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Ridley Manor
Lord Maximillian Woolfe was pacing rhythmically in front of the large oak desk behind which sat the viscount idly sipping from a fine crystal tumbler with an unattractively amused sneer upon his face.
"Why didn't you shut her up in a more permanent manner? It's not like you to be so squeamish," demanded Lord Max with a scornful curl to his lips.
"Before you get on your high horse about which of us did not do an adequate job, I'm not the one who used my own name when I dropped my 'maid' off at Bedlam," countered the viscount sneeringly, as he took another swig of the old marquis' fine port.
"I can't believe the little trollop managed to escape. You have to give her credit for being a sneaky little wench. Such a pity she refused my attentions, it would have been such pleasure to try to tame the wretched shrew," the reprehensible Max said with a far off look as though he were enjoying the contemplation of just that pleasure. "Where do you suppose she went?"
"I have no idea, nor do I give a rat’s behind as long as she stays gone. I have been informed that if she does not turn up before one month past her birthday, all her assets shall be absorbed by the Crown. We have to figure out how to liquidate as much of those assets as possible so that they can be absorbed by us instead of crazy old George," pronounced Ridley greedily as he rubbed his hands together in anticipation of taking possession of his cousin's wealth.
"How are we going to manage it with that interfering Earl of Yorkleigh forever under foot, putting his nose in business which is none of his concern?" whined Woolfe plaintively.
"Now who's being squeamish?" demanded Ridley contemptuously. "There's always a way," he reminded as they set to scheming. "We just have to make sure the earl and the King cannot find the alterations we'll make in the books. As the little witch's guardian, I have the right to view the accounts. We need to go back to the other estates and get started right away. We'll start at Westland since you already proved they're the easiest lot to deal with."
After they had discussed the matter at great length, Lord Woolfe pondered contemplatively, "What do you suppose would happen to us if the King ever found out what we're doing?"
With a slight shudder and an evil grin Ridley replied, "Let's not find out, eh? You have a contact that might be interested in some horseflesh, right? My cousin the marquis always kept a fine stable, let’s start there, and then move on to the accounts and rents. The important thing to remember is discretion. We absolutely do not want King George or any of his peons catching wind of what we’re doing.”
“You got that right,” affirmed Max vehemently as he agreed with the viscount’s plan to procure them all the wealth they lusted after. He then had another evil thought. “Maybe we should make sure the nurse can’t share her crazy ideas with anyone else. And while we’re at it, the warden at the hospital could be taken care of, too.”
“That would have been a good idea before, but now it would just cause more questions. Better leave well enough alone. It’s better to concentrate on the money while we still have some time,” concluded Ridley, his greedy scheme uppermost in his mind.
“Fine, let’s leave for Westland tomorrow,” decided Lord Woolfe as he stopped his pacing and stepped out of the library to set their plans in motion.
Chapter Fifteen
Over the weeks following the house party, while Philip and James were traipsing all over England, the countess and her companion drifted into a comfortable pattern. Emily would assist the countess with her personal correspondence, as well as keeping her company throughout the day. They continued to keep in touch with the families who had visited during the house party, with the exception of the Sedgelys from whom the only word they had received was a tersely worded message of thanks soon after they had returned home.
When she was not occupied with Lady Clara, Emily spent time each day in the library, the garden, and the stables. Lady Clara busied herself with visiting the few tenants on the estate. Emily accompanied her on many of these visits and ended up adding the tenants to the list of her admirers. The other servants at Rosemount debated the issue as to what it was they liked about the young woman. Mrs. Parks was the one who finally summed it up: "She's Quality. That's all there is to it. She may have a questionable background, but it's obvious she's genuine Quality." They had all grown fond of her and her gracious, kind ways.
As the days turned into weeks despite how much she was enjoying life at Rosemount, Emily continued to be troubled by the problems of her past and the feeling that she was living a deception. She was chafing under the idea that she was hiding. Her parents had always taught her that she needed to confront her problems head on, not hide from them. She felt impotent, though, in the face of the power wielded by her guardian and feared his discovery of her whereabouts while he still had the power to control her. After endless mental struggling and debates within herself she decided that keeping herself safe until coming of age wasn’t an act of cowardice; it would actually be foolhardy to jeopardize her entire future instead of just waiting it out.
She spent many hours contemplating how she would find an audience with the king when the time came to hand her problems over to the sovereign. She realized she would have to get to London somehow. She was determined to be content for the time being but couldn't help moments of melancholy as she contemplated the unnecessary complications in her life.
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Despite the fact that Lady Clara had been enjoying her stay at Rosemount more than she ever had in years and attributed her peacefulness to Emily’s presence, she was getting restless once more and decided a change of scenery would be just the thing to put a spring back in her step. She truly enjoyed the company of the young woman who had become her companion, but nothing in life had been the same since her dear husband had died, and she grew restless easily. Lady Clara decided she wanted to move again. She was in the small salon working her needlepoint with Emily when she broached the subject that had been on her mind of late as the summer had faded into fall, and winter was fast approaching.
“Emily, my dear, I’ve been thinking,” she commenced.
“Not too hard, I hope,” teased Emily with a smile.
“No, you imp, I want no disrespect from you! Be serious,” chided the countess. “I have been thinking we ought to go up for the Season. It has been delightful here these weeks and months with you, but I think I’m getting a bit bored of Rosemount for now. Let’s go see the sights of London. There is so much that I would like to show you. It shall be new once more for me seeing it through your eyes. You are always so enthusiastic about everything. I think you are bored, too. You lapse into these silences and have such a sad look in your eyes at times. What do you say? Maybe we’ll even find ourselves a couple of beaux.”
Emily turned bright eyes upon the countess. “London! Oh, I would love to see London! How exciting. But I too have been enjoying our time here; I have not been bored at all, my lady,” she assured her employer before continuing with great enthusiasm. “Will we get to see some plays, and walk in the parks, and shop in all the stores I have only ever heard about?” She paused a moment to contain her excitement before continuing to put words to her dearest wish. “And see the king?” she whispered reverentially.
The countess laughed, delighted by Emily’s enthusiasm, and agreed to all that Emily suggested. The two women then began to make their plans. The countess called one of the footmen in to take a note round to Juliette.
“We will need some fresh gowns so as not to put ourselves to shame as country bumpkins, you know, my dear.”
The women giggled together as they looked through the fashion plates Juliette had left the last time she was there, picking styles they thought would be appropriate for the city. Emily didn’t know what was fashionable among theton, but as always her sense of style came to their aid. Lady Clara was so pleased to see the sparkle of interest back in Emily’s face. She had begun to worry about her young friend since she had become so quiet as of late. But now the two chattered away happily, thinking of all the entertainments there would be available to them when they reached the capital. Lady Clara realized they should let her friends know they’re coming so they would have invitations waiting for them upon their arrival. Emily decided they should tell the Waddells, Eastwicks, and Fitzgeralds that they would be coming, too.
“You are going to love London, Emily,” the countess declared.
“I think we will be wishing for Rosemount’s quiet before too much time spent in London, from the sounds of it,” spoke Emily wisely. “But I’m sure we are going to have fun while we exhaust ourselves.” After another laugh together, Emily asked some more practical questions. “When shall I tell the housekeeper of the London house to expect us? Should we notify his lordship of our intentions?”
