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Emmeline placed a hand on his sleeve. “I am sorry to hear that.”
“The charges were dropped, but I was forced to remain in jail until the situation could be rectified,” Oliver revealed.
“I am relieved that you were released.”
Glancing down at her hand on his sleeve, Oliver said, “That is why I missed accompanying you to meet with your father’s solicitor.”
“I understand.”
“Do you?” Oliver asked.
“I do.”
Oliver’s lips twitched, drawing her attention to his lips. “I don’t know what I did to deserve such an understanding wife.”
Emmeline knew she should be vocal about her discontent, but she couldn’t seem to formulate the words. Not when he was looking at her in such a fashion.
“Did you sort out your dowry situation?”
Emmeline nodded. “Yes, I received a dowry of fifteen thousand pounds, and Mr. Clarke will be contacting you soon to transfer the funds to your account.”
Oliver’s brow lifted in surprise. “That is an impressive dowry.”
“I thought so, as well.”
“Did you discover why your uncle lied about your dowry?”
“I did not, but I believe he intended to keep the money for himself.”
Oliver nodded. “If you had married the duke, you would have never discovered your uncle’s deceit.”
“Most likely not,” she admitted.
“It is a good thing you married me, then,” Oliver remarked.
Before she could inform him about the property that she’d inherited, Oliver reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out an exquisite coral necklace.
He held it up for her inspection, then said, “I know I haven’t been the best husband to you, but I hope to remedy that situation right now by giving you a birthday gift.”
“You remembered,” she breathed.
“Of course I remembered your birthday,” he said, taking a step closer to her. “I stopped by the jewelry shop on the way home from jail.”
“I’d just assumed you’d forgotten.”
Oliver’s eyes roamed her face as he asked, “Does the necklace please you?”
“It does, immensely.”
“May I?” he asked as he gestured for her to turn around.
After he secured the jewelry on her neck, Emmeline brought her hand up and ran it along the delicate coral. “It is lovely,” she murmured.
“Not as lovely as you are,” Oliver said, his eyes growing intense.
Emmeline smiled. “Thank you for remembering my birthday. It means more than you will ever know.”
“That is the job of a dutiful husband.”
