A Dangerous Game (Regency Spies & Secrets Book 2) by Laura Beers (well read books .txt) 📕

“Well, it is a fine property,” Mrs. Winters said with a smile, “but I may be a bit biased.” She gestured towards the door. “Here is the dining room.”

Emmeline glanced into the room and admired the red-papered walls and the gold chandelier hanging over the center of a large rectangular table.

“The next door is the library,” Mrs. Winters revealed, “and I am pleased to inform you that there are many first edition books in your collection.”

“How wonderful.”

After they had toured the remainder of the main level, they walked up the stairs to the upper level. They walked a short distance and Mrs. Winters pointed at a door. “That is your bedchamber,” she revealed as she moved to open it.

Emmeline stepped inside and noticed how feminine the room was. It had pale purple walls, ivory drapes flowing in the gentle breeze from the open window, and floral upholstered chairs in front of the fireplace. A large, four-poster bed sat against the far wall, and her traveling trunks were next to the dressing table.

“This is lovely,” she acknowledged.

Mrs. Winters lit a candle on the dressing table before she walked over to a door near the fireplace. “Through here is your husband’s bedchamber,” she said, opening the door. “Would you care to see if it meets your approval?”

“That won’t be necessary,” Emmeline replied. “I trust Lord Oliver will inform me if there is an issue with his bedchamber.”

“As you wish.” Mrs. Winters closed the door. “Will Lord Oliver be joining you during your visit?”

“No, he will not,” she replied. “I came to tour the property on my own.”

“Very good, milady.”

A knock came at the door, drawing her attention.

“Come in,” Emmeline ordered.

The door opened and Mary stepped in the room with a valise in her hand. “I see that I found your bedchamber.”

“That you did,” Emmeline said.

Mary placed the valise down by the trunks and her eyes roamed the room. “This room will do nicely for you, milady.”

“I believe so, as well.”

Mrs. Winters stepped over to the door and announced, “Supper will be served promptly at eight, unless you would prefer a tray to be sent to your room tonight.”

“I am rather tired from my journey,” Emmeline commented. “Would you mind sending a tray up for me?”

“Not at all. It would be my pleasure.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Winters.”

Mrs. Winters smiled at her. “I think you will be very happy at Lockhart Manor, milady, and the entire staff is pleased that you are with us.”

“Thank you for your kind words,” Emmeline said graciously.

With a parting glance, the housekeeper left the room and closed the door behind her.

Mary let out a sigh and stretched her arms out. “I am in love with Lockhart Manor,” she declared.

“Why do you say that?”

“Because it is nearly impossible to get lost here,” Mary revealed. “I can’t even count how many times I got lost at Hawthorne House and a maid would have to escort me back to your room.”

“Surely you are not that terrible at directions,” Emmeline joked.

“It is a curse, milady,” Mary said dramatically. “I also took the liberty of speaking to the cook on your behalf. If you’re lucky, you will be getting pudding with every meal.”

Emmeline laughed. “I do love pudding.”

“I am well aware.”

Glancing at the traveling trunks, Emmeline asked, “Would you like me to assist you as you unpack?”

“I won’t turn down your assistance, if you are willing.”

“I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t.”

Mary opened the first trunk. “Then let us begin.”

With an empty glass in his hand, Oliver stared at the crackling fire as he contemplated how utterly miserable he truly was. Emmeline had left for Whitstable three days ago, and he found he couldn’t seem to stop dwelling on her. Every time he closed his eyes, the image of Emmeline’s lovely face came to his mind.

His wife was becoming a distraction in his life, and he didn’t need any more distractions. He was an agent of the Crown, and he had no time for such things as emotions. They made you vulnerable, weak. And he was neither of those things.

So why did he have the urge to chase after his wife and beg her to return home?

Emmeline said that she would return to Hawthorne House on her own, so he just needed to be patient. But that was becoming increasingly difficult with each passing day, and he was forced to begrudgingly admit to himself that he missed her. He shouldn’t, but he did, desperately.

He missed the way her eyes would light up when she spoke about something that interested her, or how she laughed freely and unconstrained. He missed bantering back and forth with her. Emmeline had brought joy back into his life, something that he hadn’t experienced in quite some time. But it mattered not. He still couldn’t pursue his feelings, because he never could be entirely honest with her. He was always going to hold a part of himself back from her.

As much as he griped about his assignment, he still loved being an agent. It was ingrained into his very soul.

The door to the study opened, and Jane stepped into the room. When her eyes landed on him, they flashed with annoyance.

“I am sorry for disturbing whatever it is you are doing,” Jane said dryly, “but I am looking for Baldwin. Have you seen him?”

“I have not.”

“You have hardly left this study since Emmeline left.”

Oliver tightened his hold on his glass at the sound of his wife’s name. “I will be sure to inform Baldwin that you are looking for him.”

Jane turned to leave, but she stopped at the doorway. She spun back around, then said, “I have never taken you for a coward before.”

“Pardon?”

“I have taken you for a blackguard, jackanapes, rake, gambler, and a nincompoop, but never for a coward.”

“Thank you for that, dear sister,” he mocked.

Jane walked further into the room, stopping at the chair next to him. She placed her hands on the back and asked, “Why aren’t you