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“That I did,” he said, returning her smile, “and I do not regret my decision.”
His wife studied him as if gauging his sincerity. “Truly?”
Before he could reply, a knock came at the door.
“Enter,” he ordered, his eyes not straying from Emmeline.
The door opened and Emmeline’s lady’s maid stepped into the room. She dropped into a curtsy as she announced, “Constable Philmont is here to call upon Lord Oliver.”
“Already?” Emmeline questioned.
“We did race along the lawns for a considerable time,” Oliver pointed out.
“I suppose you make a good point.”
Oliver leaned closer and whispered next to her ear, “Thank you for being reasonable about staying behind.”
When she didn’t respond, he couldn’t resist kissing her cheek.
He stepped back and said, “I will seek you out once I return to the manor.”
“Thank you, Oliver.”
As he made his way to the drawing room, Oliver realized that it was becoming increasingly difficult to tell his wife that he would be gone for an indefinite time to the peninsula. He could see the trust in her eyes, but it was still mingled with uncertainty. But how was it fair that he expected her trust, when he was unable to share a part of himself?
He stepped into the drawing room and saw Constable Philmont had a pistol tucked into the waistband of his trousers, making him appear much more intimidating than he had in the mercantile.
The constable gave him a curt nod. “Milord,” he said.
“Thank you for coming.”
“Of course.”
“Shall we proceed to the beach?” Oliver asked.
After they exited the estate, Oliver turned towards the constable. “Mr. Lawson informed us that you have been a constable since last year.”
“That is true,” Constable Philmont replied. “No one wanted to fill the vacancy, and the villagers all banded together to convince me to take the position.”
“You don’t enjoy being a constable?”
“I don’t dislike it,” he remarked with a grimace.
Oliver grinned. “That is a glowing endorsement of your position.”
The constable chuckled. “I enjoy ensuring our village is safe, but sometimes I grow tired of minding the same people. It astonishes me how much people will reveal when they are inebriated.”
“That has been my experience, as well.”
“I prefer to mind my own business, but I am unable to do so as the constable. Sometimes I feel like I spend my days tattling on people.”
“You do?”
“I know it is not tattling, but it does get tiring at times.”
“Is there no one else willing to serve as constable?”
Constable Philmont shook his head. “There is not,” he replied. “Fortunately, having a night watchman patrolling the streets keeps most of my evenings free.”
