Page 46 of To Heal a Broken Earl
When he’d spied Emma slipping from the house alone, Michael seized the opportunity to spend some time with her andinsisted on escorting her. Not only would he be able to protect her, but this would be the perfect opportunity to show her the pond, he’d thought.
He smiled as he waited for her to return from inside the stable. From her nervous demeanor when they arrived there, he assumed that she was at the stable to work on masking his salve and offered to wait outside. After Michael had complimented her on her work on the ointment, Hastings had used it several times and was down to the dregs of the experimental jar she had created. Hopefully he wasn’t being presumptuous, because the salve was working on his leg, and he sincerely hoped she was making some more.
As she emerged from the stables, Michael felt a rush of admiration sweep over him. Her red hair danced in the wind, cascading behind her like a fiery waterfall. He caught his breath, captivated by her beauty. Today, he was excited to spend time with her at the pond, a dream he had nurtured since he’d spotted the rowboat drydocked at the end of a small, almost-hidden pier. The pond was secluded enough that he hoped to even find a moment to kiss her.
“We might have enough time for a quick boat ride,” he said, glancing up at the dark patches of clouds that had formed above them seemingly out of nowhere.
“I would enjoy that,” Emma said, a grin lighting up her face. “I don’t swim, so I’m going to take you at your word that there are no leaks in the boat.”
“Ha! Rest assured. The pond is stocked with fish and possibly turtles. I have no wish to return with both of us dripping wet. Imagine how we’d try to explain that to dear Aunt Chippie and Lady Beadle.”
Emma laughed. “Indeed! That’s an excellent point,my lord.” Her voice was teasing. “And I trust completely that we won’t find ourselves capsizing.”
Michael had barely had time to speak with her over the past few days, given how busy he’d been securing the property with Wright and Armstrong, and the work being done by the stonemason and his men.
But he’dwantedto spend time with her, and he’d sought her out that morning, hoping to show her the pond and take her out on the boat. It was a peaceful place, and he’d wanted to speak to her. The kiss they’d shared the other night was etched in his mind. But he couldn’t just keep kissing her. He couldn’t just keep taking advantage of her. Not when he had such deep feelings for her.
He’d sworn he’d never marry, especially with this injury he’d obtained in France. But he had begun to realize that maybe there was that one special woman for him—one who would accept him with his flaws. Someone that he could love. He now realized that he wanted the type of marriage that centered around love and respect. Emmamatteredto him, but he had begun to realize his feelings for her were much more than simplymattering. He had begun to feel what could only be described as love.
Over drinks one night, he’d asked Armstrong how he’d known Celia was the one for him. “It’s when she’s all you think about, and you can’t imagine existing without her,” Armstrong had replied.
The words had remained with Michael. He realized that was how he had begun to feel about Emma. But it was only a matter of time before Emma left his home and returned to London to be with her family. If he wanted to have a chance with her, he needed to share his feelings—soon.
It was also becoming painfully obvious to him that she was intent on doing things her way, even when he’d asked her not to go outside alone.
As he rowed the small boat out to the center of the pond, Michael felt the first drop of rain. “Emma, I don’t think today is meant for our boat ride. And if I’m to keep my promise of not having us return to the house looking like drowned rats, we should head back. Those clouds look serious.”
“I believe you are right,” she said, gazing at him. “Maybe next time we can talk about that fishing lesson.”
He rowed the two of them back and moored the boat as he found it, safely secured to the pier. As they neared the stables, he leaned down, hoping for a kiss, but was interrupted by Katie calling for Emma and Finn barking excitedly.
“I suppose she’s been looking for me. We should hurry back,” Emma said.
“Sounds like Finn may have found a rabbit,” he said, laughing.
“Well, I hope he leaves the poor thing alone,” Emma said. “I don’t think I’d like to explain to Katie what happens to the bunny if he catches it.”
Michael would have sworn there was a sincere look of disappointment on her face when he pulled back from his intended kiss, which sent a jolt of joy to his heart. He was suddenly determined that he’d find another chance to kiss her.
~*~
From a concealed vantage point behind the weathered stone wall, where he was certain he couldn’t be seen, Morgrave adjusted his spyglass. His heart raced as he reassured himself that no one could detect his presence. “I see her,” he whispered. “I knew it! She’s here. Soon, you will be mine, my beautiful redhead,” he mused, captivated by her allure. “My plan worked.”
A quiet hiss escaped him as he carefully watched the man and woman he had been stalking. Adjusting his lens for a sharper view, he suddenly felt a surge of fury as he saw Wiltonkiss her palm. “He has no right to touch her and will regret it. She belongs to me…and I will make her mine in every way, very soon.”
Tucking the spyglass securely in his pocket, Morgrave took out a flask and took a long, heavy swig. Impatience gnawed at him; he was tired of waiting to have her. Soon, he would put the final touches of his plan into motion and make Wilton regret ever taking the flame-haired beauty from him.
~*~
Chapter Eighteen
“Surprise!”
As he entered the gaming room, the curtains were dramatically pulled back and a burst of sunshine flooded the space, revealing the large group of well-wishers standing in a large semicircle.
Michael stood still, stunned as his gaze took in the jubilant gathering of friends and family. Their eager faces sparkled with anticipation, especially the small girl bouncing on her toes, eyes wide with excitement, and the red-and-white spaniel happily wagging his tail beside her. Standing behind them with her hands on the little girl’s shoulders was the woman who’d completely upended his life since the moment he laid eyes on her. Above them, a sign crafted in blue and red letters in a child’s scrawl read,Happy Birthday.
“Woof, woof!”
