Emilia sat on the terrace, a sleepy contentment filling her body. It was two months since she and Luke had moved together into the countryside, and she had a surprise for Luke. He was in Town, dealing with some business, but he was due to return home this afternoon.

“Cousin?” Hestony’s voice called her from the door onto the terrace. “Can I have a word with you?”

Emilia nodded. “Of course. Do come and join me. I’m so sleepy in this heat,” she added, fanning herself with an ostrich-feather fan, a peculiar device Luke had purchased in Leicester Square on one of his trips.

Hestony frowned at her as she sat down beside Emilia. “Cousin, I’ve received a letter. I have no idea as to its origin. I only know I was afraid when I read it.”

Emilia was instantly alert, all drowsiness forgotten. “Let me see it.”

Hestony opened the small velvet bag she carried and passed it to Emilia. She peered at it, though the hand was surprisingly neat.

I know you act as if you are unaware of my existence, the letter read. But I am perfectly aware of yours. And do not hesitate to believe that I will do all that is in my power to bring about an end to the current state of affairs. I know where Henry Ellington lives and I will take action as I see fit.

Emilia shivered. She read the letter again and passed it back to Hestony.

“When did this arrive?” she asked.

Hestony’s clear blue eyes regarded her nervously. “Yesterday. I was out riding and Mama was in the house, having a rest. She said Mr. Lewes found it.”

“Mr. Lewes gave no account of the person who delivered it?” Emilia demanded.

Hestony shook her head. “He said he found it on the front step.”

Emilia swallowed hard. “I don’t want to cause alarm, but perhaps Hal should know of this?”

“I was too afraid to tell him,” Hestony admitted. “Mayhap, Luke can take word to him?”

Emilia was already pushing back her chair. “Yes. Of course. We could go there together – all three of us, if you would prefer it?”

“I had hoped Luke could go without me,” Hestony said shyly. “You see…I don’t want to cause trouble for Hal. He might be vexed.”

“Hestony!” Emilia patted her hand, concerned. “No! Don’t even think that. Why should you believe yourself as a cause for trouble?”

“I don’t know,” she mumbled. Emilia had her doubts – something about Hestony seemed guarded, as if she wasn’t telling the whole truth. But time would tell. She wasn’t about to press her cousin for truths she couldn’t share.

“Very well. When Luke gets back from London, mayhap he can go straight over to the estate and warn Hal. Would you like him to see the letter?”

“I don’t know.”

Emilia squeezed her cousin’s small, cold hand. “I understand,” she said gently. “Whatever you feel to be best. But Hal needs to know.”

“Yes. He does.”

They sat silently for a while. Emilia looked out over the view. The terrace was on the ground floor, but the whole manor was built on a slight rise, so that it was possible to see out over the valley, to the magnificent forests and the distant hills. She smiled to herself. She loved it here. When Luke came back, her heart would be truly content.

“Shall we go in?” she murmured to Hestony. “I have a longing for tea.”

Hestony grinned. “Me too, cousin! And…thank you.”

“It’s nothing. We always help each other,” Emilia said gently.

Hestony squeezed her in a brief hug and the two of them went, arm in arm, into the house.

After tea, Hestony left, having promised her mama that they would go to the fair in the local market town. Emilia leaned back in her seat, feeling the soft chintz cushion at her back and looking out over the hills. From here, the view extended far out across the valley, and she could see the distant forests draped in mist.

“I really am sleepy,” she said to herself, stretching her feet out in front of her. It was something unusual for her, and she was fairly sure it wasn’t the weather alone. The summers in London had seemed more sweltering than this.

“Milady, should we be ready to prepare a late dinner?” the housekeeper wanted to know.

“Yes, thank you.” Emilia nodded. “We discussed a casserole? That way, you can keep it simmering in the oven all day if need be. I shan’t take dinner until Lord Westmore comes home.”

“Yes, milady.”

Emilia waited until her maid had gone and stretched, feeling the sweet, drowsy contentment in every limb. She was glad June was going to move here soon – at least then she would be attended by somebody she knew.

“Luke’s a dear, to know what that would mean to me.”

She smiled to herself. She must have dropped off to sleep, for when she woke, it was to silence, and she wondered what had woken her. She sat up, hearing hoof-beats on the path.

“Luke!”

She shot up and pulled the bell, then ran to the mirror in a flurry, combing out the ringlets that framed her face and adjusting her gown.

She was on the front step as Luke came up the stairs. He saw her and grinned. “Emilia!” he called, his eyes bright like a small boy’s. “There you are!”

He ran to her and they embraced on the top step in a gesture of familiarity that was entirely out-of-keeping with strict propriety, yet to them, was as natural as breathing. She felt his lips descend on hers and a joy such as she had never imagined spread through her body.

“You’re back! I’m so happy.”

“So am I,” Luke agreed, resting his hands on hers.

Arm in arm, they went back into the house.

“Milord, dinner is in the dining-room,” the housekeeper said as they walked past her. Luke’s brow raised and Emilia grinned.

“You waited for me?” Luke wanted to know. Emilia laughed.

“Oh, Luke! I’m not going to let you starve.”

Luke chuckled and kissed her. Emilia’s heart soared, as together, for the first time in a week, they sat down to dinner.

“I’m so glad to be back,” Luke said after the second course was set aside. “Emilia, I miss you every time I have to go away. If I could move my wretched account to Yorkshire, I would do it in a flash.”

Emilia chuckled. “I understand. But it is only a week. I do miss you, too.”

“Well, maybe we can send somebody else in future. At least, I wish we could. I know it’s only a few times in a year, but…even a night away from you is hard.”

“For me, too.”

Luke stood and came to join her on her side of the table. She leaned over and kissed him and his arms went around her. Together, they went out to the terrace.

“Luke,” Emilia whispered as they stood, leaning on the stone wall around the terrace together. “I have something I want to tell you.”

“You do?” Luke’s eyes clouded with worry. “What is it, sweetling? Has aught happened, while I’ve been gone?”

Emilia smiled. “Not while you’ve been gone, no,” she said cryptically. Luke frowned.

“What? Did you hear news from London? Is it your father, perhaps? Or…”

Emilia shook her head. “It’s not bad news, Luke. It’s…special news.”

“Oh?” He frowned. “Tell me?”

She leaned in, to whisper in his ear. “I am with child.”

“No!” Luke had the most comical look on his face, eyes wide open, jaw dropped. “Emilia? You are? But…”

Emilia chuckled. “It’s perfectly natural, Luke,” she assured him. “After all, it’s how all people started in the world.”

Luke grinned from ear to ear. “I know. But…But…Emilia! This is…our child. My child. Your child. I just…I don’t know…I can’t believe it!”

Emilia was laughing now, her whole body suffused with sweet enjoyment. “Oh, Luke,” she said. “I can’t imagine why you’re so surprised, but it is rather dear. I love you, Luke. I really, truly do.”

Luke kissed her, looking into her eyes. “Oh, Emilia,” he whispered. “I love you, too. With all my heart and soul, with every breath.”

She wrapped her arms around him and knew that, whatever happened, her life was on a brighter road now, and anything untoward would be only a tiny bump that the two of them could navigate together. The country of the heart is a bright land and nothing is really all that frightening when your hand is held by the one you love.

If you haven’t already, please leave your review on Amazon

If you want to stay updated on my next book, and want to know about secret deals, please click the button below!