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long enough to use the privy and stretch our legs.โ€

Emmeline smiled as she teased, โ€œYou have been complaining since we left Hawthorne House.โ€

โ€œIโ€™m sorry.โ€

โ€œNo need to apologize,โ€ Emmeline said. โ€œI just find it humorous you hate riding in a coach as much as you do.โ€

โ€œI am used to riding on the back of the coach,โ€ Mary commented. โ€œIt is much more enjoyable and not nearly as stuffy.โ€ She grinned. โ€œAlthough, you do risk the chance of swallowing a bug.โ€

โ€œA bug?โ€

Mary nodded. โ€œIt isnโ€™t as awful as it sounds.โ€

โ€œWell, I am grateful that you accompanied me to Lockhart Manor,โ€ Emmeline said.

โ€œYou donโ€™t have to keep thanking me for doing my job, milady.โ€

Emmeline ran her fingers along the coral necklace around her neck. โ€œI was saddened that Oliver was not there to see us off.โ€

โ€œDid you expect any different?โ€ Mary asked in a knowing tone.

โ€œI suppose not,โ€ she muttered.

Mary tilted her chin. โ€œAre you sure he even came home last night?โ€

โ€œHe did, and Jane confirmed that Baldwin informed him that I was leaving.โ€

โ€œThen he is a jackanapes,โ€ Mary declared.

A giggle escaped Emmelineโ€™s lips at the unexpected remark. โ€œThat is terrible of you to say. After all, he is still my husband.โ€

โ€œHe is the worst of husbands,โ€ Mary pointed out. โ€œHe didnโ€™t even try to stop you from leaving.โ€

โ€œI daresay that it wouldnโ€™t have made a difference.โ€

โ€œI know, but he still should have made some sort of effort.โ€

Emmeline bobbed her head. โ€œI agree,โ€ she replied. โ€œPerhaps his heart will soften while I am away.โ€

โ€œOr it will harden even more.โ€

The coach turned onto a road leading them up a long, winding hill towards a modest manor situated near a cliff. As they approached, Emmeline admired the bow front, canopied balconies, and an expansive green lawn that surrounded the property.

โ€œItโ€™s lovely,โ€ Emmeline remarked.

โ€œThat it is, milady.โ€

The coach came to a stop in a circular gravel courtyard, and Emmeline waited impatiently for the footman to place the step down. Once the door opened, she accepted his hand and exited the coach.

Bright, colorful flowers lined the sides of the brick manor, and she couldnโ€™t help but smile. The main door opened, and a portly man with slicked-down brown hair greeted her with a polite smile on his lips.

โ€œGood evening, milady,โ€ he said, opening the door wide. โ€œWe have been expecting you.โ€

โ€œYou have?โ€ she asked as she stepped into the entry hall.

โ€œMr. Clarke sent a rider to inform us that you would be traveling shortly to tour the property,โ€ he explained. โ€œI do apologize that we werenโ€™t waiting out front for your arrival.โ€

โ€œYou will find that I rarely stand on ceremony.โ€ Her eyes scanned the entry hall and noted the ornate woodwork and ivory-papered walls. A set of narrow stairs ran along one wall to the second level.

โ€œWelcome to Lockhart Manor,โ€ the butler said. โ€œMy name is Arthur Grubbs, milady, and I have been the butler here for the past twenty years.โ€

โ€œIt is a pleasure to meet you, Grubbs.โ€

The butler eyed her for a moment. โ€œI must say that you bear an uncanny likeness to your mother.โ€

โ€œYou knew my mother?โ€

He nodded. โ€œShe would occasionally travel with the late Lord Taylor to tour the manor,โ€ he revealed.

โ€œI hadnโ€™t realized,โ€ she admitted. โ€œIโ€™m afraid I have only recently learned about Lockhart Manor.โ€

โ€œWould you care for a tour?โ€ he asked.

โ€œI would, very much.โ€

Before he could start the tour, an older woman with silver hair approached them with an apologetic look on her face. โ€œI do apologize for not being here when you arrived, milady,โ€ she said in between breaths. โ€œI was speaking to the cook about our supper.โ€

Grubbs gestured towards the woman. โ€œAllow me to introduce you to the housekeeper, Mrs. Winters.โ€

Mrs. Winters dropped into a curtsy. โ€œIt is a pleasure to meet you, milady.โ€

Emmeline tipped her head. โ€œLikewise, Mrs. Winters.โ€

โ€œWere you able to travel with a ladyโ€™s maid?โ€

โ€œI was.โ€

โ€œExcellent,โ€ Mrs. Winters said. โ€œI will personally ensure that she is properly settled.โ€

โ€œI would appreciate that.โ€

Mrs. Winters turned her attention towards Grubbs. โ€œI would be more than happy to take Lady Oliver on a tour of the manor.โ€

Grubbs offered her a stiff bow. โ€œThank you, Mrs. Winters.โ€

As the butler walked down the hall, Mrs. Winters gave her an expectant look. โ€œIf you are not opposed, we will start the tour in the drawing room just off the entry hall.โ€

โ€œThat sounds delightful.โ€

Mrs. Winters gestured towards a door to her right and said, โ€œAfter you, milady.โ€

Emmeline stepped into the room that the housekeeper indicated and was impressed by the green-papered walls and large fireplace that dominated one wall. A shiny, black pianoforte sat in the corner and blue velvet settees were arranged in the middle of the room.

โ€œThis room is exquisite,โ€ she said.

Standing in the doorway, Mrs. Winters nodded in approval. โ€œDuring the day, the windows in this room allow plenty of light,โ€ she shared. โ€œWould you care to see the dining room now?โ€

โ€œI would,โ€ she replied, walking towards the door.

โ€œThe main level holds a drawing room, dining room, library, study, and a morning room,โ€ Mrs. Winters explained as she stepped back. โ€œThe upper level has an additional drawing room and six bedchambers.โ€

โ€œThere is a library?โ€ Emmeline asked eagerly.

โ€œYes, milady,โ€ Mrs. Winters replied as she led her down a narrow hall. โ€œIt is next to the study, and I must admit that it is your uncleโ€™s favorite room, as well.โ€

โ€œIt is?โ€

Speaking over her shoulder, Mrs. Winters informed her, โ€œHe spends most of the time in the library when he comes to visit with Lady Taylor.โ€

โ€œHow often does my uncle visit Lockhart Manor?โ€

โ€œEvery few months or so,โ€ Mrs. Winters replied, โ€œbut he doesnโ€™t always bring Lady Taylor with him.โ€

Her steps faltered. โ€œTruly?โ€

Mrs. Winters looked back at her in surprise. โ€œIs there an issue with Lord Taylor visiting Lockhart Manor?โ€

โ€œI suppose not,โ€ she muttered.

โ€œFrankly, we were all rather surprised to discover that you had inherited the estate,โ€ Mrs. Winters shared as she came to a stop in front of an open door. โ€œWe had just assumed Lord Taylor held ownership of the property.โ€

โ€œI only recently learned

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