Simon had made love to her, just as she had asked him to do, and for that, she would eternally be grateful. But it was one beautiful night that they shared, and Emilia would have to cling to the memory of it for the rest of her life in order to find happiness.
“There’s no avoiding this, Rose.”
“Simon should challenge him to a duel.”
“No one need die in this affair.”
“I want to see Lord Pendergast die.”
“Rose!” Emilia protested. Although her situation was dire, Emilia was unsure that Lord Pendergast deserved to die over it. Emilia could never live with herself if she thought that someone was killed in order to defend her. And what’s more, what if Simon would be the one to die? Should that happen, Emilia would never experience happiness for the rest of her days.
“We should tell Father,” Rose said.
“No, I do not wish to burden him,” Emilia replied. “I know how encouraging his health has been, and I fear that if he knew the full truth of all of this, he would take a turn for the worse.”
“You have a point,” Rose said, looking out the window listlessly. “All these men fighting over you.”
“Come now.”
“It’s because you’re so wonderful, Emmie,” Rose said.
Emilia put an arm around Rose’s shoulders. It was a rather kind thing for her sister to say, and Emilia was grateful for it. She needed all the kindness that she could get in her time of distress. “But you are right in the sense that Father would be able to come up with a solution. I never could understand why he was so fond of the Duke of Westmoreland. But if you ask me, he’s a rather manipulative man.”
“I absolutely hate him,” Rose assured her. “He’s no better than pond scum.”
Emilia had to laugh to herself, but Rose was remarkably serious. “I do think that pond scum is a good way of describing him. Sadly, it’s the pond scum amongst us that rule the world.”
“I hate them all, then,” Rose replied.
For some time, the sisters remained there at the window, each at a loss for what to say next. The situation looked impossibly too grim for words.
In their moment of mutual indecision, that was when Lord Pendergast entered the parlour, accompanied by Dominic. Emilia felt every muscle of her body freeze. There was something predatory in Lord Pendergast’s gaze. Rose reached out to cling to her sister, but despite their fear, their father was beaming.
“My girls, I have tremendous news,” Dominic said, looking healthier than ever before. “The Duke of Westmoreland has arrived to conclude our propitious business!”
Emilia had never seen her father so happy, but for herself, she had never felt so much despair. The duke was coming to claim Rose, but ultimately, he was laying down the bounty on Emilia’s head. It was a call to action. There was no plan in place, and Emilia had not been able to come up with any reason why she should not marry the duke. It was the moment of truth, and Emilia would need to dive in head-first.
“It’s a most propitious day for myself, as well,” Lord Pendergast said with a wicked smile, looking Emilia directly in the eye. He was not looking at Rose. It only drove home the fact that Lord Pendergast had not come for Rose’s hand; he had come for Emilia’s.
“Emilia, if you’ll join me in the study,” Dominic said, implying that it was time for Rose and the duke to spend time alone so that the proposal could be made.
“Go, Emilia,” Rose said, seemingly wishing to save her sister.
“No,” she whispered to Rose, unable to get to her feet and leave the room. If she did so, Rose would be entirely alone with the scoundrel. Emilia would not have it.
“Emmie, you must,” Rose protested.
“I will not go,” Emilia whispered again.
“Emilia Spencer,” Dominic said with a confused expression upon his face. “Come this very moment.”
“No!” Emilia protested, finally raising her voice. All eyes were turned on her, and Emilia felt her heart pounding in her chest. She was being too adamant, she knew. But there was simply no way of avoiding the fervour that she was now feeling.
“Emilia,” Lord Pendergast said, concealing his smile.
“What do you mean, child?” Dominic asked.
“I mean that this must stop,” Emilia replied. “Rose will not be marrying the Duke of Westmoreland.”
“And why is that?” Lord Pendergast asked, his smile finally showing through. He knew what the answer would be, that much was plain.
“Because I would like to take Rose’s place and marry you, myself,” Emilia said with tremendous courage, finally resolving herself to her fate. For so long she had been dragging her heels, but now everything was sealed. Emilia was to become the Duchess of Westmoreland.
Just then, Dominic appeared scandalized, but Lord Pendergast was grinning from ear to ear. Yes, the fellow had won, but there was no other way. Emilia was simply content that both Rose and Simon were safe.
“What is the meaning of all this?” Dominic asked.
“Father, the duke is merely courting Rose because I had become unavailable. But now, I have . . . changed my mind.”
“You are leaving Simon?” Dominic asked, genuinely disappointed.
“Yes, but I think it’s best. Rose is far too young.”
“That is very noble of you, Emilia,” Lord Pendergast said, still smiling.
“It has nothing to do with nobility but merely necessity.”
“I accept, if Dominic complies,” Lord Pendergast added.
“I’m merely taken aback by this reversal,” Dominic said in a daze.
“Alternatively, we can allow the ladies time to think about things. Surely, I don’t wish them to quarrel over me,” Lord Pendergast said, attempting a joke. Emilia thought it to be the most unhumorous quip that she had ever heard.
“No fight here,” Rose said under her breath, and Emilia gave her a gentle elbow to the arm.
“But I find this behaviour positively offensive,” Dominic went on. “I did not raise girls to behave in this manner. It’s a scandal! Rose is of marrying age, and so I cannot see why you should make such a show of things. Perhaps, Emilia, you need to take a turn in the garden and compose yourself.”
It became abundantly clear to Emilia that her father was disappointed that she was turning down Simon. It occurred to her that Simon’s presence, and Kingsley’s, had brought him much happiness and had helped him to restore his health.
Before, Dominic would have been perfectly content to have Emilia marry Lord Pendergast. But now, it seemed as though he was feeling the loss of Simon James. Emilia was touched by it. She, herself, felt the loss of Simon. She might feel it for every moment of the rest of her life.
“Let’s leave them,” Lord Pendergast said, taking Dominic by the arm. As they turned to leave, Emilia noted how impossibly disoriented her father looked. What he thought was a happy day had turned into chaos. “Don’t mind these women,” Emilia heard Lord Pendergast say to Dominic. “Women are incomprehensible, after all.”
Emilia knit her brow. Was there any greater scoundrel in all the world? How was it that her father was so blind to what was right before him? Emilia vowed to herself to never be blinded by wealth or advancement. She always wished to see people just as they were.
“What are we to do?” Rose asked.
“I know exactly what we’re doing. They’re biding us some time, but there is only one solution to this.”
“Oh, Emmie. It would make me so sad to see you marry that man.”
“It cannot be prevented. I’m merely happy that you are now safe. Father will calm down and come to accept things. He will be happy again.”
“But what of Simon?” Rose asked. “I’m going to miss Simon.”
“I shall, as well. He’s a very good man.”
“Good men are rare, aren’t they?” Rose said sadly.
“Oh, sister,” Emilia replied, “you’re wise beyond your years. But yes, Simon is the perfect example of a perfectly fine gen
tleman.”
“And he’s merely an artist’s apprentice,” Rose replied.
“I think that that is a very dignified thing to be. In fact, more dignified than the Duke of Westmoreland and all this wealth.”
Just then, Emilia heard footsteps down the hall, and she was convinced that it was Lord Pendergast making a hasty return. Would he refuse to wait for them to come up with a suitable solution? Was the Duke of Westmoreland coming to demand that one of them accept his proposal of marriage, and at that very moment? Emilia felt her heart race in her chest, and she was afraid that the moment of truth was fast upon her. Resigning herself, Emilia stood to her feet, ready to tell Lord Pendergast that she would make herself his, and for the rest of her days.
Entering the parlour, Emilia was in incredible shock to see Simon standing there. He appeared quite out of breath and forlorn, and Emilia’s initial instinct was to throw herself into his arms. Instead, she watched as Simon approached her and took her hand, grasping it tightly. Then, he brought the back of her palm up to his mouth and kissed it gently, his eyes closed in devotion.
“Simon,” Emilia said.
“I cannot do what you have asked me,” Simon replied.
“What do you mean?”
“I cannot sit by and watch as you marry the Duke of Westmoreland.”
“It cannot be prevented. He’s here this very afternoon.”
“Then I will tell him that you are to be my bride.”
“Simon, it’s not possible.”
“I will accept nothing else.”
“But what of Lady Susana?”
“I just went to her estate to inform her that I have no feelings for her. It’s you that I love, Emilia, and no one else. Our engagement is no longer for show. It is real; in my body and in my heart.”
Tears threatened to surface as Emilia turned to Rose and discovered that her jaw had fallen wide open. “I’m afraid that the Duke of Westmoreland is adamant. He will either take me or Rose.”
“He will take neither of you. Can’t you see that I’m in love with you, Emilia? Because of this, I have the means to prevent the man.”
Emilia was overcome with so many emotions at once. His final protestation that he had no love for Lady Susana warmed Emilia’s heart to no end. There was nothing in the world that she wanted so much as being Simon’s wife, till the end of her days. But there was still the question of Rose to solve. If Simon did not come up with a plan, then she would need to refuse the greatest offer she’d ever been given. That was when Emilia watched as Simon pulled a letter out of his pocket.
“Read it. You are safe, Emilia,” Simon said.
Taking the letter from his hand, Emilia began to read.
Dearest Simon,
Please pardon my sudden absence. I could see that my dealings in this world have managed to put a number of people in jeopardy, and for this I feel penitence. Please note that the studio has been cleared of all my work, forgeries and originals. I have taken all of these and my belongings with me to Italy, where I plan to be on holiday for some time. During this holiday, I will continue to paint. I only hope that my skills will improve.
I’m doing all of this to clear any possible evidence of what I have done. For this reason, Lord Pendergast will not be able to carry out his blackmail. You are like a son to me, Simon, and this kind of escape is what a father would do to protect his child.
Not only have I cleared any possible chance of being discovered, I have also left a large sum of money behind at Montgomery House. This money is for you. It should be enough to keep you comfortable at Montgomery House for the rest of your days. What’s more, you may have ownership of the studio.
Please understand that by carrying this out, your name is entirely free. I do hope that you marry the woman that you truly love. Emilia Spencer is a gem like no other. You both have good hearts and deserve one another. I hope to return to Harlow Greens some day, and when I do, I wish to discover that you’ve made a fine home for your family.
Some years ago, I took you off the streets as a poor orphan. It was the greatest decision I have ever made. I wish you all the happiness in the world.
Your loving father,
Gregory Kingsley
Emilia was shedding soft tears. Kingsley’s generosity was like nothing that she had ever experienced before. How was it that the man was so kind? So humble? It was startling to think that he had given up his whole life so that Simon might live his own. Emilia brought a hand up to wipe away a tear, and when she looked at Simon again, he had a tear in his eye, as well.
“I have never known such a man.”
“There is not another like him.”
“And you think that this will work?”
“I know that it will,” Simon said with a warm smile.
“Oh, Simon!” Rose called out, running up to him and throwing her arms around him.
“You’re safe, Rose,” Simon said tenderly.
“I’m so happy,” Rose replied.
“But what will Father think?”
“Your father will see the joy upon his daughters’ faces when they inform him that neither will marry Lord Pendergast. Then, he will finally understand.”
“I believe that to be true,” Emilia replied.
Rose finally pulled herself away, and Emilia desired nothing more than to be the next person to fling herself into Simon’s arms. But, for whatever reason, Emilia felt bashful doing so in front of Rose.
After the intimacy that she and Simon shared, it seemed far too intense to be in his arms in an environment that wasn’t private. No doubt sensing this, Simon approached Emilia slowly and brought a hand to her cheek, gently kissing her on the forehead.
Just then, Dominic and Lord Pendergast re-entered the room, and Emilia took a quick step back, but Simon stood still. Her heart began to pound in her chest. How was it that the very presence of Lord Pendergast filled her with such dread that she was constantly jumping out of her own skin every time that he drew near?
“Isn’t this amusing?” Lord Pendergast said.
“Simon!” Dominic exclaimed.
“Sir, for the sake of propriety, I’ll hold my tongue,” Simon said to the duke. Emilia could see that he was instantly filled with anger. Did he not wish to speak for fear of what he might say? That was what Emilia assumed.
“Then I’ll do the speaking,” Emilia said, suddenly becoming emboldened.
“No, I shall speak!” Rose proclaimed, and Emilia turned to her in shock. “I will not marry you, Your Grace.”
“Again, amusing,” Lord Pendergast said with a twisted smile. “Explain.”
“It would not make me happy,” Rose added. “And what’s more, I don’t have to.” She folded her arms in front of her chest, and Emilia stifled a laugh. Lord Pendergast probably didn’t know what he was getting into by marrying Rose anyhow.
“Rose, stop acting like a child,” Dominic said.
“She’s not acting like a child,” Emilia said, stepping forward. “She is speaking from the heart. Not only does Rose not wish to marry you, but I do not, as well.”
The Wild Passion of an Eccentric Lady: A Historical Regency Romance Book Page 26