Might as well find the bairns first. If she’s anywhere, she’s most likely to be with them.
Archer made his way toward the twins’ playroom. He knew that she’d been spending most of the day with them in there, just like she always did when they didn’t have lessons.
But when Archer reached the room and peered in through the doorway, he found only Louis and Aurora within it.
They were hunched over a game of chess, the pair so absorbed in it that they didn’t notice their father peeking his head around the door. And they also didn’t notice when he dipped back out, turning away and walking back down the hall from where he’d come.
Where else would she be? Our chambers, mayhaps? The drawin’ room?
But as Archer went over and over in his mind what rooms she could possibly be in, he realized that there was one that would serve him well to check first.
The library.
Sure enough, the moment he stepped into the library, he knew without a shadow of a doubt that he’d chosen correctly. Throughthe stacks of books, he could see the glow of the fireplace, he could hear the turning of a page, and the sound of his wife humming to herself as she read.
Archer crept through the stacks, making his way toward where he knew he’d find her. She came into view a little quicker than he expected, sitting on one of the plush settees by the large window that overlooked the cliffs and the sea beyond.
It had been one of his favorite places in the castle for most of his life. And now, it would always be tainted by what he knew he was about to do.
Archer paused for a moment before he stepped from the shadow of the bookshelves, giving himself a spare moment to admire her.
She looked beautiful in that moment, her chestnut hair shining in the golden light of the fire. Her cheeks were flushed, whether it was from the warmth of the fireplace or from the excitement of whatever she was reading, he didn’t know. But whatever the reason, she looked lovely enough to steal his breath.
Ye daenae have to do this,he reminded himself, but he quickly silenced the thought.
After everything he’d experienced today, after realizing how quickly his thoughts and his actions could turn to darkness, hedidhave to do this. It would be the only thing that could guarantee her safety.
The only thing that could guarantee all of their safety.
With a quick, steadying breath, Archer stepped out into the firelight beyond.
Emilie’s eyes snapped up from the book, a startled expression on her face, before her gaze flickered with recognition.
“Ah,” she said, immediately beginning to relax as a smile started to light up her face. “It’s ye. I was wonderin’ when ye might be comin’ home. Ye missed supper.”
Archer nodded, not saying a word as he crossed the space to her.
Emilie shifted on the settee, sliding her feet off of it from where she’d curled up and making space for him. She looked up at him with a soft, inviting smile and patted the cushion next to her.
Archer’s heart gave a tug. He didn’t want to do this. But he fought against it, constantly reassuring himself that it was for the best.
“Is everythin’ all right?” Emilie asked, cocking her head to the side. “I went to find ye for supper tonight, and they said that ye’d gone to Thrums and that somethin’ had happened at the distillery.”
“Ye went to find me?” he asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
Emilie dipped her chin, glancing at the book in her lap while a bashful look played across her face.
“Aye,” she answered. “I think I’ve been ignorin’ ye for long enough, daenae ye think?”
Her gaze flicked up, staring at him through her dark lashes, and Archer fought the urge to groan.
Why did she have to do this now? Right when he’d decided what he needed to do? Why was she suddenly seeming like she wanted to be with him? Why did she decide now that she was done ignoring him?
“It’s nothin’ that I cannae handle,” he growled, willing hardness into his voice.
“I’m certain there’s nae much that ye cannae handle,” Emilie said gently.
She looked expectantly at the spot beside her again, the one where she’d just made space for him that he had not yet claimed. But Archer just gave her a quick, terse shake of the head.