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Coming to a stop near Emmeline, Pratt announced, “Your lady’s maid will be down momentarily.”
“Thank you, Pratt,” Emmeline murmured.
“You are welcome, milady.”
Jane started walking backwards towards the drawing room as she said, “Just remember what I said, Emmeline.”
“I will,” she replied.
“Good. I believe it will save you from much heartache.”
Emmeline glanced over at the main door, hoping that Oliver would make a sudden appearance. But she was not so fortunate.
Her lady’s maid came to stand next to her. “Are you ready to go, milady?”
“I am,” she replied.
As they departed from Hawthorne House, Emmeline took only a moment to admire the elegant black coach emblazoned with the family crest. The footman opened the door and held his hand out to assist her. She accepted his hand and stepped into the coach.
Once she was situated, Mary sat across from her. “Thank you for accompanying me,” Emmeline said.
Mary smiled. “It is my pleasure.”
“I had been hoping Oliver would have accompanied me, but he still hasn’t returned home.”
“I assumed as much,” Mary said softly.
The coach lurched forward as she asked, “What has become of me?”
“You started developing feelings for your husband,” Mary remarked knowingly. “That was a rather large misstep on your part.”
“One should never be in the unfortunate position of having to pine after their own husband.”
Mary nodded. “I would agree.”
“But what can I do about it?”
Pressing her lips together, Mary asked, “May I speak freely, milady?”
“Of course.”
Mary leaned forward and remarked, “You have become a simpering miss around your husband.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You are a strong young woman,” Mary said. “Where is the fight that you had when you went to call on Lord Oliver and asked him to marry you?”
Emmeline’s shoulder slumped slightly. “I don’t know.”
“May I suggest you take the time to remember who you are,” Mary said. “You are not weak, but rather a formidable woman.”
“But I am married now, and I need to be a dutiful wife.”
“Nonsense,” Mary declared. “If Oliver isn’t living up to his vows, then why should you?”
Emmeline nibbled her bottom lip. “I suppose you make a good argument.” She shifted her gaze towards the window and retreated into her own thoughts.
It wasn’t long before they pulled up in front of a two-level brick building in the fashionable part of town. The coach dipped to the side as the footman stepped off his perch and put the step down.
