Before He Was Mine (Before Series, Book 2)

The Strength of Will & Emilia

It had been very late in the evening, or perhaps very early morning, by the time Emilia and Theo departed for Kingfield House.

Everything was prepared for Will's visit with the king in the morning. His mother would be stuffed in a carriage and sent back to Scotland to escape any possible repercussions from the crown. Will would provide several of his loyal and well-trained servants to keep an eye on her.

Not only that, but he made sure she knew what he would do if she arrived back in London. Or if she tried to interfere with his and Emilia's relationship in any way. Emilia struggled not to react as Will had explicitly explained to his mother how he would run her name through the mud in the gossip columns—or, at least one particular gossip column—if she should bother them again.

On the other hand, Trevor was finally allowed to leave Will's townhouse, but not without a few more threats of breaking bones. Emilia felt confident they wouldn't be seeing Lord Trevor for a long time. Though clearly relieved, he still appeared wary of Theo and Will as he had slunk through the front door and into the chilly night air.

Everyone else followed suit shortly after, and finally, it was Theo and Emilia's turn to step onto the streets of London to return home. There was an eery silence to the air in Mayfair, and Emilia couldn't help but shiver.

Theo placed an arm around her as they walked to their horses, who were now sleeping lazily in Will's stables. Will was still unsure of some servants' trustworthiness and had insisted on preparing Emilia's horse for her.

But Emilia declined; she knew how to saddle a horse likely better than him, and Will looked dead on his feet.

It only took a few moments for Theo and Emilia to ready their mounts. As they trotted to Kingfield House, the only sound that could be heard was the clipping of hoofs against cobblestones.

The near-silence was haunting.

Emilia's mind kept trying to fill the lack of sound with the words that had been said tonight.

She tried to shut out the insults and treason, instead focusing on the memories of Will. Of all the things he said. And he did. Emilia sighed, the thoughts filling her with nervous energy and exhaustion all at once.

She was terrified for him. And excited for them.

Emilia snuck a glance at Theo, who looked equally worn. Her poor brother had done nothing to deserve the drama he was pulled into. She made a promise to herself that she would make it up to him. Somehow.

He noticed her looking at him. "Are you alright, Emilia?"

She nodded, not trusting herself to speak as her emotions began to catch up with her.

"You've been through a lot," Theo added. "You do not always have to be strong, you know."

Emilia thought about that. "I do not feel strong, Theo. You're the one who defended me, who rescued me. You're the one who can control people with no more than a look."

Theo chuckled. "Strength isn't always about what you can do. Sometimes it is about what you do not do. And sometimes it is the person you are for others."

Emilia's brows furrowed, and she tapped her heels into her horse's sides to keep up with Major's clipped pace. "What do you mean by that?"

Theo exhaled deeply, his weariness evident. But nevertheless, he continued in his efforts to help her understand, to help her feel better.

"After everything you've been through and everything he's done, you were still there for Will tonight. He needed you, and you were strong for him,' Theo said casually, shrugging.