Page 85 of To Have & To Hold

Emilia laughed. “You know you can not do that.” She gave him a teasing grin. “Who will fetch your tea?”

“I shall fetch my own tea.” He leaned again. “It will be a small sacrifice to make to remove these continual interruptions.”

Another knock.

Nathaniel closed his eyes with a groan.

“Go away, Briggs!” He shouted at the closed door, and Emilia’s eyes widened in horror.

“My apologies, Your Grace,” The butler’s calm voice was muffled through the heavy oak door, completely unfazed by the duke’s outburst. “Lieutenant Talbot is refusing the tray that was sent to his chambers. He is insisting upon taking breakfast in the morning room.”

Nathaniel let his head fall back against his pillow in defeat. The temptation to lock himself in his chambers all morning with his wife was strong. But no matter how perfect and peaceful this moment with Emilia was, it would never last if they did not face the storm brewing just outside the door.

“You may release him,” Nathaniel groaned. “I will be down shortly.”

“Very good, Your Grace,” Briggs called before his footsteps retreated down the hall.

Emilia watched Nathaniel, her eyes full of concern. “I am so sorry, Nathaniel.”

Nathaniel pinched Emilia’s chin between his thumb and forefinger, exhaling a sigh. He knew it would be futile to tell her not apologize, so he simply looked into her eyes, soothing her fears with a smile.

“Let us ready for breakfast,” he brushed his lips against hers. “I believe it is past time I properly met my brother-in-law.”

∞∞∞

Lieutenant Talbot was the picture of relaxation as he lounged at the duke’s breakfast table. He leaned against his elbows, his beaming smile far too close to Charlotte’s as he relayed what sounded like an absurdly dramatic story from his time in the royal navy.

Nathaniel’s stomach soured the moment he entered the room and saw the pair. Charlotte was completely enraptured by the man, and her eyes sparkled as she hung on his every word.

Hopefully the lieutenant knew how lucky he was to be so dearly loved by Emilia, because that was the only thing keeping Nathaniel from dragging him out of Rosemore Hall by his wrinkled collar.

“I see you have finally decided to make an appearance,” Charlotte chirped once she pulled her eyes from Alexander and noticed Nathaniel and Emilia in the doorway.

Alexander’s expression immediately sobered as he assessed them both warily. Nathaniel offered his own icy stare in return.

He understood the man’s inclination to distrust people, but that did not mean he was willing to overlook the events of last night without a little effort on Alexander’s part.

“Charlotte,” Nathaniel turned to his sister, maintaining the intensity of his gaze. “Were you not instructed to take breakfast in your room this morning?”

“I was,” Charlotte replied as she took a dainty sip of tea. “I simply chose not to.”

Nathaniel’s whole body tensed. Emilia tightened her grip on his arm to steady him.

“Charlotte,” Emilia’s voice was calm. “Would you please give us a moment?”

Charlotte’s eyes widened in horror. “You wish me to leave?” She exclaimed. “After I have only just discovered that you have a brother, who attempted to break down our door in the dead of night? This is most tragically romantic thing that has ever graced the halls of Rosemore!”

Alexander chuckled as he buttered a piece of bread, as if he wasn’t the very reason the entire household was now in an upheaval.

“There is nothing romantic about being a fugitive.” Nathaniel’s tone was clipped and he regretted the words the moment he said them. They had the desired effect of wiping the grin from the lieutenant’s face, but the color had drained from Emilia’s cheeks as well.

Thankfully Charlotte seemed to notice the tension that had descended upon the room. She reluctantly stood from her chair, making a show of her walk towards the door.

“I will allow you some privacy,” she said as she reached Emilia’s side, leaning in close to whisper something in her ear.

The moment the door closed behind Charlotte, Alexander let out an unamused scoff. “Come now, do you not think you were being a little too harsh on the girl?”

Nathaniel allowed his temper to cool before responding. He led Emilia to the table, pulling out her chair before turning to face her brother.