Red Crystal Romance: #1 Emma
Page 23
“We shall, milady. And I promise you, the man you know as Daniel as well as these others shall not trouble you or yours again. Good day to you.”
Emma didn’t realize her hands were shaking until she made it to the kitchen, her hands out to grip the table before she collapsed into a chair.
“Miss Emma?” Nancy came from the side, glancing quickly at Mrs. Neilson.
“I’m okay…I think it just hit me…just need to breathe,” Emma told them, her voice more than a little shaky. “Some water? Please?”
“Yes…” Nancy hurried off, filling a tall glass and fitting Emma’s hand around it.
“Fetch his lordship,” Mrs. Neilson ordered.
“No!” Emma sent up a palm and drained the water before setting the glass down. “I’m fine. He’s been hurt and he’s busy with the Inspector,” she told them firmly, straightening in the chair and inhaling deeply. “Are the others alright?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Mrs. Neilson said instantly. “Brock and the others made certain everything was safe.”
“Good…good…”
“Mrs. Neilson,” Harris entered the kitchen, stopping suddenly. “Is there a problem?”
“I am fine, thank you,” Emma said quietly.
“His lordship has ordered the house locked up and everyone to have time away until noon on the second day,” Harris said firmly.
“Very good idea,” Emma said with a sigh. “This was a crazy day. A couple days off is a fine way to relax. I can easily make up food and maybe I’ll just sleep for two days.”
“Are you sure, Mr. Harris?” Mrs. Neilson looked at Emma with concern.
“I am fine,” Emma repeated and pushed herself to her feet. “Just a little…really glad this is over and things can be normal.” She hugged Mrs. Neilson and smiled. “Go home and relax for a few days. We will manage. Thank you…all of you.”
She left the kitchen before she started crying and she didn’t know why. Stress, she thought. It had definitely been days like she’d never known before. She entered the library in time to see Lucas close and turn the latch on the balcony doors. There was no hesitation in her when he faced her, his palm up and open.
Lucas didn’t breathe until he had her firmly in his arms.
“We’re a fine pair, my sweet,” Lucas said quietly after a few silent minutes.
“I suppose we do need a bath…although, I’d really rather just climb into bed and not move for hours and hours,” Emma admitted with a sigh.
Lucas brushed her temple with his lips and turned them both toward the stairs.
“I believe the trials of the day have finally caught up with you.” Lucas let her twine their fingers and lead him into the bedroom. They didn’t bother with the door. He knew Harris and the others would follow his instructions without question and they would have the house to themselves.
“Things certainly did not go as I had planned,” Emma admitted. She turned to face him, walking backwards as she opened the only two remaining buttons on his shirt.
“I’m sure I can locate the buttons in the library,” Lucas said when a little wince crossed her features.
“I suppose having boxing as a hobby paid off,” Emma said, sliding the shirt down his arms and dropping it to the basket she’d placed near the bathroom.
“Emma?” Lucas didn’t move from the spot when she wandered to the balcony doors, opening them wide and welcoming the soft, rain tinted air to fill the room.
She stared out into the light mist falling over the dusty ground. She admitted to becoming accustomed to the name, especially when he said it. She hadn’t allowed herself to think much about yesterdays, another time, another place and maybe even another person, she admitted to herself. She couldn’t be there any longer.
But here, with Lucas, she felt whole and alive. If it was a dream, it showed no signs of ending and if given the option, conveniences or not, she would remain with him, if he’d allow her.
“What’s wrong?” His words whispered against her temple, his hands light on her shoulders.
“We’re married,” she said quietly.
“We are.”
“You won’t send me away?”
“That plan didn’t work quite as well as I’d hoped,” he admitted with a hint of humor in his voice.
“I’m not very good at…at hiding, Lucas. And I know I’m not very good at conforming,” Emma sighed. “I don’t want you to be angry with me but I don’t think I can change to be the perfect British wife for you, either. And disappointing…” she stopped when he turned her to face him. “Disappointing you hurts more than I thought possible,” she whispered raggedly.
His hands moved to her face, thumbs beneath her chin and tipping her head back.
“I don’t want anyone but you, Emma. We can hope this effort to keep you safe and out of harm’s way is something that won’t have to be repeated.” Lucas kissed her softly, his mouth tasting from one corner to the other before settling firmly. Her lips parted for him, inviting him inside with a soft whisper.
“I love you, Lucas.” She let her hands press over the smoothness of his shoulders and chest. “I am very grateful for whatever…whoever…brought us together.”
“I prefer to place my belief in science,” he teased, kissing her and slowly backing toward the bed.
Emma fell lightly over him when he sprawled back on the surface of the bed, her hands framing his face. But this time when she kissed him, she saw the bright red glow of a stone with mysterious rune markings across the surface on one side. She broke their kiss, breathless and blinking but the vision was gone.
Science or magic, she only knew she’d be thankful for the second chance.