Page 61 of To Heal a Broken Earl
“I’m sure you have lots of ideas on that front,” she replied, giggling again.
“I can think of a couple of things,” he said suggestively. “What about we start with a leg massage?” He winked at her.
“Hmm. Yes. A leg massage you shall have, later, when we’ve retired for the evening. But I really want to finish a couple of things on my list, darling.” If it wasn’t for all the guests arriving tomorrow, she would have raced him up to their bedroom. Ever since their marriage, massages had taken on a whole new meaning and become a wonderful treat for both of them. “Michael, I realize I must seem overly focused on making changes, but it’s important to get as much done as we can before summer arrives,” she said, adjusting the fabric of her dress with care. “I’m not sure I’ll have the energy to do much in the heat when I’ll be so close to giving birth.”
“Emma, darling, I doubt being nine months pregnant will slow you down. Watching you makes me tired,” Michael said.
An hour later, she and Michael had gone over everything on her list, making sure that all was ready for their visitors. According to the responses she’d received, everyone would begin arriving for the party in the morning, although both Evie and Michael’s sister Lizzy indicated they might arrive tonight. Lizzy and her husband, Baron Edward Sinclair, Lady Beadle, Aunt Chippie, Wright, and the Armstrongs were all planning to attend the house party.
“I’ll admit,” Michael said, stepping down from the ladder and gazing at the window treatment, “I do like the blue better. These darker curtains cut more of the sun out. I could see myself napping in here on a hot summer day.”
She laughed. “Ever the practical one. That wasn’t what I wanted to hear. But all right. That’s the last change we had to make here in the parlor.”
“By the way, I got a missive from Armstrong early this morning,” Michael said in a somber tone. “He said the Crown convicted Lord Morgrave of kidnapping a peer, arson, and murder. He will hang at Newgate within the fortnight.”
A shiver skittered down Emma’s spine. “He is a vile and evil man, and he deserves to pay for his crimes,” she said, her voice trembling.
Michael took her in his arms and held her close.
“But what happens to his properties? Or what’s left of them? He stole a lot of money, didn’t he?” she asked.
“He did, darling. You have a good memory,” Michael said. “The families of victims were told to look over the jewelry that was found in his possession, and claim what was theirs, as long as they could provide proof. And of course, the money was divided among all the families, including Evie and Martin.”
“That seems more than fair. Michael, would you mind if we change the subject?” she asked. “I’m sorry. But the mere mention of that man still upsets me.” And she recalled the day he’d kidnapped her as if it were yesterday, instead of a year ago. Even now, she still had nightmares sometimes. Luckily, Michael was there beside her to hold her when she would wake up in the middle of the night, crying.
“Of course, darling. I’ll let Simms know as well,” Michael said.
“He’s been a great addition as groundskeeper. Finn certainly likes him,” Emma said. And Mrs. Simms was awonderful housekeeper and kept the house running like a well-oiled clock.
“Speaking of Finn, here’s the proud daddy-to-be now,” Michael said, as Finn sauntered in alongside his partner.
“What beautiful puppies they will make,” Emma said. “I can’t wait to see them. And I hope each of them behaves just like Finn.”
Stanhope knocked on the door and stepped into the parlor. “My lord, Lord and Mrs. Armstrong and Lady Millicent Beadle have arrived.”
Michael looked at Emma and then back at Stanhope. “Has Mrs. Simms prepared their rooms?”
Stanhope nodded. “Yes, my lord. The rooms are ready.”
“Perfect! Stanhope, could you please show them to their rooms and ask them to join us in the drawing room in two hours for a light repast? Could you ask Mrs. Peppers to prepare something?” Emma said. She hadn’t thought the guests would arrive so early today, but she felt content, especially thinking about the good news she had already shared with Michael.
~*~
Two hours later, Armstrong, Celia, and Lady Beadle joined Michael and Emma in the drawing room. Mrs. Peppers had prepared an informal buffet dinner of finger sandwiches, cheeses, meats, and fruits, as well as a variety of small pastries.
Emma greeted her friends warmly. “I’m so glad to see you again, Lady Beadle and Lady Armstrong. Are your accommodations suitable for your needs?” She hugged them both as they entered the drawing room.
Armstrong shook hands with Michael. “It’s good to see you, my friend. Wright will be joining us soon with Aunt Chippie.”
“Did I hear right? Chippie will be here?” Lady Beadle asked, gripping her ear horn. “I haven’t seen her since last year.Don’t tell her I said this, but it will be nice to see her. I rather enjoy sparring with her.”
Emma giggled. “I know that’s true. We enjoy having both of you.”
Laughter filled the Wilton drawing room as carriages continued rolling up the drive and wheels crunched on crushed oyster shells. Each of the guests was directed to freshen up in their room, rest, and join the others in the drawing room, where Mrs. Peppers and Mrs. Simms made sure that the food was plentiful.
“This sounds like the right place, with all that good cheer spilling out,” Baron Edward Sinclair—Sin to his friends—said. He and Lady Lizzy Sinclair walked into the drawing room. “I hope you don’t mind. We just arrived and were immediately assailed by the delicious scents of Mrs. Pepper’s cooking. I recall it from the wedding and couldn’t wait to dig in.”
“Yes, my husband enjoys a good meal, and I love Mrs. Pepper’s lemon tarts. I do hope she made them,” Lizzy said, after making the rounds and greeting everyone.
