Page 40 of To Have & To Hold

During one of his visits home, he had found their housekeeper in the role of governess—whether because a spirited three-year-old Charlotte had driven the last one off, or her wages had not been paid, he could not be sure.

He made arrangements for Adeline to be sent away to school, and Charlotte was placed under the care of the lateLord Blackburn and his wife. It was an unusual arrangement, but Oliver was his dearest friend, and his parents were the only ones whom Nathaniel trusted with his sister’s care.

When Nathaniel finally left Eton and took up residence at Rosemore Hall, his sisters had come to live with him. They saw very little of their mother until Nathaniel came into full control of the estate, and she found it necessary to appeal to him directly for more funds, rather than his solicitor.

He knew there were times he was too hard on Charlotte, and she did not always deserve it. But he had spent too many years fearing what would happen to her when no one was watching. Perhaps that was the truth behind why he had not found a replacement for Charlotte’s last companion—he did not trust anyone else to watch over her the way he did.

But he was the one who had failed her at the Beckley Ball.

Perhaps Emilia was right—he could not do it all alone.

“She would probably be happier with a little more freedom,” he said quietly, almost to himself.

“I think you both would be,” Emilia replied.

Nathaniel sighed, “Alright, I shall release you from your bondage.”

Emilia’s smile brightened as she squeezed his hand, causing Nathaniel’s chest to tighten in return.

This woman was a siren.

The unexpected thought nearly took the breath from his lungs, but once it came, he found himself unable to shake it.

For the harder Nathaniel tried to resist the unexplainable pull he felt towards Emilia, the more desperate he was todraw even closer.

Chapter Fourteen

Emilia could not help but smile at the pure joy on Charlotte’s face. They had visited nearly every shop along Bond Street, and still Charlotte showed no sign of tiring.

Currently, she was admiring a colorful window display full of ribbons, and it was undoubtedly the longest she had remained in one place since they stepped out of the carriage that morning.

“I am quite unsure,” Charlotte said, pointing to ghastly orange colored trim. “Whether this color is bold or simply dreadful.”

“I suppose that depends entirely upon who is wearing it,” Emilia replied.

Charlotte glanced at her with a grin and an unspoken challenge twinkling in her eye, but before she could reply, the sound of approaching footsteps drew her attention over Emilia’s shoulder.

“Emilia!”

Emilia’s smile faltered as she turned to face the familiar voice. Lady Moorfield approached, her arms extended in anticipation of a warm reunion.

“My dear, Emilia,” Lady Moorfield said. The smile that stretched across her lips was brighter than Emilia had ever witnessed. “How very fortunate to have happened upon you.”

“Aunt,” Emilia replied, allowing her hands to be taken into a tight grasp. “How are you?”

“Quite well, though I admit, I have been kept in some suspense.” Her smile brightened even more. “We have not yet received your reply to our invitation.”

Emilia’s stomach clenched, full of regret over not posting the refusal immediately.

“Our plans have been under some consideration,” she said carefully. “I intended to send word shortly, but I do not believe we shall—”

“Oh, my dear, you must not trouble yourself with haste,” Lady Moorfield interrupted lightly, the grip on Emilia’s hands tightening. “I know how very occupied His Grace must be. But it would give us the greatest pleasure to have you. We have missed you, Emilia.”

Emilia resisted the urge to scoff. It was hard to imagine they would be able to miss something they had once tried so hard to pretend did not exist.

She wanted to refuse her outright, but she could not do so while standing in the middle of the busy streets, within earshot of everyone passing by. She would not embarrass Nathaniel further by causing a scene.

“I shall speak with my husband,” she said, pulling her hands from her aunt’s grasp. “You shall receive our answer soon.”