"I thought of that, James, but I am not getting any younger, and I think next year the girls will be even sillier when I am one year older and they are one year younger."
James nodded at this reasoning. "I can see what you are saying, milord, but I just cannot see how I can be the one to pick your wife. If you do not feel that you can wait any longer to hold out for your heart to be engaged, then ask your mother to pick. She would be in a much better position to make an appropriate choice. And if you do not make a love match, your mother will probably spend more time with your wife than you do, so she actually has a vested interest in your choice," concluded James in an attempt to lighten the situation.
"You make an excellent point, James. Unfortunately, I already asked my mother for some suggestions, and the only woman she could think of was Miss Spencer."
"Well, Miss Spencer is a fine woman, you could definitely do much worse, my lord, and you seem to enjoy her company, so what is the problem?" questioned James reasonably.
"You too, James?" exclaimed Philip in consternation. "Why does everyone think I should marry my mother’s companion?" questioned the earl pompously.
It was obvious from James’ dubious stare that he was wondering why his usually kind, intelligent employer was acting so out of character.
Philip looked back at James despairingly. "Yes, James, I am being a simpleton. Never mind, I will figure this dilemma out for myself. Maybe I should broach the subject with the king." Philip sighed and shook his head. “Did I tell you, James? His Majesty has declared himself to be the missing lady’s guardian since we have heard accusations against Ridley. He says it is to be temporary, and only to ensure the integrity of the lady’s possessions. It is wise of him, I’m sure, but now he wants us to start an inspection of the properties.” He sighed again. “I suppose it is best that you not put yourself to the task of choosing my wife. You’ll be too busy helping me with these other matters.” With that he dismissed James for the evening and settled back to think. He decided he should let the matter rest for a while. There really was no urgency to the matter of his marriage. He had waited this long; he could wait a bit longer.
Chapter Nineteen
Remembering Emily’s love of riding, Philip invited her to take a ride in the Park with him on an afternoon that had a surprisingly light list of engagements for the ladies of the house.
“I would love to go riding with you, milord. Let me run up and change. I will be with you in ten minutes,” Emily called out as she ran up the stairs.
Philip sent a footman to the mews to saddle up their mounts and bring them around. He was surprised to see Emily ready in less than ten minutes. He complimented her on her promptness.
“I have been so wishing to go riding, my lord. I didn’t want to keep you waiting and thus risk having you change your mind,” she explained with an impish grin.
Philip just laughed in delight as he lifted her up into her saddle. They rode away from the house in comfortable silence, both pleased with each other's company and enjoying the afternoon more than any in recent memory.
“Are you having a good time here in London?” Philip asked conversationally, breaking the comfortable silence between them.
“I’m having the best time!” declared Emily emphatically. “Everyone has been so nice, and Lady Clara is the best friend I could ever have. There is certainly never a dull moment here in London, that’s for sure. One would have to be a complete simpleton not to enjoy oneself.”
“I hear we are to attend the ball to mark the come out of the oldest daughter of the Duke of York tomorrow evening. That should be quite a squeeze,” commented Philip.
“Yes, apparently so. I still don’t quite understand why it’s considered a success when you can pack your house full of twice as many people as you should. It isn’t the most comfortable experience to be in such a crowd. But milady assures me it’s quite the thing, and one must be seen at all the most fashionable gatherings. And I’m sure she would say I must not admit to not enjoying myself immensely at such a gathering,” she concluded with a roll of her eyes.
Philip laughed, enjoying her company and realizing they both felt quite the same about such things. He marvelled that they seemed to see eye-to-eye on various matters. He was having a good time chatting away with Emily when he realized an older woman was staring at them and beckoning. Emily looked at him in question. “Do you know that woman waving to us?”
“Yes, that is old Lady Merrivale, she was my grandmother’s dearest friend, and she’s a huge gossip. I am sure she is wondering about you. Let’s get this over with, shall we?”
Emily turned her horse towards the older woman’s carriage, smiling serenely at the lady. Lady Merrivale’s sharp gaze focused on Emily’s face as Philip performed the introductions.
“Miss Spencer, you say,” barked the old lady loudly, being slightly deaf in one ear. “You look awfully familiar. I just can’t place where I have seen your face before. Must have known your parents, or maybe even your grandparents. But I don’t know any Spencers, are you sure that’s your name?” she demanded somewhat rudely. Clearly, she believed she knew everyone and was thus surprised to not be able to place this young lady.
Emily blushed and stammered out an acceptable answer. She was quite flustered and berating herself for so carelessly forgetting that in London she would be even more likely to have her identity discovered. She did not quite know what to say and was relieved when Philip was able to excuse them after a few moments of polite conversation.
“My apologies, Emily. Lady Merrivale prides herself on always being in the know. She keeps track of all the comings and goings of the members of theton. You must have one of those faces that people think they recognize. Remember Lady Fitzgerald at Rosemount being so convinced she knew you from somewhere, as well.”
“I certainly remember that, my lord,” Emily answered stiffly.
“Don’t let it bother you, Emily. They are just old women with nothing else to occupy their time. They will turn their mind to something else once they realize you are not whomever they think you are,” Philip consoled.
“I’m sure you are right,” Emily replied politely, as she thought with terror of what would happen if they did place where they’d seen her face before — on her mother.
Philip was sorry to see the clouds of doubt in Emily’s eyes and longed to comfort her. She was such a sweet thing, he thought with deep affection. He wished they could go for a gallop, but it was approaching the fashionable time to be in the Park, and the place was beginning to get crowded. He knew the crowds would be especially bothersome to Emily now, so he decided to quit the Park and show her some scenery outside of London.
“Come on, Emily, let’s go for a ride. You don’t have to be home for a couple more hours, right?”
“That’s right, what did you have in mind?”
“Just follow me, I’ll show you,” and he took off at a canter, quickly leaving the fashionable Park behind.
