Chapter Six
Panic washes over me and for a moment I fear he’ll attempt to have his way with me, like his father. Instead, he takes my glass from my trembling fingers and refills both of ours. Once I have my glass back, he withdraws the letter from his front pocket.
“I believe you wanted to read this?”
My heart soars with joy. Only moments before, I was allowing the man before me to entertain me and yet now, all I crave is to read a sweet love letter from my husband. It saddens me that he’s taken so long to write it.
“Thank you, sir,” I say in a breathy voice as he hands me the letter.
However, he doesn’t release the crème-colored paper and instead covers my hand with his other one. “It is my pleasure, darling. Anything to see those blue eyes sparkle like a lake on a warm summer day. If I am frank, I’m absolutely captivated by you.”
I gasp and risk a glance at his amber eyes that have darkened with his words.
“Perhaps you should captivate yourself with a woman that is unattached. I’m spoken for, remember?” My attempt to be bold is futile as my voice shakes with uncertainty.
He nods with a quick dip of his chin and releases me. “How could I ever forget? I am sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable, Cora. You see, I’m a lonely lad myself. I’ve been all over Europe chasing after empty notions that promise happiness. After years of loneliness, I came back home to make amends with my family. For the first time in quite some time, I discover something beautiful and exquisite—something that fills me with the very thing I had been chasing only to realize it belongs to that of another. Forgive me for my forward nature. It is the Claxton blood that makes us this way. I can live with a simple friendship. We both could use someone to talk to, am I correct?”
I release the breath I’d been holding and relax. Because of his father, I have found myself nervous and wary in Oliver’s presence. But his presence isn’t menacing or anything I must be afraid of. In fact, when he isn’t behaving as if he would like to court me, I do enjoy myself around him.
“Yes, thank you. A friend would be lovely.”
He beams at my words and I can’t help but smile back at him.
“Well, friend, please read your letter. I apologize the seal has been broken. My nosy father already took it upon himself to read the letter,” he huffs out. “I won’t break my promise. I shall keep you safe until my brother returns.”
His words wash over me and I bask in them. “You’re too kind.”
He winks at me and I force my gaze from his to open the letter from my husband. My smile is immediate to see his messy scrawling on the paper.
Dearest Wife,
It is with my sincerest apologies that I haven’t written much sooner. The damage to our fleet was widespread and devastating. I have been passing each moment interviewing locals and hunting for clues as to whichever criminal attempted to ruin our shipyard and the Claxton name. Because of the damages, it is certain that it was a gang of men, simply not one.
At night, when I desperately fight to keep my eyes open to pen a letter to you, I am too overcome with exhaustion. However, I fall into slumber with your stunning smile the last of my thoughts.
One day soon, I shall return and spoil you as I have not had the opportunity to do. Please do not give up on me, love. I promise to make it right.
Yours,
Emmett
I swallow down the guilt and chew on my lip to keep from crying. My poor husband has been thinking only of me while he works and yet here I was enjoying the attentions of his brother. What a foolish woman!
“Cora…”
Blinking my eyes to drive away the tears, I then glance up at Oliver. “I shouldn’t be here with you.”
He frowns and sets his glass down on the table. “I was out of line earlier, darling. But it won’t happen again. We’re friends, remember? I want to be someone you can talk to. Please trust me.”
His brows are pinched together and his darting eyes allude to the notion that he is, indeed, sincere.
“Mr. Claxton, I appreciate your kindness. I need a friend and I will certainly indulge your offer. However, I am not feeling well. Could you perhaps escort me to my bedchambers for the evening? My heart is aching and I wish to lie down.”
Disappointment washes over his features, but he nods. “Certainly, darling.”
He stands and extends his hand to me. I set down the untouched alcohol and reach for it. His hand is warm and comforting in mine. When he doesn’t release it and instead tugs me from the room and down the series of hallways, I selfishly take comfort in the gesture. The letter surprised me. I had expected something cold, like how Emmett had left me. Instead, the man I fell for so easily had penned those words.
When we arrive to my door, I pull my hand from his grasp. “Thank you, Oliver.”
His mouth opens as if he wants to say something, but instead he snaps it closed. The honey in his eyes swirls with emotion and I tear my gaze from his, focusing on the window instead. His hand lifts and he pushes a curl from my eyes before he lets out a sigh. Without another word, he turns and stalks down the hallway until he’s out of my sight.
Tears threaten and I don’t understand why. Emmett’s letter has only caused my heart to break a little more. And the loneliness that always surrounds me, seeps a little more inside. I barely make it into my bedchambers before I’m a sobbing mess.
“Eloise, please fetch the invitation from my study and bring it here,” Hugh instructs my friend and house servant.
She’s a little more tolerant at his brash way of speaking than I am. Each time he speaks, I must suppress a shudder.
“Aye, sir,” she peeps out, her cheeks flushing pink as she scurries off.
Some days I long for an alternate world. A world where a woman isn’t made to feel second best to that of a man. A world where she could travel alongside her husband as his rightful companion—not left at home due to her imagined frailty.
I’m no frail woman.
But I am educated and respectful. My parents did not spend their years bringing me up to be the woman I am, only to have me toss it all away to run home back to them at the first sign of discomfort. Despite growing up in a home where my parents behaved as equals, I know they are the exception.
I’d simply indulged in the fantasy that Emmett and I were the exception as well. Or at least, that we could be. Unfortunately, living under the same roof as his father means otherwise. Hugh Claxton is of old London blood and only believes in the archaic way of thinking.
I manage to keep my eyes on my limp piece of meat and dice it into tiny pieces while Eloise is gone. Oliver and Hugh discuss some acquisitions of a Mr. Hudson’s small coal factory on the outskirts of the city. Hugh has already presented him with a handsome offer that the man is mulling over. It is my hope that Hugh will be successful in his purchase and spend most of his time away, doing whatever it is he does when he acquires something new.
“Here ‘tis, sir,” Eloise chirps as she shuffles back into the room, causing me to end my task of murdering the meat on my plate.
When she hands him the envelope, I don’t miss the way he touches her hand. I worry that now that Oliver is here to protect me, Hugh will simply move on to another one. A woman he’ll have a much easier time controlling. Rage simmers in my chest and I have the urge to make a mess with his face like I did with the meat in front of me.
“Mrs. Claxton,” Hugh barks, interrupting my pleasant thoughts of hurting him. “Do you understand?”
I jerk my gaze over to his smug one. “I’m sorry, I must have been lost to a day dream.”
“I was informing you of your invitation to an engagement ball at Baroness Thorold’s London estate tomorrow evening. Her son is set to marry Margaret Hussey from Devonshire,” he explains as if I know who these people are.
The notion of leaving this dark, gloomy prison, even for one night, is exciting.
“Oh, that’s splendid. I shall have Eloise assist me in finding an appropriate dress,” I tell him, forcing a smile his way.
His eyes drop to my mouth and he grunts. “You aren’t going unescorted, dear. I shall—”
“Father, you’re busy. Why don’t you let me escort Mrs. Claxton instead? I have no plans and don’t mind spending my evening hobnobbing with the Thorold’s. After all, I was a good friend of Thomas’ until my untimely departure. I am sure he will be pleased to catch up with an old friend.” Oliver’s eyes find mine. They’re warm and full of promise. I shall protect you, Cora.
I flash him a thankful smile before waiting for his father to answer.
“Very well. Escort the lady.”
Oliver and I exchange a glance—like two young children that got away with something. The thought causes me to giggle. Hugh’s gaze burns through and I avoid his stare. Instead, I meet Oliver’s playful look. When he winks at me, my cheeks blaze. He starts to chuckle, a warm vibration that dances beneath my skin, and I am glad for his presence.