by Ella Edon
Henry saw then, that the man was different from Mr. Carroway. He shook his head at the man. "Mr. Carroway owes me nothing. Thank you for your time."
Henry had walked away from the man and headed for his carriage. He closed his eyes and swallowed hard.
He stopped pacing and raised his hand in the air. He had no choice but to seek Hamilton's help in this. Hamilton knew how to get information. He walked out of the study and made his way out. He saw Mr. Anders by the door, smiling. He stopped. He needed to tell Emma that he was leaving. He turned back around and headed to the salon. He had heard her telling Sally to bring her her needlework.
He pushed open the door and walked in. .
"Hello, My lady.”
She giggled, but it did not reach her eyes. He knew that her mind was elsewhere. He kissed her cheeks and said to her. "I need to step out for a while."
She gave him a look, and he understood instantly. He kissed her cheeks again. "I will be fine, there is no need to worry about anything. "
She nodded once. " Be careful then..."
He took her in again and saw that she looked pale. "Are you alright? Do you feel faint?"
Emma looked perplexed. "No, I am alright. "
He wanted to suggest that she rested in the bed chamber, but thought against it. He knew that if she were to retire there, she would keep thinking about everything that was going on and he did not want that for her. He simply kissed her goodbye and headed out. He hoped that Emma was alright.
* * *
Hamilton was more than pleased to see him. He had even called Emilia down to greet him. Emilia was pleased as well to see him. Her belly was already protruding.
"Lord Blackmoor!" she said excitedly, and curtsied.
"Lady Hamilton." he responded with a fitting smile. "It has been quite sometime. Congratulations. I hear you are with child."
"Thank you, my lord. I had told Eric that you would make a good godfather to our child" To that, Henry nodded, grinning widely. "What a pleasure that would be."
"Perhaps you would come over for tea sometime with Lady Blackmoor?"
Emilia had always been so kind, so eager to be acquainted to everyone. He smiled at her. "Of course, Lady Blackmoor and I would love to come for tea sometime."
Emilia curtsied and walked away, whilst Henry nodded at Hamilton. "I am in dire need of your help."
Lord Hamilton ushered him into the study and closed the door. "I presume that after much thought, you have decided to let me in on what has been bothering you?"
He nodded. "Yes. Scotch?"
Lord Hamilton nodded. "Indeed."
After pouring them both a glass, Hamilton asked, "Are you here concerning the case of your father?"
Henry nodded. "Indeed."
As they sipped the scotch, Henry was able to relay his dilemma to his old friend. Hamilton sat behind the desk, listening and not speaking. Henry did not tell him all. He excluded everything concerning Emma, but he did tell Hamilton about Mr. Carroway.
"I had gone to see him, but I was informed that he was long gone."
Hamilton took a sip of his scotch. "What do you want to do now?"
"I just need to know what my father may be getting himself into. He has been quite secretive, and I just wish to be certain that he is not doing anything that would bring us ruin."
Hamilton sat up. "And have you perhaps considered that it is best you are not aware? Because he may be trying to protect you, by not telling you."
Henry wanted to share everything with Hamilton, but the blackmail was Emma's secret and not his. He could not disrespect her in such a way. He had promised to protect her.
"Blackmoor," Hamilton called.
Henry looked up at him. "I know what I am doing, Hamilton. I wish to discover what my father is up to."
Hamilton looked like he wanted to protest some more, but Henry shook his head. "Please...this matters to me more than anything." Henry pleaded. "You are well
connected and I am sure that you can get the information."
Hamilton nodded. "There is no need to worry, Henry. I shall do my best. All I want is for you to be certain that this is what you want. Listen, Blackmoor, if I uncover something bothersome, it may weigh on your relationship with your father and there may never be a return from knowing. I strongly advise that you still confront your father. I thought that you wanted to do that. You had said that was what you would do."
Henry shook his head. "I did want to. But I know my father, Hamilton, he would never tell me a thing."
"Blackmoor—”
Henry shook his head and interrupted him. "Hamilton, I have made my decision and this is what I want."
"There would be no redemption for your relationship and reputation. Are you still certain?"
Henry nodded without giving it a second thought. It was indeed what he wanted. With his father threatening Emma, he was certain that he wanted to take her far away from his father. This was the only way.
Chapter Thirty-Two
After wondering for too long how she would begin the letter to her father, Emma began to write. She sat in the study and wrote a letter that was heart felt and genuine.
Dear Father,
A few days have passed since your letter came to me. I was overjoyed that you had written. Oh father, you still bear a burden that is most unnecessary now. I am happy. Lord Blackmoor makes me very happy. I am pleased with my new home. Mother would be proud that you have given me a happy life, one in which I am content. She would be proud of how well you had brought me up, all on your own. I shall come down to visit at Elesmere sometime soon.
Be well, Father.
Yours Faithfully,
Lady Emma Blackmoor.
As she went to deliver the letter Sally approached her. Suspecting what news she bore, Emma nodded towards the salon and together, they walked in and shut the door behind them.
Sally brought out a letter from the pocket of her dress. She stretched her arms out to her lady, a smile on her face. "Lady Allen responded very quickly."
Emma took the letter from Sally and ripped it open. She read quickly, her eyes flickering line by line in a quick motion.
Lady Allen was well. She had spent her days writing more and had been unperturbed by the outside world. She did wish to leave her work for a break and get a glimpse of what the sun looked like.
...Perhaps, Lady Blackmoor, I shall let you read my draft when you come over for afternoon tea. You are always welcome...
Emma smiled as she read the letter and she was quite pleased when she saw that the duchess had invited her for afternoon tea. Her heart felt heavy, for she knew that she was going there to get information to relay to the Earl. It made her sad, for it felt as though she were betraying her only friend. But more than anything, Emma wanted to protect her father from all of this, the humiliation, the questions that he would ask himself. If ever the secret of her mother's affair got out. Emma could not bear to think of it all.
In her heart, she justified her actions, but she knew that the truth was she was wrong. Closing her eyes, Emma hoped that someday, all of this would be in the past.
* * *
After she had sent off the letter written for her father, Emma decided to visit Lady Allen. Emma got into the carriage. Once the door was shut, the carriage began to move. She hoped, that there would be a positive outcome from her visit. When the carriage arrived at Loringham, Emma was surprised to see that the Duke of Loringham was only leaving. She ducked when his carriage wheeled past hers, her heartbeat skipping. She had not known that he was in London. He was always away, traveling, and she had presumed that Lady Allen only invited her when the Duke was away. Sighing, Emma alighted the carriage.
As Emma approached, the door swung open and the butler smiled at her warmly. She was taken aback by his gesture. Her previous visits had never put a smile on his face. She was surprised that they did now.
"Lady Blackmoor, welcome to Loringham," he said.
Emma nodded slowly, trying
to understand why his reception towards her was warm today. Still, she smiled in return. "Please inform Lady Allen that I am here."
"Most certainly, here..." He directed her towards the drawing room and asked her to wait there. Emma did as asked. She walked into the drawing room and took a seat. Shortly after, Lady Allen walked in, a smile on her face.
"Emma!"
"Rachael!" Emma rose and walked towards her. They air kissed and stood apart.
"I am so glad that you came. It would be best we went to the courtyard to talk. The Duke would soon return. He has guests coming over," Lady Allen said as they made their way to the courtyard. She seemed happy...
Emma was happy that Lady Allen was extremely bubbly, but it made her wonder why as well.
Emma wanted to ask, but she did not. As they headed towards the courtyard, Emma noticed that the servants seemed to be running around. When they arrived at the courtyard, Emma was quick to ask. "Is something going on? The place seems quite busy..."
Lady Allen leaned in, her smile wide. "We have visitors arriving soon. They’ll arrive by evening."
Emma creased her brows. "Oh. You seem quite happy that they are coming."
A maid approached with a tray and placed it between them. Lady Allen smiled at her and went on. "I am indeed happy that they are arriving. Such lovely family. Lord and Lady D' Airelle. I met them once, you see, on a trip to France. I had been newly wed and the Duke thought it best to take me to a chateau."
It must have been a happy memory, Emma thought. For as she spoke, she smiled. She raised the teapot and said, "Tea?"
Emma nodded, still interested in her story.
"On arriving there, we visited a friend. An old friend of his. Lord Frances D'Airelle and his wife, Lady Claude D'Airelle. You see, I wasn shy and ...well, young, and Claude wasyoung as well, having been wed at fifteen. She had grown up so quickly. For a lady my age, she was more out there. Not shy like me..." Lady Allen laughed.
Emma raised her tea and sipped. "What happened?"
"The days with Claude and Lord D'Airelle were the days when his Grace was carefree. The days he had... loved me, perhaps. France was a breath of fresh air. He was different there. However, when we returned to London, it was not the same again. I am uncertain, whether it was because of the D'Airelles or France, but I miss those days and I am more than happy to have them in my home. I want everything to be perfect for their arrival." she looked around, smiling. "I remember that Claude loved flowers. I have asked that her bed chamber be filled with them and asked that their favorite meals be prepared. I cannot wait for them."
Emma smiled. "She should be thrilled to see you."
"Oh, of course. We have written each other many times in the past years. She has a child now." Lady Allen laughed, there was a faraway look in her eyes.
Emma cleared her throat. "How has it been with your story?"
She grinned. "Splendid. I do wish to give you the draft to read, but I thought it best that I reread it first."
Emma nodded. "That is fine."
"I am thrilled that you are here."
"I was surprised that you invited me for tea when the Duke is in town."
Lady Allen's eyes widened. "I had thought that you would arrive while he was away to bring the visitors home."
Emma creased her brows "He was leaving as I arrived."
"My greatest apologies for that. Were you seen?"
Emma shook her head. "No."
"My apologies again."
Emma nodded and smiled.
Lady Allen sipped her tea, and as she did, she creased her brows while staring at Emma. "You seem a bit pale," she said when she placed the teacup down.
"Pale? How?"
She shrugged. "Just different. I cannot fully put my finger on it, but something is different about you."
Emma felt uncomfortable. She looked down at her dress and looked back up at the duchess. The duchess was grinning now. She leaned in, her eyes wide with wonder. "Emma, do tell, are you —"
"My lady!" A maid ran in, hair blown outby the wind.. "His grace has returned with the guests."
Lady Allen arose immediately. The maid nodded, as though waiting for her to follow. But Lady Allen seemed torn.
She looked at Emma, her smile pitiful. "I have not seen her in years."
"It is fine, Rachael. I should be on my way now."
Lady Allen sighed. "My sincerest apologies to be leaving you so soon."
Emma smiled. "It is no problem at all, I shall come some other day."
The ladies said their goodbyes, and Emma headed home. She did not want to see the Duke either. Lady Allen had said that of late he had been in quite a good mood, but it did not mean that he might not try to harm her.
As she arrived home Emma saw that Henry had returned. He was in the study, Mr. Anders informed her. As she made to go there to greet him, she felt a bit dizzy. She felt exhausted. It was probably from the long ride. She decided to rest, however, she still wanted to inform Henry that she was back.
She pushed the door to the study open and was not surprised when she saw Henry looking through some papers. He was always so busy.
Perhaps he heard the clump of her shoes, for he looked up immediately. And on seeing her he beamed. "My darling."
Blushing, Emma walked around the desk and he leaned in to kiss her. He took in her dress and twirled her. He rose as he did this. "You look beautiful."
She raised a brow. "Lady Allen said that I look pale. Just as you had said before."
He nodded. "Perhaps that is true, but you look beautiful as well. You seem to be...glowing."
Emma laughed. "Glowing? How so?"
He rubbed his chin, grinning. "I do not know..."
Emma kissed him chastely and stepped back. "Perhaps it is the dress?"
Henry wrapped his arms around her waist. "Perhaps my dear. Perhaps."
He began to kiss the side of her face, making her giggle as he did so.
"It would not be such a terrible idea if we were to...make love here, would it?"
Her eyed widened and she blushed. "Henry...anyone could walk in and see us!"
"Hmm." he began to trail kisses all over her face once again. She gave in to him and kissed him deeply. His hands began to roam her body, and although the fabric was in the way, she felt the heat of his touch. She felt his burning desires, as well as hers. Pleasure ran through her, when his hands graced the fabric that covered her bosom. She shivered at his touch.
"Not here, Henry..."
He sighed against her shoulder and kissed it. It seemed that his mind was elsewhere.
Is there a problem?" Emma said, raising his head with her hands.
He seemed reluctant to speak, so she said again. "Henry..." Emma called. "Is everything alright?"
He looked up at her. "I made a decision today. It was quite impulsive, but I think it was for the best."
Emma reached out and placed her hand over his. "What was the decision?"
"I approached Lord Hamilton today, and I asked that he looked into father, to see what he is up to."
Emma touched her chest lightly. "Oh Henry... You are well aware that Lord Hamilton's connections might not be discreet."
Henry nodded. "I am well aware, and also that we may be affected by this, if what father is doing turns out to be dangerous."
He turned to her. “But I have no regret about my decision Emma. Father is getting worse by the day, and all I want is to secure our future."
Emma understood that he was perplexed by his decision. She knew that he questioned if his action was right. She felt that it was, but she knew that somewhere deep down, Henry felt guilt, for betraying his father, and possibly, the family name. All she needed to do was to assure him that all was well.
Emma nodded. "I understand Henry, I do. And I understand that you feel quite guilty and torn, but you have only done the right thing."
"Then pray tell, Emma, why do I feel so guilty?"
"Because he is your father, and no matter
what? You would always care for him."
Emma took his hands in hers. "Everything will work out fine."
Henry nodded. "It will."
She leaned her head against his shoulders. She needed him to know that whatever his decision was, she was there with him. "Whatever happens, Henry. I love you very much."