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

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Mary responded compassionately.

“When I look into his eyes, I feel as if he does hold me in some regard, but something is holding him back.”

Mary shifted on the bed to face her. “Why do you say that?”

“I don’t know,” she replied. “Perhaps I am just being hopeful.”

“There is nothing wrong with remaining positive.”

“But what if I’m wrong?” she asked. “What if Oliver never comes to acknowledge his feelings for me, and I am trapped in a loveless marriage?”

Mary reached out and encompassed her hand. “That is what you agreed to by marrying Oliver in haste.”

“I know, but I want more now.”

Mary gave her a sad smile. “What do you intend to do?”

Shifting her gaze towards the crackling fire in the hearth, Emmeline said, “I believe I wish to depart for Lockhart Manor tomorrow morning.”

“Truly?”

“I can’t face Oliver right now, and I need some time to think. Besides, Lockhart Manor is only a day’s travel by coach.”

Mary removed her hand from Emmeline’s and said, “Then I should start packing.”

“You don’t mind?”

“I do not. But I must wonder if you are just running away from your husband.”

Emmeline let out a huff. “I am most assuredly running away from Oliver.”

“Is that wise?”

Wringing her hands in her lap, Emmeline remarked, “I need to tour Lockhart Manor anyway, and this situation is providing me with the perfect opportunity to do so.”

“If you say so, milady.”

Rising, Emmeline said, “I shall go inform Pratt of my decision to depart tomorrow morning.”

“Do you suppose Lord Oliver will object?”

“I don’t know, but I will explain that I need to tour the property.” Emmeline walked to the door and opened it. “I shall be back shortly.”

As she walked down the hall, she stopped at Oliver’s portrait and stared up at it. His eyes held so many secrets, but he would never share them with her. Why is that, she wondered. What was so important that he couldn’t share with his own wife?

Emmeline continued down the hall and descended the stairs. She was fortunate enough to see Pratt at the base of them.

The butler acknowledged her with a tip of his head. “Good evening, milady.”

Coming to stop in front of him, she said, “I would like to travel to Whitstable tomorrow morning at first light. I intend to tour my property, Lockhart Manor.”

“I will see to the transportation, then,” he replied. “Will Lord Oliver be accompanying you?”

“He will not, but my lady’s maid will be traveling with me.”

Keeping his face expressionless, Pratt remarked, “If you do not object, I shall send along additional footmen to ensure your protection.”

“I am not sure how long I will be staying in Whitstable,” she revealed. “Will you inform the driver and footmen of this?”

“But you will be returning to Hawthorne House?”

“Of course,” she said, hoping her words were in earnest.

Pratt gave her a brief smile. “If you will excuse me, I will start on the preparations for your journey.”

“Thank you, Pratt,” she acknowledged.

The words had hardly left her mouth when the main door opened and Harriet and Jane stepped into the entry hall.

When Jane saw her, she rushed over and embraced her. “I was so worried about you,” she declared as she leaned back. “Madalene informed me that you weren’t feeling well and had gone home.”

Harriet removed her gloves and placed them on the table. “I do hope you didn’t let those gossips get to you,” she remarked. “You need not concern yourself with them.”

“That was not the reason I left,” Emmeline admitted.

Jane looked at her expectantly. “Then why did you leave?”

Not ready to reveal the real reason, Emmeline replied, “The ball was overly warm, and I felt faint.”

Jane gave her a look that implied she didn’t believe her. “I see,” she muttered.

Harriet walked over and placed a hand on her sleeve. “After you left, Oliver was quite despondent,” she shared, lowering her hand. “He adjourned to the card room, and we did not see him for the rest of the evening.”

“It was delightful,” Jane whispered.

A giggle escaped her lips, and Emmeline brought her hand up to cover her mouth.

Harriet gave her daughter a disapproving look. “That is awful of you to say.”

Emmeline clasped her hands in front of her as she shared, “I hope it is all right, but I intend to travel to Whitstable tomorrow.”

“Why is that, dear?” Harriet asked.

“I would like to tour Lockhart Manor,” she revealed.

Jane frowned. “But Whitstable is a full day’s journey in a coach.”

Emmeline bobbed her head. “I intend to stay for a few days, as well.”

“Have you told Oliver about your plans?” Harriet asked.

“I have not,” she replied, “but I only just decided to make the journey.”

Harriet eyed her with concern. “Did something happen at the ball that we are not privy to?”

Bringing a smile to her face, Emmeline said, “I just think Oliver and I might benefit with some time apart, at least for the time being.”

“And you think that is wise?” Harriet asked.

“I do,” Emmeline responded, her smile dimming, “and I am confident that Oliver would feel the same.”

“Perhaps you should delay your journey until after you have spoken to Oliver,” Harriet suggested.

Emmeline shook her head. “I intend to depart tomorrow morning,” she said firmly.

Jane spoke up. “Would you like me to travel with you?”

“That won’t be necessary,” Emmeline replied. “I will be traveling with my lady’s maid. She is seeing to packing our trunks now.”

Harriet pressed her lips together. “I daresay that this is not a good idea,” she remarked.

“I shall return before you even notice that I am gone,” Emmeline pressed.

“Since I see that I won’t be able to convince you otherwise, I believe I shall retire for bed,” Harriet said.

As Harriet walked up the stairs, Jane leaned in and whispered, “What did my brother do?”

“Nothing,” she lied.

Jane arched an eyebrow. “Clearly, he did something for you to be running away from him.”

In a low voice, she confessed, “I told him that I had feelings for him, and he informed me