Page 19 of To Heal a Broken Earl
“Thank you, Michael. That would be most welcome,” Emma said, turning to smile at him, before leading Katie down a few stairs and stepping into the cabin. She wasn’t disappointed. The small cabin sat low in the boat, its presence almost unseen from outside. A feather mattress sat on a wooden bunk with what her nose detected to be clean sheets and blankets covering it.
“Polly and I are sleepy, Auntie. Are we there yet?”
“Soon, sweetheart,” Emma replied, remembering Michael telling her they would be on the river for four or five hours—enough to get some real sleep. Then there would be a post-chaise ride to his estate. She settled herself on the bunk, with Katie tucked beneath her arm. Doris took the opposite, narrower bunk. There was barely enough room for the three of them, but at this point, Emma didn’t care. The mattress felt good, the covers smelled clean, and they were exhausted.
In the distance, she could hear Michael and Wright, but couldn’t make out what they were saying, although she thoughtshe heard her name. Part of her wanted to listen, but she couldn’t make herself move toward the voices. With fatigue quickly overtaking her, Emma tugged Katie closer. Closing her eyes, she told herself it was just for a minute.
~*~
Emma felt a slight nudge on her arm, drawing her back from the depths of a warm, blissful dream. A soothing sensation pulsed through her, wrapping her like a cozy blanket, and all she wanted to do was sink further into that warmth and lose herself in her dream—one filled with thoughts abouthim.
In that dream, Michael had stood before her, his luminous smile lighting up his face. His captivating green eyes twinkled with mischief, and that teasing dimple of his danced enticingly as he tugged her closer. He seemed on the verge of telling her something, yet the playful look on his face made her heart race. Was he going to kiss her?
“Emma, Katie, we’re in Sussex, and the carriage is here for us.”
Suddenly, her dream began to fade. It was Michael’s voice, but his face had become lost in a haze. Emma didn’t want to move, struggling to return to that dreamlike state, where he was going to kiss her. She moaned in protest and dug deeper into the covers, still trying to ignore reality as remnants of her dream lingered invitingly in her mind.
Michael’s laughter rang out, rich and full of joy. “I see what we’re about,” he teased. “I’d carry you, but it might draw attention, Em, since you’re dressed as a boy.”
She smiled as she heard his voice, but when his words penetrated her consciousness, she bolted upright and opened her eyes. “No, you can’t carry me. It wouldn’t look right.”
Although every part of her wanted him to.
~*~
Wilton Hall
Amberley, South Downs
Sussex, England
The next day
A three-story manse made of pink limestone and brick rose gently from behind a cluster of trees as the post-chaise rounded the large pond and entered the driveway. The carriage wheels crunched over oyster shells as they approached the grand Georgian house. Emma noted its unkempt appearance, with ivy covering several walls and weeds sprouting in various places along the driveway.
She wiped the last vestiges of sleep from her eyes and looked down at her niece, who lay across her lap. Doris and Katie had spent most of the long journey asleep, with Doris snoring for much of the time. Emma and Katie were still dressed as boys, believing that wearing the costumes could still help confuse anyone following them. At least there would be no staff to see her in this state of dress. But after what they had experienced with the loss of her home, the most important thing was that they had arrived without incident.
The final stretch of the trip overland was a little longer than anticipated, but not nearly as long as the one on the Thames. But it was much more comfortable. Michael had ensured they had plenty of food and drink along the way. Although she would have enjoyed it even more had he accompanied them inside the carriage instead of riding on horseback.
Wilton Hall would be her new home, at least for the time being. Perhaps, once Evie and Martin repaired their home, they could return to being a family in London. Fleetingly, shewondered if there might be a way for them all to be together here.
Before she could fantasize any longer, the carriage halted, the door to the manse opened, and a man stepped out.
“Lady Emma Grantham, I am Lord Wilton’s butler, Stanhope. Your rooms are ready for you and Miss Saunders. On behalf of the staff, welcome to Wilton Hall,” he said, before suddenly sniffing and then pinching his nose to avoid a sneeze. “I apologize, my lady. I’m not used to the weather and the different smells of the country.”
“Ah, Stanhope,” Michael said, his boots crunching on the drive as he walked up from behind Emma. He regarded the butler with a mixture of familiarity and authority. “I trust your trip was uneventful?”
Emma would have sworn she caught a fleeting roll of the man’s eyes before he replied. “Yes, my lord. We adhered to your instructions meticulously. The horses and drivers were changed at the stipulated intervals, and we drove straight through, without delay.”
Michael nodded. “I understand, Stanhope. This was a special situation. Future transfers to the country will be straightforward.” He paused. “And Finn… Did he make the trip without any issues?”
Stanhope opened his mouth, ready to respond, when a lively dog burst through the door, almost knocking the butler off balance. The red-and-white spaniel skidded to a stop in front of Katie, expressive eyes darting around in wonder. It tilted his head left and then right, as if taking in the curious appearance of the very little person.
Michael couldn’t contain his laughter, his voice full of relief and joy. “I don’t believe Finn has ever seen a child. He’s excited to see someone his size.”
“How is it possible that he has never encountered a child, my lord?” Emma inquired. “And I didn’t realize you had a dog.”
Michael flashed a brilliant smile, his dimpled gaze igniting warmth. “I found him while on an assignment. He was starved and stuck in a crate in the hull of a ship we came across. I have no idea how long he was there, but judging by the way he likes to run until he drops, I think he was rarely out of the cage.”
