Page 44 of To Have & To Hold

“I managed quite well, actually,” Emilia replied. She could not shake the feeling that he was searching for something in her answers. She was not sure what exactly, but she also could notblame him. She too would have questions for the person to whom a dear friend had suddenly found themself married to after a series of very unusual and less than perfect circumstances—if she had any friends, that is.

Nathaniel had remained quiet since the line of questioning began, and the least Emilia could do was provide satisfactory answers.

“I generally prefer to be at home, but regardless, Charlotte proved to be a source of ample entertainment.”

Oliver laughed, and Emilia felt the tension in the room lift. “I am sure she was,” he said. “I am quite surprised she did not scare you off.”

“Oh no, I absolutely adore Charlotte,” Emilia said earnestly. She felt Nathaniel’s attention turn to her once more.

Oliver’s eyebrows rose in surprise. His eyes started to sparkle, and his smile deepened at whatever he was observing from his side of the table.

“She is a bit of a free spirit, to be sure, but I am used to navigating such with my cousin,” Emilia continued. “Though I find Charlotte charming, for her theatrics come from a zeal for life and not a disregard for everyone around her. She has a warm and tender heart that could be easily missed if you focus only on how she presents herself.”

The entire table fell silent, and Emilia tensed at the familiar feeling that she once again had said more than was necessary or desired.

She slowly turned to Nathaniel. The softness she found in his gaze caused the flutters in her stomach to intensify.

“That is a very astute observation, Emilia,” Oliver grinned. “Though I must say, not very surprising considering the man who raised her.” He nodded towards Nathaniel. “The Duke of Kenswick is a mystery if there ever was one. Many men, and women, have tried and failed to uncover the secrets hidden in those murky, and dangerous depths.”

Nathaniel turned his attention back to Oliver. “That is enough,” he muttered, all the softness gone from his eyes.

“As you wish, Nat.”

Emilia was quite certain she heard Nathaniel growl, but she could not be sure over Oliver’s laughter.

“What did you call him?” She asked.

“Nothing,” Nathaniel responded, but Oliver brushed him off.

“It is just a name I bestowed upon him when we were children. Always buzzing around me he was, like one of those pesky little bugs that persist near your ear.”

“Why do I have a feeling it was the other way around?” Grace interjected.

“Because it was,” Nathaniel murmured.

“Perhaps,” Oliver shrugged. “But his name is Nathaniel, so it worked naturally.”

Emilia turned to her husband with a grin. “Why did you not tell me that name was an option?”

“Because it isn’t.” At the moment, Nathaniel seemed very likely to either crawl under the table to hide, or launch himself across it to flatten Lord Blackburn. “Oliver has never been one to adhere to the rules of propriety.”

“This is true,” Oliver admitted, adopting a mildly more sober air. “I seldom call anyone by their given name. I am more inclined to assign my own to those of whom I am particularly fond of.” He offered Nathaniel a smile and a wink.

“If they are a sign of affection, I am surprised you have not yet assigned one to your wife,” Nathaniel challenged.

“Oh, I have.” Oliver graced the entire table with a wickedly charming grin. “Just not one I shall use in polite company.”

“Oliver Blackburn!” Grace’s face flushed, and Emilia felt the heat rising in her own cheeks as she fought a smile.

Nathaniel sighed heavily as he pushed his chair back from the table, choosing surrender. “I believe it is time to allow the ladies to retire to the drawing room.”

His tone left no room for argument, and Emilia and Grace silently stood from their chairs. Oliver leaned over to place a small kiss on his wife’s still rosy cheek as she passed by; the irritation on her face quickly gave way to a soft smile at his affection.

Emilia began to follow her, but stopped at the feeling of a hand on her back. She turned to find Nathaniel at her side. His agitation had seemed to subside some when he looked at her, but she could see the tension clinging to the corners of his eyes.

“If you have had your fill of company this evening, I can send them home,” he whispered softly against her ear.

Emilia braced herself against the small shiver that ran down her back. Except when they had been pressed up together in the shrubs in the Beckley’s hedge maze, she had never stood this close to him before. He had the same effect on her now as he did then.