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Oliver watched her intently for a moment, then asked, “Do you enjoy playing shuttlecock?”
“I do,” she replied.
A smile came to his lips. “I also enjoy playing shuttlecock. Perhaps we can play together on the lawn sometime.”
“I would like that.”
Glancing over at the window, Oliver announced, “We are almost at Hawthorne House.”
Emmeline brought her hand up and smoothed back her blonde hair. “Am I presentable enough to see your family?”
He leaned closer and his eyes roamed her face. “You could wear a shapeless frock and still look beautiful.”
“You flatter me.”
“That was my intention, but it makes it no less true.”
The coach came to a stop in front of a rectangular building with two protruding wings and a large portico hung over the main door. Emmeline’s eyes roamed the gold embellishments around the windows and doors.
Oliver placed his hand out the window and opened the coach door. After he stepped down, he reached back in to assist her.
As she stepped down onto the cobblestone courtyard, he didn’t release her hand but placed it in the crook of his arm.
“Are you nervous?” he asked.
“No,” she replied, holding her breath.
“Liar.”
She let out the breath she was holding. “I am petrified.”
“There is nothing to be nervous about,” he said as they started walking towards the door. “You must trust me on that.”
The door opened, and a stocky butler with kind eyes greeted them. “Good afternoon, milord.”
Oliver led her into the entry hall before saying, “Please inform the household staff that I have married Lady Oliver.”
Pratt bowed. “Yes, milord.”
The butler’s words had just left his mouth when Emmeline heard Jane exclaim from the top of the stairs, “They are here!”
Emmeline watched as Jane hurried down the stairs and approached her. Her breathing was labored as she asked, “Are you two truly married?”
“We are,” Emmeline confirmed.
Jane squealed as she pulled her into an embrace. “I am happy to hear that,” she said. “We are sisters now.”
When Jane leaned back, Emmeline watched as Harriet crossed the entry hall. “I am most displeased with you,” she declared, directing her words at Oliver.
“And why is that, Mother?” Oliver asked.
Harriet came to a stop in front of them. “I didn’t discover your plans until after you had already left for Gretna Green.”
“I didn’t want you to try to stop me.”
Harriet brought her hand up to her chest. “You would think me so cruel as to do such a thing?” she questioned. “After all, I am more than pleased by your choice of a bride.” She turned her attention towards Emmeline and smiled. “I always suspected that you two would make a brilliant match.”
“That is kind of you to say,” Emmeline responded.
