"Pray," William asked, "what is the Queen Elizabeth tree?"
"The queen was supposed to have planted a tree in our village green on her progress north, but somehow she bypassed Upper Barrington—as is commonly done. Since they did not want to waste a good oak, one of my Lippincott ancestors went ahead and planted it, and it's been called the Elizabeth tree ever since."
"I would say," Lady Sophia said, "that it's most fortunate you left Nothing Barrington, came to London, and swept Adam off his feet."
It pleased Emma that they thought her marriage to Adam had begun as a love match. She hoped with all her heart it truly was one now. Emma tucked her arm into his. "I am very fortunate." She had started to say she was the most fortunate girl in all of England, but her husband would have been sure to chide her for speaking in hyperbole. But she most certainly did believe she was the most fortunate girl not only in England but in all the universe.
Because of the fair weather and the good roads, they reached London before dark. Before they left the carriage, Adam stealthily peered from his coach window to see if he could tell if someone was watching their house. He hadn't told them what he was doing, but Emma had come to know him very well—as he had come to know her.
This blending of minds, too, was part of being married. There was not a part of being married that she didn't enjoy.
"Any solo men lurking about, eyeing our house?" she asked. It was the first time she had ever referred to the Curzon Street house as our house. Today was the first time she felt as if she truly was Adam's wife.
"Not that I can tell."
They said their farewells to William and Lady Sophia and climbed from the coach. "We're back at our home, my dear one."
He'd said it! Everything that had been his was now ours. She felt as if she walked on air as she strolled on her husband's arm to their front door.
* * *
The following morning, after they awakened in her bedchamber within each others' arms, Adam told her he had a very busy day.
"I must go to the bank, but before that, we shall go to Emmott's. It's been almost a week since we left those handwriting samples there. We ought to have an answer now."
"I know the answer already."
"I believe I do, too." Their eyes met. "You, by the way, are coming with me wherever I go." He climbed from the bed and began to get dressed.
She sat up in bed and watched him. "As much as I loathe James Ashburnham, I shall have to be grateful to him for keeping me by the person with whom I most want to share my life." There! She'd said nearly the same words to him that he'd said to her the first night of their lovemaking.
"You just haven't been around me long enough. You'll be glad when Ashburnham's brought to justice and you can be rid of me."
She pouted. "I almost wish he'd never be brought to justice."
A heated look on his face, he crossed the bedchamber, half dressed, and drew her into his arms, groaning. "Do you have any idea of the effect you have upon me?" He hungrily crushed his lips to hers.
Of this, too, she knew she would never tire.
* * *
As much as she had enjoyed their four days of carriage travel with William and Lady Sophia, Emma preferred being alone with her husband in their coach. This morning he pulled her onto his lap, and they partook of whispery, nibbly kisses between Mayfair and Holborn. They did not even mind when their carriage came to a complete stop for several minutes on the Strand, owing to the snarl of conveyances.
Neither irate hackney drivers, lads hawking hot chestnuts, nor the clatter of glass breaking could detract from her enjoyment of this short journey across London. The lashing of wind outside on this cool day only contributed to the sense of well-being she felt ensconced within the coach—with the man she loved.
As they neared Mr. Emmott's establishment, she saddened. It was so close to where her uncle's company was located. He must have ridden down this same street many times. She could not think of Uncle Simon and not feel cheated that she'd not gotten to meet him, angered that his life had been cut short.
Before they left the carriage, Adam buttoned her warm pelisse almost to her chin, and she placed her hands in the ermine muff. He, too, bundled up. "It's a blustery day. I'll not have you taking lung fever," he said.
She hadn't felt so cared for since she was a small girl.
In Mr. Emmott's office, they were once again greeted in a most enthusiastic manner. "I am honored that you've graced my office, Mr. and Mrs. Birmingham. I was going to come see you today, sir," he said to Adam. "Please, have a seat. I wasn't sure if you'd be at the bank. Since you've gotten married, it seems you're spending less time at your establishment."