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Reaching for her hand, he assured her, “You need not fear for your safety. No harm shall come to you as long as I am here.”
“Thank you,” she murmured.
“Shall we return to the manor?”
Emmeline nodded. “I think that would be for the best.”
Oliver kept hold of her hand as they silently headed towards the path that would take them back to the manor. It wasn’t until they arrived at the main door of the manor that Oliver stopped and spoke up. “Are you all right?”
She shook her head. “I have never been so afraid.”
“It was just a band of smugglers,” he said, keeping his voice light.
“What if they had seen us?”
“Then I would have had no choice but to fight them off.”
Emmeline frowned. “I am in earnest, Oliver.”
“As am I.”
“What could you have done against a band of smugglers?”
Oliver took his other hand and tucked an errant lock of hair behind her ear. “I would do anything to keep you safe, my dear.”
He saw her visibly relax as she stared up at him. “That is kind of you to say.”
“There is nothing kind about it,” he replied. “It is the truth.”
Oliver’s eyes dropped to her lips, and he watched as she parted them in response. That was all the invitation he needed. He leaned closer, but just as his lips were about to brush against hers, the main door opened, causing Emmeline to step back.
“Excuse me, milord,” the butler said as he quickly closed the door.
Oliver stifled his groan at the interruption. He had been so close to kissing his wife again, which was something he had desperately wanted to do since their last kiss.
Emmeline gave him a timid smile. “I should retire for the evening,” she said, avoiding his gaze.
“Would you like me to escort you to your bedchamber?”
“That won’t be necessary,” she replied, “but I thank you for the offer.”
Oliver opened the door for her and stood to the side as she entered, then followed her inside.
“Good night, Wife,” he said.
“Good night, Husband.”
Oliver watched Emmeline as she walked up the stairs and disappeared down the hall, knowing he would miss her dreadfully when he left for the peninsula.
Chapter Fifteen
Emmeline slowed herhorse’s gait as the village came into view, and she was pleased to see that Oliver followed suit.
“You ride superbly,” Oliver commented, glancing over at her.
“Thank you,” she replied. “You do, as well.”
Oliver smiled. “Do you recall the time your father chided you for riding astride on your property?”
