by Laura Beers
After the butler departed from the room, Oliver asked, “Would you care for me to join you when you speak to your uncle?”
“Would you mind?”
Rising, Oliver said, “Not in the least.” He walked over to her and helped her rise. “I have some questions of my own for Lord Taylor.”
Oliver tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and led her to the drawing room.
They stepped into the room and saw her uncle pacing with an agitated look on his face. When his eyes landed on her, he let out a sigh of relief and rushed over to her.
“I am so pleased that you are well,” Lord Taylor said, stopping in front of her. “When I heard that you were attacked, I rushed right over.”
She gave him a baffled look. “How did you hear about the attack?”
Lord Taylor chuckled. “I see that you vastly underestimate how quickly gossip can spread through a small village.”
“I suppose I have.”
Turning his attention towards Oliver, her uncle grew solemn. “Thank you for saving my niece’s life,” he said. “It is a debt that I can never repay.”
“It was my privilege to protect my wife,” Oliver said.
“I imagine it was,” Lord Taylor remarked. “It was most fortunate that you had a pistol close at hand.” Not bothering to wait for Oliver’s response, he turned his attention back to Emmeline. “How are you faring?”
“I am doing well,” she admitted.
“Your aunt will be relieved to hear that.”
Emmeline gave him a timid smile. “I hope that is the case. We didn’t part on the best terms.”
“Betty will come around,” Lord Taylor said as he placed a hand on her shoulder. “After all, we are family.”
“Yes, we are,” she agreed.
Lord Taylor briefly glanced at Oliver before saying, “And that includes your husband,” he added. “We may never understand why you didn’t marry the duke, but it is time that we accept your decision.”
Emmeline felt elated by her uncle’s remark. “Thank you,” she gushed. “That means a great deal to me.”
Oliver spoke up. “That is most generous of you, Lord Taylor.”
Her uncle put his hand up. “Family does not make use of titles,” he said. “Please, call me George.”
“Then you must call me Oliver.”
Lord Taylor gave him an approving nod. “I know that we have a sordid past, but I hope that won’t define our future.”
“May I propose that we let bygones be bygones?” Oliver suggested.
“I think that is a grand idea, Oliver,” her uncle responded.
Gesturing to a settee, Oliver asked, “Would you care to sit?”
“I would,” Lord Taylor replied.
Oliver led Emmeline to another settee and waited until she was situated before claiming the seat next to her.
Lord Taylor glanced between them, then asked, “Have you had a chance to discuss my proposal about Lockhart Manor yet?”
“We have,” Oliver replied, “and I have informed Emmeline that the decision rests solely with her.”
Her uncle turned his brown eyes towards her. “And what have you decided?”
Clasping her hands in her lap, she replied, “I have decided to retain ownership of Lockhart Manor.”
“I see,” Lord Taylor murmured, frowning. “I must admit that was not the answer I was hoping for.”
Emmeline bobbed her head. “I know, and I am truly sorry.”
“But not sorry enough to sell me the property,” her uncle added knowingly.
Ignoring his disparaging remark, she explained, “When I am at Lockhart Manor, I feel a special connection to my parents, and I am not ready to let that go.”
Lord Taylor abruptly rose. “If that is the case, then my business is done in Whitstable and I should return to Town.”
“I know you are angry—”
He held up his hand, stilling her words. “I am disappointed, but not angry. I wanted this property for sentimental reasons, as well, so I am unable to fault your decision.”
“I am happy to hear you say that.”
Lord Taylor smiled down on her. “Take care, Emmeline, and make sure you visit when you return to London.”
“I will,” she said, returning his smile.
“Then I shall tell Betty to expect you to come to call.”
Rising, Emmeline remarked, “I will be looking forward to it.”
Lord Taylor watched her for a moment, his eyes sweeping over her. “I don’t know why I am getting sentimental, since we shall be seeing you soon,” he said, his voice emotional. “I suppose it has something to do with almost losing you last night.”
Her uncle turned his attention towards Oliver. “Take care of my Emmeline.”
Oliver slipped his arm around her waist. “You have my word.”
With a parting glance at her, Lord Taylor departed from the room without saying another word. Her eyes remained on the empty doorway as she said, “That went well.”
“It did,” Oliver agreed.
“I didn’t think I would ever see my uncle soften his stance towards you.”
Oliver chuckled. “Neither did I.”
She turned to face him. “But that doesn’t mean my aunt won’t receive us with cold civility when we come to call.”
“Frankly, I anticipate that.”
Glancing over at the window, Oliver asked, “Would you care to take a stroll along the beach now?”
“I think that sounds wonderful.”
As they made their way down the footpath towards the beach, Oliver was starting to doubt that he could leave Emmeline to go to the peninsula. He wondered if he would he be able to stand being apart from her. But he already knew the answer. No. Somehow, completely unwittingly, Emmeline had become the most important thing in his life.
What was he to do? He was set to depart for the peninsula when he arrived back in Town. It was an assignment that he had been hoping for, but the thought of being that far away from Emmeline made his heart ache.
Perhaps it was time to tell her the truth and hope that she would accept him for who he truly was.
Emmeline’s words broke through his musings. “Are you all right, Oliver?”
“I am,” he replied. “Why do you ask?”
She lifted her brow, then said, “You have been standing there for nearly five minutes looking perplexed.”
“I have?”
“You have,” she confirmed.
Taking a step closer to her, he said, “I apologize for neglecting you.”
“There is nothing to apologize for, especially since I do not feel neglected.” She smiled playfully.
Oliver reached for her hand and held it. “I have been meaning to talk to you about something rather important,” he said as he turned to walk down the beach.
“It sounds serious.”
“I’m afraid it is.”
Emmeline glanced over at him. “Whatever it is, I have no doubt that we can get through it together.”
Keeping his gaze straight ahead, he informed her, “I have been asked to go to the peninsula for business.”
“How long would you be gone?”
“I am not sure, but it could be months, or even years.”
“Would it be possible for me to accompany you?” she asked, her voice hopeful.
“It would not.”
Emmeline grew silent as she withdrew her hand from his. “I see,” she murmured.
“I’m afraid you don’t see.” He stopped and turned to face her. “I am not sure I want to go anymore.”
“Why?”
“Because of you.”
“Me?”
He grew serious. “I know this marriage started out as one of convenience, but I would like to change the terms.”
“You would?” she asked, her eyes lighting up.
“I would,” he said, “but before we can even discuss the possibility, I need to tell you something.”
“What is it?”
Ol
iver took a step closer to her, his eyes imploring. “I’m afraid it may drastically alter the way you feel about me.”
“I don’t think that is possible.”
“What I’m about to reveal can never be repeated.” He paused, letting his words sink in. “Do you understand?”
“I do.”
Oliver’s eyes scanned the beach before he brought his gaze back down to meet hers. “I am an agent of the Crown.”
Emmeline arched an eyebrow. “Are you in earnest?”
“I am.”
Frowning, she took a step back. “Now you are just being cruel.”
“In what way?”
“Do you truly expect me to believe that you are a spy?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
“I do,” he replied. “My assignment has been to root out radical thinkers amongst the ton. I have used the cover of a rakehell and gambler to achieve my purposes.”
Emmeline blinked. “You were just pretending to be a rakehell?”
“Yes,” he rushed out.
“Unbelievable,” she muttered under her breath as she turned to walk away.
Oliver reached out and grabbed her arm. “Wait, Emme…” he attempted.
She yanked back her arm and said, “I want nothing more than to make this a true marriage, but I can’t do that if you keep lying to me.”
“I am not lying,” he asserted. “How do you think I became so proficient with my pistol?”
“I don’t know.”
Oliver placed his hands on her shoulders and leaned closer. “I think you want to believe what I am saying,” he pressed.
“Why is that?”
“Because deep down, you know it is true.”
“But I don’t.”
With a sigh, he said, “I have kept a part of myself hidden from you since we wed, but it is time that you know the real me.”
She pressed her lips together before admitting, “I want that.”
“I am not the rakehell that everyone believes me to be,” he declared. “If I had my way, I would be home every evening with you, reading a book in the library.”
“Then why do you pretend?”
“I must put duty above all else, and my actions keep England safe from domestic threats.”
Emmeline lowered her gaze to the lapels of his blue jacket. “I want to believe you, but it sounds so far-fetched.”
“I know how it sounds, but I want honesty between us from now on.”
Bringing her gaze back up, she asked, “Is that why you need to go to the peninsula?”
“It is.”
“Do you have to go?” she asked weakly.
He shook his head. “I can pass on the assignment, assuming that is what you want me to do.”
“What I want is not important,” she replied. “I have only ever wanted you to be happy.”
“I am happy with you.”
“Are you?”
He nodded. “Every day I am with you is a day that I treasure.”
Emmeline’s frown lessened. “Why are you telling me this now?”
“You must understand that I was trying to protect you from the truth,” he said, “but I realized the only way we could have a true marriage was if I revealed who I truly am.”
The sound of a pistol cocking in the distance drew his attention. He turned his head to see Lord Taylor a short distance away, pointing a pistol at them.
Oliver ushered Emmeline behind him. “What is the meaning of this?” he demanded.
Lord Taylor walked closer to them, his pistol never wavering. “I tried asking nicely, but you refused to hand Lockhart Manor over to me.”
Emmeline spoke up from behind him. “That is because Lockhart Manor is mine.”
“It was supposed to belong to me,” Lord Taylor replied, his voice rising. “If you had just married the duke like we had intended, then you would never have found out about Lockhart Manor or your dowry.”
“Is that why you were forcing me to marry the duke?” she asked.
“It was,” Lord Taylor said. “The duke was so enamored with you that he didn’t care about a dowry, allowing me to keep the funds for myself.”
“I thought you paid off the gambling hell on my behalf?”
Lord Taylor smirked. “I did pay them fifteen thousand pounds, but that was for the debt that I had accrued at their establishment, not your father.”
“Everything you told me was a lie,” Emmeline accused.
“Not everything,” Lord Taylor responded. “You must trust me when I say that I never wanted it to come to this.”
Oliver interjected, “Why is Lockhart Manor so important to you?”
Lord Taylor met his gaze as he explained, “If you must know, I have been in league with smugglers for years. It has been quite a lucrative business for me, but I almost lost a shipment because of your interference.” He frowned. “Then, you went and reported the smugglers to the constable. That was poorly done on your part.”
“How did you know I spoke to the constable?”
“I have my ways.”
“Is the constable working with you?”
Lord Taylor laughed loudly. “Heavens, no. Constable Philmont has been so busy with his mercantile that he has failed to notice the smugglers were using our shores.”
Oliver glanced over his shoulder at Emmeline, then asked, “Did you send the attacker to kill Emmeline?”
“I did,” Lord Taylor admitted. “I didn’t want to have to kill her myself.”
“For what purpose?” Oliver asked. “If he had succeeded in killing Emmeline, I would have still retained ownership of Lockhart Manor.”
“I have no doubt that you would have sold it to me, since you wouldn’t want to continue residing at the manor where your wife was killed,” Lord Taylor commented.
Oliver gestured towards his pistol as he said, “There is only one problem with your plan.”
“Which is?”
“Your pistol only has one bullet and there are two of us. One of us will survive this ordeal,” Oliver pointed out.
Lord Taylor scoffed. “You think you are so clever,” he mocked. “You should have stayed out of our lives.”
“I’m afraid that wasn’t possible.”
“Now you shall die for your interference,” Lord Taylor said. “I have always hated you, even when you were betrothed to my daughter.”
“Why was that?”
“You are entirely too cocky for your own good,” Lord Taylor remarked. “I was the one who helped convince Charlotte she was better off without you.”
Oliver shrugged. “Regardless, I believe I am much better suited with Emmeline, and I am immensely happy with our union.”
“And you shall die together,” Lord Taylor proclaimed.
Emmeline interjected, “How will you explain our deaths to the constable?”
“I won’t,” Lord Taylor said. “As far as anyone is concerned, I was on my way back to Town when your deaths occurred.”
“You have this whole thing planned out, don’t you?” Oliver asked.
Lord Taylor puffed out his chest in pride. “I do,” he replied. “I don’t like to leave anything to chance, especially when it comes down to losing money.”
“What if we were to give you Lockhart Manor?” Emmeline inquired.
With a shake of his head, Lord Taylor responded, “I’m afraid it is too late for that.” He gestured with his pistol. “Get on your knees.”
“And if we refuse?” Oliver asked.
Lord Taylor’s gaze shifted over Oliver’s shoulder. “Then the village’s beloved vicar will have no choice but to shoot you straightaway.”
Emmeline gasped. “Mr. Lawson is working with you?”
Oliver turned and saw the vicar approaching them with a pistol in his hand. The kindness in his eyes had been replaced with hardness.
Mr. Lawson stopped a short distance away from them, but the hand that was holding the pistol wavered. It was evident he was not as confident in this plan as Lo
rd Taylor was.
“Get on your knees,” Lord Taylor repeated.
Oliver held his hand out to assist Emmeline as she knelt on the sand. He leaned closer and whispered, “Trust me.”
Emmeline nodded her understanding.
As Oliver went onto his knees, he saw Mr. Lawson step closer and position himself right behind him.
Lord Taylor gave Emmeline an apologetic look. “I truly did not want it to end this way, but you are just as stubborn as your parents were. You see, they refused to sell this property, as well.”
Crouching down in front of Emmeline, Lord Taylor continued. “It’s a shame that I had to kill them.”
Emmeline’s eyes grew wide. “You killed my parents?” she repeated in disbelief.
“I did. I staged it to appear as if it were a botched robbery attempt,” her uncle replied without a hint of remorse in his voice. “You should know that they begged me to spare your life, and I agreed.” He sighed. “But, unfortunately, I won’t be able to honor that promise any longer.”
“You are a monster!” Emmeline exclaimed.
Lord Taylor tsked. “I see that you are upset, but you will shortly be joining your parents in death.”
While Lord Taylor was distracted, Oliver slowly reached behind him and placed his hand on the pistol in the waistband of his trousers, being mindful not to draw the vicar’s attention. He was waiting for the perfect moment to retrieve it and end this madness.
Tears flowed down Emmeline’s cheeks as she asked, “How could you kill your own brother and sister-in-law?”
“It was much easier than I had anticipated,” Lord Taylor admitted as he stood and took a few steps back. “Your father fought back, and I had to kill him first.” He grew silent for a moment. “I didn’t want to kill your mother, but I couldn’t very well leave any witnesses. That is why I was forced to kill the driver and footmen, as well.”
“You did all of this just for Lockhart Manor?” Emmeline asked in disbelief.
“I did,” Lord Taylor replied. “The amount of money the smuggled goods generates makes me a very rich man.”
“Does Aunt Betty know you killed my parents?”
Lord Taylor shook his head. “She does not,” he responded. “She is blissfully unaware of all my business transactions.”
Raising his arm, Lord Taylor aimed at Emmeline’s forehead. “I tire of your questions. It is time you died.”
