Page 41 of Tempting the Earl
“You seem to be having a good time, my dear,” commented the countess.
“I am having a glorious time, Lady Clara. I hope you have been, too. I’m sorry to have left you to your own devices for so long, I hope you have been well occupied,” Emily replied contritely. "Although, wasn't that the earl of Vale I just saw walking away as I was approaching?" Emily teased.
“I, too, have been having a grand time,” replied Clara uninformatively. “Don’t you worry about me, my dear. While I may not be able to dance the night away as you seem to be doing, I am holding my own. You are not the only one who has collected some beaux," declared the countess with a shyly proud smile. "Although, I do think it shall be time to take our leave shortly.”
“That’s fine; I think I am pretty much danced out anyway. I never would have thought I would ever say that, but it’s true,” Emily said with an impish smile. Taking the countess' hand warmly into her own, Emily continued, “Have I thanked you lately for all you have done for me, my lady? I truly do appreciate it.”
“No thanks necessary, Emily. It is truly mutual. It makes me feel young to watch you enjoying the Season.” The two women shared a warm, companionable silence watching the mingling crowds as they awaited the earl’s return. Then the three of them slowly extricated themselves from the thinning crowds and made their way to the waiting carriage.
By the time the trio arrived home, Emily was wilting with fatigue. She quickly said her goodnights and made her way up to her chamber. She could barely stay upright long enough to disrobe and put her things away. She had momentarily considered leaving her clothes until the next day, but her time as a maid had trained her well, her conscience would not allow her to leave her clothes in a heap. She was already sleeping by the time her head hit the pillow with a smile upon her face as she relived the evening in her dreams.
Meanwhile, Lord Philip asked the countess to join him for a nightcap in the library before retiring. Lady Clara was delighted to comply. It was so rare these days that she had the opportunity to share atete a tetewith her son, she was not going to pass up the occasion despite the lateness of the hour.
Philip kindled the fire in the grate of the library hearth to ward of the chill in the air while his mother took a seat in one of the comfortable wingback chairs that flanked it. He then fiddled with the glasses while pouring them each a drink. Lady Clara was intrigued.
“What is it, Philip?” she questioned gently. “You seem almost nervous to talk to me. What could possibly be on your mind that you would be shy about discussing with me?”
Philip took a deep breath before plunging right into the matter at hand. “I have developed very deep feelings for your companion, Miss Spencer, and I would like to know if you would oppose the match,” he said all in a rush.
Lady Clara blinked at her son for a moment before letting out a trill of delighted laughter. “Why would I ever oppose the match, my dear? Miss Spencer is one of the dearest girls I have ever met. I will miss her as my companion, but I’m sure she will make a delightful daughter. I have actually been hoping you were headed in that direction. I have seen the two of you exchanging intense looks over the past few weeks and have been holding my breath waiting for you to realize how you feel and make some sort of announcement. I have often despaired of you ever finding someone you cared about like your father and I cared for each other. It would make me very happy to support a match between you and Emily.”
Philip laughed with relief before dropping into the chair across from the countess. “Really, Mama, you wouldn’t mind? What do you think my father would have to say on the matter? Remember, I asked you about nobility weeks back? Father was always going on about good blood.”
“It is true you and your father have been sticklers about “good blood” as you put it. Although, I think your father’s greatest concern was to be sure there was no insanity running in the family,” she continued with a little chuckle. “The thing is, Philip, your father’s deepest wish was for you to have a happy future and continue the line of Yorkleigh. And when one looks at Emily, it’s evident she comes from good breeding. We don’t know her true story, but it is clear there is much she has not told us. Perhaps once she’s married she will feel safe enough to confide in us. In the meantime, you must follow your heart. Make Emily your countess. It shall make us all happy.”
“You won’t mind being the Dowager?” Philip questioned teasingly.
“Not if you make me a grandmother as soon as possible,” answered the soon-to-be dowager countess with aplomb as she finished her drink and set the glass on the sideboard. “Now my son, you have made me very happy, but I must rest, it has been a long day. By the way, have you told Emily how you feel?”
“Not yet. I have been waiting for the right moment,” he answered a bit sheepishly. "And I am thinking Miss Spencer may need more time, she doesn't seem that eager."
“Well don’t wait too long. Someone else might snatch her up if you’re not careful,” she teased as she kissed him gently on the forehead like she did when he was a boy.
Philip watched his mother fondly as she gracefully left the room; he then lost himself in thought as he contemplated his now rosy looking future.
Chapter Twenty-One
The next morning everyone slept late, and it was nearly noon when Emily made her way to the breakfast room. She had debated about the propriety of eating breakfast so late, but she really wanted her chocolate, so she made her way downstairs tenderly, wincing with certain steps, laughing at herself for such foolishness. When she finally made it to the breakfast room, Philip was just finishing his meal and demanded to know what was so funny.
“I’m just laughing at myself, milord. It was really quite foolish to dance so long and energetically last night and then have to limp around today,” Emily explained a bit shamefaced.
“It’s nothing to be embarrassed about, Miss Spencer. You should be delighted that you were so painfully popular,” Philip replied with a teasing laugh. “Besides, most of the young ladies in London are probably enjoying a similar fate today, so don’t be too hard on yourself.”
“That’s not really any consolation, my lord. It just shows that we’re an entire town full of silly people,” Emily concluded with an impish smile.
Philip returned her grin, happily considering that he’d have her sweet face to look at every morning for the rest of his life. He watched her as she daintily picked at her toast and sipped her chocolate He realized he was acting like a love-struck youth and shook his head in disgust with himself. He abruptly stood to take his leave. He had had every intention of giving her some time for them to get to know one another, but he knew enough to make his decision and he could not wait any longer.
“Miss Spencer, when you can spare me a moment, might I have a word with you in the library?”
Emily was surprised at his sudden formality but managed to maintain her calm demeanour as she replied, “I’ll be with you in a moment, my lord.” He made a polite bow and smartly left the room.
Emily caught the enquiring eye of the footman and simply shrugged at him with a grin. He was as surprised as she by the earl’s suddenly serious mien. Well, she wasn’t worried, he was probably either grumpy from the late night or had something weighing on his mind.Perhaps the matter he was working on for the king hasn’t been resolved yet,she thought to herself. With a mental shrug, she finished her toast and chocolate quickly and went to knock lightly on the library door.
“Come in,” Philip commanded from within.
“You wanted to see me, milord? Is now a good time?” Emily asked hesitantly, seeing him sitting at his desk with a quill in hand.
“Yes, yes, come in, come in, now is wonderful,” he almost babbled, standing and approaching her with an outstretched hand. Emily took his offered hand and allowed him to draw her forward to the warmth of the fireplace. Sensing his nervousness, she began to feel uneasy, wondering what could possibly cause the usually calm earl to seem so jumpy.
