by Laura Beers
In a swift motion, Oliver retrieved his pistol and fired it at Lord Taylor’s side, causing him to drop his weapon and stagger back. Then, he turned around and whipped the vicar across his face with the butt of the gun before dropping it. Mr. Lawson howled in pain as Oliver twisted his wrist, forcing the vicar to drop his pistol on the sand.
He reached for the vicar’s weapon just as he heard the sound of a pistol discharging. His heart dropped.
Emmeline.
He turned around and saw Emmeline standing over Lord Taylor’s body with a smoking pistol in her hand. “He was going to shoot you,” she said, her face pale, “and I couldn’t let that happen.”
He nodded as he turned back towards the vicar. “It’s over, Lawson,” he declared, pointing the man’s own gun at his chest.
The vicar had blood gushing from his nose. “You broke my nose!” he exclaimed.
Oliver huffed. “I would be more concerned that you will be going to jail.”
“I did nothing wrong,” Mr. Lawson asserted.
“No?” Oliver asked. “You conspired with Lord Taylor to commit murder and have been working with the smugglers.”
“It is your word against mine,” Mr. Lawson remarked smugly.
In a quick motion, Oliver hit the vicar over the side of the head with the butt of the pistol, rendering him unconscious.
“I tired of his pompous attitude,” Oliver explained as he walked over to Emmeline. One glance at Lord Taylor, and it was evident that he was dead.
Tucking the gun into the waistband of his trousers, Oliver put his hand out. “Give me the pistol, Emme.”
Slowly, she extended him the pistol, but her eyes never left her uncle. “He was reaching for the pistol, and I picked it up first,” she murmured. “I didn’t mean to kill him, but he tried to take it from me and shoot you. I couldn’t let him hurt you.”
“It’s all right,” he attempted, placing it on the sand. “He left you little choice in the matter.”
Emmeline bobbed her head weakly. “You are right, of course.”
Oliver reached out and pulled her into a tight embrace. “Thank you for saving my life,” he murmured against her hair.
“It was the least I could do, since you saved mine.”
He leaned back slightly to gaze into her eyes. “I will gladly give my own life to save yours. I hope you know that.”
“I believe you,” she replied, “about everything.”
“You do?”
A smile curved her lips. “How could I not?” she asked. “You just saved us from two men who had pistols aimed at us.”
“With your help, I might add.” Bringing his hand up, Oliver cupped her right cheek. “Now that there is complete honesty between us, and you see me for who I truly am, do you want to change the terms of our arrangement?”
“I do,” she breathed. “That is what my heart longs for.”
“There is one more thing I should add,” he said, leaning forward.
“Which is?”
Drawing their faces closer, his lips hovered over hers. “I love you,” he whispered.
To his delight, she quickly replied, “I love you, too.”
Not waiting for another moment, Oliver pressed his lips against hers. He kissed her deeply and fiercely, as if his very soul depended upon it.
After a deliriously long moment, he leaned back and rested his forehead against hers. “I have been longing to kiss you again since we first kissed.”
“As have I,” she said coyly.
“We did not make this easy on ourselves, did we?” he joked.
The sound of a man clearing his throat brought Oliver’s head up, and he saw the constable walking towards them.
“Do you want to explain why there are two dead bodies on the beach?” Constable Philmont asked as he reached them and crossed his arms over his chest.
“Only one is dead.” Oliver turned to face the constable but remained close to Emmeline. “The vicar is just unconscious.”
“Why?” Constable Philmont pressed.
“Lord Taylor and Mr. Lawson tried to kill us to keep their smuggling operation a secret,” Oliver explained.
The constable lifted his brow. “Are you saying that you were able to overpower two armed men who intended to kill you?”
“Yes, but I did receive some help from my wife,” he admitted proudly.
Constable Philmont let out an irritated huff. “It is a good thing I heard the shots from Lockhart Manor and came to investigate.” He glanced up at the footpath leading to the top of the cliffs. “It is going to be rather difficult to remove Lord Taylor’s body from the beach.”
“I would be happy to assist you, but allow me to escort my wife to Lockhart Manor first,” Oliver said.
“Of course,” Constable Philmont replied. “I will remain here and guard Mr. Lawson.”
As Oliver escorted Emmeline away from the beach, he asked, “How are you faring?”
“Much better than expected,” she replied.
“That pleases me,” he said. “I want you to have a nice long soak while I deal with this with the constable.”
“Thank you.”
Oliver stopped at the bottom of the footpath and leaned in to brush his lips over hers. “I don’t think I will ever tire of kissing you,” he admitted as he remained close.
“I find it is rather an enjoyable pastime,” she murmured with a coy smile.
He returned her smile. “I believe this is a wonderful way to begin our marriage anew.”
Constable Philmont’s voice bellowed from further down the beach. “Lord Oliver!” he exclaimed. “I am waiting!”
Oliver chuckled. “I’d better escort you to Lockhart Manor before we make the constable even more cross than he already is.”
Chapter Nineteen
With his arm draped over Emmeline’s shoulders, Oliver sat in the coach as they neared Hawthorne House. He was content, and it all had to do with his wife. They had spent an additional week at Lockhart Manor rather than returning to London right away. It felt wonderful to be truly married, and he especially enjoyed kissing his wife.
Emmeline’s voice broke through his musings. “You appear to be deep in thought.”
“I was thinking how truly happy you make me.”
“That is kind of you to say.”
“There is nothing kind about it,” he replied. “It is the truth.”
She shifted to look up at him. “I want to be a good wife to you.”
He leaned forward and kissed her forehead, then said, “And I want to be a good husband to you.”
“I am in earnest, Oliver.”
“As am I.”
“I know we haven’t spoken of it since that day on the beach, but I will support your decision if you decide to go to the peninsula.”
“You will?”
She nodded. “I may have unwittingly married a spy, but that doesn’t mean I will stand in the way of your duty to this country.”
“I could be gone for months, or even years.”
“I am well aware.”
“But you would still allow me to go?”
Emmeline offered him a tender smile. “I trust you completely,” she said, “and I would do anything to ensure your happiness.”
He stared at her in amazement. “What did I do to deserve you?” he asked.
“I believe you married me and saved me from a loveless marriage,” she teased.
“That was the best decision I have ever made.”
The coach came to a stop in front of Hawthorne House, and it was only a moment before the footman opened the door.
After he stepped out, Oliver reached back to assist Emmeline out of the coach. Then, he took her hand and pulled it into the crook of his arm.
They walked towards the door, which was promptly opened by the butler.
“Good afternoon, milord,” Pratt greeted as he stepped back to allow them entry.
When they stepped into the entry hall, Oliver said, “My wife would
like a bath after our long journey.”
Pratt tipped his head. “I shall see to it.”
“Thank you, Pratt,” he acknowledged.
“That was rather thoughtful of you, Husband,” Emmeline said as the butler walked off.
Before he could respond, Jane’s voice echoed off the high ceiling. “Emmeline!” she exclaimed as she hurried down the stairs.
Jane approached Emmeline and embraced her. “You have finally returned!”
“I told you that I would,” Emmeline replied.
“I must admit that I had my doubts,” Jane said as she stepped back.
“Why was that?”
Jane glanced at Oliver. “Because my brother can be a dunderhead sometimes.”
Emmeline giggled. “That is terrible of you to say.”
Oliver spoke up. “For once, I agree with Jane,” he said. “I shouldn’t have let you go in the first place, at least not without a fight.”
“I think it worked out for the best,” Emmeline commented.
“That it did.” Oliver smiled. “I realized how deeply and utterly in love I am with you.”
Emmeline returned his smile. “I love you, as well.”
They stood there for a moment until Jane said, “I see that a lot has transpired between you two.”
“I was almost killed, twice,” Emmeline shared. “But Oliver saved me each time.”
“And Emmeline saved me from being shot.”
Jane glanced between them with wide, disbelieving eyes. “It sounds like you two had quite the adventure.”
“We did,” Emmeline replied.
“I can’t wait to hear about it,” Jane said.
The sound of the butler’s heels on the polished marble could be heard as he approached them. “The bath is being prepared as we speak, and Lady Oliver’s lady’s maid is ready to attend to her.”
Jane looped her arm through Emmeline’s. “I will take Emmeline to her bedchamber,” she said. “There is much for us to discuss.”
Oliver leaned in and kissed his wife’s cheek. “I will see you shortly, then.”
He watched as Jane led Emmeline away, and he found he already missed her. He had rather enjoyed being with her at Lockhart Manor and not having to compete with anyone for her attention.
Turning towards the butler, he asked, “Is my brother home?”
“Yes, milord,” Pratt replied. “He is in his study with Lord Evan.”
“Excellent.”
Oliver headed towards the study, knowing this was going to be a most difficult conversation. But he was ready. He finally knew what he wanted.
He stepped into the study and saw Baldwin and Corbyn sitting on opposite settees, conversing politely.
“I thought you had an agency to run?” Oliver joked as he closed the door.
Corbyn chuckled. “I do, but it would appear one of my top agents went on a holiday.”
“Welcome home, Brother,” Baldwin said, raising his glass. “We have missed you.”
“You have?”
Baldwin smirked. “I had to convince Jane, on multiple occasions, not to go retrieve Emmeline from Lockhart Manor.”
“Why was that?”
“She was adamant that Emmeline would never return to Hawthorne House because you botched it.”
Oliver walked over to the drink cart and picked up the decanter. “I see that our dear sister has great faith in me.”
“Did your wife return with you?” Corbyn asked.
“She did,” he confirmed as he poured himself a drink.
“That is wonderful news,” Corbyn praised.
Oliver put the decanter down and picked up his glass. “We had quite the adventure while we were at Lockhart Manor.”
“You did?” Baldwin asked.
“It turns out that Lord Taylor was involved with a band of smugglers, and he was using the beach near Lockhart Manor to receive the goods,” Oliver revealed.
Corbyn leaned forward in his seat. “How did you discover that fact?”
“Initially, we saw the smugglers come ashore, but it was confirmed when Lord Taylor confessed it to us.”
“He just confessed it to you?” Baldwin asked in disbelief.
“He thought he had the upper hand because he was pointing a pistol at us, but I had the situation under control,” Oliver said nonchalantly before taking a sip from his glass.
Baldwin chuckled. “I’m sure you did.”
“The vicar was in on it, as well,” Oliver shared. “Although, he posed little threat to us since he couldn’t even hold his pistol steady.”
Corbyn lifted his brow. “The vicar?”
Oliver nodded. “He confessed to the constable that he was tired of living on a paltry salary, and Lord Taylor offered him a great sum of money for his assistance.”
Leaning forward, Baldwin placed his empty glass on the table in front of him. “Is that what took you so long to return to Town?”
“Not exactly,” Oliver replied. “Emmeline and I decided to change the terms of our agreement, and we are going to have a true marriage.”
Baldwin smiled. “That is no surprise, Brother.”
“It isn’t?”
With a shake of his head, Baldwin said, “It was evident that you were enamored with your wife from the very beginning. It was only a matter of time until you came to the same conclusion.”
“It took me nearly losing Emmeline before I came to my senses,” Oliver admitted.
Corbyn interjected, “Does this mean you are passing on the assignment to the peninsula?”
Oliver pressed his lips together, delaying his response. Finally, he spoke. “It does,” he replied. “I don’t think I could leave Emmeline for an extended period of time.”
“I assumed as much.”
“But I would still like to continue working as an agent,” Oliver said.
Corbyn rose and tugged down on his ivory waistcoat. “I am pleased to hear that. There is an abundance of civil unrest right now amongst the people.”
“You should know that I told Emmeline the truth about who I am,” Oliver revealed.
“Do you think that was wise?”
Oliver nodded. “I do,” he replied. “I knew I couldn’t have a true marriage without revealing my whole self to her.”
“Then I shall respect your decision,” Corbyn said.
“Thank you.”
Corbyn started walking over to the door as he remarked, “It is time I get back to work.”
“You could always stay for dinner,” Baldwin suggested.
“Thank you for the offer, but I need to meet with my informant.” Corbyn stopped at the door and met his gaze. “I will send over a new assignment for you shortly.”
“I appreciate that,” Oliver replied.
Corbyn tipped his head as he opened the door.
After Corbyn departed from the room, Baldwin offered Oliver a smug smile. “I never thought I would see the day that you would turn down a dangerous assignment to the peninsula. An assignment that you have been pleading for.”
“My priorities have shifted,” he admitted.
“Is that so?”
“Frankly, I couldn’t imagine being apart from Emmeline for that long.”
“Love can make a man act irrationally.”
Coming to sit across from his brother, Oliver replied, “Or it can give a man clarity in his life. To focus on what is truly important.”
“You have become sentimental, Brother,” Baldwin joked.
Oliver took a sip of his drink before lowering it to his lap. “I suppose I have.”
Baldwin gave him a pointed look. “I do encourage you not to get lackadaisical. That can get you killed.”
“You need not fear on that account,” Oliver said. “Now that I have secured Emmeline’s love, I feel as if there is nothing that I cannot do.”
“Just be careful,” Baldwin urged.
“I will,” Oliver replied. “After all, I have never had so much to live for before.”
&
nbsp; With her hands clasped in her lap, Emmeline stared out the window of the coach as she thought of all the ways that her upcoming meeting with her aunt could end in disaster.
“Are you nervous, my dear?” Oliver asked in an amused voice.
She shifted her gaze towards her husband. “Perhaps we should forego calling on my aunt today.”
“Is that what you would like to do?”
Emmeline shook her head. “No,” she replied. “I suppose I am simply worried about her reaction to seeing me.”
“It will be all right.”
“How can you say that?” she asked. “I killed my uncle.”
“You are a hero.”
“I don’t feel that way.”
Oliver reached for her hand. “You saved my life.”
Emmeline’s shoulders relaxed slightly as she stared into her husband’s eyes. “Only after you saved me.”
“Regardless, we saved each other,” Oliver said.
“That we did.”
“But as far as everyone is concerned,” Oliver started, “it was I that killed your uncle.”
She gave him a baffled look. “How is that possible?”
“The constable and I agreed that it was best if I was responsible for Lord Taylor’s death,” he revealed. “We wanted to save you from the malicious gossip of the ton.”
“That was most thoughtful of you.”
“I also received word this morning that the vicar finally gave up the name of the other person in the smuggling ring.”
“He did?”
He nodded. “It was a footman at Lockhart Manor,” he responded. “He listened in on our conversations, helped transport the smuggled goods, and he was responsible for letting your attacker in.”
“How terrible,” she murmured.
“He’s been arrested and will most likely face deportment. You shall never have to dwell on him again.”
“I am relieved to hear that.”
Oliver brought her hand up to his lips. “I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that you have saved me in more ways than one, Emme,” he said as she felt his warm breath on her hand. “You have brought hope back into my life, something that I never thought was possible.”
“I love you,” she murmured.
“And I love you.” He lowered her hand but didn’t release it. “I received my new assignment this morning.”