“Oh, but she can. You simply have to learn their language.”
Royce wrinkled his nose. “I don’t believe you.” Then he suddenly waved at the door. Stephen turned and saw Emily holding Victoria in her arms. “Look at what Uncle Stephen brought me!” he cried. “He found Horse!”
His wife’s face softened, but Stephen detected the air of uncertainty and worry. “I’m so glad.”
“And I might go and visit Great-Uncle Nigel. He’s been to India, you know.”
At Royce’s revelation, Emily’s posture stiffened. She sent Stephen a pained look before turning her back.
“I will see you at supper this evening,” he told Royce.
“Thank you for Horse, Uncle Stephen,” Royce said again. His boyish face revealed pure happiness, and Stephen was glad he’d thought to bring the toy.
“You are most welcome.”
But although Royce was considering the possibility of visiting Nigel, Stephen sensed that his wife would be much harder to convince.
Emily barely spoke to him the rest of the day or during supper. all through dinner and when they were in their bedchamber.
“We’ve been invited to bring the children to meet your uncle,” he said. “I called on him, and I think he would provide the children with a fine home and a good education.”
“You should have told me where you were going.” Emily struggled to remove her corset, fighting with the laces. “You were gone for days.”
Stephen came up behind her and loosened the stays. He did not touch her, suspecting that she would snap at him if he did. “I wanted to investigate your uncle myself,” he admitted.
“And what did you find?”
“Nothing. He has a large house and has purchased toys for the children. He seems eager to meet them.” Stephen stepped aside, trying not to get distracted while she removed the corset and pulled on a wrapper. The filmy fabric stretched across her breasts, making him want to take it off her again.
“I know my brother. Daniel wouldn’t have given the children to a stranger. Not after I married you.”
“Your brother made out his will before we married. And Nigel isn’t a stranger; he’s their great-uncle.” He came up behind her and laid his hands upon her shoulders. The silk was indeed as soft as it appeared.
“The will is legal, Emily. And if we wish to petition for guardianship, we must follow the proper protocol. Defying the law will not help our cause.”
“But Nigel has never even seen the children.” She crossed her arms about her waist, turning to face him. “He doesn’t know them the way I do. Royce lost his mother when Victoria was born. Now he’s lost his father, too. I’m all they have.”
“You are not all they have,” he said quietly. “They have me, as well. I promised you I’d protect them.”
Why couldn’t she see him as a part of their lives? It was as though she’d cut him off without a second thought. “I think we should go together when we take the children.” He slid his arms around her waist, drawing her closer. “If there is anything that bothers you, we’ll leave.”
“You’re not taking the children anywhere. They’re staying here, where they belong.”
While he understood her desire to protect them, he had to be careful about defying the law. “I won’t let anyone harm them.” He kissed her shoulder, trying to soothe her mood. “But I think you should come with me, Emily. Meet him for yourself and then decide.”
She stiffened and glared at him. “No. As I’ve said, the children will not leave Falkirk. And neither will I.” Her stubbornness was rooted in a desire to protect them, but he still wanted to know more about Nigel.
“Hasn’t it occurred to you that this may be a place where they will be safe? The last time I left for London, you were attacked. My enemies know where we are. It’s only a matter of time before they find us.”
“I don’t want to go,” she said quietly. “Nigel never did anything for us while we were struggling to keep the estate running. Why would he help us now?”
“He’s old, Emily. He admitted that he wanted to make up for what happened years ago.”
“I don’t like it. And I don’t want you taking the children, either.”
“The will states—”
“Hang the will. If you try to take them, I’ll find a way to stop you.”
