Anna turned to follow the other servant, but Emmie’s father touched her arm. “I would like for you to stay.”
“As you wish.” Anna curtsied, too.
After he closed the door, he strode closer, his arms folded over his massive chest. He was a large man and not one to be trifled with. Worry lines creased his forehead and around his mouth. It seemed he had aged several years since Emmie had visited with him this morning. Definitely, the strain from the recent upset had taken its toll.
“Father, what is amiss?”
For a few long and awkward moments, he stood in silence. Finally, he cleared his throat. “I have a wild idea, and I need both of you to do something for me.”
Emmie exchanged glances with Anna before she returned her focus to her father. “What is it?”
“Where I’m sending you, there are many people who loathe your uncle. They would rather cause mayhem and make others miserable than try to find peace.”
Emmie frowned. “Do you blame them, Father? Uncle Edward isn’t very wise—”
“Please,” he interrupted, holding up a hand. “Let me finish.”
Nodding, she kept her mouth closed—and her opinions to herself.
“Because it’s hard to decipher who exactly is sending this threat against our family, I cannot trust those I don’t know. It is for that reason I’m sending you to my friends, Henry and Martha Crampton. But because I don’t trust their neighbors, I cannot have my daughter in danger with me so far away.” He took a deep breath. “Because of that, I have formulated a plan that only we three will know about.” He looked at Anna. “Before you reach Greenwich, you both will switch roles. Anna, you will become Lady Sarah”—he met Emmie’s wide eyes—“and you, my darling daughter, will be Lady Sarah’s maid.”
Slowly, Emmie shook her head, not quite comprehending the idea. “You want us to switch places?”
“Yes. Just while you are staying with Mr. and Mrs. Crampton.”
“But will they not realize we are fooling them?”
“No.” He stepped closer and stroked her cheek lovingly. “Mr. and Mrs. Crampton have never met you. If you and Anna play your parts precisely, my friends will never know of the deception.” He motioned his head toward Anna. “You and your maid are only a few months apart in age. You both have brownhair and blue eyes. During your carriage ride, you can instruct Anna on how she needs to act.”
“Oh, my lord,” Anna said quickly, her voice raised in excitement. “Lady Sarah doesn’t need to instruct me. I have been her maid for several years. I know how the daughter of an earl is required to act.”
He smiled wide. “Splendid. Then I shall need you to instruct my daughter how to act like a servant.” He glanced back at Emmie and winked. “I fear my daughter has been pampered these past several years.”
Inwardly, Emmie growled. She was quite certain she wouldnotneed lessons. “Father, forgive me for voicing my opinions, but I cannot act as a maid. It’s just not done. I would be expected to know how to do things. I will certainly mess up and then cause suspicion.”
“Hmm…” He nodded and rubbed his chin. “I do see your point. All right, then, instead of Lady Sarah’s maid, you shall be her companion. I’m quite certain Mr. and Mrs. Crampton will have a maid to tend to Lady Sarah while you are there.”
Without being able to stop herself, Emmie snorted a laugh. “A lady’s companion? Truly, Father, I’m not old enough to play that role.”
“On the contrary, my dear. Not all lady’s companions are old. We will tell Mr. and Mrs. Crampton that you are Lady Sarah’s poor relative, and you have been her companion for three years now. You will not be required to do all the duties of a maid, and you shall have more freedom to do other things when you are not with Lady Sarah.”
Emmie kept quiet as she considered her father’s idea. The more she thought, the more she realized this just might work. “All right. I believe I can handle being a lady’s companion.”
“Splendid.” He kissed his daughter’s forehead. “Now that is all settled, I will have only a few soldiers following you duringyour journey. They will follow until you are close to my friend’s estate.”
Her heart sank. “But… would the soldiers not draw attention to us if they are following?”
He shook his head. “I shall instruct them not to follow too closely.” He took his daughter’s hands and squeezed. “I believe your journey will go smoothly. When you reach Greenwich, I want you to enjoy yourself. Think of this as a holiday, if you will. Try not to worry about your papa or your uncle.”
Emmie’s heart clenched, and she frowned. “That is asking a lot of me. I cannot help but worry about you.” Her uncle, however, she would love to forget completely.
Her father pushed his fingers through his graying black hair. “My dear little Emmie, you worry entirely too much about me.”
“Father, it’s hard not to.” Tears pricked her eyes. “I don’t want to lose you like we lost Mother.”
“Nonsense. Your mother was killed by a pirate ship.”
“Exactly. What if they are part of the same group who despise Uncle Edward?”
