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Emmeline bit her lower lip. “That is true.”
“You must be patient with yourself,” Mary said. “Allow yourself time to explore these feelings that you have for your husband and learn to trust your heart.”
“And what if Oliver never develops any true affection towards me?” she asked, voicing her greatest fear.
“Then you will be in the unfortunate situation of pining after your husband,” Mary said. “But I am of the mindset that Lord Oliver is sensible and will see the added benefit of making this a true marriage.”
“I hope so.”
A knock came at the door that led to the sitting room and Mary rose from the settee. She walked over, opened the door, and dropped into a curtsy as Oliver stepped into the room, holding a bouquet of flowers. He was dressed in a blue jacket, maroon waistcoat, white linens, and buff trousers.
Oliver offered Emmeline a charming smile as he approached her. “I brought you some flowers from our garden,” he said, extending them towards her.
She accepted the flowers and replied, “That was most thoughtful of you.” She took a moment to admire them. “They are beautiful.”
“They pale in comparison to your beauty, my dear wife.”
Emmeline arched an eyebrow. “Are you truly resorting to flattery now?”
“I am only speaking the truth.” His words were spoken in a low voice, sounding oddly intimate.
A blush crept up her cheeks as she tried to appear unaffected by Oliver’s charms. “You are most kind.”
Oliver extended his arm towards her. “Our carriage awaits out front.”
As Emmeline placed her hand on his arm, Mary walked over and retrieved the flowers from her. “I’ll put these in a vase,” she said.
“Thank you, Mary.”
They didn’t speak as Oliver led her towards the entry hall and out the main door. He assisted her into the carriage before he walked around to the other side.
Once they were situated, Oliver picked up the reins and urged the horses forward. “You seem to have retreated into your own thoughts,” he commented, keeping his gaze straight ahead.
“I suppose I have.”
“Anything you would wish to discuss?”
Emmeline glanced over her shoulder at the townhouse. “I must admit that I am still trying to find my bearings in Hawthorne House.”
Oliver chuckled. “It is rather large, but we don’t make use of most of the rooms unless my mother throws a house party.”
“Jane and your mother gave me a tour last night, and I was thoroughly impressed with the library,” Emmeline shared.
“I assumed that would be the case.”
With a side glance at her husband, she asked, “May I ask what occupies your time during the day?”
“I pretty much do as I please.”
“Such as?”
Oliver visibly stiffened. “I frequent White’s and spend time with my friends.”
“Do you engage in any other pastimes?”
“When the situation warrants it,” he remarked vaguely. “I did fail to ask how your meeting with your aunt and uncle went earlier today.”
Emmeline frowned at the abrupt change of topics, but she knew she didn’t want to press her husband too hard at the moment. Knowing that Oliver was still waiting for a response, she replied, “Terribly. My aunt informed me that I am not welcome at their townhouse anymore.”
