The sun had set, and the night sky was full of stars. This was why he loved the country so much. He adored gazing at the stars, but when he was in London, the sky was rarely clear enough to see more than a few stars, if that.
He debated taking a walk outside, but he was exhausted, and the bed looked ever so tempting. He stripped off down to his smalls and hopped into bed. If he wanted to get back on the road at sunrise, he’d need to get to sleep early.
As he lay in bed, his thoughts went back to Emma. With the tragic turn of events with Noah’s family, Miles was beginning to realize how important family was. Perhaps he’d been a bachelor long enough.
What was he waiting for?
He had a lovely estate and plenty of money to support a wife and children. As he drifted off to sleep, the thought of never kissing Emma’s sweet lips again had him more convinced than ever that she was the perfect woman for him.
Chapter 16
Peter was walking down thestairs on his way to the study when he heard Adams speaking with someone in the foyer. Who was coming here now? His son’s birth had been a long and difficult labor for his wife, and he wanted her to rest to recover her strength without any distractions. Visitors wouldn’t help her in the least.
“I apologize for my early visit,” said the visitor, whose voice he now recognized, “but I’d very much like to see the dowager Lady Williams if she’s receiving visitors.”
“Miss Bent, is there something amiss?” Peter asked, joining them in the foyer.
“Lord Williams, good morning. Nothing is amiss.”
“I see,” Peter said. “Adams will inform my sister-in-law you’re here. Good day, Miss Bent.”
Miss Bent curtseyed as Peter and the butler walked toward the staircase.
Peter had no idea why Miss Bent was here, but he would do everything within his power to ensure the household remained peaceful to aid in his wife’s recovery. If that meant limiting visitors, even for Bett, he had no hesitation in doing so. Cecily and his son were his top priority now.
“Adams, from now on, notify me of all visitors first. I do not want to see a stream of unexpected visitors disturbing my wife’s rest,” Peter whispered.
“As you wish, my lord,” Adams said.
“And have all correspondence delivered to me as well.”
“Of course, sir, ” the butler said and went up the stairs to tell Bett she had a visitor.
Bett was sitting inthe family parlor when Adams knocked and entered the room.
“Lady Williams, you have a visitor.”
“Oh, who is it? I wasn’t expecting anyone today.”
Could it be Noah?
“Miss Bent,” the butler said.
Bett was momentarily disappointed that it wasn’t Noah come to call, but she always enjoyed seeing Emma. “Please send her up.”
“Right away, my lady,” Adams said and left to fetch Emma.
When Emma walked into the room a moment later, Bett could tell something was amiss.
“Adams, please send up a tea tray.”
“Right away, my lady,” Adams said, exiting the room.
Bett went to her friend, bussing both cheeks. “Emma, is something wrong? You don’t seem your usual happy self. Are you well?”
“Yes, I’m well. Bett, please forgive me for calling on you without sending a note around first, but I knew you’d want to hear this as soon as possible.”
Bett frowned. “Hear what?”
