A Dangerous Game (Regency Spies & Secrets Book 2), Laura Beers [i read books TXT] 📗

He winced. “I was hoping she hadn’t realized I stayed out all night.”

“I suppose she shouldn’t have been surprised, since you abandoned her for dinner, as well,” Jane remarked dryly.

Oliver glanced over at Corbyn before he replied, “I had to go out.”

“Did you?” Jane scoffed. “I am sure your friends wouldn’t possibly know what to do with themselves if you weren’t right next to them at the gambling hell.”

“If you will excuse me, I need to go speak to Emmeline,” Oliver said, brushing past his sister.

Jane’s next words caused his heart to drop. “Emmeline isn’t here.”

“Where is she?” he demanded.

Crossing her arms over her chest, Jane didn’t appear to be affected by the curtness of his words. “She went to go speak to her aunt and uncle.”

“By herself?”

“A maid did accompany her,” Jane informed him.

Oliver ran a hand through his hair and asked, “Do you know if she intends to return to Hawthorne House?”

“I would imagine so.”

“But you aren’t certain?”

Jane shook her head. “We did not discuss whether or not she would return, but I wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t.”

“Why do you say that?”

“The first evening after you return home from eloping with her, and you spent it out with friends,” Jane said. “At least, I assume it was with friends and not another woman.”

Oliver blinked. “Do you believe me to be so cold-hearted that I would betray my wife?”

“I don’t know what to think about you anymore,” Jane replied. “You certainly haven’t given me any reason to think highly of you these past few years.”

Corbyn cleared his throat. “I apologize for interrupting, but I should be going.”

Jane’s face softened as she turned her gaze towards Corbyn. “My apologies, Lord Evan. It is always a pleasure to see you.”

“Likewise, Lady Jane.”

“How is your family?”

“They are well,” Corbyn responded, smiling. “I would ask how your family is doing, but I believe I already know the answer.”

Jane returned his smile. “You must return for dinner one evening when we have this mess all sorted out.”

“I would be honored to,” he said, his eyes lingering on Jane’s face.

“Then I shall be looking forward to it,” Jane said with a barely discernable blush on her cheeks.

Corbyn averted his gaze and bowed stiffly. “If you will excuse me, I shall see my way out.”

As Corbyn went to exit the main door, it was opened, and Emmeline stepped into the entry hall, and relief washed over Oliver.

She met his gaze and offered him a forced smile. “Oliver,” she muttered. “I am glad to see that you have finally returned home.”

He closed the distance between them and asked, “May I speak to you privately for a moment?”

“I suppose that would be all right,” Emmeline replied softly.

“Would you care to take a turn around the gardens?”

Emmeline’s eyes lit up. “I have yet to see the gardens at Hawthorne House.”

“Then I shall give you a tour,” he said, offering his arm.

She glanced down briefly at his arm before she reluctantly placed her hand on his sleeve. He led her towards the rear of the townhouse and out the back door.

Once they stepped onto the gravel footpath, Emmeline withdrew her arm and clasped her hands together.

“Did you have a good evening?” he asked.

Emmeline nodded. “Your family was truly kind to me.”

“I am glad to hear that.”

“How was your evening?” she asked, tripping over her own words.

Oliver placed a hand on her sleeve and turned her to face him. “I was out at the gambling hell last night with my friends, and I’m afraid that I lost track of time.”

“You don’t have to explain yourself to me.”

“But I want to.”

Emmeline glanced up at him with an expectant look on her face. “Then please proceed.”

“I want you to know that I meant what I said before,” he asserted. “I intend to be faithful to you.”

“I am happy to hear that.”

Oliver could hear the relief in her tone, causing him to press forward. “There will be times that I won’t come home for the night, but it won’t have anything to do with another woman. I can promise you that.”

“Why do you need to stay out all night?”

“You do not need to concern yourself with that.” His words sounded much harsher than he had intended.

A line between her brows appeared as she said, “But I am your wife.”

“I informed you before we were wed that I have secrets, and I have no intention of revealing them to anyone. Not even to you.”

Lowering her gaze to the lapels of his jacket, Emmeline said, “I know our marriage isn’t conventional, but I was hoping that we would always be honest with one another.”

Oliver reached for her hand as he pledged, “I promise that I will return home tonight after my meeting.”

“What meeting do you have?” she asked, bringing her gaze up.

He brought her gloved hand up to his lips. “I’m afraid I can’t tell you that.”

“What can you tell me?”

“I am not doing anything illegal,” he said with a smile.

“I should hope not!”

Oliver lowered her hand but didn’t relinquish his hold on it. “You will just need to trust me.”

“Trust goes both ways,” Emmeline argued.

Nodding, he replied, “That it does.”

Emmeline shifted her gaze towards the rose bushes that lined the footpath, then said, “My lady’s maid told me the most peculiar thing today.”

“Which was?”

“She overheard my uncle speaking to my father’s solicitor about my dowry.”

Oliver gave her a puzzled look. “I thought you didn’t have a dowry.”

“I don’t,” she replied. “At least, that is what my uncle and aunt have told me.”

“Would you like me to go speak to your father’s solicitor for you?” Oliver asked.

Emmeline shook her head. “I was hoping that we could go together.”

“That sounds much more pleasant,” Oliver responded. “When would you care to go?”

“Tomorrow morning.”

Oliver smiled. “I shall have to move some things around, but I would be happy to accompany you.”

“Thank you, Oliver,” Emmeline replied. “That would mean a great deal to me.”

Oliver’s eyes roamed his wife’s lovely face and asked, “Would you care to