The Marchioness’ Buried Secret (Historical Regency Romance)

by Ella Edon

  Emma seemed worried. "Henry, do not do anything that would get you in trouble with your father."

  Henry kissed her hands and sighed. "I won't."

  “Are you hungry? " he asked quickly, not wanting to discuss his father anymore.

  "I'll have Mr. Anders send up a hamper. I think if we eat here, it will be easier for us." He wriggled his brows and Emma knew what was on his mind.

  However, she shook her head at him. “I never eat in bed. Just call in Cecil, get dressed and we can have breakfast downstairs."

  "We are the only ones here, we could eat here, Emma. Before we proceed for the day."

  Emma shook her head again.

  But then Henry climbed the bed and moved near her. While he held her close, he took the bell from the bed corner and rang it a few times. Emma sighed as he did this Henry grinned. He was certain that he wouldn't see her for the rest of the day, so he thought it best, to make the most of his mornings with her.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The morning of the Roxburgh ball was filled with laughter and joy. Emma had woken up alone but just as she had begun to dress for the day, Henry walked in and announced that once again, they would have breakfast in bed.

  "If we keep on doing this, Henry, we would become too lazy to get on with our days’ work," Emma said in a serious tone.

  But her smile made it hard for Henry to take her seriously. He twirled her back to the bed and asked that she stay between the sheets while Mr. Anders approached with the footman, who carried their breakfast.

  "Time with you seems like it's fleeting. That's why I'm doing all of this, to make each day last.”

  After breakfast, Henry and Cecil retreated to the library.Emma spent her day in the study, trying to read books.

  They calm the mind, Lady Allen had said.

  Emma wanted to try that too. Thinking of Lady Allen, she looked forward to seeing her at the ball.

  Emma tossed the book she was reading on the table, wondering why it wasn't as interesting as Lady Allen had made it out to be. She rose to take another but was interrupted by a knock on the door.

  "Yes?"

  Sally peeked in. "My Lady, it is past noon. I think it is best we begin preparations for the ball at Roxburgh."

  Emma looked at her, eyes wide. She had not known the time had flown by so quickly. She rose to her feet. "Thank you, Sally. Let us go get dressed. I should be ready before the Lord comes for me."

  She had picked out a red dress the day before,and some jewelry to go with the dress. Once Emma was dressed, she proceeded down the stairs. She had planned on sitting in the drawing room to wait for Henry but was surprised when she saw him by the entrance door, handing his coat to Mr. Anders and talking to Cecil. He stopped mid-sentence when he saw her. Emma's heart lurched at his reaction. She saw Cecil grin mischievously. It was Cecil's expression that made her blush. Everyone was well aware that Henry was star struck on seeing her and it made her feel self-conscious.

  He made his way over to her and held out his hand. Emma placed her hand in his. He raised it to his lips and kissed it.

  Twirling her around, he said, "You look beautiful."

  Emma smiled. "I do appreciate the compliment, My Lord. You should head on up to get dressed for the ball or we may run too late."

  "Join me," he whispered.

  Although he whispered, Emma felt as though everyone heard. She was shocked and then glared at him. "Henry!"

  He chuckled. "I shall let go of you now but have in mind that there will be very little sleeping tonight."

  Her cheeks turned red, in line with her neck. She watched him walk away with ease, as though he had said nothing. She shook her head and turned to walk to the drawing room as she had planned, but she saw Cecil grinning at her. She raised her brows at him, but he shook his head and walked by her, heading upstairs. She rolled her eyes at him.

  * * *

  When Henry was dressed, he came down and made to twirl her again, but Emma chided him playfully, reminding him that they were running late for the ball as it was. In the carriage, he kept asking if they were not making a mistake by going.

  "Perhaps it would be better if we stayed in my chambers?"

  Emma glared at him. "You, my Lord, are insufferable."

  He chuckled boisterously.

  They arrived at the ball in no time. Emma had never been to Roxburgh..

  "It is so large, Henry," she said as they made their way into the ballroom.

  Henry nodded. "I know, so beautiful. I used to wish and hope that someday, I would become the Duke of Roxburgh, just so I could live here."

  When they entered the ballroom, the footman announced them, "The Marquis and Marchioness of Dunberry, Lord Henry and Lady Emma Blackmoor."

  Emma was stunned when heads turned to look at her. She thought about her hair. Sally had styled it in a bun atop her head with a few tendrils out to frame her face. Her jewelry was gold, to match the gold embroidery on her dress.

  "You look beautiful, Lady Blackmoor," Henry said beside her as they made their way down the stairs. "They are only curious to know who my wife is."

  She was about to reply him, when her eyes caught something. It was Lady Allen, with a man who looked older than she. Not as old as The Earl, but older nonetheless. He had blonde hair and was clad in a blue coat that suited his blue breeches. She saw that the embroidery on his coat was similar to that on Lady Allen's green dress. Their hands were hooked together, but the scowls on both their faces made it obvious that there was an ongoing argument. She watched as they both forced smiles on their faces when a nobleman approached them.

  Emma nudged Henry. "Who is that?"

  Although Emma had an idea, she did not want it to be who she thought it was.

  "His Grace, Lord Loftus Allen."

  Emma swallowed hard when his eyes locked with hers briefly. She looked away. "The Duke of Loringham."

  Henry held her close. "Be careful, Emma. Stay out of his way."

  "How can I? Your father has thrown me in his path."

  Henry was about to speak, but Lord Hamilton made his way over to them. "Old friend, you made it!"

  Henry laughed as he let go of her and hugged his friend. She was standing by with a smile on her face, waiting to greet Lord Hamilton, but a hand gripped her elbow. She turned to see Lady Allen behind her, her eyes were wide as she spoke. "We have to speak, Emma. It is important."

  Emma looked back at Henry. He was engrossed in his discussion with Lord Hamilton. She turned away from him and nodded at Lady Allen. Lady Allen led the way, and Emma followed. She led Emma to the Garden and stopped at the darkest corner, where the light from the ballroom was barely reflecting.

  "Rachael, what is it?"

  Lady Allen shook her head. "Be careful, Emma. You have wedded into a very dangerous family. I do not know why, but my husband has asked that I spy on you. I cherish our friendship too much not to tell you this. The Earl of Drysdale and my husband have been rivals for over a decade now. They are both very dangerous men, Emma. You must look out for yourself or you may end up getting hurt."

  Emma's heart lurched. She felt guilty. She should have told Lady Allen about what she had been sent to do as well but she couldn’t.

  Rachael went on. She was talking rapidly. "I do not want Loftus to see me with you. He would demand information of me, which was why I called you out here. Be careful, Emma. Many ladies have been hurt from this rivalry. The former Lady Blackmoor for one. And Lady Allen, the one before me. I can’t tell you all now, but be careful, Emma. Trust no one but yourself."

  "What do you mean Lady Blackmoor? Henry's mother? What happened to her?"

  Lady Allen shook her head. "You should ask Lord Blackmoor. It is not my tale to tell. I must run before Loftus realizes that I am missing."

  Lady Allen left her and walked inside. She seemed so scared that it also terrified Emma. Emma wondered what she had gotten herself into. Also, she wondered what happened to Henry's mother and why had he not shared it with
her. She wondered how many things she was unaware of, and she shuddered in fear. She realized that Lady Allen had been right. She could only trust herself.

  Emma return to the ballroom in order to escape suspicion from the Duke of Loringham. As she walked in, Henry found her.

  "Where have you been? The dancing is about to commence and I must have the first dance tonight." He stopped talking and frowned. "What is it? You seem upset."

  She wanted to share what she felt with him, to tell him that she was lost, that everything was becoming overwhelming again, but he was keeping secrets from her. Of course, the ball was not the right place to discuss such with him, so she decided not to confront him. She was going to wait and watch.

  Forcing a smile, she said, "Of course, My Lord, you may have this dance."

  Henry smiled. He led her to the center of the room where everyone was standing and preparing to dance.

  Henry grinned as he stretched out his hands. She recalled their first dance together.

  Emma curtsied and he took her hands in his. He raised them, until they touched his lips, and then, he pulled her close and said, "You look beautiful."

  Emma swallowed hard. She did not know what to say.

  Henry twirled her. "Perhaps I need to show you that you are. "

  Emma felt self-conscious, as everyone watched their every move. Being close to Henry made her feel so much at once. He moved against her with ease.

  "Henry..."

  He grinned at her, and they both moved to the side, bowed and curtsied, before they placed both their left hands on the other and walked around each other. He soon stopped to twirl her, as the rhythm from the pianoforte changed.

  Emma felt deep inside her, the need to tell him that she was not happy and that what she had heard bothered her. Though she was close to him, she felt so alone. Alone in this new world.

  When the dance ended, they both bowed, and an applause rang out in the entire ballroom.

  "Let's leave, Emma. Let's just go.” He grinned. "No one would notice our absence."

  Emma was in no mood for all of that. She wanted to flee, to be alone. But Henry held on to her, and Emma felt heat up through her spin. Her knees wobbled, and she knew that she needed to be away from him. She wanted him, and yet she did not.

  Emma looked back at where the Duchess was and was puzzled to see that the Duchess was with her husband. Lord Allen kept looking at Emma and it made her feel uncomfortable. Her heartbeat increased. Fear gripped her as she looked at Lord Allen. His Grace was not in the least subtle about his gaze. It was as though he wanted her to know that he was looking. He wanted her to know that he knew who she was. She felt like a prey before him, and she shuddered in fear.

  "Emma?" Henry called, trying for her attention.

  "Henry, let us leave. I... I feel tired. I wish to retire."

  She saw him frowning so she closed her eyes and waited for his response.

  "Alright. Whatever you wish." He led the way, while she followed.

  Even as she walked away, she was frightened of the Duke. She knew that he was still watching her. For some reason, she knew that he was deliberately trying to scare her. She was afraid of what he might do to her and was afraid of knowing the truth about what had really happened to Henry's mother.

  When Henry looked back at her, she wondered what it all meant for both of them, if there were secrets between them. She was after all, his wife. He had made promises to her. He had begun to speak of the future. Did that not mean that he cared? Did that not mean that he wanted her? She certainly could not have been wrong about him feeling something for her. He did, didn't he?

  When they were outside, he said to her, "Enough of all of this, Emma. Tell me, what is really going on?"

  She knew that he may be hurt, but she was willing to risk it, because she wanted him to trust her completely. She wanted him to share everything with her, because without trust, then what they had was not true. "Tell me, Henry. What led to your mother's death?"

  She watched the blood drain from his face and his eyes narrowed. She took a step back. She had indeed taken a risk.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Henry was stunned. How could she ask him about his mother in such a way? Why would she ask this now, here in the open? He was hurt by it and the way she stared at him, as though he were a stranger, as though he was... strange to her.

  "Emma? What is wrong?"

  He knew that he had indeed kept the secret about the true cause of his mother's death from her, but her sudden tone of questioning set him off guard.

  She shook her head. "Just tell me, Henry!"

  He knew that talking about it would hurt, which was why he had wanted to tell her in his own way. As he was already hurting, he said nothing to her. He only blinked and nodded towards the carriage that was now before them.

  "The carriage has arrived. We should head home."

  The words sounded bitter as he uttered them. Home. He did not want to go to that house. He believed that all his problems began and endedthere.

  When they entered the carriage, he turned to Emma. Her silence irked him, and he needed to understand where her question had come from.

  "Why did you ask me such a thing?"

  Emma did not look his way. The carriage wheeled into the road and Emma shook with it. "Is there anything that you are keeping from me? Is there something that you perhaps wish to tell me?"

  He glared. "You demand that I speak to you about my mother's death, and now you ask that there is something I have been asking you the same questions!"

  Emma laughed but her laughter was tired and hollow. "Apparently, Henry, all is not well. And all has not been well for a long time. Henry —"

  "And bringing up my mother's death is a remedy for all of it? My mother's death is the most —"

  "Why? Why does your mother's death hurt you so much? Why? What happened? What events led to her death? What really —"

  The carriage halted. Before the footman alighted from his position to lift the curtains, Henry burst from the carriage and strode into the house. He was so furious at her that he wanted to get away. How could she insist on knowing something that hurt so much to talk about?

  "Good evening, My Lord.”—” Cecil began as he walked into the house.

  Henry waved him off. "Not now, Cecil. Bring a scotch to the study."

  Cecil's stepped aside to let his Lord walk past.

  As Henry approached the study, he saw someone, hunched over his files. He froze. He stood by the door, and squinted his eyes, unable to believe what he was seeing.

  "Father?"

  His father stood straight abruptly, dropping some files at he did.

  Henry creased his brows. "I thought you were on your way to Ireland."

  "I turned around. I decided to return here. There are some businesses I think would benefit me more than that with the Irish Lord. Come, sit. We have a lot to discuss."

  Henry knew that whatever they had to discuss was not to benefit him at all.

  * * *

  "And once Hamilton has agreed to the deal and signed, you can tell him that from there, henceforth, he shall be working with me," the Earl said, as he poured some scotch into the glass before him.

  Henry rubbed his eyes. He had been unable to drink the scotch before him. He spent his time listening to what his father had to say. His father wanted him to use his connection with Hamilton because he saw that he could gain more from him, than the mysterious Lord in Ireland. Henry was sure that this was because Hamilton was related to the Duke of Roxburgh by marriage.

  Henry knew that his father wanted power, and that he now sought to get it through Roxburgh. His father knew that becoming friends with Roxburgh would be beneficial to him, he needed him as an ally when it came to the vote on the Dukedom.

  Henry shook his head and rose to his feet. "Goodnight, father."

  He made his way to the door. The Earl's voice boomed across the room and Henry stopped. "You shan't walk past that door until I have fini
shed with you."

  Henry clenched his teeth. "We have finished. My response to your request is no. I won't do that. Hamilton has been my friend since childhood, and he works with me, not you. You are asking me to be deceptive, to lie to him. Hamilton would never trust me again and I cannot have that. If you want to get a connection to Roxburgh, get it yourself. Do not involve me. Do not ask me to put my own connections at stake for you —"

  The Earl growled, interrupting Henry. He rose to his feet and glared at him. "Henry, you shall do as I say."