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“That sounds terrible.” Oliver shuddered.
Baldwin grinned. “I assure you that it is not as bad as you think.”
“I want danger and excitement, not boredom and balancing the ledgers.”
“Since I have retired from being an agent, I have discovered that being married is all the excitement that I can take.”
Oliver smiled. “I am going to tell Madalene you said that.”
“I did want to speak to you about something rather uncomfortable,” Baldwin said, setting his glass down.
“Which is?”
“Emmeline has decided to travel to Whitstable tomorrow.”
Oliver knotted his brows. “Did she state why?”
“Did she not inform you that she inherited a small estate in Whitstable, known as Lockhart Manor?”
“She did not.”
Baldwin gave him a look of pity. “She asked Pratt to arrange for the transportation and will be departing at first light.”
“How long is she going to be gone?”
“I am not sure,” Baldwin said, “but she assured Pratt that she would return in due time.”
Oliver pursed his lips together as he stared at his brother. “Perhaps this is for the best.”
Baldwin’s mouth dropped. “How is this for the best?” he asked in disbelief. “Your wife is running away from you.”
“Didn’t she say that she would be returning?”
“She did.”
“Then I should respect her decision to be alone.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Baldwin declared. “You are just going to let your wife leave, willingly?”
“What would you have me do?” he questioned. “Should I force her to stay at Hawthorne House with me and be miserable?”
Baldwin shook his head. “You are a bloody idiot.”
Oliver straightened from the windowsill. “Not everyone can have a perfect marriage like you and Madalene.”
“I fought for Madalene,” Baldwin countered, “and you are letting your wife go without a fight.”
Cocking his head, Oliver asked, “Pray tell, has anything changed between us? Am I suddenly free to tell her the truth about me?”
“No, but—”
“I will not yield, no matter how much you attempt to argue with me,” he interjected.
“Then you don’t deserve her.”
Tossing up his arms, Oliver exclaimed, “Don’t you think I already know that?” He walked swiftly to the door. “From now on, stay out of my blasted business.”
Oliver opened the door and slammed it behind him. He headed towards the entry hall and rushed up the stairs. As he walked down the hall, his eyes became fixed on Emmeline’s door and he came to a stop in front of it. He brought his hand up, but he couldn’t seem to find the courage to knock. Nothing had changed between them. It would be best if he let her go.
