Page 52 of Emma & Edmund

The main room, as small as it was, was easily deemed empty of any intruders. Even still, Emma could not tear her eyes away from the dark corners of the ceiling. The shadows that clung there seemed to move and sway under her attention.

Edmund threw open the front door like he expected someone to be nose-to-nose with the wood. Emma could feel a rumbling roll through him, but without seeing his face, she couldn't know if it was frustration or approval.

"Emma," he whispered, as if afraid of being overheard, "I'm going to check the perimeter. Why don't you-"

"Oh good! That was exactly my thought as well. Shall we?"

Even if there was no obvious trespasser within the walls, she would be damned if she was left alone. It wasn't possible, but the laugh seemed to sound right next to her head as if there had been a third person in the bed with them. At that moment, the woods seemed safer than the cottage.

With her cheek practically pressed into his back, with only just enough space to peek around his side, the conjoined pair rounded the small cottage in moments, seeing nothing.

Stopping in front of the door, Emma finally loosened her hold, looking up into Edmund's hard-set face. A puff of frustration flared his nostrils, and his eyes were trained on the roof. She could practically see his plot to scale the side and check above the rafters.

It also wouldn't have been hard for the laugher to escape into the woods, never to be heard from again.

"EDMUND LOCKHART!"

The indignant shout set them both jumping with shock, turning to see a flurry of crisp white fabric and a beat-red face marching down the path. Anthony's scowl was practically a snarl.

"Anthony," Edmund started, using a voice often reserved for his man, a mixture between placation and ignorance.

"Do not take that tone with me," Anthony pushed a finger into his master's face. "I have been worrying myself sick. Do you have any idea what time it is?"

"I thought you were going to come check-"

"I did! Hours ago! It's practically morning," he swiped an arm to the ever-lightening sky. "I have two men in town right now trying to track you and Miss Thompson...,” As if saying her name made him aware of her existence, angry eyes turned to her.

Yet, the moment they did, his already pale face went white as a sheet, looking as if something inside of him shattered. "I...I..."

A blush rose up Emma's neck and flooded her cheeks under his scrutiny, forcing her to look away.

"Edmund, don't tell me-"

Edmund must have known exactly what Anthony was about to say and held up a hand to silence his man.

"That is a private matter between Miss Thompson and myself. It is not yours, nor anyone else's, business."

For a long moment, Anthony looked as if he was about to burst into tears before he steeled his back and straightened his face. "Very well, but know you are the only lord in this country who has such a social luxury.Andyou will tell me all you have learned."

"I am well aware."

"And you, Miss Thompson," he turned his attention to the girl, currently using the broad body beside her to hide. "Consider yourself lucky that I arrived when I did. If we leave right now, we may still be able to say you just returned from the physician."

"Thank you, Anthony," Edmund answered for her, which Emma found herself eternally grateful for. Her embarrassment had stolen coherent thought. "Out of curiosity, what was her ailment?"

"Probably the same thing we claimed when she disappeared into your cottage the last time."

Reaching behind himself, Edmund wrapped his hand around hers, gently guiding Emma before Anthony. "It's best you're off, then."

The sense of loss hit Emma like a brick. She had spent so many hours that night beside him, lost in their own little world, that the thought of bursting their bubble recaptured her words.

"But Edmund, what about-"

"We must hurry, Miss Thompson."

With a squeeze of her hand, Edmund stared into her eyes, as if hoping their minds would connect and pass his silent message.

But Emma hadn't a clue what his look meant, and she found a distinct lack of comfort when he dropped her hand, her fingers and palm tingling.

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