Page 11 of Tempting the Earl
Emily laughed good-naturedly at that question. “Lady Clara, I don’t own anything here at Yorkleigh. It won’t take me any time to pack. But I would be happy to help Smitty pack up your things.”
“You are such a dear thing. It shall be such a delight to have you at my home.” Thus decided, the two women set off in good humour to make the necessary arrangements for their removal to the countess’ principal residence.
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“You’re leaving?” Philip asked in surprise. “Well, Mother, it’s just as well, I suppose. I have just received a summons from His Majesty, the King. He needs my help in some urgent matter. I am to report to the royal presence at the earliest opportunity. I plan to set out at first light. There are no details of what the matter is he needs me to attend to, so I have no idea how long I will be gone. I was going to suggest that you and Emily continue to make your home here, but if you are set to leave soon anyway that is probably for the better.”
“Yes, my dear, I think we will try to set out tomorrow, too. Not at first light, mind you,” she continued drolly with a slight shudder at the thought.
“By the by, Mother, I was thinking, if you are going to pass Emily off as your companion, we should know her surname and be calling her Miss whatever her name is, shouldn’t we? I don’t think I ever did find out what her full name is.”
“You’re right, dear, as you so often are. I will find out from Emily on the way home. Maybe she will finally confide more of her history to me. It will help us while away the time as we journey home. And by the by to you, I have decided to plan this house party you were asking of me quite soon. Where shall I send the details?” Lady Clara was of the opinion that once you put your mind to something you should just go ahead and get it done, particularly if it was going to be unpleasant.
"Oh, thank you, Mother," he replied distractedly. “Send them to the London house. I will be there for a while and if I have returned home by then, the staff will forward any letters here to Yorkleigh.”
“Excellent. Well, I guess we both have preparations to make. Take care, my son. It has been lovely visiting with you for these weeks. Thank you, too, for sparing Emily for me.”
“You are most welcome, Mother. My staff is your staff, as always,” he replied in a tighter voice than before. “Safe travels and I will see you in Rosemount soon.”
Chapter Eight
Emily was gazing with rapt attention out the window, barely able to contain her excitement. Lady Clara was watching her in surprise. “Emily, why are you so intrigued with the passing scenery? Surely, you must be growing bored with the landscape, it has not changed much since we left Yorkleigh, and it is not apt to change much in the next few hours as we approach Rosemount. Tell me what you see to interest you so.”
“Oh, my lady, I am so sorry. No doubt as your companion I should be making an effort to entertain you," Emily apologized sheepishly as she straightened in her seat. "I quite forgot that this would not be nearly as fascinating for you. It’s just that I do not recall ever doing much traveling, so the sights do intrigue me. You see, I arrived at Yorkleigh in the boot of the earl’s carriage, so I couldn’t see anything, besides I was sleeping,” Emily excused, apologizing as a blush heated her face.
“That is quite alright, my dear, it is just surprising to see you so interested in what I consider so familiar. Carry on if you wish, I do not need entertainment.”
“That’s all right, milady. If you are absolutely certain it shan’t change too much in the meantime, please tell me more about Rosemount.”
“Rosemount is a delight, Emily. I am always happy to return after I have been away. Yorkleigh holds so many memories for me, but Rosemount really is much more comfortable. The manor is newer, so it is much less draughty and disorganized,” she explained with a chuckle. “Yorkleigh was added on to so many times that it occasionally reminds me of a rabbit warren. Rosemount is much better in that respect. You will see for yourself soon enough. Before we arrive home, I was thinking we need to decide what to call you. Since you will officially be my companion, we need to call you something more than Emily in polite society. I will want to introduce you to the staff as well, as soon as we arrive. What is your surname, my dear?”
The countess waited politely for Emily to respond, clearly not expecting it to be a difficult question. Meanwhile Emily’s mind was racing to think of an answer. The dilemma was, which name to use? There were so many to choose from, she thought somewhat wryly.
“Spencer, milady. My name is Emily Spencer,” she replied finally.
“That is an excellent name, Emily. I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Spencer,” Lady Clara said with a light laugh before carrying on with the discussion of her home. “I was thinking I will put you in the Rose room. It is quite near to my suite so you won’t feel alone. When we arrive home it will be late so we will retire directly. I will give you the tour tomorrow, perhaps in company with the housekeeper so the two of you can become acquainted. We will spend a couple of days getting settled into our new routine. Then we will start planning this party we shall be throwing for Philip. Well, it’s not exactly just for Philip, is it? Let’s try to make it fun for us, too. The fact that we are going to be inviting this female Philip is interested in should not be enough to ruin it for us.”
“That’s the spirit, milady! We will make it be the best house party anyone has attended. Let’s pick the jolliest guests and plan the best entertainments. No one will even notice the shrew is there. You mentioned, when you asked me about her before, that you were thinking of inviting some other ladies to show her up, but I was thinking it might be good to consider who you think would be a better match for your son. It might equate to one and the same, really, but I am certain, if he is in close confines with Lady Maude and has other, more pleasant, young ladies to compare her with, he will surely see the error of his ways where she is concerned.”
“I like the way you think, my girl. That is an excellent idea. I will give some serious thought to whom else we should include.
“Might I ask, my lady, what makes you think his lordship has a fondness for this woman?” Emily asked, hesitating to continue the touchy subject.
“The rumours about Town, for one. The other is the fact that he asked me to host this house party and wanted her invited in particular.”
“Did you ask him if he plans to pay her his addresses?”
“I tried but he was evasive, which was most vexing, to be sure. All he would admit to was that she was a highly sought after debutante and would make an excellent countess. But he wouldn’t admit to having his feelings engaged nor whether or not there was any agreement between them.”
“Well then there is time for us to rectify the matter, isn’t there?” Emily said with a satisfied grin.
“You’re right, Emily, I shouldn’t vex myself on the subject anymore. Let us instead continue contemplating how to make it an exceptionally good party for all the guests. But for now, do you know any games we could play to while away the hours?”
Lady Clara was surprised by Emily’s enthusiastic response and even more surprised by the number of sophisticated games she was familiar with. They continued their travels sufficiently amused, passing the time with assorted card games.
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“We are just about home, Emily,” the countess finally informed her companion.
