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At least she could be happy… without him.
Chapter Thirteen
Emmeline watched inamusement as her lady’s maid’s head bobbed up and down as she tried to sleep in the coach. They had been traveling all day, and the sun was on the horizon as they arrived in Whitstable.
Mary made a snorting sound as her eyes flew open. She blinked a few times, then said, “Please say that we are almost there.”
“We should be,” Emmeline replied. “We are traveling through the village as we speak.”
Mary glanced over at the window. “We have been in this coach nearly all day.”
“We did stop to swap out the horses.”
“That we did,” Mary remarked, “but it was only long enough to use the privy and stretch our legs.”
Emmeline smiled as she teased, “You have been complaining since we left Hawthorne House.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize,” Emmeline said. “I just find it humorous you hate riding in a coach as much as you do.”
“I am used to riding on the back of the coach,” Mary commented. “It is much more enjoyable and not nearly as stuffy.” She grinned. “Although, you do risk the chance of swallowing a bug.”
“A bug?”
Mary nodded. “It isn’t as awful as it sounds.”
“Well, I am grateful that you accompanied me to Lockhart Manor,” Emmeline said.
“You don’t have to keep thanking me for doing my job, milady.”
Emmeline ran her fingers along the coral necklace around her neck. “I was saddened that Oliver was not there to see us off.”
“Did you expect any different?” Mary asked in a knowing tone.
“I suppose not,” she muttered.
Mary tilted her chin. “Are you sure he even came home last night?”
“He did, and Jane confirmed that Baldwin informed him that I was leaving.”
“Then he is a jackanapes,” Mary declared.
A giggle escaped Emmeline’s lips at the unexpected remark. “That is terrible of you to say. After all, he is still my husband.”
“He is the worst of husbands,” Mary pointed out. “He didn’t even try to stop you from leaving.”
“I daresay that it wouldn’t have made a difference.”
“I know, but he still should have made some sort of effort.”
Emmeline bobbed her head. “I agree,” she replied. “Perhaps his heart will soften while I am away.”
“Or it will harden even more.”
The coach turned onto a road leading them up a long, winding hill towards a modest manor situated near a cliff. As they approached, Emmeline admired the bow front, canopied balconies, and an expansive green lawn that surrounded the property.
“It’s lovely,” Emmeline remarked.
