Page 67 of To Have & To Hold

“Are you feeling better, Your Grace?”

“Feeling better?” Emilia asked with a frown. The events of that morning had her head feeling a little dizzy, but she was fairly certain she had not forgotten being ill.

“His Grace said you were recovering from a headache this morning,” the butler offered. “A breakfast tray was sent to your room.”

“Oh, of course!” Emilia exclaimed. She simply had assumed that Sophie brought the tray when she found her still sleepingthat morning, but of course Nathaniel would have ensured that she was taken care of.

“My apologies, Briggs, I seem to be a little preoccupied.”

“It is no worry, Your Grace,” the older man smiled. “If I may say, you are looking much refreshed.”

The flush in Emilia’s face deepened. “Thank you, Briggs. Is the duke in his study?” She tried to force a carefree lightness into her tone, but rather it came out in a sound suspiciously close to a squeaking mouse.

“He is,” Briggs’ smile widened. “I am on my way to deliver this note that just arrived for him.”

“I will take it,” Emilia said far too quickly.

Briggs' looked at her in surprise. “You needn’t worry yourself, Your Grace.”

Emilia straightened her shoulders, summoning the air of what she hoped was a capable duchess. “I can handle carrying a piece of paper, Briggs.”

The butler relented, handing her the missive with a sigh. Emilia thanked him before continuing on down the corridor, still unable to suppress her smile. The thought of seeing Nathaniel sent another flutter through her chest.

The house buzzed around her. Footmen carried trunks towards the entrance hall, while maids scurried from room to room polishing furniture before draping it in white linen to protect it from the dust that would settle during their absence.

They would be leaving London in the morning, stopping in Hertfordshire to collect Charlotte and dine with Adeline and her husband before continuing on to Rosemore Hall. It would be a two-day journey once they left Lord Rutledge‘s estate.

Emilia had tried countless times to picture what her new home would look like. Nathaniel and Charlotte both spoke so fondly of the Peaks with its rolling hills, hidden streams, towering oaks and the sparkling lake that served as the jewel of their little village of Rosemore.

She wondered if it truly was as beautiful as they described, if the gardens would be in full bloom with roses when the arrived, and if Nathaniel would take her rowing again…her face heated at the thought.

Emilia turned the corner too quickly, knocking her hand against a small table, nearly toppling over a vase of silk roses. The letter Briggs had entrusted her with fluttered slowly to the ground. The wax seal had been broken, and as it struck the polished floor, the folded sheet inside slid free revealing the first few lines of hastily written script.

…additional information regarding Lieutenant Alexander Talbot….

Emilia’s heart stopped. She knew she shouldn’t read it, but unfortunately by the time her mind had come to that conclusion, her eyes had already begun scanning the page.

…no formal record of death could be obtained…

…insufficient evidence to support any formal accusation of desertion…

Emilia’s hands trembled.

Nathaniel knew about Alexander. He had known long enough to have requested additional information regarding his disappearance, and for his solicitor to have obtained records and statements from his commanding officers.

Her mind replayed every conversation they had over the past few weeks—every opportunity he could have questioned her, and every opportunity where she could have told the truth—but neither of them had said a word. He had allowed her to sit in false comfort that her most guarded secret was safe and buried.

How long had he been waiting for her to tell him?

And what other secrets had he uncovered?

Her fingers quickly folded the letter and placed it back inside of its envelope. She wiped away the tears filling her eyes, but not before one escaped, falling on top of thebroken wax seal. Her footsteps echoed down the now empty hall as she approached Nathaniel’s study.

The door stood open and she could see him leaning against his desk sorting ledgers into neat piles for the journey north. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows behind him, catching in his dark hair.

He must have heard her heart pounding, for the moment she graced the doorway he looked up at her and smiled. Emilia wished she could smile back, but the lightness she had felt all morning vanished.

“There you are,” he said, abandoning his work as he crossed the room. “Sophie said she left a breakfast tray in your room, but I was hoping you might join me for afternoon tea.”