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Oliver brought her hand up to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “I have never been so scared as when I saw that man smothering you with a pillow,” he admitted, lowering her hand. “For a moment, I feared that I was too late.”
“You saved my life.” Her words grew soft as she added, “I am sorry that you had to kill him.”
“Don’t be,” he asserted. “I would kill a hundred men if it meant that you were safe.”
Emmeline’s eyes shifted towards the door. “Why is the constable interviewing Mary?”
“The constable is worried that someone on the household staff may have let your attacker in,” he shared.
“And he believes Mary would be capable of doing such a horrendous thing?”
“Not necessarily, but you did confide in your lady’s maid about the smugglers.”
With a furrowed brow, Emmeline said, “That may be true, but Mary would never betray me. It is ludicrous to even suggest such a thing.”
“If that is the case, then your lady’s maid has nothing to fear in speaking to the constable,” Oliver replied.
“I should say so.”
Oliver’s eyes darted towards the door. “I didn’t want to say this in front of the constable, but do you have any reason to believe your uncle would hurt you?”
“For what purpose?” she asked in disbelief. “If he killed me, then Lockhart Manor still belongs to you.”
“I just find it odd that he arrived in Whitstable and you were attacked shortly thereafter.”
“It is just a coincidence.”
Oliver shook his head. “I don’t believe in coincidences.”
“My uncle would never hurt me,” Emmeline asserted. “I am sure of it.”
He gave her a reassuring smile. “I am sorry for upsetting you,” he said. “That was not my intention.”
Emmeline yawned and her hand came up to cover her mouth. “I’m sorry, as well,” she replied. “I tend to grow rather irritable when I am tired.”
“You should get some sleep,” he encouraged.
“I’m afraid I can’t,” she admitted. “Every time I close my eyes, I imagine that man above me and I start panicking.”
Oliver reached out and cupped her right cheek. “Would it help if I stayed with you until you fall asleep?”
She nodded. “I feel much safer with you by my side.”
“Then so be it.”
Emmeline laid down and put her head on the pillow. “Thank you for staying with me,” she murmured.
“There is no place I would rather be,” he said, knowing he spoke the truth.
It wasn’t long before he heard Emmeline’s breathing grow deep, and he knew she was asleep. As he watched her, he realized he had done something intolerably foolish. He had gone and fallen in love with his wife.
Chapter Eighteen
Emmeline awoke tosunlight streaming in through the windows and sat up in bed. Her eyes strayed to the empty chair that Oliver had slept in last night, causing a smile to come to her face. He had gone to such great lengths to ensure she was tended to. How could I not love a man like that, she thought.
The door opened, and Mary stepped into the room with a jonquil gown draped over her arm. “I see that you are finally awake, milady,” she said lightly.
“I am.”
