AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Mary placed the valise down by the trunks and her eyes roamed the room. “This room will do nicely for you, milady.”
“I believe so, as well.”
Mrs. Winters stepped over to the door and announced, “Supper will be served promptly at eight, unless you would prefer a tray to be sent to your room tonight.”
“I am rather tired from my journey,” Emmeline commented. “Would you mind sending a tray up for me?”
“Not at all. It would be my pleasure.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Winters.”
Mrs. Winters smiled at her. “I think you will be very happy at Lockhart Manor, milady, and the entire staff is pleased that you are with us.”
“Thank you for your kind words,” Emmeline said graciously.
With a parting glance, the housekeeper left the room and closed the door behind her.
Mary let out a sigh and stretched her arms out. “I am in love with Lockhart Manor,” she declared.
“Why do you say that?”
“Because it is nearly impossible to get lost here,” Mary revealed. “I can’t even count how many times I got lost at Hawthorne House and a maid would have to escort me back to your room.”
“Surely you are not that terrible at directions,” Emmeline joked.
“It is a curse, milady,” Mary said dramatically. “I also took the liberty of speaking to the cook on your behalf. If you’re lucky, you will be getting pudding with every meal.”
Emmeline laughed. “I do love pudding.”
“I am well aware.”
Glancing at the traveling trunks, Emmeline asked, “Would you like me to assist you as you unpack?”
“I won’t turn down your assistance, if you are willing.”
“I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t.”
Mary opened the first trunk. “Then let us begin.”
With an emptyglass in his hand, Oliver stared at the crackling fire as he contemplated how utterly miserable he truly was. Emmeline had left for Whitstable three days ago, and he found he couldn’t seem to stop dwelling on her. Every time he closed his eyes, the image of Emmeline’s lovely face came to his mind.
His wife was becoming a distraction in his life, and he didn’t need any more distractions. He was an agent of the Crown, and he had no time for such things as emotions. They made you vulnerable, weak. And he was neither of those things.
So why did he have the urge to chase after his wife and beg her to return home?
Emmeline said that she would return to Hawthorne House on her own, so he just needed to be patient. But that was becoming increasingly difficult with each passing day, and he was forced to begrudgingly admit to himself that he missed her. He shouldn’t, but he did, desperately.
He missed the way her eyes would light up when she spoke about something that interested her, or how she laughed freely and unconstrained. He missed bantering back and forth with her. Emmeline had brought joy back into his life, something that he hadn’t experienced in quite some time. But it mattered not. He still couldn’t pursue his feelings, because he never could be entirely honest with her. He was always going to hold a part of himself back from her.
As much as he griped about his assignment, he still loved being an agent. It was ingrained into his very soul.
The door to the study opened, and Jane stepped into the room. When her eyes landed on him, they flashed with annoyance.
“I am sorry for disturbing whatever it is you are doing,” Jane said dryly, “but I am looking for Baldwin. Have you seen him?”
“I have not.”
“You have hardly left this study since Emmeline left.”
