Page 106 of Ten Lords for the Holidays

“Someplace no one will find us.” He winked at her. “Well, until we’re ready to be found.” Then he led her back down the corridor and around the maze that made up Danby Castle. Once they reached the library, he opened the door slowly, listening for anyone inside before they entered.

Emma giggled. “Izzylivesin the library, my lord. She will definitely find us in here if we’re hiding. She won’t even mean to look for us.”

Heath tugged her closer to his side and gazed down at her, all sweetness and innocence. “Did you never wonder, my dear, why you, Isabel, and Philip were never able to find Drew and me when we played hide-and-go-seek?”

“You were in the library?” She frowned as though that made no sense in the world. “I suppose I would never think to findDrewin the library, but certainly Izzy—”

“Shh.” He held a finger up to his lips. Then he stepped over the threshold and tugged her along with him. “Your sister should still be entertaining the other guests, shouldn’t she?”

Emma shrugged. “Unless she escaped.”

“Well, then let’s hope Lady Norland keeps Isabel in her sights then.” Heath nodded towards a lit taper atop the large mahogany table in the middle of the room. “Fetch that candle. We’re going to need it.” Then he turned his attention to the fireplace at the far end of the library.

Good God, it had been nearly a decade since he’d escaped into Danby’s secret chamber. Hopefully, the place wasn’t covered in dust and cobwebs. That would hardly be the place to propose to his future wife.

“Perhaps we should head for the one of the parlors instead,” he muttered, more to himself than to her.

But Emma was at his side in an instant, a beeswax candle in hand. “After you’ve piqued my interest? Not on your life, Lord Heathfield. I want to see why no one could ever find you or Drew. The two of you could vanish for hours.”

His adventurous Emma. Life would certainly never be dull with her by his side. “All right,” Heath agreed. “But if it’s covered in spiders, I did warn you.” Then he pushed against the stone wall beside the mantle, revealing a small entrance.

Emma gasped. “There’s a hole back there?”

Heath shrugged. “More than a hole—an entire room.”

“Heavens,” she whispered. “I had no idea.”

“Apparently the Whittons took protecting their priest seriously during the Reformation. At least that’s what your grandfather said when he first showed this to Drew and me.”

“But we’re not even Catholic.”

Heath couldn’t help but laugh. How he adored her. But then he’d always adored her, he’d just somehow forgotten that as life, school, and then the responsibilities of his title had settled on his shoulders. But looking back on his youthful summers spent at Danby Castle, Emma had always charmed him. She’d been so cheerful, so full of life, so radiant, even as a child. But she wasn’t a child any longer. And thank God for it.

“I hardly find that amusing.” She frowned. “Why should Grandpapa show you and Drew this room but not Izzy or me?”

“Why does Danby do anything?” Heath poked his head into the space only to be greeted by darkness. “Give me the candle, sunshine.”

Emma complied instantly, and Heath slid into the passage with Emma’s hand grasped in his. He lifted the candle high so they could see the interior. Then he used that taper to light two large sconces on either side of the room, filling the chamber with a bright warm glow. Looking about the space, the room was exactly as he remembered, though cleaner than he expected.

* * *

Emma stared in awe at the spacious chamber she’d never known existed. The room was lined with dark shelves containing books, and in the middle rested a four poster bed that appeared well-maintained. Heavens. This was the very last thing she expected Lord Heathfield to show her.

“Tell me why you summoned me here, Emma.” He pulled her into his embrace, and her heart did a little flip when his dark eyes held her gaze.

Because she’d always loved him and was tired of waiting for him to return. “Because I wanted to see you again,” she said instead.

A lazy smile spread across his lips. “I am so very glad you did.”

If this was all a dream, she would die when she woke. “And you’re not really betrothed any longer?”

Heathfield shook his head. “But I hope to be betrothed again very shortly.”

“You do?” she breathed.

“If you’ll have me, and if you’re through with make-believe Flemish fiancés and inept magistrates. I won’t share you with anyone.”

Emma threw her arms around his neck and held tight. After learning about his fiancée, all hope she’d had for a future with him had been lost. She still couldn’t quite believe she was going to achieve her happy ever after. “Yes, yes, yes. A thousand times yes, my lord.”

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