Page 73 of Choosing Her Earl at Last
Colin gave his cousin a side-eyed look of inquiry. “Where have you been? We have not seen you since the day that Norman Livingston was apprehended.”
“I had much to think about,” Michael admitted. “I also felt that Rebecca and Emmeline deserved to recuperate without an audience.”
Colin chuckled. “You cannot keep those two contained enough to recover. They are indomitable. They both spoke at Livingston’s trial with such authority and surety. It was quite something to behold.”
“I gave by statement to the Bow Street Magistrate. He did not feel that my testimony would be needed, given the number of witnesses that they already had acquired.”
Colin nodded. “Livingston did a great many people wrong.” He turned to look at Michael. “Did you retrieve your paintings?”
“I did.” Michael nodded. “Most of the paintings have been returned to their owners.”
Colin and Michael stood together in silence for a moment, watching the women they loved.
“What are you going to do?” Colin asked, at long last.
Michael shook his head. “The only thing that I can do.”
At that moment, Emmeline noticed Michael’s presence. Her eyes were a mix of joy and uncertainty upon seeing him. “Michael,” she greeted, brushing the tears from her cheeks as she moved to stand in front of him.
Rebecca joined her, and Colin wrapped a loving arm around his future bride-to-be.
“I was concerned when I did not see or hear from you for a week,” she said.
“Might we have a word in private?” Michael asked respectfully.
“Of course,” Emmeline agreed.
“Colin, would you and Rebecca act as our chaperones but remain enough behind to not overhear our conversation?” Michael asked, not bothering with mincing words.
“We will,” Colin agreed, giving his cousin a sympathetic look.
“Thank you.” Michael inclined his head in gratitude, then offered his arm to Emmeline. Emmeline took it and they walked side by side for a time along the garden path. “I wish to apologize to you for my behavior,” Michael began.
Emmeline looked up at him in question. “Are you referring to your recent absence or something else entirely?”
“I am referring to the kiss that we shared on the docks of the Port of Dover,” Michael explained.
Emmeline’s confused look turned into one of hurt. “You regret kissing me?”
Michael shook his head. “I will never regret kissing you a day in my life. When my last breath leaves my body, it will be that kiss that is my last thought on this earth.”
Tears sprang to Emmeline’s eyes as gentle pressure from her hand brought him to a stop. “Then why?”
“You, my dearest love, remain a married woman, and as long as that is so, you cannot be mine to kiss and hold as I please,” Michael explained sorrowfully, his own eyes threatening to fill with the intensity of his emotions.
“I have the family solicitor looking into the matter as we speak. I am expecting word back from him at any moment. Surely, there is something that can be done, given the circumstances. If Norman agrees, we might be able to obtain an annulment, perhaps due to his fraudulent criminal activities.”
Her voice held a hopeful tone that touched Michael’s heart.
“The solicitor promised that he would speak with Norman right away about the matter. He is still awaiting the conclusion of his trial and sentencing.”
Michael knew that the granting of a dissolution of marriage was unlikely, but he loved her all the more for having hope and taking action upon it.
“I love you,” he whispered, reaching up to brush a whisp of hair from her cheek. “No matter what happens in the days to come, never forget that.”
Emmeline leaned her cheek into his hand. “I love you,” she whispered, a single tear slipped down her cheek to wet his hand. “I do not want to be forced to live without you.”
“I will always be here, come what may, but I will not have your reputation destroyed because of me. I pray that my actions thus far have not already placed you in danger of ridicule.”
