“I had meant to leave everything to him when I decided to marry and live in England. But now…” He bent to retrieve an object that stood out amidst the soot covered rubble because of its rounded edges. Even though it must have rained a few times since the fire, the water had failed to wash away the grime that lay thick on the ground. Above, where Griffin had once made his home, was nothing but a view of the clear blue sky.
He turned the item over in his hands and considered the chipped enamel which had once depicted a colorful garden where a lady walked arm in arm with a gentleman. Now, only hints of the image peeked out from beneath shades of gray. Inhaling deeply, Griffin turned the key that protruded from the back of what had once been a music box. It had been made with the added purpose of hiding jewelry, the inside lined with a vibrant red velvet that appeared to be oddly intact when Griffin tipped open the lid. The tune the pins were designed to play filled the air with a lyrical sound as the metal comb inside the mechanism slid over each individual one.
“I can fix this,” he said, more to himself than to Christoph. When he’d left England, it had been with every intention of selling whatever remained of the property, even if it was nothing more than a plot of land. But now, being here and seeing it for himself, having visited Edvard and been reminded of his loyalty, Griffin felt the need to stick with his initial plan. The plan he’d had before he’d learned of the fire.
He turned to Christoph. “I want to rebuild the shop and leave it for Edvard to manage.”
Christoph tilted his head and studied Griffin with the assessing gaze of a man who was not the least bit surprised by such an idea. “How can I help?”
Griffin blew out a breath. Helping his friend pay off a gambling debt years ago when they’d first met by teaching him how to improve his card play was now paying off. “I must return to England, so if you can oversee the project, I would be eternally grateful.”
Christoph grinned. “I’ve waited a long time for this moment, Griffin. You’ve always refused my help before, but I finally have a chance to repay my debt.”
“You’ve done so repeatedly throughout the years by giving me your friendship and your advice.” Griffin pondered the logistics for a moment, then added, “I’ll give you ten percent of the business in return.”
“That’s really not necessary.”
“Yes, it is.” When Christoph prepared to speak once again, Griffin said, “I insist.”
Emily had remainedat Montvale for the duration of the house party, but her mood had not been the best for keeping company with others. She’d missed Griffin terribly and continued to suffer from the void created by his absence. Not even Mary’s suggestion that Emily help with some of the baking had lifted her spirits. Only the children managed to do so a little as they reenacted parts of their play with loud animal sounds and ridiculous gestures.
She’d regretted her lack of enthusiasm during their first performance, but the news of Griffin’s departure had been so fresh on her mind, she’d found it impossible to focus. Hence, she’d encouraged the children to remind her of what a lion sounded like or how zebras whinnied until everyone else was exhausted by the noise. Even Cassandra, who never minded the children’s antics, had started looking put out.
But Emily was now back in London with her parents and sister. Her mother had barely removed her bonnet upon their arrival before she’d proceeded to plan the coming weeks. Besides visits to the modiste where not only a wedding gown but an entire trousseau would be ordered, Emily was going to have to decide on a menu for the wedding breakfast, create a guest list, and send out invitations. None of these chores appealed, but she knew they mattered to her mother and to the dowager duchess, so Emily pushed herself to participate with as much enthusiasm as she could muster.
“You are so incredibly lucky,” Laura informed her during the second evening of their stay in London. She’d found Emily hiding in the library which was one room in the house where their mother rarely set foot.
Emily put down the engineering book she’d been reading. It had been her grandfather’s and was therefore slightly outdated, but the section on cogs and gears provided her with some information that would hopefully give her a better understanding of Griffin’s interests. She regarded her sister as she approached and sat down across from her on the sofa.
“I know,” Emily murmured.
“Do you? Really?”
The urgency with which she posed the question gave Emily pause. She tilted her head. “I believe so, but I get the feeling that you do not think that I do.”
Laura flopped back against the seat cushion with a sigh. “Griffin is everything a woman might dream of in a husband. He will be yours, Emily, albeit with some delay, but yours nonetheless. Yet you have been moping about since the day he left as if the world might be ending.” She frowned while giving Emily the most direct perusal she’d ever been subjected to by her sister. “It’s not fair to those of us who are struggling to make even a half decent match.”
Emily blinked. “What?”
“You and I have not been in touch much these past six years. Granted, you are four years older than I, but we are still sisters. And although I will agree that Mama made life much more difficult for you, it has not been so easy for me either. Especially since I have very few friends and invariably end up without a dance partner when I attend balls.”
Emily sucked in a breath. Laura was a wallflower too and she, self-obsessed woman that she was, had failed to realize it. She’d been so caught up in her own wants and needs, she’d neglected to notice that her sister might not be coping with Society as well as she’d thought.
“But you’re so beautiful,” Emily murmured. She shook her head, incredulous. “I cannot believe there are gentlemen in England who aren’t vying for your attention.”
“Only fortune hunters.”
“But why?” It made little sense.
“I think,” Laura said, her voice low and hesitant, “that you might have something to do with it.”
Emily’s mouth dropped open. She straightened in her seat. “You mean to tell me that after all these years my decision to move to Clearview still hangs over your head?”
“There are those who believe you’ve been living in sin.” This last bit was said so quietly, Emily had to strain in order to hear her.
Georgina had alluded to this, but Emily had thought it an exaggeration and a means by which to secure her marriage to Griffin at the time. Had she known…what would she have done? Whatcouldshe have done? She wasn’t quite sure. The repercussions of the hasty decision she’d once made had left a mark that she’d been unaware of.
“When I marry Griffin,” Emily told Laura carefully, “this family will be related to the Duke and Duchess of Camberly. I can only promise you when that happens, I will use whatever influence I have to make sure you’re accepted by thetonand that you are given every chance you need to meet the gentleman of your dreams.” Because one thing was certain, Laura deserved to be happy.
