Page 35 of Tempting the Earl
Emily took a moment to stare in awe at the ornate edifice before her. There were fashionable lords and ladies climbing the enormous staircase towards the well-lit entrance archways. She allowed her anticipation to mount as she slowly climbed the stairs arm-in-arm with the countess. They were both fighting with the desire to giggle like schoolgirls, so excited were they for the treat that lay before them.
“Who do you suppose we shall see here, Lady Clara?” asked Emily as an afterthought. She had been so excited for the performance that she had quite forgotten this could be a social occasion as well.
“Oh, we shall see all sorts of people tonight, Emily. I know some of the Royal Princesses enjoy the opera so they may be here tonight. And I am quite sure the Eastwicks have procured a box for themselves this Season, so perhaps you shall see your friend Lady Arabella.”
They did indeed see many interesting noblemen and women as they made their way to the box. The countess was quite popular with her old friends and greeted many people as they made slow progress. They settled in their seats just in time for the performance to begin.
Emily was enraptured. She understood very little as most of the opera was in Italian, but she did not allow that to mar her enjoyment. She found the entire experience to be magical. From the beautiful gentry decked out in their fine clothing, to the twinkling of the myriad candles, to the achingly beautiful voice of the buxom opera singer, Emily was entranced and it was a bit of a blow to come down to earth when there was a pause for intermission. She was quite startled by the rousing applause that accompanied the fall of the curtain and she turned blinking, slightly out of focus eyes upon Lady Clara who laughed with delight at her owlish appearance.
“I take it you are having a good time, Miss Spencer,” she teased.
“This is so much better than I ever could have imagined,” enthused Emily emphatically before laughing at her own naïve enthusiasm. They were still chuckling together in good humour when there was a light knock on their door.
“Enter,” called the countess regally. The effect was somewhat ruined when she accompanied it with another light-hearted chuckle, but both women were delighted to see who entered.
“Lady Arabella,” exclaimed Emily with joy as she rose with quick dignity to greet her friend affectionately. “However did you know where to find us?”
“Well, my dear Miss Spencer, I saw the two of you enter your box just before the program began, and I was trying to discreetly catch your attention throughout, but you were so enthralled with the show that you were oblivious to my efforts,” the richly dressed young lady quietly teased.
“Thank you for coming to gain our attention now. How have you been since we last saw you? When did your family arrive in the city?” Emily was so happy to see her friend she felt like she was babbling.
“We arrived almost a fortnight ago and have been busy preparing for the Season. It is always amazing to see all that is required to catch oneself a husband,” Arabella said in a droll trill as she went on to recount all that had been occupying the Eastwick family since they had departed from Rosemount.
“Sounds like your mother is trying to run herself into an early grave,” commented Lady Clara.
Lady Arabella laughed at the countess’ jest before continuing on a serious bent. “Mama rests while I spend a few hours at the foundling hospital where I have been volunteering,” she explained.
“You are spending time at a foundling hospital?” questioned Emily, highly curious.
“Oh, Miss Spencer, you should see these poor orphans. My heart just breaks for their plight. We have such a comfortable life; I feel an obligation to help those less fortunate. Perhaps you would like to come with me one day and see if you might like to help out as well.”
Given Emily’s background, she was unsure if she wanted to spend any time in a hospital, however she also felt compassion for other orphans. So, despite her misgivings she agreed to try it out. The women realized the program was about to recommence so the girls hurriedly agreed on a time when the countess would not require Emily’s assistance and bade each other adieu.
“It was kind of you to agree to spend some time with the orphans,” commented Lady Clara. “All of us should be concerned about the plight of others. Although I am surprised Lady Eastwick is allowing her daughter to do so considering what a high stickler she is. You go ahead and give it a try, if it is something you wish to stick with, perhaps I can get involved in some fundraising.”
The two women were happy to set their concerns aside and sit back to enjoy the rest of the opera. Emily was disappointed that it was over much too soon and found she was humming happily as she walked towards the carriage with the countess. The two women were in no hurry as they made their way home discussing in minute detail all that they had enjoyed about the opera. Lady Clara was delighted by Emily’s enthusiasm for their first official London outing. For, as she said, “One can shop anywhere, but only London has the opera.”
Thus began the whirl of activity that would be their lives for the Season. Emily was having a grand time. Every day they were visiting or being visited. At first it was only the ladies Lady Clara was already friends with or the girls Emily met, but as the days went by gentlemen began to be added to the list of visitors whenever they were “at home.”
There was never a dull moment as the two women went to teas, musicales, poetry readings, shopping, and the list went on. Emily even found some who were interested in the museum. She enjoyed a fascinating afternoon examining Elgin’s marbles, imagining what other civilizations would have been like. Realizing, though, that it was terribly unfashionable to appear to be a bluestocking, Emily kept her keen interest to herself with a great deal of effort. She found the various artifacts Lord Elgin was shipping back to London were inspiring her to want to do research into the lives of those who lived in other times. It was awe inspiring to view objects that could have been touched or used by some of the ancient writers and philosophers of whom she was so fond.
Chapter Seventeen
Most of the friends from the house party had been by to visit soon after the countess and her companion had arrived in Town. One visit of note was when Miss Jane Waddell and Lord Sutherland dropped in with the baron's uncle, the Earl of Vale. It was clear the courting couple had the full approval of the earl as he sat in conversation with Lady Clara and Emily watching fondly as the young couple sat and cooed to one another.
Lady Clara had known Vale since her own coming out ball many years previous and it transported her back to sit and flirt with the still handsome older man. Emily wondered if she should leave the four alone since they had all become quite oblivious to her presence. She had never seen the countess appear so girlish as she sat and reminisced with Lord Vale. Lady Clara actually simpered as the old earl bowed low over her hand when he was taking his leave with his nephew and Miss Waddell when the prescribed time had passed.
"Perhaps we could ride out in the park one fine afternoon next week," invited Vale.
Lady Clara blushed and almost giggled as she answered in the affirmative. Emily hugged her young friend Jane goodbye just before another group of visitors entered to take their place.
After all their guests had dispersed that afternoon, Emily turned smiling to her countess and declared, "Out with it, my lady. What is the history between you and the handsome old earl?"
"He is not old," declared Clara emphatically.
Emily burst out laughing. "That was not the point of my question, milady," she pointed out.
Lady Clara blushed and answered. "Before I married Philip's father I was torn between him and Vale. The two gentlemen were both interested in me, but Yorkleigh came up to scratch first." Lady Clara gazed off into the distance reminiscing. "I never really knew if Vale had true intentions toward me or not. I could not be sure if he was serious or merely flirting with me. I never regretted my decision to marry my husband and we were truly happy until his death. But, oh Emily, it does do the heart good to have a handsome man flirting with one, does it not?"
