by Ella Edon
He tossed the letter aside. "How rude of her!”
Emma said nothing to the Earl. He paced up and down the salon. He was furious. He rambled on about how inconsiderate the Lady.
Emma swallowed hard. She wondered what he would ask for next. What could he demand now? She hoped it was not something that would make her feel worse than she already did.
The Earl stopped pacing at once. He snapped his fingers and said to her. "Here's what is going to happen! We will have to plan the ball without her.”
Emma sighed.
"The ball takes place in five days. Where is Henry?! Tell him to send out letters at once. We should begin preparations for the ball." He walked out of the salon, leaving the door ajar. His voice travelled far, as he shouted instructions to the servants. From where she stood, Emma saw the staff, running around, nodding to each other, as the Earl walked past. Emma frowned. He instilled so much fear in people that when he was passing by them, they didn't know how to act. The Earl stopped mid way, and turned around, so that he was facing Emma.
"Find Blackmoor! Inform him of the plan. He has to send out the letters today!"
Before Emma could utter a protest, the Earl turned away from her and began moving around again. She groaned, she had done well to avoid him for the past three days. Having to see him again would be a disaster!
She wondered where he was. She rose from where she was seated and walked out of the salon. She saw the Butler on her way to her unknown destination.
"Mr. Anders?"
He turned. And offered her a smile. "Yes, my Lady?"
"Do you have any idea where Lord Blackmoor may be?"
Mr. Anders smiled. "He's in the study reading correspondence from Dunberry, I believe my Lady."
Emma closed her eyes as realization set in. Of course. He had left all of that, to come down to London to follow in his father's conniving plans, but Dunberry would still need his attention, even from this distance.. She huffed and made her way to the study.
The door was closed. She paused. She had been avoiding him for days and now she was sent to him. She just hoped that there was a way to escape after she passed on the message.
She pushed the door open and peered inside.
He was bent over the desk, scribbling on paper, while there were more papers scattered around the table. He raised his head as she walked in. His eyes were dim. There were bags under them, but that was the only thing amiss. His hair was combed back perfectly. She cleared her throat, to make her presence known.
"Emma," he said. His voice was husky. She immediately recalled how he had held her in his arms. How he had kissed her. How his hands had found their way to her —
"Emma?"
She shook her head. "The Earl has asked that you send out the invitation letters for the ball. As it is in five days and I have failed to acquire Lady Allen’s help, it falls to you now I am afraid. Preparations are to begin immediately!"
He raised his brows. “Invitations to the charade, you mean?"
"You know exactly what I mean, my Lord." she retorted.
Henry put down his quill. He placed a hand on his waist and faced her. "What happened, Emma? What has caused this change towards me?"
Emma shook her head. "I should leave."
"You're running away, Emma. Running away from your problems will never solve them, you know? You should learn to face them head on."
Emma clenched her teeth. "I have no intention of talking to you."
Henry crossed his hands over his chest. "Then go ahead, run away Emma.."
"You know nothing about me!"
"Then tell me, Emma. I wish to know. One night we share something so beautiful, and then the next day, you flee from me. Have I done something to upset you?"
Emma closed her eyes. "Nothing, Henry. This is not about you.”
Henry creased his brows. "That is not the way I see it."
Emma sighed, but Henry went on. "If what we shared meant anything to you, Emma, then tell me what the problem is."
Emma sighed. "Henry, I do not want you to be involved in this. I worry that perhaps this is - that you are caught in your father’s plans as well, because of me, and I do not want that."
Henry raised his hands in the air. "Perhaps if you should talk to me first before making conclusions." He walked over to her. "Emma, I want you to know that I truly do care for you. Never mind whatever my father says. If I become involved in all of this then it is by my choice. I want to be here for you, Emma, so please let me."
Emma sighed again. "I don't know what to think of all of this, Henry. Is this truly what you want? To still be involved with the ill plans your father has?"
"No, I truly despise his schemes, but I am certain that I want to help protect you from them."
Emma blinked. "I don't know Henry. Everything is taking place too fast. And with the blackmail your father has over me... I do not want you to be hurt by all of this as well."
Henry looked into her eyes and brought his palm to her cheek. "For once, Emma, let me worry about you. Lessen the burden you carry. I am here for you."
Emma sucked in a breath at his words. He smiled a little. A sad smile. Emma felt guilty, she did not want to involve Henry if it would end badly for him. She was the one who was to pay for her papa's debt, and her mother’s folly.
"Will you let me, Emma?"
She was reluctant, but with his eyes looking into hers so intensely, Emma smiled. "Perhaps."
Henry nodded at her and grinned. He was genuinely happy. Then he gestured to all the papers littered on the table. "I'll send out the letters today, but remember am here to help you Emma, not my father."
As Emma stood there, watching him. She had spent the past few days avoiding him, because she knew that being close to him again would make her want him, want to confide in him, be reassured by him, held by him. It would make her recall their passion that night.
Her cheeks reddened at that. "I'd be on my way." She turned to walk away.
"Emma," he called. "I meant what I said about being there for you, and I shan't go back on my words. "
She held her breath as she listened. For some reason, she believed him. He made everything feel so intense. Not uttering another word, she walked down the hallway and climbed the staircase leading to her bedchamber. She needed to sit before she fell. Her heartbeat was loud enough for her to hear the pump of blood — through her entire body. She touched her chest lightly, anticipating what would happen when Henry visited her in her bedchamber, because she knew that tonight he would.
Chapter Thirteen
Lord Blackmoor never made it. By the time he was done writing letters and had gone down to see her in the bedchamber she now claimed as hers, it was past midnight. When he peeked through the doors, he saw that she was fast asleep. Somehow he knew that she had waited for him. Perhaps she would be disappointed and angry with him again for not coming to her. He swallowed hard.
He dreaded having to see her that morning for he feared that she would once again give him a cold shoulder. It was a few days away from the ball. There were grand plans for the ballroom. Henry thought it extreme, that his father was going so far just to get the attention of Lady Allen. He went to find him, to tell him as much.
"Isn't this all too much?" Henry said as he walked into the wine cellar to see his father handing Mr. Anders some bottles of wine.
"Nothing is too much. Lady Allen needs to see how much power we have, and we need to fill the room with people, our people, so she can believe that Emma is a poor lonely woman who is in need of friendship." The Earl looked at Mr. Anders. "That is enough, I suppose. I want the others untouched."
Mr. Anders nodded curtly. "Of course, My Lord."
The Earl walked out of the Cellar, and Henry followed him. The Earl paused, as though he had come to a sudden realization, he said to Henry. "Did you send out all of the letters?"
"Yes."
"All to the right people, I hope?"
"To the people I want at my marr
iage introduction ball." Henry smiled.
The Earl growled. "What have you done? I specifically -"
"It is my ball, Father, is it not?" The Earl clenched his teeth. Henry raised a brow. " I invited the people who I want present."
"Blackmoor —"
"If you want something, father, do not hide behind anyone to get it. I shall have no one with questionable reputations or intentions at my ball." Henry squared his shoulders and walked out, leaving the Earl speechless.
When it was announced that breakfast was ready, it was his man Cecil who came to inform him.
"My Lord, Breakfast has been called." he grinned. "Not on the townhouse schedule are we, eh?”
Henry shook his head. "No, Cecil." His mind was elsewhere, far away from what Cecil was talking about.
"Ah, Dois moi. Is that a book I see?" Cecil walked over to the shelf and took out a volume. Henry shook his head, leaving Cecil to his novels and made his way out of the study. He made his way out of the study and into the dining room. He was surprised to see that only Emma was seated there. She looked up at him when he walked in. He swallowed hard. It was an opportunity to speak to her without his father. He took the seat beside her. She averted her gaze.
"Emma?"
"Good Morning, My Lord, I trust that you slept soundly." She smiled at him.
Henry knew to fear her smile most. He shook his head as he began his apology. "I am so sorry. I had to send out the letters so they could be delivered by morning. The ball is in a few days."
He saw her smile waver. "There's nothing to be sorry for. All we need is to prepare for the ball."
"Emma —"
"We should have breakfast, my Lord."
He sighed. Perhaps he should give up. He needed to give her more space.
"Of course. Good morning." He rose and walked over to the other side, so he could be seated opposite her. The Earl walked in, looking grim. He took his seat at the head of the table and He looked from Emma to Henry.
"Nothing can go wrong at the ball. We are relying on you Emma, you have to talk to Lady Allen, make her aware that you intend to be more than an acquaintance. You intend to be a friend."
Emma made no response. The Earl looked at Henry
"Good. Henry, this is your ball. You will be an exceptional host. It has to look spectacular."
Henry dropped his face into his palms and sighed. He didn't respond to his father.
"Did you hear me, Blackmoor?"
Henry looked up to meet his father's gaze. "We shall see."
The Earl was about to retort when Emma cut in. "Shall we start our meal now?"
The Earl glared at her. It irked Henry that his father was about to transfer his anger to Emma, so he said quickly. "I agree. It is best we have breakfast, there should be no further scheming on empty stomachs."
Without waiting for his father's response, he took two lumps of sugar and stirred his tea.
Emma cleared her throat. "I think it is best we said the Grace."
Emma said the grace, blessed the meal and cleared her throat again, to signal that she was done. All through, the Earl kept gloating under his breath. There was nothing that he understood from what his father muttered. He decided not to make an issue of it. All he wanted was to have his meal and leave. Most times, it was suffocating being in the same space with his father. He wondered how the ball would go. All the preparations were well in hand, but inside him, he prayed that all his father's plans would fall through.
* * *
The night of the ball soon came to pass. Reluctantly, Henry put on a welcoming smile and did as his father had asked, mingling with guests.
"Congratulations." Each said in turn. They were the ton of London. He came down ahead of Emma, her preparations for attendance seemed to be especially laborious and she was delayed, but it was she whom he was to introduce to everyone. Her entrance had to be special and her ladies maid had assured him she had a plan for Emma that suited the occassion. He walked around and carried on with the greetings. He wondered if it could be seen, by merely looking into his eyes, that he wanted nothing to do with this evening. That his smile was part of a facade.
"Lord Blackmoor." A voice called from behind. Henry whirled around, to see an old friend of his mother's. Lady Victoria, Duchess of Roxburgh.
"Your Grace." He bowed.
She waved her hands in the air. "Oh dear, I was most pleased when I received a letter from you. I haven't heard from you in all of these years."
"I mostly keep to my own residences in Mayfair."
Lady Victoria closed her eyes and nodded. "As you should. Augustine would be so proud of how you've turned out! Look at those cheekbones dear. You look exactly like her." Henry hated to speak about his mother. "We would like to see that wife of yours, dear! We are most pleased that you thought to share this moment with us."
Henry nodded absently. "Of course."
Lady Victoria tapped his hands lightly, as though she remembered something. "But pray tell, dear, why weren’t we invited to the wedding?"
Henry groaned. Lady Victoria would never let him be, unless he made an excuse and made an escape of some sort. Her questions would be never end and he would have to keep faking it all. His cheeks already hurt from all the fake smiles he had to give.
"We are old family acquaintances, the wedding was held at her families small country parish."
"Oh, if you insist, I hope it was no scandal, Blackmoor. A scandal would have your poor mother rolling in her very own grave."
Having had enough, Henry proceeded to seize the moment to make a final statement before he fled. "It is quite thrilling to see you again, Your Grace. Will we speak again before the night ends, yes? Please excuse me now, as my time is not my own this evening."
The Duchess smiled and nodded curtly. Henry added before she could speak.
Thankful, Henry made his escape from her. He walked blindly,to avoid further conversations he simply bowed and walked on. No one made to call out to him. He rushed out of the ballroom and into the hallway. Just as he walked into the hallway, he heard Mr. Anders announce: "Lady Rachael Allen, Duchess of Loringham."
Henry sighed. The Lady, who was the cause of the whole the charade, was finally here. All he needed was now Emma, so the entire display could end soon enough. He walked towards the staircase and was stooped as his eyes landed on her, standing at the top of the stairs in a light blue dress, with a white lace at the center of its skirt, and white threads at the hem. Her blonde hair was packed up in a chignon and her ears bore glittering earrings, that matched with the large diamond necklace she wore. She was a sight to behold. Breathtakingly beautiful. Henry paused to gaze at her beauty. He was mesmerized by her eyes, looking into his. He forgot everything. He forgot about the unwanted ball. It all faded. All he saw was her, and her beauty, and how she gazed at him. He took a step forward and made his way towards her. Willing himself to move after every step. He hoped, that she welcomed what he was about to do, because he had no self-control this time.
Chapter Fourteen
Emma didn't understand the look on Henry's face, which was why she looked into his eyes, hoping to see, perhaps, what it was that he was about to do. Her heart pounded as he bounded up the stairs, his eyes searching hers. He was supposed to take her down to the ball and make the introduction. But with the way he was looking at her, she wondered what he was thinking. Did he think she was beautiful? Or was something wrong?She looked around discreetly, to see if anyone else was watching. Henry was a step away from her now. His eyes never left her. His hands moved slowly towards her, as though he was trying to understand what it was he was doing. He took her by her forearm, very gently, and pushed her back, away from the stairs and out of sight. Holding her against the wall. Her eyes widened. Her body became hot. All she wanted was for him to touch her, but she was afraid. Anyone could walk in at any time.
"Henry..." she warned.
But he placed his lips on her neck and that silenced her. Her heartbeat was rapid as
he kissed her neck and proceeded to kiss her on her lips.
She giggled. "This is very thrilling, Henry, but we have a ball to attend."