The Cousin - ONC 2023

Chapter Nine

Oscar pushed his horse hard as he raced across the estate. He needed to clear his head. All evening he had been harassed by Miss Andrews and her god awful mother and all night visions of Emily had plagued his dreams.

He felt suffocated by them all and wanted nothing more than to return to London, but he could not do that to Aunt Florence and Henry. His life had been so simple a few short weeks ago. His feelings and plans for the future so sure. Now it all seemed like a tangled mess.

He didn't want to like Emily, nothing more than a family friend, anyway. But when he saw her in Westwood's arms the night before, dancing and laughing, all he wanted to do was challenge Westwood to a duel.

Out of the corner of Oscar's eye he noticed a figure riding towards the woods in the distance. Speak of the devil, why was Lord Westwood heading in that direction all alone? It was still early and most, if not all the guests would be enjoying their breakfast.

Against his better judgement, Oscar followed. Upon entering the woods Westwood was nowhere to be seen. Slowly Oscar and his horse, Majestic, proceeded along the tree-lined path. Thinking it rather obvious where Westwood was going, Oscar headed in that direction.

It wasn’t long before he heard voices. One masculine, the other feminine, coming from the clearing where he had met Emily with her bow and arrow in hand only a few short weeks ago. He got down off of his horse, tied Majestic to a tree that was far enough away in case he needed to make a hasty retreat.

It wasn’t until he got closer that he recognised Emily’s laugh. Anger simmered in his chest. He peeked through a small gap of a leafy bush and saw Westwood standing close to her as she aimed her arrow at a pair of lace gloves already stuck to an enormous tree trunk by multiple arrows. Why was she alone with that scoundrel?

Owning it was not his finest moment, but because of an overwhelming case of curiosity. He stayed hidden and eavesdropped.

"You are a very good shot Miss Hollyford."

She turned and smiled at him. "I had lessons as a child. They stopped when my parents died, but I would often sneak off at daybreak and practise alone in a secluded area beside a river near my Aunt and Uncle's house."

"My condolences, Miss Hollyford. Losing your parents so young must have been very hard for you," said Westwood, moving closer to her.

"How do you know how old I was?" She asked with a raised brow.

He smiled and replied, "I know a great many things Emily, like the fact that you are nearing two and twenty with no marriage prospects."

What the devil was he playing at, though Oscar.

"I hardly think—"

Westwood held up a hand cutting Emily off, "Forgive me, I did not mean any harm by my words. I think it a great shame you have not been presented to all of England earlier. But then I would never have had the pleasure of dancing with such a beautiful creature."

Emily's features went from indignation to a dreamy blush. While Oscar's went from outrageous anger to down right disgust.

"My cousin Cecily is the priority in the marriage mart. I admit, a family of my own would be wonderful, but I fear my heart is lost forever to someone who belongs to another. How could I overcome such a thing and marry?"

Oscar stared in disbelief. She was in love with someone? How could such a simpleton choose another over her?

Westwood took Emily’s hand, removed her bow, placing it gently on the ground and then placed his lips on her gloved knuckles, lingering far too long. Emily gasped.

"I too know the pain of not being able to have the one you want dear Emily. It is a great tragedy not everyone is fortunate enough to marry for love."

Oscar had heard enough, he silently rushed back to Majestic and pulled him quickly along the track making as much noise as possible to alert Westwood and Emily of his imminent arrival.

As they came into view, he noticed Westwood was back on his horse and Emily was in front of her target with a bow and another arrow in hand. Oscar feigned surprise, and ignoring Westwood, bowed to Emily and bid her a good morning.

She curtseyed awkwardly in response and glanced between Westwood and Oscar. She looked a little flustered and unsure of what to do or say next.

"What brings the two of you out so early this fine morning?" Oscar asked.

"I—" "My—" They both spoke at once.

"Forgive me, Miss Hollyford, carry on."

She gave Westwood a grateful smile, which only annoyed Oscar, then she proceeded to speak. "My Aunt does not approve of young ladies partaking in masculine outdoor pursuits, this is unfortunately the only time I can enjoy my favourite pastime without her interference."

He granted it was not common for women to indulge in shooting arrows at rather odd targets, but it wasn't unheard of.

"I enjoy a hard ride early every morning, Trentham, as I'm sure you yourself can attest to?"

"Indeed, I do. A rather excellent way to clear one's head of unpleasant thoughts," Oscar replied.

Silence spanned the clearing as all its inhabitants looked back and forth at one another.

"I must be getting back before I am missed," Emily said as she rushed to remove her arrows from the splintered bark.

"I would be honoured to escort you back Miss Hollyford," Westwood said before Oscar had a chance to offer himself.

She nodded in reply. "That would be lovely, thank you."

Oscar knew it was a bad idea, but he was after all thinking of her reputation. Walking back to the house with two escorts rather than one would look much less compromising.

"I shall join you. I was heading back in any case."

They all knew it was probably for the best and set off on horseback towards Lilywood.

The ride back was extremely awkward and quiet. Westwood looked between Oscar and Emily a great deal, something Oscar found rather unsettling. He did not enjoy feeling as though he were under scrutiny.

Once Emily had been safely deposited inside the manor unseen by the dreaded Andrews', Oscar and Westwood walked theirs and Emily's horse to the stables.

"I hope you do not think this imprudent of me, but I would like to ask you a personal question?" Westwood said halfway to the stable.

"It depends how personal?"

"Do you have intentions where Miss Hollyford is concerned?" Westwood asked, looking directly at Oscar.

Oscar stared into the distance, his mind at war with his heart. If he said yes, that would ward off Westwood, but if word were to get back to her, she would expect something from Oscar. Something he could not give her.

"No, I do not. I am only looking out for her. We are not directly related, but she is like family to me."

Westwood nodded and not another word was said on the subject.

Oscar felt uneasy in his denial, but if she were in love with another and not easily persuaded into marriage, then surely he could feel at ease that she would not fall victim to Westwood's charms. Nor would she want Oscar himself. The thought made him feel wretched.

On his way back to the main house after handing Majestic over to his Aunt's stable boy, he came across Westwood talking with his man Hensley.

"I have delivered the letter as per your instructions, your Grace," Hensley said.

"Excellent. I want to know as soon as I get a reply."

"Yes, your Grace." Hensley bowed and set off in haste back towards the stables.

Oscar wondered what that could have been about. No doubt correspondence between him and his infamous mistress, the one he had threatened to marry on more than one occasion, much to his mother's disgust.

If the rumours were to be believed of course.