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Oliver rose and offered his hand to assist Emmeline.
There was uncertainty in Betty’s eyes. “I hope you will write to me while I am away,” she told her niece.
“I will.”
“I am happy to hear that. You are the only family that I have left.” Tears came to her aunt’s eyes.
Oliver slipped his arm around Emmeline’s waist. “You are always welcome in our home, Lady Taylor,” he offered.
Betty gave him an appreciative smile. “Thank you,” she said. “That means more to me than you will ever know.”
Emmeline stepped forward and embraced her aunt. “I love you, Aunt Betty.”
“I love you, too,” Betty murmured as she wrapped her arms around her.
After a moment, Emmeline dropped her arms to her sides and took a step back. “I hope your journey is uneventful.”
“As do I,” Betty replied, “and I am indeed grateful that you called upon me today.”
Oliver offered his arm and led Emmeline to the door. “That went well,” he said after they were situated in the coach.
“It did,” Emmeline agreed. “Much better than I expected.”
“I must admit that I do feel bad for Lady Taylor.”
“As do I.”
Oliver reached for her gloved hand. “She must come to terms with the fact that her husband wasn’t who he appeared to be.”
“He hid a part of himself from her,” Emmeline said.
“I am relieved that there are no more secrets between us,” Oliver remarked. “You see me for who I truly am.”
Emmeline smiled up at him. “You are a man worth loving with all of my heart, wholly and unrestrained.”
Leaning closer, Oliver replied, “It is because of you that I am a better man, and I will strive to always be worthy of you.”
He pressed his lips to hers, sealing their words with a kiss.
Epilogue
Six months later
Oliver sat inthe coach as he held up the black puppy to inspect him. “I have no doubt that Emmeline is going to adore you,” he said with an approving smile.
As he lowered the puppy to his lap, the coach door opened and Corbyn slipped in across from him.
“What is that?” Corbyn asked, pointing at the dog.
Oliver grinned. “It is a puppy.”
With an exasperated look, Corbyn pressed, “Clearly, but why do you have a puppy?”
“It is for Emmeline,” Oliver replied as he felt the coach jerking forward. “I found him rummaging in the alley, and I decided to give him a home.”
Corbyn lifted his brow. “Are you certain that Emmeline would even want a dog, considering she is increasing?”
“I am,” he responded confidently. “I have no doubt that she will love this surprise.”
