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Chapter Twenty-Four

Em changed color. “Mama!”

Her parents are here? Deo put an arm out to steady her. When Em changed color, she had a tendency to faint, in his experience. But if her parents were here, that was a good thing. He had several things he wanted to say to her mother, but they would have to wait until he got the requisite permission from her father.

“Em—” he began, but she evaded his touch and ran out to the landing overlooking the stairs to the entrance hall. He followed. Below stood Creighton, manfully attempting to protect the entryway, but despite his experience, it seemed he was no match for Emily’s mama. A short, slightly rotund woman in a bonnet and pelisse, had barged her way into the house, followed by a man of medium height with a thickened waistline. He removed his hat, revealing a thinning crop of brown hair going grey.

“You have my daughter here! Produce her at once!” demanded Lady Efford, striking poor Creighton in the chest with her reticule.

“Madam,” said Creighton, in arctic accents, stepping back a trifle to avoid her blows, “if you will just tell me your name, I will endeavor—”

“Mama—” Emily ran down the stairs, and Deo followed at a more sedate pace.

“Emily!” This dramatic exclamation was followed by an embrace that gave the lie to Em’s tales of starvation and punishment. “My baby! Where have you been? We have been worried sick!” lamented Lady Efford.

“I’m sorry, Mama—” Emily said, emerging from her parent’s effusive embrace. This was just the sort of display of affection her mother would show in front of others, Deo surmised. He was sure that the presence of other people was all that stood between Emily and a thorough roasting.

“Lady Efford!” The door being open still, Lords Bidenden and Kenrick could be seen coming through the entrance. The hall was getting quite crowded, Deo decided.

From the balcony above, the duke said, “Drawing room, Creighton.”

Creighton bowed and said firmly, “Lady Efford, if you will step this way?”

Just at that moment, Kes appeared at the top of the stairs and with a loud bark, his ears madly flopping, lolloped down them past the duke and duchess and the Ashfords, who were also coming down the stairs. Of Smiggens and his boys there was no sign. What has Rob done with them? And who the hell let Kes out?

As Kes landed in the hallway just then, still barking and making a beeline for his legs, he didn’t have time to entertain that thought.

Lady Efford caught sight of Kes and screamed. “Help! Who let that great hound in the house?”

“Kes, heel!” he snapped, and Kes stopped cavorting and barking and sat panting at his feet.

“Drawing room!” said Creighton. “This way!” He tugged Lady Efford, and her spouse chivvied her from behind, so that she was forced in the direction of the drawing room, trailed by everyone else, including Kes.

“Thank you, Creighton,” said the duke quietly as he entered behind Deo.

“Tea, Creighton, please,” said the duchess. Creighton, who really was an excellent butler, bowed and shut the door on Kenrick, who was the last to enter. As the members in the room sorted themselves out, Kenrick leaned against the wall, crossing his arms and grinning. “This looks like it will be entertaining.”

Deo ignored the comment. Kenrick’s sense of humor was wildly inappropriate at times. Trailing a now quiet Kes, he joined Emily, who was attending to her mother, taking her bonnet and getting her seated. She was flanked, he was irritated to see, by Bidenden, who was bowing over Lady Efford’s hand.

“Lady Efford,” said the duke, coming forward, “I don’t believe you have met my wife, the Duchess of Troubridge. Sarah, this is Emily’s mama, Lady Efford, and her father, Viscount Efford. You are most welcome to our home, my lord.”

“Oh, Your Grace!” said Lady Efford, springing up and dropping into a deep curtsy. “You are most gracious. Delighted to make your acquaintance, Duchess,” she said gushingly. Deo winced internally and glanced at Em, who was looking mortified.

Emily’s father offered his hand to the duke, ignoring his wife’s effusiveness. “Thank you, Your Grace.”

“Have you met Lord and Lady Ashford?” asked Sarah diplomatically.

When those introductions were made, she added, “And Lord Kenrick Layne, my husband’s brother.”

Lady Efford inclined her head graciously and then eyed Deo. “And who is this gentleman?”

Sarah looked startled. “I assumed you were already acquainted with the Earl of Pendrell, Emily’s husband,” she said.

Deo judged it was time he took a hand in proceedings and stepped forward. “I have not had the pleasure of making Emily’s parents’ acquaintance yet. We omitted to mention that we, err, eloped!” he said awkwardly and felt himself flushing faintly.

Emily’s mama was staring up at him, stunned. “Emily, is this true?”

“Yes, Mama.” She sidled up to Deo and took his hand, which immediately made him feel better.