Chapter One
Something was notright.
Unrest flittered in Emiline Langston’s stomach, pricking the hairs on the back of her neck as her carriage rocked to a halt outside the family’s two-story townhouse. Servants scampered from the house, carrying trunks as they loaded them on a coach.
Curiosity and determination to discover what was going on enveloped her as panic settled in her chest. She gave her hand to the footman as he helped her down from her carriage, and then headed toward the front door. Several soldiers stood guard near the white wraparound porch as if they expected trouble at any moment. They eyed her warily until she walked closer, and then their postures relaxed a bit. She was used to being watched closely, since her uncle was lord chancellor, but today’s display of guards greatly unnerved her.
After striding into the house, she tugged on the ties of her bonnet to loosen them. “Can someone explain to me why there are so many soldiers outside?” she asked as two of the servants rushed by.
“My Lady Sarah.” The housekeeper scampered toward Emiline from the parlor. “Thank the Lord you are back, but you must make haste. There is no time to lose.”
Inwardly, Emiline cringed. Lately, she had been so sick of people using her first name instead of her middle name, Emiline—the very name her mother used to call her. But then again,since dreaming of her mother last night and how Emmie missed her, how could she not become nostalgic?
“I don’t understand why—” Her words were interrupted when the housekeeper hooked an arm around her elbow, whisking Emmie up the stairs toward her bedroom. As they passed by the first two guest rooms, the servants rushed around inside, shoving clothes into trunks.
Emmie glanced at Hester, still pulling her along. Lines of worry etched the older woman’s round face at the corners of her eyes and mouth. A sheen of moisture touched the servant’s forehead.
“Hester, I beg you, please tell me what is amiss.” Emmie glanced into another room and saw the same chaos. “Why is everyone so panicked?”
As they reached Emmie’s room, Hester stepped inside first, heading directly to the armoire. Already three trunks sat open on the bed. Emmie couldn’t understand why they needed to leave. She and her father had only arrived from Paris five days earlier to stay for the summer.
“My lady, your family is in great danger. A threat has been made against your uncle and his family. Your father fears for your life.”
Emmie slowly removed her bonnet as she tried to absorb the housekeeper’s words. She didn’t approve of what her uncle had been doing all of these years. In her opinion, he should stop trying to control people’s lives. But would those people really harm his entire family?
Hester fanned her red face. “Mobs are forming as we speak. They want to punish all of the lord chancellor’s relatives.”
Terror climbed through Emmie’s body, clutching her heart. “Are Father and I returning to Paris, then?”
“No, unfortunately. Because your father has duties here in North Devon, he will stay and protect the family’s estates, but he is sending you to Greenwich.”
“What?” Emmie shrieked. “Why there? That is at least a half-day’s journey.”
Hester took a gown from the armoire, carefully folded it, and laid it in the trunk with trembling hands. “Some of your father’s friends live there—Mr. and Mrs. Crampton.”
Recollections of her father telling her about the Cramptons flitted through her mind. Her father probably hadn’t seen them since her mother died fifteen years ago. “Do they know I’m coming?”
“Yes, my lady. Just this morning, your father sent a messenger to send them a telegram.”
Footsteps pounded on the floor down the hallway. Emmie swung toward the door just as her lady’s maid ran into the room. Strands of her dark brown hair had escaped her mop cap and clung to her pale cheeks.
She did a quick curtsy. “Lady Sarah, your father instructed me just now that we are to have you packed and on your way within the hour.”
Impossible!There was no way they would have her packed that quickly. “Then there is no time to stand around and converse.” Emmie marched to another armoire, swung open the doors, and started yanking out gowns. “I shall help pack.” Glancing over her shoulder, she peered at her maid. “Anna, I suggest you start on those drawers in the corner.”
“Yes, my lady.”
To some servants, seeing Emmie packing her own trunks might seem out of character for the daughter—an only child—of an earl. Still, Lady Sarah Emiline Langston had always been different. As a child, they could only afford a few servants, so she learned to do things herself. Two years after her mother died andher father had been given the title, Emmie had more servants than she needed. Having a father with a new title changed everything, it seemed. She missed doing things with him, just the two of them.
With a wistful sigh, she recalled when they used to go sailing. He had taught her everything about commanding a boat. How she had loved sailing, only because it made her feel so powerful—so in control of her own life. Her father had even taught her how to ride a horse. She had entered many horse races as a child and won ribbons. As she grew to be a young lady, it was unheard of for a mature girl to compete in horse races, which saddened her greatly. At that point in her life, her father had become more political and couldn’t find time for his daughter.
Heavier footsteps thudded up the hallway and stopped at the door. She knew who it was before looking his way. Her father’s presence commanded attention, no matter where he traveled or whom he encountered.
Emmie glanced over her shoulder and met her father’s stare. “I’m almost packed.”
He glanced at the housekeeper. “Will you give me a private moment with my daughter?”
“Yes, my lord.” Hester curtsied and hurried out.
