Page 23 of Tempting the Earl
“No, my lord, there should be a few to spare. We are still awaiting the arrival of the Viscountess Eastwick and her son and daughter as well as a few others, but we’ve plenty of room as long as your valet can sleep on the cot in your dressing room, or else he’ll need to share the servants’ quarters.”
“That shan't be a problem. Which room shall I put James in? We can show ourselves up to our rooms, no need for your escort. We’ll clean ourselves up a bit, then join the company in the drawing room, if that’s all right with you,” he countered quizzingly, his bright gaze showing that he enjoyed being able to fluster the normally composed young maiden.
Despite her blushing cheeks, Emily lifted her chin in a distinctively proud way. “Mr. Dale can have the green room at the end of the hall in your wing, if you would be so kind as to show him. I was just on my way to confer with the housekeeper. I will mention to her that we shall need an extra plate for dinner. Welcome to Rosemount, by the by. I’ll have one of the maids bring you both some water. Adieu.” With that Emily swept gracefully off to the kitchens.
Both men watched her departure with appreciation. Then Lord Philip chuckled. “She’s certainly adjusted well to having some authority in the household, hasn’t she, James?”
James agreed with a smile then said, “She did seem a bit harried, though, do you not think, my lord? Like we were here to save her from something.”
“You’re right, James. Maybe the adjustment is taking a bit of effort. Don’t forget, as companion to my mother, she is assisting as hostess to this event; no doubt it’s a bit daunting to someone with her background. We’ll have to see what we can do to ease the burden. Let’s go, you’ll like the green room, the view is lovely. Miss Spencer must have a soft spot for you, James. Despite being small, I think it’s one of the nicest rooms at Rosemount. After the week we’ve been having, spending some time relaxing here at my mother’s estate should be just the thing.”
James agreed as he helped the footman carry their bags up to their rooms. Philip was obviously deluding himself if he thought spending several days in the same house as a lady determined to become the next Countess of Yorkleigh was going to be relaxing.
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Everyone was delighted to welcome Lord Philip, Earl of Yorkleigh. He was well respected by all members of theton,and the assembled guests were happy to get reacquainted with the young earl. He wasn’t known for going about too much in Society, preferring the darker side of life in London than the one frequented by the peers assembled for the countess’ house party. Despite his penchant for fast living, he had managed to maintain a reputation as a decent fellow who lived up to his title as gentleman. He was known to put in an appearance during the Season, but most of the assembled guests hadn’t gotten to know him very well, so all were happy for this opportunity. The young ladies were full of admiration for his handsome looks, vast fortune, and pleasant address, while the young lords admired his reputation at sports. The older lords and ladies had held a deep respect for his father and thus wanted to get to know the heir.
The Sedgelys, of course, felt somewhat proprietarily towards the earl and the viscount was the first to greet him, despite Lady Clara’s obvious desire to embrace her son. “There you are my boy,” boomed Lord Sedgely over-enthusiastically. “We were beginning to wonder if you were going to stand us up!”
Philip was unsure how to politely respond to such a pronouncement so he chose to ignore it as he turned to greet his mother. He bowed over her hand formally before receiving a warm hug from her. “I apologize for my tardiness, my lady Mother. I was necessarily detained while engaged in an errand for the king.”
Lady Clara was just happy to see her son. Much like Emily, she hadn’t realized how worried she had been until she was relieved to see him safe and sound, and so she simply welcomed him warmly and together they turned to their guests.
Lord Philip included everyone in his explanations for his tardiness in arriving and not being there to welcome them when they arrived. “As some of you may have heard the rumours, His Majesty, the King, has been concerned over the disappearance of the soon-to-be new Marchioness, Lady Emmaline. She is a young lady whose parents have recently died. Apparently, Lady Emmaline is quite a substantial heiress and is in the rare position of being able to inherit many old titles that are not entailed automatically on a male heir. With the monarch’s permission, she may claim several titles that were in both her parents’ families for centuries, with the exception of the viscountcy. The new viscount is a distant cousin of the lady’s father and he claims to be unaware of her whereabouts, despite being her new guardian.”
Many of the ladies in the room were making appropriately shocked and concerned noises while looking at each other with glowing eyes being thrilled to be privy to the latest juicy gossip. Meanwhile, Lady Maude was becoming restless, quite unhappy to find her supposed suitor to be so preoccupied with some other female. She suppressed a dainty yawn while looking pointedly at the earl wanting him to change the subject to one that she would find entertaining.
Philip had seen the look Maude was sending his way but was unsure of its meaning, so he mentally shrugged and continued his explanation. “I know some of you ladies may find it distressing to think of the poor missing orphan, but the reason I bring this up is because I was wondering if any of you might have known the young lady’s parents – the Marquis and Marchioness of Edenvale? They seem to have lived quite retired from Society and we are having trouble ascertaining with whom the young lady might have sought sanctuary. As well, does anyone here know aught about the new Viscount Ridley? He appears to be a shifty fellow, and was involved in some shady dealings before he inherited. He’s suspiciously unconcerned over his missing ward, but we have yet to prove anything untoward has happened.” Philip paused momentarily to let everyone think about it for a moment. Then he continued, “If any of you think of anything over the next few days, please let me know.” He then smiled graciously and turned to change the subject and speak more privately with each of his mother’s assembled guests.
Philip found himself noting that Emily was absent when he revealed to the guests that he had been assisting the king with the case of the missing peeress. He could have used her thoughts on the matter. But then he dismissed the thought. He couldn’t rely on a servant to help him with such an important task, even if she had proven herself to be uncommonly clever. He needed to focus. They still hadn’t too many leads, but suspicion was growing that the new Viscount of Ridley was somehow involved in the disappearance.
The room was buzzing with speculation about the orphan’s whereabouts once more when Emily returned to the guests. She swallowed hard and tried not to draw attention to herself as she drifted into the room and busied herself with ensuring everyone was comfortable. She had begun to get used to the speculation and gossip about the missing peeress and the king’s search for her so that she was not as flustered as when the subject first came up. However she couldn’t help being uncomfortable during the discussion. If only the guests could find something else to preoccupy their thoughts and tongues. Emily was surprised to see how keenly interested Philip seemed to be in the various ideas put forward by the assembled guests. It would seem everyone had an opinion they were willing to share, and Philip was paying rapt attention as each guest expressed what little information or speculation they had. It all seemed like mere conjecture, and Emily was wondering why he would be giving it so much attention. She supposed he had missed many of the earlier discussions, but it hardly seemed like something to preoccupy his thoughts.
She had a puzzled frown creasing her brow and was deep in unquiet thoughts when Lady Clara stood up signalling the time had arrived for everyone to get ready for supper. “Adieus” were said, and everyone dispersed to prepare. Emily and Philip were the last to leave the room, and Philip detained her quietly. “Might I have a word with you, Miss Spencer?” he queried with a soft hand on her arm.
“What is it, my lord?” Emily was confused.
“I’m just concerned about you, Emily; you seem preoccupied and a bit worried. Your welcome when we arrived was much more enthusiastic than one would expect. Is there anything I can do for you? You know it is but for you to command,” he told her in a teasing tone. Emily’s heart skipped a beat when she noted the expression on his face. It was as though he had warmer feelings for her than a master would have for his servant. She dismissed the thought. She was seeing what she wished, not what was true, Emily told herself firmly.
“My lord,” she began in a reproving tone, but then continued more lightly, “Thank you for your concern. I’m sorry to cause you any alarm. I am fine, truly.”
Philip didn’t appear convinced, but Emily was relieved that he didn’t press the matter. How could she possibly tell him that it was the woman he was interested in courting who was causing her distress? “Please be assured, I will stand your friend, should you require any assistance.”
“I know, my lord, I appreciate the offer, now I must be off to prepare. Being a grand lady takes time, don’t you know?” she concluded with a laugh and left the room hastily, almost running up the stairs, only stopping once the door to her room was firmly closed at her back. She placed a trembling hand to her brow and drew a deep sigh straight from her heart. That organ was in threat of melting from his lordship’s kindness.
Now is not the time for silly mooning over his lordship, Emily reprimanded herself sternly. She gave her head a shake and forced her distracted mind to focus on practicalities, namely which of her new gowns would be best for this evening’s dining experience. She made her selection and hurried through her preparations in order to go to Lady Clara and spend a few minutes with her friend before descending to gather before supper.
Chapter Twelve
"Oh Lady Clara, you look smashing!” Emily exclaimed, using a term gleaned from the young lords that afternoon.
Clara laughed and bobbed a graceful curtsy, “Will I do? I confess this is proving a bigger ordeal than expected. But at least Philip has arrived. That will ease the burden, and hopefully our purpose will be accomplished.”
“Do you think so, milady?” Emily asked with a sigh. “Lady Maude seems to have two faces; one very awful side she presents to females and a much nicer one that she shows to the gentlemen. I am beginning to understand how milord Philip could have been taken in by the little shrew.” Emily tried to relate the events of the afternoon, but it was hard to put into words how cutting the young woman could be.
“Don’t worry about it, Emily. Philip is an intelligent man; I am convinced he will not make it to the end of the week without a change of heart with regards to Lady Maude. We just have to keep everyone entertained. I think Maude will cause her own demise if given enough time. Now let’s review how we set the places for dinner. Everyone is here now. I have received word others have arrived and are quickly preparing for supper, so we will have to shuffle a little to accommodate Mr. Dale.” The two women spent a few pleasant minutes analysing their handiwork and pronounced it good. As they descended to the drawing room in good humour and with their arms linked, neither noticed Lady Maude watching them jealously from a crack as she opened her door.
Lady Maude closed the door softly and leaned against it. She could not understand how Lady Clara could be so friendly with the young woman who wasn’t much more than a glorified servant. Nobody knew who this Miss Spencer was.Why would the countess take such pleasure in the lowly woman? What could be gained from such a relationship? Of course, Lady Maude could not truly understand most friendships anyway as she had never had a friend of her own. She considered relationships to be a means to an end, rather than a source of pleasure. It annoyed her to watch Miss Fitzgerald and Miss Waddell getting so chummy. If anyone had thought to ask her why, she wouldn’t have had an answer to give since she never analysed her own actions or reactions, but she took a couple of minutes to think of ways she could break up the girls’ little friendship before she left her room to make her own way down to the drawing room.
