“Yes, we should let Philip know what we are up to, I suppose. I will write to him. You can write to Rose in London and tell her to ready the house for us to arrive in about two weeks. If Philip hasn't been there recently, things may need to be aired out and so on. Juliette can prepare us a few gowns here, and then we can visit a London modiste for more later. Two weeks should give us enough time to get ourselves ready, don’t you think?”
“Yes, my lady, we are two resourceful women with a plan. We could be ready even sooner if you so wished.”
“Let’s not rush, we will be exhausted before we even get there. We need to finish off any projects we might have unfinished and so on. Two weeks, it is.”
“Excellent, I’ll go write to Rose right now,” concluded Emily as she suited word to action.
~~~~
The next two weeks flew by for the ladies, deep in preparations, swamped in various feminine pursuits. Lady Clara arranged for one of the grooms to take Emily’s mount up to London for them. All the letters announcing their imminent arrival had been sent, Philip had been informed, all was in readiness. Before they knew it, the ladies found themselves bundled into the carriage early one morning for the arduous journey to London.
As was the case when they travelled from Yorkleigh to Rosemount, Emily could barely keep her nose off the glass as they commenced their journey. She finally remembered that she was supposed to be the companion and tore herself away from the passing scenery to devote herself to entertaining the countess. They passed several enjoyable hours playing games and reading aloud before Lady Clara nodded off to sleep with the swaying of the carriage. Emily exchanged an amused look with Smitty when the countess began to softly snore before she again pressed her face to the window in her excitement over the journey. She lost herself in pleasant conjecture of all the amusements they would find in the capital.
She was consumed with curiosity over the monarch and worry over her own future. How would he receive her when she finally revealed herself? Would he help her with her problems or would he condemn her for her cowardice and the trouble she had apparently caused? Worry gnawed at her mind and heart.
Her nerves felt slightly frayed from excitement and anxiety when they finally clattered to a stop in front of the magnificent townhouse belonging to the Earldom of Yorkleigh late that evening. Excitement again came to the fore in her seesawing emotions as the footmen rushed to open the door and let down the stairs. Darkness had already fallen. In the glow of the lanterns, she couldn’t see all that much but was awed by all that her eyes touched upon in the dim light.
Philip was in residence and was watching from an upper window, unbeknownst to Emily and Clara. He felt his gut tighten in reaction to the joy apparent on Emily’s upturned face as she gazed about her in fascination. He could watch her expressive face all day, he realized. He shook his head in resignation as he let the curtain drop and turned away to greet the countess and her companion. He hurried from the room and dashed down the stairs before he realized how undignified that was and laughed ruefully at his own foolishness.
Lady Clara was drooping with fatigue from the long trip to town and was leaning a bit heavily on Emily as they ascended into the house. When they reached the top of the stairs the butler stepped forward and took the countess’ outstretched hand.
“Welcome, home, my lady,” the butler intoned formally but fervently. A few of the other upper servants had also waited up for their arrival and stepped forward to greet their mistress and be introduced to Miss Spencer. Smitty continued upstairs to the countess’ chamber with some of the baggage.
Philip stepped forward to greet them and both women started with surprise. Lady Clara was delighted to see her son, but Emily was deeply dismayed. She felt the strain of trying to keep her feelings to herself; but in her exhaustion it was difficult. She performed a deep curtsy, which wobbled at the end. Philip laughed at her for her foolishness and ordered her to bed immediately. Lady Clara excused her fatigue, explaining to Philip that it was impossible for Emily to sleep during the journey since she was always too excited. The ladies bade each other a fond goodnight and Emily was gratefully shown to her room while mother and son shared a nightcap.
“What are you doing here, you scamp?” demanded the fond mama. “I thought you were off adventuring, searching for the missing heiress.”
“I was. Unfortunately, there is no trace of the poor damsel. Foul play is beginning to be suspected. The viscount is keeping whatever he knows to himself, and the entire staff is terrified of him. We can’t get any information from anyone. One servant came forward, despite her terror of Lord Edwin. She was the lady’s old nurse and her fondness for her old charge overcame her worry for herself. She said Edwin had taken the lady to Bedlam. Upon investigation, though, no trace can be found there of Lady Emmaline, so either the nurse was mistaken or the lady disappeared from there. There was a woman there who ran away and it seems Ridley is involved but we have no proof of his guilt nor any trace of the woman.” Philip heaved a deep sigh of disappointment. “It’s tragic, really. The lady would have reached the age of receiving her inheritance very soon. She would be free of her guardian and safe, if Ridley truly is the villain in this piece. His Majesty was very fond of the young lady’s father and is disappointed not to be able to fulfil his wishes. I’m to keep searching, but not much hope is being held out that we’ll find the young woman since no trace can be found of her.”
Lady Clara clicked her tongue in sympathy before turning the subject. “Philip, my dear, I’ve been thinking,” she began. Philip just raised his brows in question at her. She continued, “I think we should provide Emily with a dowry.”
“What? Whatever for?” demanded the earl in surprise.
“There is clearly more to her than meets the eye,” explained the countess. “She is being wasted at Rosemount as my companion. I have grown so fond of her these past months and feel this is the best thing for her. I shall surely miss her, but she will make some lord a grand lady. She is made to preside over a household and raise babies. I couldn’t bear to see her shrivel up into an old maid alone with me.” Lady Clara’s tears gathered and threatened to tumble down her cheeks at the melancholy thought.
Lord Philip as always could not bear the sight of tears, but he balked at the thought of Emily being married off. “Let’s wait and see, Mama. She is still very young, why don’t you enjoy her company for a few years, then we will consider marrying her off.”
“Her prospects won’t be nearly as good if she has been seen for years as my paid companion. She would only be approached by widowers with a passel of brats that need raising. If we present her as our young friend and go about socializing together, she will have a better chance of finding someone who will care about her,” reasoned her ladyship.
“But we care about her,” insisted Philip belligerently. He realized he was being unreasonable, considering his own conflicted feelings on the matter of Miss Spencer. “Let me think about it,” he capitulated.
“Excellent. I know you will do what is right. Now I need to be abed. Sleep well.” Lady Clara went off to bed happy that she had planted the idea in his head. Emily wasn’t a servant anymore and Philip needed to realize that she was a candidate for marriage. She almost rubbed her hands together in anticipation of the entertainment ahead.
Chapter Sixteen
The next day dawned brightly. Emily was up and about at her usual time and regretted not finding out what the morning routine was at the townhouse. She hesitated to awaken Lady Clara knowing she had stayed up late talking with Lord Philip the night before. She wasn’t sure if she should go in search of a breakfast room, and she dreaded running into Philip with her nerves still feeling a bit raw. Finally, her hunger won out so she rang for a maid. The maid told her that breakfast was being served in the dining room that morning and that his lordship was already there breaking his fast. Emily was welcome to join him. The maid then informed her that Lady Clara usually had a tray brought to her room while she was in London, since they usually kept such late nights here. Emily thanked the girl politely before closing her door.
She sat at her dressing table to arrange her hair after dressing and contemplated her reflection. “So what are you going to do, my girl?” she asked her reflection. “Only a total coward would stay here and starve.” She smiled at herself bravely before grabbing a shawl and descending the grand staircase. A footman showed her to the dining room. She took a deep breath and entered the room. Lord Philip was still at the table finishing his coffee and reading the morning paper. He stood politely when Emily entered the room.
“Good morning, Miss Spencer. I trust you slept well, you look much restored this morning.”
“Good morning, my lord. Don’t you realize it’s very badtonto comment on the fact that a lady wasn’t looking quite the thing last night?” she teased.
Lord Philip laughed and continued, “You’ve obviously fully recovered if you’re back to correcting me at every turn.”
Emily blushed profusely and turned to the sideboard to survey the morning selections. She didn’t have an answer handy, and she dreaded sitting at the table with him. One of the footmen helped her to her seat and poured her a cup of tea. She thanked him with a smile and tucked into her food. Despite her jangling nerves, she was hungry and was determined not to let his lordship’s presence deter her from eating. She could sense his eyes upon her, but she valiantly ignored him until the worst of her hunger was assuaged. She then turned inquiring eyes upon him.
“Did you wish to say something, my lord?” she asked politely.
