”
Oliver huffed as he tossed up his hands in the air. “Not you, too.”
“I am just saying that you should make an effort to make this marriage work.”
Oliver glanced over his shoulder before asking, “How do you suppose that is possible? We both know that I can’t be fully honest with Emmeline about my past or how I truly spend my evenings.”
“I’m not saying that it will be easy, but I believe it will be worth it in the end.”
“You were fortunate in finding Madalene,” Oliver said. “Not everyone would be as accepting of your past as she has been.”
“You are right.”
“We must put our duty ahead of our own wants.”
Baldwin sighed. “You are going to botch this up, aren’t you?”
“Meaning?”
“Go to Corbyn and tell him that you can no longer play the rake now that you have gotten yourself married,” Baldwin encouraged.
“I can’t,” he replied. “At least, not yet.”
“Why?”
“Because I am planning to attend the meeting tomorrow night with my friends,” Oliver explained. “I need to know if this Guy Stewart is one of the radicals that we need to be concerned about.”
Baldwin took a step back. “I wish you luck.”
“You aren’t going to stop me?”
With a shake of his head, Baldwin asked, “Would it make a difference if I tried?”
“Not likely.”
“Then go,” Baldwin said. “But be mindful that you now have a wife waiting for you to come home.”
“Emmeline will hardly notice that I am gone,” Oliver attempted.
Baldwin shook his head. “I told you that this would be a mistake,” he said. “You weren’t in a position to take a wife.”
“You are wrong.”
“I truly hope you prove me wrong, Brother,” Baldwin said before he spun on his heel.
Oliver watched his brother’s retreating figure and he found himself growing increasingly irritated. Emmeline would be fine at Hawthorne House without him. He didn’t have time to coddle her and ease her into her new role. No. He had a job to do, and he wouldn’t accomplish it by sitting around his townhouse.
It didn’t matter that he would prefer to spend time with his wife than eating out at White’s with his friends. His duty was to his country, not his wife.
Chapter Seven
“Will that be all, milady?” the young, red-haired maid asked as she stepped back.
Emmeline ran her hand down the sleeve of the borrowed white muslin gown. “Yes, thank you, Ellen,” she replied.
Her words had barely left her mouth when the door to her bedchamber was opened, and Jane walked into the room, wearing a jonquil gown.
“I have come to escort you to the drawing room,” Jane announced cheerfully.
“Oh, thank heavens,” Emmeline remarked. “Hawthorne House is enormous, and I am not entirely sure that I could have found the drawing room on my own.”
“I assumed as much,” Jane replied as her eyes perused the length of her. “My gown looks quite lovely on you.”
“Thank you for letting me borrow it for dinner tonight. I will travel to my townhouse tomorrow to retrieve my clothing.”
“I assure you that it is no trouble at all.” Jane’s eyes left hers as she questioned, “Are you pleased with your bedchamber?”
Emmeline nodded as her eyes roamed the square room with pale green wallpaper. A four-poster bed stood against the wall, and a fireplace sat on the opposite wall. “It is exquisite,” she admitted. “It is much larger than my bedchamber at my townhouse.”
“Have you visited the sitting room yet?”
Emmeline shook her head. “I have not,” she said.
Jane walked over to the door that led to the sitting room and opened it. “It is rather a nice room,” she shared before she disappeared into it.
Emmeline didn’t know why she was hesitant about visiting the sitting room, but she knew she was being foolish. She stepped over to the door and peered inside. The sitting room, with its rich blue walls, was much more masculine than her bedchamber. Two floral camelback settees faced each other near the fireplace.
Gesturing with wide arms around the room, Jane asked, “What do you think of your sitting room?”
“It is lovely.”
Jane smiled approvingly as she ran her hand along the back of the se
ttee. “I agree, especially since I designed this room myself.”
“You did an admirable job.”
“It did turn out quite nicely,” Jane said. “Oliver wouldn’t let me redecorate his bedchamber, but he didn’t object to the sitting room.”
Emmeline stepped further into the room. “I know I shouldn’t feel odd about being in here, but I’m afraid I haven’t adjusted fully to the fact that I am a married woman yet.”
“These things take time,” Jane encouraged. “Or at least, I assume they do.”
“I am glad that you are here with me.”
“As am I,” Jane said as she came to a stop in front of her. “Besides, if Oliver doesn’t behave, then I shall deal with him.”
“Oliver did promise me that he would remain faithful,” Emmeline revealed.
“I should hope so!” Jane exclaimed.
“You must remember that this is a marriage of convenience. I can’t very well dictate my husband’s actions.”
Jane pressed her lips together, then said, “No, but I truly hope that Oliver doesn’t disrespect you by continuing on as he has been.”
“He won’t.”
Not appearing convinced, Jane remarked, “I’m hoping you are right. But, I feel as if I should warn you that a leopard cannot change its spots.”
“Oliver is a good man,” Emmeline said. “I have no doubt that he will treat me fairly.”
“And if you are wrong?”
Emmeline grew silent for a minute, then admitted, “I’m not entirely sure.”
A forced smile came to her friend’s lips as she attempted, “Let us talk about much more pleasurable things.”
“Such as?”
“Would you care to go riding tomorrow?”
Emmeline perked up. “I would love to.”
“I assumed as much,” Jane replied. “You could always outride me when we were younger.”
“I daresay that is not true.”
Jane laughed. “You used to ride through the woodlands as if it were an easy task to accomplish.”
“Once you have ridden those trails a time or two, it is much easier to navigate.”
The sound of the dinner bell could be heard chiming in the distance, beckoning everyone to come.
“We should go,” Jane encouraged.
After they exited the sitting room and her bedchamber, they started walking down a hall with portraits lining the walls.
Emmeline stopped when she arrived at Oliver’s portrait, and she was quick to acknowledge what a dashing figure he made. He was dressed in his finery, and a hint of a smile was on his lips. But it was his eyes that held her transfixed. His guarded eyes spoke of a story that she knew she would never be privy to.
“This portrait was recently commissioned,” Jane shared.
“Your brother is quite handsome.”
Jane shrugged one shoulder. “I don’t see it.”
Emmeline laughed. “I suppose you wouldn’t.”
Looping Emmeline’s arm through her own, Jane continued to lead her, and it wasn’t long before they arrived at the entry hall. They stepped into the drawing room and were greeted by Harriet.
“You are looking lovely tonight,” Harriet said.
“Thank you,” Emmeline replied.
Harriet gestured towards Baldwin and a young woman that Emmeline was unfamiliar with. “Allow me to introduce you to Baldwin’s bride, Madalene.”
Emmeline curtsied. “It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady.”
The dark-haired beauty approached her and smiled warmly. “Family does not make use of titles,” she chided lightly. “I have been looking forward to speaking to you all afternoon. I am sorry that we weren’t present when you arrived, but Baldwin and I went on a carriage ride through Hyde Park.”
“That sounds delightful.”
Baldwin cleared his throat. “You must have misheard, then.”
Madalene laughed as she turned back towards Baldwin. “You must excuse my husband,” she said. “He is not a fan of taking carriage rides through Hyde Park during the fashionable hour.”
“It is entirely too crowded for my tastes,” Baldwin explained.
“I must agree with you there,” Emmeline replied. “I prefer riding my horse in the morning, and I try to avoid the crowds entirely.”
“That sounds much more enjoyable,” Baldwin said. “Madalene and I shall have to join you on your morning ride.”
Jane spoke up. “We are riding tomorrow morning. You are welcome to join us.”
With a side glance at his wife for approval, Baldwin said, “I believe we shall. Thank you for the invitation.”
The butler stepped into the room and announced that dinner was served.
“Thank you, Pratt,” Baldwin acknowledged, offering his arm to his wife. “Shall we?”
“Shouldn’t we wait for Oliver?” Emmeline asked curiously.
Frowning, Harriet shared, “I’m sorry to inform you that Oliver has gone out for the evening.”
“Oh,” Emmeline replied, her gaze lowering to the floor. “I should have assumed.”
“We all agree that it was terribly unfair of him,” Jane declared.
Emmeline put on a brave face as she brought her gaze up. “Shall we go in to dinner?” she asked, hoping her voice sounded cordial enough. “I find that I am famished.”
Jane gave her a concerned look. “It is all right to be angry.”
“I know,” Emmeline said, “but this is what I agreed to.”
Jane opened her mouth to no doubt object but closed it when Harriet interjected, “Perhaps we can discuss this later.”
“Yes, Mother,” Jane muttered, looking entirely displeased.
They followed Baldwin and Madalene into the dining room, and Emmeline claimed the seat next to Jane. After they were situated, Madalene directed a comment to Emmeline. “I heard you are turning twenty-one soon.”
“Yes, in two days’ time,” Emmeline replied.
“How wonderful!” Madalene gushed.
Baldwin leaned to the side as a footman placed a bowl of soup in front of him. “I am not sure if you are aware, but Emmeline grew up in the same village as we did.”
“I was not,” Madalene replied.
“Yes, Jane and Emmeline would get into all types of mischief in the woodlands that divided our lands,” Baldwin shared with a smile.
Harriet bobbed her head in agreement. “Jane’s dresses would be terribly filthy every time they went exploring in the woods.”
Jane’s eyes twinkled with merriment as she said, “It is true, but Emmeline and I were quite proficient at climbing the rocks by the stream that we found.”
“You are lucky you didn’t break anything,” Baldwin remarked.
“Perhaps, but we had the grandest adventures,” Jane declared. “Didn’t we, Emmeline?”
Emmeline smiled as she reached for her glass. “That we did.”
Jane shifted in her chair. “Madalene and I became dear friends at boarding school,” she revealed.
“I was quite envious when you left for boarding school,” Emmeline admitted, “but my mother preferred that I be educated at home.”
“That is because you were the only child,” Jane pointed out. “My mother was counting the days until I departed for boarding school.”
“That is not true,” Harriet declared as she lowered her spoon. “I love having my children near me.”
Jane laughed. “I may have exaggerated, but you must have felt some relief at my leaving for boarding school.”
“I knew you would excel in your studies, but I missed you dreadfully,” Harriet said.
Emmeline found herself growing nostalgic as she listened to Harriet and Jane banter back and forth. How she wished her mother were still alive.
Baldwin’s voice broke through her musings. “We are being rather rude to our guest,” he commented, wiping the sides of his mouth with his napkin.
“She isn’t a guest,” Jane corrected with a smile. “She is family now.”
Harriet smiled approvingly. “Well said, Jane,” she agreed, “but we should stop arguing and discuss something that interests Emmeline.”
With a smile on her lips, Emmeline remarked, “I must admit I thoroughly enjoy listening to everyone speak.”
“You do?” Jane asked.
Emmeline nodded. “Dinner with my aunt and uncle was always a quiet affair, and I dreaded eating with them.”
Baldwin held his glass up as he said, “I can assure you that you won’t lack for conversation here.”
“How wonderful.”
He chuckled. “Give it time,” he joked. “You might change your mind.”
“I don’t think I will,” Emmeline replied.
As Emmeline took a sip of her soup, she realized that the only thing that would have made this night better was if Oliver had joined them for dinner. Which was a ridiculous thought. He was free to do as he pleased.
“I can’t believe you married the chit,” Booth declared as he reached for his glass on the table in front of them.
Oliver gave him an exasperated look. “I believe we have been over this; multiple times, in fact,” he replied. “Yes, I married Emmeline.”
Booth took a sip of his drink, then said, “We may have, but I still find it rather farfetched.”
“And why is that?”
Putting his glass down, Booth remarked, “I didn’t even know that you held Emmeline in high regard.”
“Emmeline and I have always been friends.”
“Yes, but that is a far cry from wanting to marry the girl,” Booth declared.
Oliver picked up his glass. “That may be true,” he said, “but I couldn’t sit back and watch her marry the duke. She would have been miserable.”
“But she would have been a duchess.”
“Not everyone aspires for a lofty title,” Oliver pointed out.
Follett spoke up from the other side of the table. “Leave Radcliff alone,” he said. “He’s made his choice, and now he is saddled with a wife.”
“I wouldn’t consider it saddled,” Oliver responded.
“No?” Follett asked.
Oliver shook his head. “It has been rather nice to have Emmeline around.”
“You are fooling yourself,” Follet stated. “Emmeline will start making demands on your time.”
“I don’t believe that she will. We have come to an understanding.”