Page 62 of To Have & To Hold

Lady Moorfield lifted a silencing hand. “I am sure that whatever transpired last evening was simply a misunderstanding, was it not, Emilia?”

The question settled in the air like a challenge. Emilia had surrendered plenty of challenges in an effort to maintain peace, but if she backed down from this one, she knew it would be seen as a retreat.

“Well, if that is the case,” Louisa smiled brightly, none deterred by her mother’s earlier warning. “You will have plenty of chances to clear the air at the party.”

“I am afraid we will be unable to attend,” Emilia said with forced politeness. “My husband wishes to return to Rosemore Hall. We leave for Derbyshire on Friday.”

“Surely your departure could be delayed by a single day.”

“It could,” Emilia agreed. “But we do not wish to delay; we wish to go home.”

Lady Moorfield scoffed, her scowl creating deep lines across her forehead. “It is such a disappointment, Emilia. Everyone is already expecting the duke to be in attendance.”

“Perhaps you should not have promised something that you have no influence over.”

Her aunt’s eyes burned with anger, but Emilia met her gaze without wavering as Nathaniel’s words echoed clearly in her mind.

You need not yield…

“Honestly, Emilia, I scarcely know what has come over you.” Lady Moorfield pressed a hand to her chest, her nose turned up in offense. “We are your family. You know how difficult it has been to preserve our standing these past few years, and after all the trouble you have caused, the least you could do is attend a dinner party.”

“I understand your disappointment, Aunt. However, my decision remains unchanged. If your reputation has sustained as much damage as you suggest, I fail to see how our presence at a single dinner party would repair it.”

“Marriage seems to have provided you with a newfound confidence. Though I suppose it does come much easier when speaking with another person’s authority.”

Emilia let the pointed words fall harmlessly to the ground, no longer allowing them to stick into her skin, “You arecertainly entitled to your opinions, Aunt. However misguided they may be.”

Emilia rose from her chair, signaling for her maid who stood diligently in the corner of the room. “Sophie, you may clear the tea. My aunt and cousin will be leaving now.”

She turned back to Lady Moorfield and curtsied slightly to her and Louisa. “Thank you for calling,” she said with all the sweetness she could muster. “I wish you both a pleasant afternoon.”

Emilia turned and walked towards the door, leaving their stunned silence behind her. She gripped the banister tightly as she ascended the stairs, her hand trembling slightly, but she could not keep the smile from her face.

Chapter Twenty

“Emilia…” Nathaniel whispered.

His wife moaned softly as she pulled her blankets tighter under her chin. Her red curls were loose, splayed wildly across her pillow, and her cheek was pressed firmly into the soft feathers as she slept. Her lashes brushed the soft freckles that were dusted across her cheeks and her lips were curled into a relaxed smile. She truly was the most enchanting woman on earth. It almost pained Nathaniel to wake her.

He hoped to tell her about his plan before she retired, but the House had debated long into the night and he found himself coming home long after the lights had gone dark.

It wasn’t the first evening he had missed dinner with his wife, but now that he was no longer fighting his feelings forher, he was desperate to be in her presence. Even more so, he was desperate to allow her access to every part of him and his life.

“Emilia,” he whispered again, softly brushing a silky, soft lock of hair away from her face; his fingers gently grazing the skin along her temple. She stirred slightly, and a wave of uncertainty filled Nathaniel. He hadn’t fully considered how she would feel, waking up in the dead of night to find him leaning over the side of her bed—but there was no turning back now.

Emilia blinked slowly, her nose scrunching as the light from Nathaniel’s candle reached her eyes.

“Nathaniel?” Her groggy voice sent a feeling of warmth through him.

“Yes, my dear,” he replied. “I am sorry to wake you.”

Emilia sat up with a start, her eyes darting around the room. “Has something happened? Are you alright?” She asked, her voice full of concern.

“Everything is perfectly fine. I did not mean to startle you.”

Emilia turned back, regarding him slowly. He was dressed as he had been the morning he discovered her in the kitchen, only this time he had made sure his shirt ties were securely fastened.

“What are you doing here?” She asked warily. “What time is it?”