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“I see,” Lord Taylor murmured, frowning. “I must admit that was not the answer I was hoping for.”
Emmeline bobbed her head. “I know, and I am truly sorry.”
“But not sorry enough to sell me the property,” her uncle added knowingly.
Ignoring his disparaging remark, she explained, “When I am at Lockhart Manor, I feel a special connection to my parents, and I am not ready to let that go.”
Lord Taylor abruptly rose. “If that is the case, then my business is done in Whitstable and I should return to Town.”
“I know you are angry—”
He held up his hand, stilling her words. “I am disappointed, but not angry. I wanted this property for sentimental reasons, as well, so I am unable to fault your decision.”
“I am happy to hear you say that.”
Lord Taylor smiled down on her. “Take care, Emmeline, and make sure you visit when you return to London.”
“I will,” she said, returning his smile.
“Then I shall tell Betty to expect you to come to call.”
Rising, Emmeline remarked, “I will be looking forward to it.”
Lord Taylor watched her for a moment, his eyes sweeping over her. “I don’t know why I am getting sentimental, since we shall be seeing you soon,” he said, his voice emotional. “I suppose it has something to do with almost losing you last night.”
Her uncle turned his attention towards Oliver. “Take care of my Emmeline.”
Oliver slipped his arm around her waist. “You have my word.”
With a parting glance at her, Lord Taylor departed from the room without saying another word. Her eyes remained on the empty doorway as she said, “That went well.”
“It did,” Oliver agreed.
“I didn’t think I would ever see my uncle soften his stance towards you.”
Oliver chuckled. “Neither did I.”
She turned to face him. “But that doesn’t mean my aunt won’t receive us with cold civility when we come to call.”
“Frankly, I anticipate that.”
Glancing over at the window, Oliver asked, “Would you care to take a stroll along the beach now?”
“I think that sounds wonderful.”
As they madetheir way down the footpath towards the beach, Oliver was starting to doubt that he could leave Emmeline to go to the peninsula. He wondered if he would he be able to stand being apart from her. But he already knew the answer.No.Somehow, completely unwittingly, Emmeline had become the most important thing in his life.
What was he to do? He was set to depart for the peninsula when he arrived back in Town. It was an assignment that he had been hoping for, but the thought of being that far away from Emmeline made his heart ache.
Perhaps it was time to tell her the truth and hope that she would accept him for who he truly was.
Emmeline’s words broke through his musings. “Are you all right, Oliver?”
“I am,” he replied. “Why do you ask?”
She lifted her brow, then said, “You have been standing there for nearly five minutes looking perplexed.”
“I have?”
