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“As did I,” Emmeline responded. “Prior to this morning, I had no reason to ever question my uncle’s intentions.”
“Well, I am glad that you got it sorted out,” Jane remarked.
Emmeline bit her lower lip, then said, “My father’s will stipulated that my dowry would come to me as an inheritance on my twenty-first birthday.”
Jane frowned as realization dawned on her face. “Does this mean you didn’t need to marry Oliver in the first place?”
“It would appear that way,” she replied.
A silence fell over the room as Emmeline lowered her gaze to her lap. She didn’t want to see the looks of pity that she had no doubt were aimed at her.
Harriet spoke up in a tender voice. “I, for one, am pleased that you married my son. I have enjoyed having you as my daughter-in-law.”
Bringing her gaze up, Emmeline gave her a weak smile. “I have enjoyed being a part of this family, but I just wish things were different with Oliver.”
“You mean you want your husband not to be such a despicable boor?” Jane asked in a haughty voice.
“You could say that,” Emmeline replied.
Jane huffed. “You have been a saint when it comes to dealing with my brother,” she declared. “You need to let him know how dissatisfied you are.”
“It is not my place.”
“It is most definitely your place,” Jane countered with a lifted brow. “You are his wife. If you can’t put him in his place, who can?”
Harriet bobbed her head. “I agree with Jane, and I rarely do.”
Jane smiled. “It’s true.”
Emmeline pressed her lips together as she realized that they were right. It was time for her to tell her husband what she was truly feeling. Although, she would leave out the part of how she held him in high regard.
“I will speak to him when I see him next,” Emmeline said.
Jane glanced at her mother before asking, “Do you want to borrow my muff pistol when you speak to him?”
“Why would I need a pistol to speak to my husband?”
Jane gave her an innocent look. “It might loosen his tongue, and no one would blame you if you accidentally shot him.”
Emmeline grinned. “I have no desire to shoot Oliver.”
“Pity.”
“You are terrible,” Emmeline joked.
“I prefer to think I am attempting to solve your problems,” Jane replied with a half-shrug.
Harriet shook her head at her daughter’s antics. “Perhaps you should put your energy into finding a suitor.”
“For what purpose?” Jane questioned. “I have no desire to marry.”
“Every woman wishes to marry,” Harriet pressed. “A marriage brings security.”
“Or it brings a host of new problems,” Jane countered.
Harriet reached for the teacup on the table in front of her. “I would prefer to see you settled with children before I die.”
“That won’t likely happen, Mother.”
