Multiple footsteps.
“My lord.” Was that Crandall’s voice?”
“Good Lord, Marcus!” And Mr. Nottingham? “I’ve always thought Quimbly seemed a little shady.”
“I failed to consider that your cousin was the magistrate.” Several hours later, Marcus sat with Stephen Nottingham in his father’s study, ruminating on the events of the day.
Seeing as Flavion Nottingham and Marcus had essentially hated one another for most of the past decade, Stephen and Marcus decided not to take Quimbly before him. Instead, they’d documented witness statements, along with the written testimony by the new doctor, and used it to “encourage” Quimbly to leave the country.
Attempted murder of a duke was not something that would be taken lightly in England.
Waters’ uneaten breakfast had been laced with enough arsenic to kill an elephant. Although he hadn’t consumed it, it was likely his life would be dramatically shortened by the poison he’d been consuming over the last month.
Thank God Emily hadn’t touched her food.
The weight of today’s events weighed heavily on Marcus’ shoulders.
If only his damn father had told him the truth from the beginning. Marcus could have paid off the damn debts, and he wouldn’t have lost so much time with his family.
But then he never would have married Emily.
He would never have come to know her for the phenomenal feminine creature she was.
Even now, he itched to go to her.
He’d called her his love. Had she noticed? He’d almost lost her, and it had scared him to death.
“Lady Blakely made a narrow escape.” Stephen stated the obvious. He must have read something in Marcus’ eyes.
Worry. Confusion.
“She wasn’t in my plan,” Marcus admitted. “And now.” He struggled with the words. “I can’t imagine my life without her.”
Stephen nodded. “You love her then.”
Love her? Love Emily Goodnight?
By God, he did. “I’ve always considered myself an intelligent man.” He shook his head. “But.” Throwing his hands in the air, he struggled to find the right words. “I have no idea what to do.”
Stephen laughed but then sobered quickly. “You might begin by telling her. Be willing to lay down your life. Bear your soul. Because I’ll share a secret with you, my friend.” Stephen spun the ring on his left hand. Marcus remembered how Stephen and Cecily had struggled to be with one another. He’d never known his friend so happy as he was now with his wife and their son. “If you wish to be content. If you wish to be happy, love her with everything you are.”
Marcus swallowed hard. “So, I ought to tell her, eh?” He ran one hand through his hair.
Stephen chuckled again and rose from his chair. “Might as well get it over with.”
And Now You May Kiss the Bride…
Emily hated being without her spectacles. She lay on the huge bed she and Marcus had only shared the night before and wondered if she’d imagined his concern.
She might have.
Except.
He’d called her love.
He’d never called her love before.
And he’d seemed dreadfully relieved when she told him that she’d not consumed any of the poison.
