Emmeline was having a light breakfast when Hudgins, the butler, knocked and entered, “Forgive me for interrupting your breakfast, Lady Emmeline, but I have a letter for you.”

Taking the letter from the man’s hand, Emmeline smiled her thanks at him, examined it. She felt her heart flutter. It was from the Benwick house. Had Ann came around? Opening it, she read:

Dear Lady Emmeline,

Please note my daughter has been the recipient of a courtship proposal from your brother, the Duke of Leverton. She is adamant that she will not accept his offer if you are still estranged from us. Therefore, I am giving you permission to continue your friendship with my daughter.

Yours Sincerely,

Mrs. Arthur Benwick

Emmeline didn’t know what to think except that this woman had some nerve, “Giving me your permission? What gall.”

Dropping the letter on the table, Emmeline continued with breakfast. She huffed under her breath and rolled her eyes at George’s hypocrisy while buttering a roll. So, I must tell him all my doings, but he can’t spare a moment to tell me that he is going to court my best friend?

Even with her irritation, Emmeline realized that this was a perfect opportunity to go see Noah. But she had to do it craftily.

Though anticipation was running through her, Emmeline calmly finished her breakfast and went to see her mother. The grandiose house felt so empty to her even though there were a dozen maids, numerous scullery girls, several footmen, cooks, stable hands, coachman, and gardeners that inhabited the Manor and its grounds.

The Duchess of Leverton was sitting up in her bed with a book in her hands when Emmeline visited her. Pleased that her mother was looking healthier than before, she carefully examined her—her skin had lost most of its sallowness and her face was filling in.

“Mother,” Emmeline smiled, “I have received some wonderful news. George is courting Ann, and her mother is allowing me to see her again.”

A smile curled the Duchess’ lips, “That is wonderful news dear, after all that kerfuffle with you, the Duke of Newberry, Ann, and George. I am delighted to hear this.”

Nodding, Emmeline sat beside her and smiled, “I am planning to go see her, this day. I know it’s not proper but I can go alone to the Benwick’s. It is not that far from us and I’ll be back this eve.”

A small look of consternation evoked a furrow between the older woman’s brows, “Oh dear, that is most perilous. Can you send for Catherine?”

Shaking her head softly, Emmeline replied, “It would take too much time, Mother, and it’s only a quick visit. I will be fine. The coachman is good enough protection.”

The Duchess still looked unconvinced but nodded, “I suppose he must do, but take care, Emmeline, and come back before dusk.”

Smiling, Emmeline kissed her mother on the cheek, “I will.”

Leaving the room, Emmeline paused in the middle of her step to rethink her plan of going to see Ann, and then sneak out to see Noah. It was a bit hazardous but then she nodded in finality. She met a maid in the corridor and ordered her to tell the coachman to ready the carriage, while she went to prepare to meet Ann.

In her quarters, she donned a cloak and a bonnet, slipped out of her kid slippers and into hardier shoes, while arming herself with a reticule and some money.

Fastening her cloak, Emmeline took up the half-empty box of chocolates Gorge had given her two days ago and left the room. She descended the stairs and stepped outside, right under the eaves, just as the carriage pulled up.

The coachman, a Mr. Allen, alighted and bowed to her, “Good morning, My Lady.”

The man’s soft folksy Scottish accent always charmed her and she smiled as he pulled down the carriage steps. “Good day to you, too, Mr. Allen, just a quick ride to the Benwicks this morning, thank you.”

“Right-o, My Lady,” the coachman nodded, as he helped her up into the carriage, “We’ll be there in no time.”

Casting a look to her home as they drove away, Emmeline smiled in satisfaction. The sun was shining brilliantly over the grandiose structure and she hoped the house would stand to the end of time.

“Thank you,” Emmeline nodded stately to Mrs. Gibbs as she was led to the second-storey parlor. She had just suffered through a stifled conversation with Mrs. Benwick but brushed it off–the matriarch was the least of her worries.

The door to the room opened and before Emmeline could say a word, her arms were full of a babbling Ann. The younger woman’s face was so animated with rosy red cheeks and bright eyes that Emmeline didn’t have to ask to know that Ann was deliriously happy.

“Ann,” Emmeline soothed, “Ann, calm down. I cannot hear a word you’re saying.”

Ann gasped in a deep breath, “I’m going to be your sister, Em. After so long I am going to be your sister, not by wishes alone, but by law!”

“You have made up your mind to marry him, then.” Emmeline replied while leading them both over to a chaise. She was glad that her brother and her best friend were getting married. Finally, there was one thing she could be glad about.

“How could I not?” Ann sighed, but then picked at her gown with her eyes lowered, “That night Em…when you asked me to help you with the Duke of Newberry, was the best night of my life. When George kissed me, I knew it could only be him. I am sorry for the pain it caused you but…” Ann trailed off with her eyes brimming with sorrow, “I’m happy.”

Emmeline pushed back her own melancholy. Her life wasn’t nearly as glittery as Ann’s was about to be, but she marshaled her emotions into steadfastness. “And I’m glad for you. Ann, I need to send a message to Noah from here, because I dare not do so at home. May I get one of your men to carry it to him?”

Ann’s nod was frantic, “Of course, Emmeline, let me get you some paper.”

Feeling a bit mollified that her friend had agreed to help her, Emmeline took the paper and writing materials and quickly scribbled out a note. Folding it tightly, she took a shilling from her reticule. “Here, find someone quickly.”

Without a word, Ann left the room. Emmeline stood and went to the window, counting her heartbeats until Ann came back, looking a little rattled and red cheeked.

“Mother almost saw me telling one of the servant boys to ride off but I evaded her,” Ann said before flopping in an unladylike manner onto the chaise. “You’re set on the Duke of Newberry, then?”

Emmeline nodded, “I love him, Ann, and despite the obstructions we face, I do believe there will be a way for us to be together.”

Ann reached over and clasped Emmeline’s hands in hers. “I hope so, too, so our children can play together and we can be a big loving family.”

Smiling with her, Emmeline nodded, “God willing.”

The pronounced frown on Noah’s face was getting deeper and deeper until his eyes were narrowed to slits. The trade proposal Leverton had submitted to him was skewed. How was it that his people should do much of the reaping work, but Leverton would control the sales and the payments?

Rubbish, Noah thought, as he dropped the sheaf of papers on his desk. Does that damned Leverton think I’m an idiot? This has monopoly written all over it.

He was reaching for his stationery to send a scathing reply when there was a light tap on the door.

“Enter,” Noah called out absently.

The butler came into the room, bearing a tray with a letter on it. “Your Grace, this was just received for you. It is from the Benwick house.”

Derailed from his course of writing back to Leverton, Noah felt muddled. The Benwicks? What business did he have with them? As far as he was aware, their daughter Ann was banned from even speaking his name.

“Thank you, Cole.” Noah sighed and took the missive from the man. Leaning back into his chair, Noah opened the letter and seeing the familiar script of his love, he read with pleasure.

Noah,

I have some leeway to see you this evening, I cannot stay long as I am supposed to be with Miss Benwick.

Yours

Emmeline

The note wasn’t long but it was poignant and the best part, that hooked Noah and reeled him in like a fish on a line, was the word yours. She was his—proffered by her own words—and he was going to do all he could do to make her his for eternity. Glancing at the grandfather clock in the corner of his study, Noah noted it was just shy of ten o’clock in the morning.

This eve, Noah thought pleasantly, this eve will be ours, my beloved.

“Come again,” Ann smiled as she hugged Emmeline just after a filling luncheon. “You are not a stranger here anymore—my sister.”

“I will be sure to.” Emmeline smiled while taking pains to ignore the heavy stare coming from Mrs. Benwick. “Goodbye for now.

Fastening her cloak and righting her bonnet, Emmeline bade a civil goodbye to the older woman and left for her carriage. With the coachman’s help, Emmeline stepped into the carriage and sat, with a small satisfied smile on her face.

“I wish you all the best Ann,” Emmeline spoke to her friend who was waving from the top of the steps.

Facing forward, Emmeline called out, “Home now, Mr. Allen.”

“Right away, My Lady,” the coachman replied, and guided the horse and carriage up the road.

Looking towards the direction of the Newberry dukedom, Emmeline whispered to herself. “I will see you soon, my love.”

It was with great restraint that Noah kept himself from looking at the clock every ten minutes and forced himself to work through the day. He had skipped his luncheon and even dinner to prepare himself for Emmeline’s arrival. He had already told the gateman to discreetly notify him when she arrived as he couldn’t risk his mother or grandmother knowing about it.

When the clock struck four, Noah’s hope was at its peak but when it went to five, Noah’s anxiety had mellowed. However, when it got to six and Emmeline didn’t arrive, he grew concerned. When it went to seven, he felt a bit cold.

Looking out at the darkened lawn and empty drive, Noah reasoned within himself.

Perhaps she got stopped at the Benwicks. She hasn’t seen Miss Benwick for weeks, perhaps she stayed back to renew their deep friendship.

“That must be it,” Noah said decisively while turning away. “It has to be.”