Page 32 of An Arranged Marriage with a Cruel Earl
Chapter 12
Emmeline frowned as she walked down to the drawing room. She had noticed a coach in the carriage path, and for a moment, her heart had leapt, thinking that Stanley and Rebecca had finally arrived, possibly with Starlight, her beloved horse. But when she narrowed her gaze, she realised it wasn’t the mail coach that would bring her servants, but a private carriage instead.
Lady Rilendale might be expecting visitors,she told herself firmly. After just a week at Rilendale, she still had no real idea of the comings and goings in the house.
She walked towards the stairs and as she did so, the sound of voices floated up to her. She tensed as Andrew’s voice cut through the chatter. His voice, with its distinctively clipped accent and deep, resonant tone, sent a flush to her cheeks, though she could not have explained why. She stood rooted to the spot, her heart quickening as the sound of approaching footsteps grew nearer.
“...and it’s been so many years since we last paid a visit. We have no idea what to expect...” A woman’s voice remarked. It was a refined, low voice and Emmeline’s stomach turned queasy. The voice reminded her of the women of theTonwho had scared her the most, the sleek, groomed ones who had every hair in place and seemed to know all the little fashionable things to say and do.
“Lydia, it is all in order. I assure you that Grandma will recognise you right away.”
“Good. Good,” A man’s voice said seriously.
Emmeline’s frown deepened and then as she was about to walk to the drawing room, two visitors reached the top flight of stairs and looked directly at her. Andrew spoke.
“Emmeline! We have some unexpected callers.” His voice was tense, and Emmeline picked up on it immediately. It was a little higher pitched and lacked that resonant tone. “May I introduce you to my cousin, Lord Epworth, and his sister, Miss Randell?”
“Pleased to meet you, my lord. Miss Randell,” Emmeline murmured, dipping into a curtsey. She glanced at the two visitors as she straightened up again. Lord Epworth was tall, though not quite as towering as Andrew, with the same dark hair and sharp features. His chin was morepronounced, and his eyes were a deep, probing dark. They regarded her with a shrewd intelligence. She looked down uncomfortably. Something about his gaze disconcerted her a little, though she could not have said what.
Her gaze shifted to the lady who stood beside him. She wore a very rich, very fashionable, red gown and her dark brown hair—the same as Andrew’s once again—was styled in soft curls about her face and drawn back in a chignon. She was undeniably elegant, and Emmeline could not help but acknowledge her beauty—with a long oval face and impeccably manicured brows. Her eyes were a lighter shade of brown compared to Lord Epworth’s, but no less striking. She smiled warmly.
“How lovely to meet you!” Her tone conveyed joy, but Emmeline could not quite read the same warmth in her eyes. “We were just congratulating Andrew. What a surprise. It must have been the talk of the Ton.”
“No,” Emmeline said honestly as she fell into step with the guests. “It wasn’t.”
Miss Randell blinked in disbelief for a moment. Behind her, Andrew beamed. Her cheeks flushed with a warmth that had nothing to do with shyness.
“Oh. I... I would have thought...” Miss Randell stammered. “I would have thought everyone would have talked of it.” She seemed staggered that someone could be so direct. Emmeline glanced at Andrew. His eyes were sparkling, though he had succeeded in hiding his grin. She bit her lip, wanting to smile too.
“It was very quiet,” Andrew explained, so Emmeline did not have to. “We preferred it that way. No fuss.”
“Oh. Oh, of course,” Miss Randell answered, as though that made sense.
They all walked into the drawing room.
“Grandma!” Lord Epworth’s voice was bright and joyous. “Why! We have not seen you for years.”
He rushed toward Lady Rilendale.
He moved to Lady Rilendale’s side without hesitation, while Miss Randell took her place beside the chair. Lord Epworth knelt before her; his joy apparent but edged with a subtle stiffness. Emmeline watched as Lady Rilendale’s eyes widened in surprise. She did not rise to embrace either of them but stayed seated as Lord Epworth took her hand and held it tight.
“Grandma! It’s been an age.”
“We are so glad to see you,” Lydia echoed.
“Ambrose. Lydia.” Lady Rilendale looked from one cousin to the other. “What a surprise.” Her voice was matter-of-fact, rather than filled with joy or any other feeling.
“We simply had to visit. It has been fourteen years,” Lord Epworth said firmly.
“Yes. We had to call on you and see how you fare,” Miss Randell agreed.
“It’s a very unexpected visit,” Lady Rilendale commented. “You will be staying with us, I trust?”
“Oh, yes, Grandma,” Lord Epworth declared. “We shall remain for at least a fortnight. It has been a long journey, and we would be delighted to spend time with you and our dear cousin Andrew for as long as possible.”
“And, of course, we must meet our cousin’s new countess,” Miss Randell agreed, smiling at Emmeline. Emmeline tensed, wondering why it seemed to her as though that smile was not quite sincere. It seemed polite enough, yet her years of navigating the judgmental and fickle Ton had taught her to recognise smiles that stopped short of the eyes.
“Yes. Yes. I am glad you will meet our dear Emmeline,” Lady Rilendale said offering Emmeline a warm and genuine smile. The edges of Miss Randell’s smile became frostier, and Emmeline swallowed hard. Evidently being held in Lady Rilendale’s affection was something the cousins might envy her.
