Philip had Emily sit by the fire before he began to pace in front of her. She watched him go back and forth before her for a moment until she could bear it no longer. “My lord, what is it? Is something wrong with the countess? You are making me dreadfully nervous. Please, tell me what happened, what did you want to talk to me about?”
Philip realized he was being foolish and dropped to his knee beside Emily’s chair. Grasping her hand he contritely answered her, “No, no, nothing is wrong, I’m sorry to scare you. I’m just nervous about what I have to say. I’ve never done this before, you know, so I just don’t know how to begin.”
At that uninformative remark, Emily had had enough. “If you don’t tell me what’s going on right now, Lord Yorkleigh, I think I’m going to have to box your ears,” she mock threatened.
It was exactly the right thing to say for it made Philip laugh and got him past his nerves. “Aw, Miss Spencer, you’re such a dainty little thing, aren’t you?” he teased. He took a steadying breath, grasped her hand even tighter and commenced.
“Miss Spencer, Emily, my dear, ever since I’ve known you, I’ve greatly enjoyed your company. We agree on most subjects and debate admirably those we don’t agree upon. I find I don’t want to spend the rest of my life without you in it. I’ve grown to love you most deeply, Emily. Will you do me the honour of becoming my countess?”
Throughout his declaration Emily’s eyes had grown huge as her face paled. She was shocked by his proposal and blurted out the first thing that came to her mind. “But you think of me as a maid. Isn't it beneath your dignity to marry the hired help?” she asked in self defensive disgust.
“No, I don’t, Emily, I promise. I think you are Emily Spencer, the owner of my heart,” he declared sincerely. “I realize in the past I’ve seemed to be hung up on rank and position. I know that’s why I fought my attraction to you for so long. But I’ve realized how foolish that is. Say yes, Emily, say you’ll marry me.”
Emily felt tears threatening to fall as she realized how deeply she wanted to say yes. But she was terrified. She had heard him talking to his mother and was convinced he was friends with her guardian. If not friends, they were involved in some way, and as such, she couldn’t trust him. But she loved him so much despite all that! What was a girl to do?
Philip was surprised to see tears spilling from her eyes. “Why are you crying? I hope these are happy tears,” he joked nervously. She was trying to frame a reply when there was a sharp knock on the door and a footman burst into the room.
“Not now, can you not see we’re occupied?” demanded Philip curtly.
The footman blushed but stood his ground. “I am deeply sorry, my lord, but it’s urgent. The king has sent a messenger; you’re to come quickly. He said it’s about the Lady Emmaline and Lord Ridley.”
Philip cursed foully, causing Emily to blush before he apologized profusely. He dismissed the footman with the words, “I’ll be there in a minute, have the messenger wait.”
He turned to Emily and said, “I’m so sorry, Emily, this is such rotten timing. I must go see to His Majesty. There must be some new development.”
Emily was intrigued, momentarily forgetting why she was in the library in the first place. She had a sense that her future was hanging in the balance. “Who are Lady Emmaline and Lord Ridley?” she questioned, while watching him searchingly.
“It’s this matter I’ve been looking into for the king. Lady Emmaline is the missing marchioness everyone was so concerned about discussing during the house party, remember? And Lord Ridley is her louse of a guardian. That is to say he was her guardian. During the search we’ve discovered he is wholly unworthy of that position and the king has taken it upon himself to be the lady’s guardian. It’s all for naught though since we cannot find a trace of the lady in question.”
Philip heaved a deep sigh of frustration before he took Emily’s hands again, drawing her to him. He cupped her cheek and looked deeply into her eyes, noting the confusion swimming there but misinterpreting the source. He lightly brushed her lips with his own and said, “I’m so sorry to have to leave you like this; you haven’t even given me an answer yet." He laughed ruefully. "Now you will have some time to think about it. I will be back as soon as I can.” He then swept her into his arms for a deeper embrace before setting her back on her feet and striding briskly from the room.
Emily stood there in stunned silence needing to reassess all she thought she knew and debating what her next course of action should be. Clearly, the earl needed to be told the truth about her past before she could accept his proposal. She really needed to gain access to the king, she thought fiercely. She stood in the middle of the library debating the issue with herself for long moments before she snapped her fingers with a decisive nod and strode from the room in search of the countess.
Lady Clara was still in her chamber, propped up in bed with a tray, gazing off into space when Emily tapped on the door and stepped into the room.
“I was just thinking about you,” she said with a smile.
“Lady Clara, I need your help. Philip has asked me to be his countess; I hope that’s acceptable to you,” she started, realizing the countess too did not know the truth about her history and might not take well to the idea of a lowborn daughter-in-law.
“Of course, my dear, I’m delighted to have you in the family. You're one of the few young women I won't mind becoming the dowager for. But you seemed rather urgent when you stepped in here, what’s the matter?”
“I need to see the king and clear up a few matters before I can accept your son’s proposal. And I need to tell you a few things.” Emily embarked on her tale while the countess listened in silence with widening eyes. “So I need to see the king right away,” she concluded. “Can you help me do that?”
Lady Clara remained silent for a few heartbeats. She wasn't actually terribly surprised given all she knew about Emily. She was a little startled to realize who had been acting as her companion over the last few months, but after giving the matter some thought she gave a decisive nod. “Yes, my dear, I can help you. You must change. Let’s go to your room and see what’s appropriate. And I think speed is of the utmost importance at this point.”
They proceeded to Emily’s room and rifled through her wardrobe. They finally decided on the appropriate gown and jewellery, dressed Emily’s hair carefully, grabbed a wrap, and called for the carriage.
“Won’t you come with me, milady? I don’t know if I can bear to go through this on my own.”
“No, Emily, I do believe you have to face this squarely by yourself, I cannot come. But you won’t be alone; Philip should be with His Majesty.”
“Will they be quite angry, do you suppose?” Emily questioned nervously.
“His Majesty will be delighted, I’m sure. Philip, on the other hand, may be a bit put out that you didn’t confide in him, but I have no doubt he will be fair minded enough to allow you to explain yourself. It’ll be fine. I’ve sent a groom ahead requesting the royal audience, so you should be permitted access to the royal presence. Don’t worry, and don’t forget to smile, the king has a soft spot for beautiful young women,” reminded the countess kindly while squeezing her hand in farewell.
Emily felt her anxiety rising the closer they got to the palace. She had not been formally presented to the king and his queen, and here she was seeking an audience.Have I run mad?she questioned herself fiercely. Knowing there was a chance Edwin would be there tripled the butterflies swarming in her belly. Knowing Philip would be there helped to quell them slightly, but he too would no doubt be shocked by her presence.What a mess it all is, she thought rather desperately as the carriage pulled to a halt in front of the imposing edifice that was St. James Palace.
~~~~
