Page 5

Four Years Later

“W e have arrived.” Aiden nudged Emmeline when the carriage came to a halt. Another carriage stopped behind them, carrying Aiden’s valet, Emmeline’s maid, and their trunks.

“Did I fall asleep?” Emmeline asked as she straightened her hat.

Aiden chuckled. “Yes. But fear not. You missed nothing on the ride but the greenery of the countryside, cows, and sheep.” He kissed her cheek. “How are you feeling?”

“Better.” Emmeline was still recovering from a miscarriage she’d had the previous week. They both were. They had been hoping for a baby for the past four years, yet it seemed it wasn’t meant to be. When they’d found out she was with child, they were so overjoyed. Until they weren’t.

Emmeline wouldn’t lie; their marriage for the past four years hadn’t come without problems. The worst of them revolved around their friend, Andrew Hampton.

Aiden was uncomfortable with the feelings she’d once had for him, feelings she insisted didn’t exist anymore.

She had done all she could to convince him his fears were unfounded, but he had put distance between himself and Andrew and she blamed herself for the loss of their close friendship.

Her marriage to Aiden was never supposed to come between the close friends.

As for what Aiden referred to as being uncomfortable and she called being jealous, he had nothing to worry about.

She loved Aiden—with most of her heart. Not that she would let him know that.

To herself she could confess that a small piece still belonged to Andrew, but it would cause a disaster if Aiden ever suspected.

Already, he sometimes made remarks about not being worthy of her.

Which he was in every way possible. He adored her.

He loved her. He was patient and kind with her.

Emmeline did everything she could to ease Aiden’s burdens and treat Andrew as a friend—not too good a friend, but be friendly toward him. Thankfully, they did not see him often.

Unfortunately, he was attending this hunting party at the Marquess and Marchioness of Sutton’s country estate.

It was their first time seeing each other in over six months.

Not long enough and yet too long. She tried never to think of Andrew; she did succeed most days, but other times, his handsome face and memorable voice snuck up on her when she least expected it.

She immersed herself in being the most loving and perfect wife to Aiden, never giving him any reason to regret their marriage or doubt her love.

She certainly never regretted marrying him.

Even if she thought about Andrew occasionally, she couldn’t imagine not being married to Aiden.

Even if she could go back in time, she wouldn’t change a thing.

“You know he will be here?” Before the carriage door opened, Aiden placed his index finger beneath her chin, forcing her to look into his worried eyes.

“I know.” She smiled, trying to ease the fears that plagued him whenever Andrew was around. “You need not worry.” She leaned in and kissed him. “I love you. I chose you. Please, let it rest.”

He pulled her into a life-squeezing hug. “It’s odd because whenever we are with him, I’m so overjoyed to be with my closest friend. But then in my mind, I see you with him and wish he weren’t with us. I’m trying to stop that.”

“I know.” Emmeline prayed that this would be one of those times Aiden buried his discomfort, and they had an enjoyable time together again with all of Aiden’s friends. It wasn’t just Andrew attending—Weston and Caldwell were as well.

The door swung open to reveal the men themselves: Andrew, Weston, and Caldwell.

“Finally, you have arrived,” Weston said as he held out his hand to Emmeline. Before she knew it, she was outside and engulfed in Weston’s arms. “It is so good to see you.” He released her and slapped Aiden on the back. “Good to see you, my friend. It’s been much too long.”

Aiden laughed, “I’m not the one traveling the world, sailing the seas in search of riches like you and Caldwell.”

Caldwell’s eyes widened. “You should see the places Weston and I have been. You won’t believe the stories we could tell.”

“You two are doing well,” Andrew said, insinuating himself into the conversation. “While the rest of us aristocrats live a mundane life in London, drinking, gambling, and socializing to our hearts’ content.”

Andrew’s words and how he said them bothered Emmeline.

Gambling and drinking to excess weren’t things he’d been known to do in days past. Although people did change.

And they hadn’t exactly stayed in touch much over the past four years.

Any correspondence they received was addressed to Aiden, and Andrew apparently only ever inquired about her good health.

She understood Andrew’s reluctance to send her a letter and why he never really asked about her.

He, of all people, knew Aiden. Probably better in some ways than she did.

Most likely, he knew about Aiden’s unease when they were around him, and took care not to cause him any worry in that regard.

Emmeline should commend Andrew for his stand-offish behavior where she was concerned, but it hurt.

“Yes,” Aiden said, wrapping her arm through his. “You two have created a gold mine. We are going to greet our hosts and freshen up. We will see you soon.”

Aiden started walking, giving her no choice but to leave their friends staring at their backs. “Please slow down, Aiden. I can’t walk as fast as you, and I’m famished, lightheaded, and still experiencing mild cramps.”

“Forgive me.”

He eased his stride, and she could see and feel the tension coiling up his body.

She didn’t have to ask why his mood had changed suddenly—it had to do with two things.

The first was that Aiden had been asked to join Weston’s and Caldwell’s business venture years ago but had declined because they were getting married, and he wouldn’t risk losing money they would later need.

Not that they needed the money, as it turned out.

Aiden’s father’s business was solvent. But she believed his pride was injured because he hadn’t invested with them, and now the business was very successful.

The other, of course, was seeing Andrew.

Not that Andrew had even acknowledged her existence.

No greeting... nothing but a sideways glance in her direction, his features guarded.

Their hosts, the Marquess and Marchioness of Sutton, greeted them in the drawing room.

“Marquess, Marchioness,” Aiden said with a bow. “Mrs. Fitzpatrick and I are honored to be your guests.”

“Indeed.” Emmeline curtsied. “Thank you for inviting us. We look forward to spending time with you both while here.”

The marchioness took both of Emmeline’s hands in hers. “It is wonderful to see you again after such a long time. I hope you and I can catch up and reminisce about our times as young girls.”

“I would like that.” The marchioness was the older sister of her childhood friend, Catherine, now the Viscountess of Appleton.

The housekeeper escorted them to their guest room. “Your trunks will be delivered shortly,” she said. “Oh my goodness, here they are now. I’ll leave you to get situated, and if you need anything, please send word to me personally.”

Beckett and Amanda followed the trunks into the room.

Without being told, they began to unpack silently.

Emmeline looked around the lovely room which faced the back gardens and boasted plenty of light filtering in through the windows.

“This is a charming room. Bright and cheery.” Standing at a large window, Emmeline pointed.

“Come see—the gardens below are colorful and full to bursting with guests. Do you wish to rest, or would you like to join the festivities? There are tables set up with food and drinks.” Just then, her stomach grumbled, reminding her she was hungry.

Aiden chuckled when he heard her gurgling stomach. “Let us go to the gardens and partake of some food. I can’t have my wife perishing from hunger.”

“We need to change out of our traveling clothes and freshen up first.” Emmeline went behind a screen with Amanda following, her arms full of a seafoam-green muslin day dress with matching spencer.

When they emerged several moments later, Aiden was changed and waiting.

“I need another minute while Amanda fixes my hair.”

Aiden and Emmeline, refreshed and stylishly dressed, made their way down two flights of stairs and followed the chatter coming from the back gardens.

Exiting the double doors on the far wall of what looked like a music room, Emmeline sighed.

It was a relief to be out of the confines of the carriage and move her sore body.

Aiden, ever the gentleman, fixed a plate for her and sat her at an unoccupied bench while he returned to fix himself one.

Emmeline’s eyes traveled around the garden, taking notice of those in attendance.

She had hoped her friend Lady Catherine would attend since they had not seen each other in over a year, but she’d recently given birth to her second child.

She was beyond happy for Catherine and her husband, but that couldn’t stop the pain lancing Emmeline’s heart or the tears threatening to escape.

She dabbed her eyes with the napkin Aiden had given her with her plate.

She was being overly emotional. Many women had miscarriages.

She would find herself increasing again soon.

At twenty-two, she had many more years to have children before she was considered past her prime.

Tell that to her broken heart. It refused to listen to reason, and she blinked back tears.

“Sorry it took me so long,” Aiden said as he sat with a plate of food and two glasses of lemonade. He handed her one. “I didn’t spill a drop.”