by Ella Edon
He kissed the top of her head.
Emma smiled up at him, then calmly, she said. "Henry, my father sent me a letter."
Henry creased his brows. "I hope all is well?"
Emma shrugged. "I hope so too, I have yet to read it."
"Pray tell, why?"
Emma sighed. "I just have not had the time to do so."
Henry nodded. "You could read it now, if it pleases you."
Emma shook her head. "It may delay us. Come on, get dressed for breakfast."
Henry raised a brow. It seemed that she was afraid of opening the letter, afraid of what might happen if she did. He saw, that she was perturbed. He knew it was the blackmail his father held over her that disturbed her. Emma feared that she was not the Earl's daughter. She was ashamed to face her father, and he understood her perfectly.
This was even more reason why he needed to get something to hold against his father. He knew that having any secret of his father's mischievous dealings would lead to his freedom. He did not speak on the issue any further, for he wanted her to ease her mind. He smiled at her and kissed the top of her head again.
Emma held on to him for a short while, before she rose and said. "We should go down for breakfast."
He nodded. "I shall send for Cecil, so that I may prepare."
Emma blushed and sighed dreamily. "See you at breakfast, my darling husband."
"Likewise, my darling wife."
* * *
After breakfast, Henry left in a hurry. Emma kissed him goodbye by the dining table and Cecil carried his case. Together, they headed to the carriage.
"Are you certain that Mr. Carroway will be cooperative?" Henry asked.
"The Earl is a very smart man, my Lord. Surely, he would know that one can find out his secrets easily from Mr. Carroway. I cannot say if he would be cooperative, but it is advisable to try, irrespective."
Henry nodded to Cecil. He was right. His father was indeed a smart man, and surely, his secrets would not be disclosed so easily. Still, he was going to make an attempt. He got into the carriage and the coachman hopped on. Cecil stood outside, concern written all over his face.Henry sighed. "I will be fine, Cecil."
Cecil nodded. "And if you eventually uncover something, My Lord, what then do you intend to do? For whatever you do to your father, shall affect you too."
Henry's main focus now, was Emma. If he found something against his father, his main motive was to set Emma free. Henry did not respond to Cecil. For as always, he feared that the walls had ears. At Henry's signal, the coachman wheeled the carriage into the road.
Cecil bellowed as the carriage wheeled away. "Go well, My Lord."
Henry wondered about all that Cecil had said, as he did, he realized that more than ever, all he wanted was a simple life with Emma. He rested his head against the side and hoped that he would see Mr. Carroway.
The carriage wheeled to a halt soon enough.
"We have arrived, your lordship," the coachman said as he pulled open the door.
Henry stepped out, nodded once at him and headed towards the establishment.
Henry wondered how he had never heard of Mr. Carroway. His father must have been very discreet with him. How, he wondered, had his father come in close relation with a pub owner in a marketplace? Surely, the Earl never visited the pub. He would never, for he knew how it would ruin his reputation. For people would ask, what is a nobleman was doing in such a place.
Henry wondered where it was safe for him to meet with Mr. Carroway, so he asked the coachmen. "Where do you think would be appropriate to have a discreet meeting?"
The coachman smiled. Then, he pointed at a store. "Behind that store, is a descrete corner.."
Henry alighted the carriage and headed towards the store. He had signaled for his coachman to go pass the message to Mr. Carroway, that the Earl awaited him. Henry knew how risky this was, for it was daytime. But the store was hidden, and he was certain no one would see them. He positioned his hat, to cover part of his face, as he walked down the alley. There, he closed his eyes and prayed for the arrival of Mr. Carroway.
Chapter Thirty
Emma gripped her father's letter to her chest as she recounted his words. Guilt gripped her heart as she closed her eyes. She wondered again, what would happen if her father ever found out what her mother had done. Would he disown her? Would he love her less?
She raised the letter again, and as her eyes glistened, she began to read once again.
My dearest daughter Emma,
Not a day passes that I do not regret my actions, and wish to turn back the hands of time and lead a better life, for you. I am so sorry, Emma. For I know that I have not only failed you, but your mother as well —
Emma sucked in a breath, before she went on.
I do hope that you are happy. Although I have no right to ask such a question, I do not stop wondering if all is well with you. Write to me as soon as you can, for I wish to hear from you, to lift thus burden off of me.
With Love,
Your father.
Emma folded the letter and threw it on the bed. Although she was happy, and happy that he had written to her, she also felt the burden he spoke of. She felt the guilt that he felt, and wished to share all with him. She wished to question him about her mother and ask what he knew, if he knew, fornot knowing who she truly was tormented Emma.
She decided that she would reply to her father and tell him that she was fine, that she was happy. She would tell him that Lord Blackmoor was a wonderful man, and she had grown to love him. She would tell him that she was happy, because truly, she was.
Emma walked out of her bedchambers, a small smile upon her lips, for she was happy. She wished to tell her father about Henry, and his love. As she made her way down the staircase, she wondered where Sally was. She wanted to send her on an errand, to give the letter she had written to Lady Allen.
"Sally?" she called, when she landed at the bottom of the staircase.
The house was eerily quiet. Emma felt uneasy about it. She looked around and said again, "Sally Brooks? Mr. Anders? Alicia?"
There was no response.
Sally was usually in the salon or the drawing room, waiting for her. She peeked in the drawing room, but it was empty. She made her way to the salon and pushed the door open.
"Sally," she called, certain that Sally would be there. But Emma was shocked — so much that she flinched and gasped, when she saw the Earl.
Her heart sank. "Your Lordship."
"Lady Blackmoor," he responded.
She had not known that he was around. She had not seen him at breakfast, and when Henry had questioned Mr. Anders, he had said that the Earl left very early.
Stuttering, Emma said, "I had...had no idea that you had returned."
He rose. "I have only just returned. "
"Welcome. I was in search of Sally, if you would excuse me —"
"Take a seat, Lady Blackmoor, we have a lot to discuss. And with Henry not home, no one can come in between our long overdue conversation."
Emma knew then, that he had targeted, waited and calculated his movements, for he knew that Henry would not be home. Squaring her shoulders, Emma took a seat and faced him.
"Splendid." The Earl smiled. "Pray tell, Emma, what progress have you made with the duchess?"
Emma nodded. "We are well acquainted now..."
The Earl scoffed. "You know well enough, Emma, that that is certainly not what I wish to hear."
Emma swallowed.
"I wish to know if you have found out anything, from the Duchess, concerning the duke."
"No, I have nothing."
"That is exactly what you have been telling me for weeks now, Emma! " he yelled. Then, he began to pace the room. "Now listen very carefully, you know that with just a snap, I shall have your life in ruins. I shall tarnish the memory of your mother, and you know exactly what shall happen to your dear father when he hears of this. So, if you want to save your sorry self, Lady Blackmoor, get me t
he information I need!"
Emma was furious, she was no longer thinking about the consequences of her actions. When she rose, and with glistening eyes, she challenged the Earl.
"Prove to me, prove to me that what you say about my mother is true. I wish to see the letters between her and her lover."
"You dare to challenge me?"
"Until you show me, I do not believe a word you say. I do not think that you tell the truth."
He nodded and said to her. "I knew that you would question me in such a way, because Henry has begun to influence you, so that you feel that you can no longer have yo do as I ask."
Emma swallowed hard. She watched as the Earl shoved his hand into his pocket and retrieved something. He waved it before her. It was a letter. She saw how it was folded, and how the paper seemed to have been crumpled at some point.
"You want proof that your mother truly had an affair? Here."
He tossed the letter at Emma. She caught it swiftly, and while looking at him, she opened it. Her heartbeat increased as she did, the fear inside her growing. She had feared being faced with the reality of her mother's actions some day, and finally, she got a hold of a letter her mother had written to a lover.
Dear Edward,
I fear that if I come to see you today, Roger would notice that I am gone. I do not want that. For I want no harm to come to you, my love. I wish to see you tomorrow, by noon, by the waters. Perhaps, as we sit by the water, we shall do more than acknowledge its beauty. I do miss you.
Love, Gracie.
Emma swallowed hard. She could not let go of the letter. She could not let herself to believe that her mother had written that. It was her mother's penmanship, but it did not sound like her mother. Reading those words, and picturing her mother writing them, having such thoughts, it did not sit well with her. Or perhaps, she had just never really known this side of her mother.
Her heart was heavy, and her eyes became tearful. It was true. Her mother had indeed had an affair. The letter was snatched from her. Emma looked up at him with glistening eyes. She shook her head and placed her hand over her mouth. That was one of so many more letters that the Earl had. If her father ever saw any of those. It would break him.
"There is a lot more where this came from.” The Earl nodded at her. "So, now you see just how easily your life could go downhill, Emma. It is best you do as I say."
Emma was still shaken by what she had seen, but the Earl was not done speaking.
"Now you listen very carefully. Just because Henry now thinks himself strong enough to face me, gives you no right to challenge me as you have just done. If, by a fortnight, you bring me no information, I swear to you that I shall ruin you. I shall tarnish your mother's name." He waved the letter before her, to emphasize his point. “And then, I shall have you taken to a convent faraway from here, and there, you shall live the rest of your miserable life. And Henry shall do nothing about it, absolutely nothing about it."
To Emma's relief, he walked around her, and walked out of the salon, without waiting for her response. Fear gripped Emma in that very moment, for she had looked into his eyes, and she knew that he had meant every word. She gripped the sides of her dress and tried to hold back tears that threatened to fall from her glistening eyes. There was nothing she could do to save herself. All she needed was to get the Earl what he wanted, through the Duchess.
Emma ran out of the salon, in search of Sally. She needed Sally to send the letter to Lady Allen. She needed to meet with Lady Allen, to get a hold of whatever little information she could.
* * *
Emma had searched the entire manor for nearly two hours, only later, when she saw George, the stable boy, did she discover they had all been sent out of the house by the Earl. He had sent them all away, so he could force a conversation with her.
Tired, angry and ashamed, Emma had decided to wait in the salon. She sent Sally out, after she had given her the letter to give to Lady Allen. She had been ashamed to let them all see her that way. So, to calm herself, she picked up a book and began to flip through. Her mind was never settled enough for her to read.
Emma retired to her bed chambers and sank to the floor, her eyes teary. She sat on the floor and rested her head against the bed and cried till she could cry no more. The more she had cried, the more empty she felt. Soon, she drifted to sleep right there on the floor.
Emma was later awakened by a nudge and a soft whisper. Her eyes fluttered open to see Henry there, squatting beside her. She gasped, frightened. Henry stared at her with creased brows. He worried for her. He moved closer to her and touched her face.
"Emma, what is it? Why do you look so distressed? Why do you sit on the floor?"
Emma had not known that she had slept for so long, but as she looked outside, and saw that it was late noon.
"Emma?"
Recalling the events of the early afternoon, Emma closed her eyes and breathed out hard. "Oh, Henry..."
"I am here. What happened?"
"Your father." she said. "He returned home earlier than usual."
Henry clenched his teeth. "What did he do?"
As she recalled, what had happened, she burst into tears and leaned against Henry's chest. "He threatened me and sent everyone away. I have been alone."
He held her close. "What did he say to you?"
She moved back, so she could look at him as she spoke. "He said he would take me away, to a convent, and not only that, he said he wouldtell of my mother's affair...he meant every word he had said. He even showed me a letter, Henry. It was my mother's writing. She had written the letter. She truly had an affair. If it so much as gets out, Henry, my father would be ruined." She broke down again. "Henry, what do I do?"
Henry pulled her close to him and held her. "I shan't allow him to do anything to you, Emma. He shan't harm you."
Emma shook her head. "He meant every word, Henry, every word."
Without a word, Henry rose with her. He scooped her up in his arms and laid her on the bed, and then he kissed the top of her head. Emma held on to him as he made to walk away. "Stay..."
He looked into her eyes, and she was called in by the passion that she saw through his eyes, but then more than his passion for her, she saw rage and fear. Emma knew that what she had said had angered him, but she did not want him to confront his father. She knew that it would only make matters worse. She decided to try to calm him down, so she leaned towards him and kissed him.
Henry sighed and gave in. As her lips parted, and as the heat rose in her body, he pulled away. "Emma, I am well aware of what you are trying to do." He pressed his head against hers. "I can not let him do this."
She gripped his coat. "Henry, please... stay with me."
He sighed and kissed her. Heat rippled through her as his lips brought her pleasure. She was shaking with desire when they pulled apart again. With glazed eyes, Emma stared at him and smiled.
"Sit, let me tell you about my day, and you can tell me about yours."
He laughed but he complied. He laid beside her and held her close.
"I read my father's letter today."
Henry hummed.
"Papa misses me. He wishes to know if I am well. He apologized for everything."
"You must write him back. To tell him that you are well and happy. "
Emma sighed. "Of course, I shall. How did your day go?"
Henry cleared his throat. "Not to my expectations."
"What happened? What was the outcome of your visit?”
"Mr. Carroway and his wife have left London. They moved to somewhere unknown. The pub is run by another as is the whorehouse."
"You should not be found seeking such people, Henry." Emma sighed.
Henry nodded. "I am well aware. And for that, I was careful. But it is all over now, and I am home." He kissed the top of her head. "We shall fight this together, Emma."
Emma hoped so. She hoped that they would eventually move away from all of this.
Chapter Thirty-One
Henry paced the study. He was still bothered by what had occurred the day before. First, he was angry that Mr. Carroway had been long gone before he arrived. Mr. Carroway had left London seven days prior to his arrival. The new owner of the pub had received Henry's letter and arrived behind the store. Henry had been glad for his coat and his cap. He did well to hide himself from the pub owner. He simply asked for Mr. Carroway, to which the man had said he was long gone.
"Please, I want no more visits. Mr. Carroway is gone, and I am the new owner of the pub. All I want is to be here and earn in peace. If there is anything that Mr. Carroway owed you, then I would be obliged to pay — by monetary means only."