by Laura Beers
“You did?”
He nodded as he watched her closely. “There is a radical group just starting to take shape, and my job is to infiltrate it and see if it poses a potential threat to the Crown.”
“I see.”
“It is in the rookeries, and there is a possibility that I won’t be coming home every night.”
“I understand.”
“And when you do see me, I will smell like excrement,” he pressed.
Emmeline scrunched her nose. “That sounds awful.”
“Do not worry,” he replied. “I’ll bathe before I kiss you.”
“That is the least of my concerns.”
He knitted his brow. “It is?”
Leaning closer, she said, “My only concern is that you are safe, and that you will come home to me when the assignment is over.”
“I can promise that.”
“Then nothing else matters.”
The coach came to a stop in front of her aunt’s townhouse, and a footman promptly opened the door. After Oliver exited the coach, he assisted her out onto the pavement.
Emmeline stared up at the three-level townhouse. “Have I properly thanked you for coming with me yet?” she asked.
“You could stand to mention it more,” he teased.
With a side glance at her husband, she said, “My aunt could refuse to see me.”
“Then that is her choice,” he replied as he led her towards the door.
The door to the townhouse opened and the butler acknowledged her with a stiff bow. “Good afternoon, milady.” Drew shifted his gaze towards Oliver. “Milord.”
The butler opened the door wide, granting them entry.
“Is my aunt receiving callers?” Emmeline asked as they stepped into the entry hall.
“If you will kindly wait here, I will go speak to her,” Drew said.
She watched as the butler disappeared into the drawing room, and it was a long moment before he reemerged.
“Lady Taylor will receive you in the drawing room,” Drew announced.
Oliver leaned closer and whispered, “I have two pistols on my person should the need arise.”
A giggle escaped her lips at his unexpected remark. “Duly noted,” she said as she attempted to compose herself.
Her husband led her into the drawing room, and she saw her aunt sitting rigidly on the camelback settee. She was dressed in a black crepe gown, and her eyes narrowed slightly when she saw them.
“I must admit that you have some nerve coming to see me,” Betty declared.
Emmeline went to sit across from her aunt, then said, “I came to see how you were faring.”
“Is that so?” Betty asked, a critical eye sweeping over her.
“It is.”
“I would be faring much better if Lord Oliver hadn’t killed my husband,” Betty spat.
Emmeline glanced over at Oliver before saying, “I’m afraid there was little choice in the matter, since Uncle George intended to kill both of us.”
Her aunt grew quiet as her eyes roamed the room. “George’s title is being passed to a distant cousin, and I am preparing to retire to our country estate while I grieve for my husband.”
“The country is beautiful this time of year,” Emmeline attempted.
Betty brought her gaze back, and she could detect some compassion deep within. “It brought me great pain to know that George was responsible for your parents’ deaths.”
“I was surprised, as well. He deceived all of us.”
“Constable Philmont met with me and explained George’s treachery,” Betty shared. “At first, I didn’t want to believe it, but I suppose there were signs that I neglected over the years. He changed after his brother died, but I never would have thought he was capable of doing something so heinous.”
“Nor I.”
Betty’s face softened. “I believe I owe you an apology,” she said. “You followed your heart, and you were right in doing so.”
“Thank you for that.”
Her aunt’s eyes darted towards Oliver. “Although, it is unfathomable to me that you passed on becoming a duchess to marry a mere second son of a marquess.”
Emmeline smiled over at Oliver. “It is a choice that I will never regret.”
“I’m afraid that I am the latest scandal,” Betty said with a sigh, “and the ton is buzzing with how Lord Oliver saved his wife from a madman.”
“Is that so?” Emmeline asked.
Betty nodded. “It is quite romantic, and you have managed to win over the ton’s admiration because of it.”
“That wasn’t our intention,” Emmeline responded.
“I know, dear, but the ton is a fickle lot,” Betty said. “They pounce on a scandal, at least until something better comes along.”
“I am well aware.”
Betty gave her a sad smile. “I know you are, but your scandal was relatively short-lived. You must be grateful for that,” she remarked. “I doubt the ton will be as forgiving towards me, considering the circumstances.”
Oliver spoke up. “Can we do anything for you?”
Betty turned her gaze towards him. “Let me be frank, Lord Oliver. I do not have a high opinion of you,” she said, “but I truly hope you will be true to my niece. She does not deserve to have her name dragged through the mud.”
“I appreciate your candor, but you need not worry,” Oliver remarked. “I love Emmeline too much to ever be anything but honorable.”
“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 chuckled. “I am not surprised,” he said. “I have been sleeping in these clothes for days.”
“Why don’t you go take a long soak, and perhaps you should burn those clothes?”
Oliver wrapped his arms around her playfully and leaned forward. “But first, I need a kiss from my wife.”
“All right,” she replied. “One kiss.”
He kissed her nose, her cheek and her chin. Then, he pressed his lips against hers, kissing her slowly, before he deepened the kiss. He could feel Emmeline lean into him as she returned his kiss with equal fervor.
As he pulled back, she breathed, “That was more than one kiss.”
“Did you want me to stop?”
“Never.”
The puppy started whining and Emmeline adjusted him in her arms. “He is probably hungry, and definitely in need of a bath. I should take him down to the kitchen.”
“I was thinking we should depart for Lockhart Manor tomorrow for a holiday.”
Emmeline smiled broadly. “I would like that very much.”
“I’m happy to hear that.”
Holding up the puppy in her hands, Emmeline said, “Thank you, Oliver.”
He placed a hand on her increasing belly. “I would give you anything you desire just to see you smile.”
“All I want is you.”
“Then it is a good thing that I’m already yours.”
The End
About the Author
Laura Beers is an award-winning author. She attended Brigham Young University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management. She can’t sing, doesn’t dance and loves naps.
Besides being a full-time homemaker to her three kids, she loves waterskiing, hiking, and drinking Dr. Pepper. She was born and raised in Southern California, but she now resides in South Carolina.