Page 131 of A Dangerous Game (Regency Spies & Secrets 2)

Rising, Oliver said, “Not in the least.” He walked over to her and helped her rise. “I have some questions of my own for Lord Taylor.”

Oliver tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and led her to the drawing room.

They stepped into the room and saw her uncle pacing with an agitated look on his face. When his eyes landed on her, he let out a sigh of relief and rushed over to her.

“I am so pleased that you are well,” Lord Taylor said, stopping in front of her. “When I heard that you were attacked, I rushed right over.”

She gave him a baffled look. “How did you hear about the attack?”

Lord Taylor chuckled. “I see that you vastly underestimate how quickly gossip can spread through a small village.”

“I suppose I have.”

Turning his attention towards Oliver, her uncle grew solemn. “Thank you for saving my niece’s life,” he said. “It is a debt that I can never repay.”

“It was my privilege to protect my wife,” Oliver said.

“I imagine it was,” Lord Taylor remarked. “It was most fortunate that you had a pistol close at hand.” Not bothering to wait for Oliver’s response, he turned his attention back to Emmeline. “How are you faring?”

“I am doing well,” she admitted.

“Your aunt will be relieved to hear that.”

Emmeline gave him a timid smile. “I hope that is the case. We didn’t part on the best terms.”

“Betty will come around,” Lord Taylor said as he placed a hand on her shoulder. “After all, we are family.”

“Yes, we are,” she agreed.

Lord Taylor briefly glanced at Oliver before saying, “And that includes your husband,” he added. “We may never understand why you didn’t marry the duke, but it is time that we accept your decision.”

Emmeline felt elated by her uncle’s remark. “Thank you,” she gushed. “That means a great deal to me.”

Oliver spoke up. “That is most generous of you, Lord Taylor.”

Her uncle put his hand up. “Family does not make use of titles,” he said. “Please, call me George.”

“Then you must call me Oliver.”

Lord Taylor gave him an approving nod. “I know that we have a sordid past, but I hope that won’t define our future.”

“May I propose that we let bygones be bygones?” Oliver suggested.

“I think that is a grand idea, Oliver,” her uncle responded.

Gesturing to a settee, Oliver asked, “Would you care to sit?”

“I would,” Lord Taylor replied.

Oliver led Emmeline to another settee and waited until she was situated before claiming the seat next to her.

Lord Taylor glanced between them, then asked, “Have you had a chance to discuss my proposal about Lockhart Manor yet?”

“We have,” Oliver replied, “and I have informed Emmeline that the decision rests solely with her.”

Her uncle turned his brown eyes towards her. “And what have you decided?”

Clasping her hands in her lap, she replied, “I have decided to retain ownership of Lockhart Manor.”

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