Page 13 of Tempting the Earl
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“So we need to set a date for this party, milady, as well as figure out the exact guest list, and how we will keep everyone entertained. There’s also the matter of which rooms to use and so on. We can finalize our plans once everyone has replied if they are coming or not.” Emily was sitting at the secretaire with a sheaf of paper, a pen, and small ink bottle at the ready. “How many people are you planning to invite? Shall we plan a ball as the climax of the event? Perhaps invite the gentry from the surrounding area for various activities?”
“Slow down, Emily,” exclaimed Clara with a slight chuckle. “Yes, a ball will be the perfect ending to the house party, and yes, for that we will invite the gentry from around here. The sons and daughters of my local friends will be very excited to be invited, I am quite sure. I think this should be at most for a week. Some will have commitments and won’t be able to come for the entire week but will arrive as the days pass. We will, of course, have Lady Maude, her brother, and parents, Lord and Lady Sedgely; Lord and Lady Fitzgerald and their daughter Julia; Lord Marsden; Lady Wadell and her two daughters, Jane and Ann; and Lord Sutherland. We will start with those invitations first; they will have the farthest to travel. Please write up invitations and see that they are sent out."
Lady Clara paused briefly as she thought of whom else to invite. "I will need to give a bit of thought to a few more people. We will need to speak to the Parks about hiring some temporary help from the village. Cook will definitely need some extra hands in the kitchen. I think you have given sufficient thought to entertainment. Maybe mention in the invitation if they wish to bring their riding horses, they are welcome to. I will make sure there is something suitable for you to ride.”
At that Emily interrupted, “Really, milady? You’ll find me a mount? I have not been riding in ever so long. It shall be such a great pleasure.”
“Are you an experienced horsewoman, Emily? It will be a pleasure to provide you with a suitable ride, to be sure. Now where was I? Oh yes, don’t forget to write to Philip telling him the details and the dates so he will be here on time. Let’s plan to have people arriving in about three weeks with the ball exactly four weeks from today. That will give us plenty of time, won’t it?”
The London House
The Right Honourable Earl of Yorkleigh
Dear Lord Yorkleigh:
Lady Clara and I have arrived safely at Rosemount and all is well with us and the household here. We trust that the same can be said of you and your household. We wish to inform you that the plans for the party are progressing quite well. There will be approximately twenty guests in residence for parts of the week. Your presence is politely requested no later than three weeks from this date.
On another matter, could you please have someone rearrange the books on the shelves containing the works of poetry according to the enclosed list? I have been thinking about how I shelved them while I was there, and I realize that I did it according to my own preference, which upon reflection I realized was quite presumptuous. I think the enclosed list contains a much better sequence for shelving, no doubt you would agree.
As well, I have enclosed instructions from your lady mother’s head gardener for a better way of grooming the roses. As you know, Rosemount specializes in roses, so could you please pass these instructions on to Henri? I am almost certain he will appreciate it greatly.
We await your attendance upon us here at Rosemount with keen anticipation. We trust your work for His Majesty, the King is progressing satisfactorily.
Your humble servant,
Miss Emily Spencer
Rosemount
“Can you believe the little baggage is giving us instructions now, James? I don’t believe I have ever been sent instructions on the proper maintenance of the rose gardens before. How do you suppose Henri is going to react?” The earl burst into laughter at the audacity of his former maid.
“Actually, my lord, Henri was quite taken with Miss Emily and will probably be delighted that she remembered about him. The library is surely going to seem empty without her when we return to Yorkleigh,” replied Mr. Dale with a wistful hitch in his voice.
“So you have fallen under the little minx’s spell as well as Henri, have you my boy?” queried Philip sardonically. He was secretly delighted by the tone of Miss Spencer’s letter. He would have to remember to call her Miss Spencer while he was at Rosemount. It would seem much too familiar to be addressing his mother’s paid companion by her Christian name.It will be a pleasure to see the pretty chit again, though, he thought to himself.
He would certainly be glad to have this business for the king out of the way. It was a flattering surprise to have even been asked. Philip expected it was because His Majesty held the previous earl in such high esteem and was conferring the same trust upon him. That and the fact that Philip wasn’t known to be entrusted with such things, so he might not generate as much talk as a better known agent might.
‘Progressing satisfactorily,’ she had written.I wish it were, he thought gloomily. The king had him looking for a needle in a haystack. A peeress of the realm was missing, and somehow it had become his job to find her. Why the king thought he would be able to find the chit he had no idea.
He would begin his search by speaking to the new viscount, Lord Ridley, to see what he had to say for himself. He had the most to gain by the young woman’s disappearance, as he was her legal guardian until she came of age. Philip did not believe the story Ridley had related to the king. The king didn’t believe it himself, but it would not do to accuse a peer of lying straight to the monarch’s face without irrefutable evidence. The fact that the man seemed shifty was not proof enough unfortunately. Of course, it was a good thing that the king trusted Philip with a matter he was taking so seriously. He just hoped he could live up to the king’s expectations.
“James, we will need to get more information about Viscount Ridley before we go to meet with him again. I want you to find out where he was before he inherited his title, who were his friends, and who his enemies. Someone as shifty as Ridley is sure to have some of each. Get whatever help you need; I need this information as quickly as possible. The king wants this matter cleared up with speed and delicacy.”
“It shouldn’t be a problem to find out about Ridley. I will get started immediately,” James declared, eager to investigate the mystery. “When will you be meeting with him again?”
“I am going to his new estate in a couple of days to speak with him in private. The only time I ever met him was when we were in audience with the king. He seemed way too nervous for it to be just awe of the monarch. His Majesty and I both feel he is hiding something, but we need to find out what it is before we make any baseless accusations.”
“Certainly, my lord, I will see to it immediately. I know of a few individuals who make it their business to know things. That’s where I will start.”
“That is excellent, James. I am going to ask around at the clubs to see who knew Ridley before he ascended to the title. We can meet back here later this evening.”
“Very good, milord.”
With that both men departed on their errands deep in thoughtful suspicions about this new member of the peerage and what he might or might not know about the missing young lady.
Chapter Nine
