Chapter Twenty-Seven #2
“Nathaniel…” The sound of Emilia’s voice made Nathaniel straighten. He could hardly remember a time where he had lost control of his temper, but something about this man was bringing him dangerously close to the edge.
Nathaniel placed a hand on Emilia’s shoulder as he stepped towards the overflowing buffet. “Would you like me to fix your plate, my love?”
Nathaniel could see Alexander’s jaw tick out of the corner of his eye. He was watching Emilia closely, as though trying to identify any signs of distress—if only he would realize that the only thing distressing her at the moment was his presence.
“No,” Emilia shook her head. “I would only like some tea.”
Nathaniel nodded in understanding. He was unsure if he would be able to stomach any breakfast himself.
He set to work, preparing two cups of tea. He removed the leaves from Emilia’s cup when the water turned golden, allowing his to steep a few minutes longer. He added a small amount of sugar and generous helping of cream to her cup before placing it on the table in front of her.
Alexander scoffed. “You know how she takes her tea,” he spat. “Quite the accomplishment.”
Nathaniel stayed silent. If Alexander was successful in getting a rise out of him—if he let his temper flare—it would only prove to him that his sister was not safe under his care.
No matter what the lieutenant threw at him, Nathaniel would not allow himself to be caught unawares.
Emilia was his to protect, and he would not fail her.
“Do you know anything else about her?” Alexander challenged.
“Xander…” Emilia scolded, but her brother continued on.
“Did you know she plays the piano forte?” Alexander took a sip of his own tea, calmly waiting for the storm he was unleashing to start raging. “She also has the most beautiful voice. Has she ever sang for you?”
Nathaniel shook his head silently, a knot of guilt tightening in the pit of his stomach.
In the short amount of time he and Emilia had spent together, he felt as though they had begun to truly know each other and see the depths of each other’s hearts, but there were still so many things he still did not know—and things he had not even thought to ask.
“Did you know she is afraid of the dark?” Alexander’s voice was taunting now. “And that she can not sleep when there is thunder?”
Emilia’s fingers clenched around her teacup until her knuckles were white.
Nathaniel placed his hand atop her knee in an effort to soothe her.
He moved his thumb in slow, deliberate circles, giving her something to focus on as she slowed her breathing.
He may not know everything about his wife, but he knew how to calm her racing heart.
“Did you know that her favorite book is…”
“The Mysteries of Udolpho,” Nathaniel interrupted, unable to keep the smug satisfaction from his voice. “She would read it next to the fire every night.”
The sound of slow, taunting applause echoed through the morning room. “Well done, Your Grace.” Alexander’s tone dripped in ire. “It is reassuring to know you have progressed at least as far as polite dinner conversation.”
“Enough!” Emilia erupted, her fits pounding on the table. Both men looked towards her in shock, though Nathaniel could not help also feeling an inkling of pride.
“I am merely ensuring that your husband knows you,” Alexander said, innocently.
“You are attempting to make him feel inadequate.” Emilia stood from her seat.
Her chin was held high, and though her eyes blazed with anger, her tone remained controlled and held an unmistakable edge of authority.
“If you believed that I would sit here silently and allow you to taunt the man that I love, you were sorely mistaken.”
“I did not mean…” Alexander stammered, but his voice faltered under his sister’s stare.
“It has been out of the goodness and graciousness of his heart that he has not thrown you out on the streets after the disturbance you have caused. But I assure you, I have no such reservations.”
Alexander stared at his sister dumbfounded, and Nathaniel found himself fighting a smile.
Twice now, this darling woman had come to his defense, only this time he had the honor of witnessing it.
He had not already professed his undying love to her, this display alone would have brought him to his knees in declaration.
“He is not entirely wrong.” Nathaniel shocked the room with his words. He offered Emilia an appreciative smile, before turning to address her brother.
“I did not know that Emilia plays the piano forte, nor that she is a gifted singer.” He reached for hand, squeezing it tightly and looking up at her with a smile. “Though I would very much like it if you would play for me.”
Emilia blushed, lowering herself back into her seat.
“I also did not know she was afraid of the dark,” Nathaniel continued. “Nor her aversion to storms. But I can assure you, she will never be denied a lamp when she desires one, and for as long as I am alive there will never be a night where she need sleep alone.”
Emilia’s eyes began to fill with tears, and Nathaniel held her gaze, every word he spoke now meant for her.
“I know that she apologizes whenever she feels as though her needs and desires are an inconvenience to those around her, even though nothing could be further from the truth. I know that she believes she must earn love, though I hope she is beginning to realize that she does not. I know that she is my sister’s favorite person in the world, which is no easy feat.
I know that she believes I care too much for others and shoulder the world’s burdens while she does the same for those she loves, and she never complains or stumbles under the weight of it.
I know she is fiercely loyal, forgiving to a fault, and breathtakingly beautiful. ”
Nathaniel ended his speech and reached up to wipe a tear from Emilia’s face. He turned his attention back to Alexander, who was still sitting silently in his chair, his own eyes glistening.
“I understand why you feel a responsibility for your sister, but she is no longer yours to protect. She is my wife, and my responsibility. I love her, and she is also the only reason you are not presently tied to a chair awaiting the arrival of the magistrate. Do we understand each other?”
Alexander huffed softly in amusement and nodded his head. “Yes, Your Grace.”
Nathaniel bristled at the sound of the title coming from his lips. “I am going to insist that you refrain from calling me that.”
His heart skipped at the sound of Emilia’s muffled laugh.
Alexander’s brow lifted in confusion, “What should I call you then?”
“Kenswick would be acceptable.” He stole a glance at his wife out of the corner of his eye, love and affection for her surging in his chest and blinding him to all sense of reason. “But I will also answer to Nathaniel, if you insist on being difficult.”
An unreadable emotion passed across the man’s face. “You would allow me to call you by your given name?”
Nathaniel shrugged. “We are family, are we not?”
A genuine smile unlike any Nathaniel had seen spread across Alexander’s face. He stood from his seat, and extended his hand. “Family…” He said the word slowly, as if he were testing its feel on his tongue.
Nathaniel firmly grasped his hand, a sly grin tugging on his lips. “For better or for worse.”