Page 22 of Choosing Her Earl at Last
Emmeline nodded. “I wish that he were here,” she confessed.
Theodocia nodded in agreement. “As do I. I miss him every day, but especially now.”
“He would know what to do. He always knew what to do.”
Theodocia turned her face toward the window.
“I never thought that I would know such fear and pain as that which I know now. I remember when your father would leave for his business expeditions, and I would anxiously await his return, fearing that harm might befall him. Thankfully, he always returned, his face wreathed in smiles as he would share with us his latest finds. I hoped to never feel such fear again … alas, this is far worse.”
Emmeline was not accustomed to her mother expressing her feelings on any matter, and she had not spoken of her husband since his passing. “I never knew that you feared for his safety.”
Theodocia turned her eyes to Emmeline’s, her face set in weary lines of sorrow. “A lady does not share her feelings with others. It is most unbecoming. It is only through overwhelming fear and sorrow that I am weak enough to speak of it now.”
“Speaking of one’s thoughts and emotions is not weakness. Did you believe Father to be weak?” Emmeline attempted to keep the anger she was feeling from her voice.
Theodocia’s brows rose in surprise. “Of course not. Why ever would you suggest such a thing? Your father and I were very happy together, sharing mutual love and respect for one another.”
Emmeline’s anger threatened to boil over. “If you knew such happiness with Father, why did you deny me the opportunity? Why did you force me to abandon Michael and marry Norman?”
Theodocia sighed, the lines of her face deepening. “Money and prestige, what else?” Her mother shrugged as if any other reasons to wed would be unnatural.
“Your father was a brilliant antiquarian and a masterful businessman, but when the ship went down carrying his most valuable finds with it, there was no other recourse but to marry you to a husband of wealth and station. We nearly lost everything. The marquess’ title and reputation opened doors to our family that had been previously closed.”
Emmeline nearly laughed out loud. “And yet for all of his supposed wealth, he left us with nothing but an empty title.”
“No title is ever empty,” Theodocia chastised. “We made you a marchioness, and when you wed again, you will have the cream of society to choose from.”
Just as Emmeline was about to burst with the myriad of emotions that tumbled around inside of her like a barrel of stones rolling down a hill, Louisa Beauchamp swept into the room.
“My darling, I came as soon as I heard.” She hurried across the room and took Emmeline’s hands into her own. Louisa’s eyes held hers, filled with sympathy and concern. Sensing the tension between mother and daughter, she took a seat between them. “Have I come at an inopportune moment?”
Emmeline shook her head. “Your timing is impeccable as always.”
Louisa nodded in understanding. “Has there been any word?”
Emmeline shook her head. “Mr. Barrington and the Earl of Ravenshollow are assisting the Bow Street Runners in their inquiries, but there has been no news yet. We were instructed to wait here in the event that Rebecca returns, or that a ransom is demanded.”
Theodocia clutched the arms of her chair with such ferocity that Emmeline could have sworn that she heard her mother’s bones popping. “Let us pray that it is the former, for we do not have the latter.”
Emmeline bit back a retort about her mother’s plan to marry her off for money had not worked in anyone’s favor. Louisa, sensing her anger, reached out and gave her hand a squeeze.
“It is good that I have arrived,” she announced in an attempt to break the tension. “Rebecca would not wish for you to be at odds with one another or overcome with exhaustion born of fear. Mrs. Frampton, I shall remain here with Emmeline and keep watch. Why do you not go and lie down for a time?”
Theodocia gave Louisa a surprised look. “Are you certain?”
“I am.” Louisa nodded firmly.
“I will retire to my room, but only if you promise to retrieve me should anything change,” Theodocia reluctantly agreed.
“You have our word,” Louisa reassured her.
Nodding, Theodocia arose from her chair, steadying herself on the arms as she faltered for a brief moment. “I thank you for your kindness, Lady Beauchamp. My daughter is blessed indeed to have such companionship.” Having delivered the rare compliment, she turned and left the room.
Once her mother was out of earshot, Emmeline sighed and leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes and rubbing her temples. “This may be our undoing.” She groaned in frustration. “I do not know how to bring her comfort, and I am filled with my own anger and fears. Rebecca had such a way with her that I do not possess.”
“We will find her,” Louisa reassured her. “Tell me of the investigation. How can I be of help?”
Emmeline opened her eyes, leaning forward to hand Louisa the handkerchief and locket. As she leaned back in her chair, her hand absently fell back to clutch the necklace her father had given her. “These are all that were left behind. I cannot escape the feeling that they are a message. Of what, I do not know.”
