by Lynn Collum
The widow nodded her head in agreement, but still a frown remained on her pretty face. “I don’t think the gentleman will go easily. No doubt he is aware you inherited Mr. Ashton’s wealth and thinks to gain control of the funds. His timid wife and daughter are evidence of his domination, my dear. He will intimidate you to yield to his wishes. I would guess he is much used to having his own way within the family.”
“He may try, but I am made of sterner stuff. Do not worry about the matter anymore. I want to speak of another—”
Just then an urgent knocking sounded on the door. The ladies exchanged a puzzled look before Emily called for the visitor to enter.
Joshua Collins stepped into the room. His features were schooled into an expression of great consternation. “Ah, Uncle, you are just the man I wished to see.”
“Did you?” The gentleman was wary. He’d seen little to convince him that Emily Collins was warming to her relatives. Was he too late to do anything about what Roland had told him last night? He forged ahead with the plan he and his son had devised. “Well, my dear, I’m not certain you will be so happy to see me when I have told you what dreadful thing I have learned. May we speak in private?”
The squire gave Delia a haughty look, as if she were an intruder, but Emily took her friend’s hand. “I can handle matters here. Go and take the air, for it is very fine this morning. I shall join you later.”
After Mrs. Keaton was gone, Emily suggested they be seated. She noted the time on the Ormulu clock, making certain she would not miss her meeting with Oliver at nine. “What have you to tell me, sir?”
Mr. Collins made a great show of reluctance. “I know that you have come to admire the earl and Lady Hawksworth, but I fear they mean to use you badly.”
Doubtful, but willing to let the man have his say, Emily responded, “In what way, Uncle?”
“This shall be very hard for you to hear, my dear niece, but Roland overheard the two discussing the earl proposing marriage to you this very day to gain your fortune.”
Emily’s heart froze at that moment. How had the earl learned of her fortune? Was a marriage proposal the reason behind his lordship’s interest in seeing her this morning? Or was this some ruse on her uncle’s part? She scanned his lined face, but there was such a look of glee in the depth of his dark eyes that it was evident he wasn’t fabricating the story. Roland had been eavesdropping.
The realization of the earl’s plan sent a sharp pain through her chest. But she refused to allow her uncle to see the hurt his tale had brought. With a great effort at nonchalance, she calmly arched a brow. “And was Cousin Roland’s ear pressed to a door at the time?”
Mr. Collins’s face flushed deep red, showing that she had struck the truth. He waved a hand dismissively.
“That is of no importance, child. What is important is that Lord Hawksworth and his grandmother were cold-heartedly discussing a marriage to enhance his coffers. You may be a little nobody in their eyes, but even a rake won’t whistle a hundred thousand pounds down the wind over the lack of pedigree.”
The pain in Emily’s chest grew. All her worst fears were coming to pass. What she wanted most was to go to her bedchamber and weep, but she still had to deal with her uncle. She rose on unsteady limbs and walked to the window in an attempt to gain control of her emotions. At last she looked back at the gentleman who watched her eagerly. “And how does the earl’s plan differ from yours, sir?”
The gentleman straightened at her suggestion that his motives were no better. “Whatever do you mean? We are family.”
“Uncle, you forgot that fifteen years ago. ’Tis amazing how a fortune has suddenly revived the familial feelings which were missing for a frightened and penniless orphan.”
“I explained that—”
“So you did. And you were right. All that is in the past. I am no longer frightened or penniless and well able to handle all my own affairs, be they financial or ... ones of the heart.” Her voice caught on the last word. She struggled to regain her composure. “You and your family should return to Warwickshire. I have informed my solicitor of my wish to purchase my own home. For the time being, it is my intention to go to London and establish a residence with Mrs. Keaton and to enjoy the delights of the Season.”
Mr. Collins sputtered, “I won’t have—”
Emily’s amber eyes glittered. “You won't have, sir? You have nothing to say about my affairs. I am five and twenty, not a child to be ordered to the Indies at your whim. You think you can completely ignore me all those years and now expect to command my obedience?”
With that she turned her back to him. “Pray, gather your family and return to Twin Oaks, sir. There is nothing here for you.”
Joshua Collins knew he’d been a fool. He’d put the destitute child from his mind once he’d pushed her responsibility onto Nathaniel Ashton’s shoulders, never realizing the girl might come back an heiress when Mrs. Ashton proved barren. Despite their best efforts, she would have none of her family or, more important, of Roland. There was no way to erase the years of mistakes.
With shoulders sagging in defeat, he walked to the door. But like most men of his stamp, within minutes he had decided that he would send Roland to London to try his luck again. It would cost a fortune, but they couldn’t give up so easily. At least his plan had put an end to any ideas Hawksworth may have had to wed the girl, for despite her best efforts to conceal her emotions, Mr. Collins was convinced his niece believed his altered story of the truth and would refuse the gentleman. With that he departed the chamber and hurried to speak with his son.
Still at the window, Emily stood frozen as she heard the door close. Every fiber of her being wanted her to rush back to her room and give in to her overwhelming despair. The earl wanted to marry her, but for the wrong reason.
She knew she couldn’t give in to her wretchedness. She still had to face the earl. Then she and Delia must depart at once. She couldn’t stay at Hawk’s Lair knowing she loved Oliver, while he was merely looking for a wealthy wife. She would go through with her plan to have her solicitor quietly purchase a nearby property, but would always make certain the earl was not in residence before she and Delia paid a visit to the children.
With that she returned to her room and rang for the maid and Swarup. They must begin packing at once. She wanted to be on the road before noon.
Oliver paused before the lone mirror in the library and straightened the folds of his cravat. For some reason his nervous fingers only seemed to further disturb the intricate arrangement. He’d never before had difficulty in tying his neckcloth, but today he’d been all thumbs, ruining three of the starched ties before finally settling for his current style, the Waterfall.
The sound of a knock made him start; then he turned and smiled, knowing it could only be Emily. He called for her to enter and moved across the room to greet her, but his steps faltered as the door opened and he saw the look on her face. Something was wrong.
“Is there some problem, my dear?”
“No, my lord, I have merely come to inform you that Mrs. Keaton and I intend to depart for London this morning.” Her tone was clipped and impersonal.
Oliver was stunned. She stared at him as if he were a stranger. This was not the same woman he’d kissed in the library only a day ago, not the woman who’d smiled at him so intimately last night. “What has happened?”
Emily looked down at the floor, shuttering her eyes from the earl. “Nothing, my lord. I have come to realize that Delia and I have remained too long in Somerset when we have matters in London which need tending to.”
Nothing was going as Oliver had planned. She was upset and he didn’t know why. He knew that if he could just get her to hear him out all would change. “My dear Miss Collins...” His voice softened to a husky whisper. “My dear Emily, I know not what has caused you to wish to leave Hawk’s Lair, but I can only assume it has to do with your uncle. Pray tell me what troubles you.”
“Sir, do not assume anything about
me.” Her amber gaze flew up to glare at him in anger.
She made to turn, but Oliver, desperate to comprehend what was wrong, grabbed her shoulders. “Listen to me, my dear. I don’t understand what has occurred, I only know that I don’t want you to leave.” Seeing no softening in her expression, he lost his patience. “For heaven’s sake, I want to marry you, Emily.”
Emily closed her eyes but a moment as the pain of his declaration surged through her. His very words confirmed everything her uncle had said. How else would he have known that the earl would propose today?
Opening her eyes, she stared at a button on his waistcoat, unable to look at his handsome face. “Do you, sir? Are you certain you have not been precipitous? ’Twas only two days ago you were wanting to marry Lady Cora. Perhaps if you wait another day or so, you will want to marry someone else.”
The earl’s back stiffened at the insult and his hands fell away from her shoulders. “Is that what you think of me? That I am some gadabout flitting from woman to woman? Let me assure you that I never wished to marry Lady Cora Lane.”
“Was she not led to believe that you intended to make her an offer?” Emily ventured a peek at his face and the grimness was frightening.
“Not by me, but I will not deny that before I met you, I did consider the lady as a possible bride.” He paused and looked at her intently. “Emily, do not mistake the machinations of my grandmother for some great romance. I had never even been introduced to Lady Cora before she arrived at the castle.”
The earl couldn’t know that his statement only made it worse for him. In Emily’s mind it only confirmed that he was willing to marry where there was no love as long as the female possessed money and gentility.
“Well, my lord, I believe it is proper for me to thank you for the kindness of your offer. But I must refuse, for I—”
“Proper, kindness!” The earl suddenly grabbed Emily’s shoulders and pulled her to his chest. Her gaze flew up to his, and the fierce light in his eyes frightened her. “Proper be damned, woman. Have you not heard a word I’ve said? I’m trying to tell you what’s in my heart, but perhaps I should show you.”
With that Oliver’s mouth covered hers hungrily. Despite the fact that his kiss was punishing and angry, Emily experienced the rush of all the feeling his first embrace had engendered—want and need. But deep in the back of her mind, she recalled that this man was a notorious rake. He was practiced in the art of love. She mustn’t allow him to sweep her away on a tide of passion only to recover and discover that once his lust was sated, she would be little more than a convenience to him.
She broke free from his arms, breathless but determined to do what she knew she must. “How dare you, sir! Have you not been listening to me? I have refused your offer. Do you intend to compromise me to get your way?”
Her words were like a slap in the face to Oliver. He knew he’d behaved like a cad, but he’d only meant to get through that wall she’d built between them. He loved her, but it appeared he’d been mistaken in her feelings for him. He’d opened his heart to her, and she’d rejected him. Hurt and angry at her cold response, he snapped, “Miss Collins, you must forgive my ungentlemanly conduct. You have my word it will not occur again while you remain under my roof.”
Something in his tone touched her heart; then she stiffened her resolve not to be his and his grandmother’s pawn. “Well, my lord, I shall not put too much of a strain on you since I intend to leave within the hour.” So saying, she turned and exited the library.
Oliver stood staring at the door as he heard the lady’s footsteps fading. Never before had he been on the receiving end of a rejection. He suddenly remembered all the ladies through the years who’d declared they loved him and whom he’d walked away from. For the first time he understood what they might have suffered if their words of love were true. Was God punishing him by allowing him to fall in love with a woman who wanted no part of him? What had happened to change her so greatly?
At that moment his mind, so full of hurt and anger, didn’t seem to want to function properly. All he knew was that Emily didn’t appear to love him. As he turned away from the door, his gaze hit the full decanter of brandy. With little thought but to drown his pain until she was gone, he walked to the table and poured himself a generous measure. Dejectedly he sank into a chair before the small fire and wondered how he would face the future without her.
Delia Keaton sat on the ledge of the water fountain in the knot garden watching the remaining frogs, those who had not been large enough to escape the confines of the stone pool, swim and frolic in the water. Despite the creatures’ playful antics, her thoughts were still on Emily and what she intended to do about Joshua Collins. The interview between the pair seemed to be lasting a very long time.
Looking up, she spied Sir Ethan coming from the castle towards her. Her heart danced with excitement; then she reminded herself that hers hadn’t been a happy union. Why would she even consider taking such a step again, especially when Emily needed her?
“Good morning, my dear.” The gentleman came and stood beside her a moment, his auburn hair looking nearly red in the morning sunlight. She gestured for him to be seated beside her on the stone ledge.
“Good morning, sir.” She returned her gaze to the pool.
“What has put that frown upon your bonny face, my dear?”
Embarrassed to tell the gentleman of her thoughts of him, she avoided his intense gaze by looking out over the landscape. “I am much worried about Emily. I fear I have put her in a rather uncomfortable situation.”
“How so?”
The lady twisted her handkerchief between her fingers. “I fear I was the one who informed the Collinses of Emily’s return to England and her present location.”
The baronet was quiet for a moment, then gave a soft chuckle. “Did you think to protect the lovely Miss Collins from the notorious rake?”
Delia nodded her head, but couldn’t bring herself to look at the gentleman. He was the earl’s friend and would despise her for what she had done. But to her surprise, his strong hand reached over and grasped one of hers. A shock raced up her arm, but she allowed him to take her hand between his, even as she felt the blood pound in her ears.
“Normally I would say that would have been a wise decision, considering the lady’s innocence and the gentleman’s reputation, but Miss Emily Collins is special. She has touched something in Oliver that I was not certain existed.”
Delia’s shy gaze looked into the baronet’s eyes. The feel of his warm hand on hers was making it difficult for her to think. “What do you mean?”
“I mean that Oliver Carson has fallen in love with the fair lass.” He smiled at her, sensing that his words surprised her.
“Are you certain? Did he tell you he is in love with her?” Delia’s fingers clutched at his hand.
“He has said nothing, but I have known him for many years. I think that from the moment you ladies arrived, I sensed Miss Collins had gotten under his skin as no woman ever had. But the night he told me he would never marry Lady Cora despite the countess’s wishes, I was certain that your friend was the reason. I’m not sure he’d even realized it himself until the picnic. Did you not see the look on his face when we returned to the castle? I am certain the lass has stolen his heart.” There had been an intensity about the earl that day which Delia had never seen before, but she had thought it had to do with Lady Cora and her display of temper beside the lake. Was it possible that all her worries were for naught?
At that moment a footfall on the gravel drew her attention. She looked up to see Emily coming towards her, and the look on her face sent a chill deep into Delia’s soul.
The lady came to a halt before the couple as Sir Ethan politely rose. “Pray, forgive me for interrupting your conversation with Delia, sir, but I wished to inform her that I have instructed the servants to pack our belongings. We are for London today.”
The announcement surprised the pair, and they exchanged a puzzled glanc
e. Delia knew Emily well and saw some deep emotion just below the surface of the lady’s mood, but the widow instinctively sensed not to probe too much at present.
“You are leaving? Have you told Oliver?” The baronet looked from one lady to the other, his auburn brows drawn into a flat line of worry.
“Yes, I have just come from speaking with the ... gentleman.” There was a catch in the lady’s voice, but she continued as if nothing unusual had occurred. “I fear I mustn’t linger in Somerset a moment longer. But I do hope you will visit us once you are back in London, sir. We shall lodge several weeks at Grillon’s while my solicitor makes arrangements for the purchase of a residence in Town.”
Sir Ethan knew something had occurred, but he didn’t have a notion what had the lady so upset. His gaze at last settled on the lovely Delia, and he said, “I shall gladly pay a visit at the first opportunity.”
Delia blushed, but Emily seemed little in the mood for conversation. “Come, my dear, we must be away before nuncheon.” With that Emily turned and hurried back towards the castle.
Delia offered Sir Ethan a hurried good-bye and followed her mistress.
Sir Ethan again sat on the fountain ledge, his mind searching for answers to the ladies’ sudden departure. Something was afoot and he wondered what it could be. He was certain Oliver loved Emily, and the lady had shown signs of being smitten as well. Clearly something had interfered with the course of their romance. Had it been the countess and her ambitious matchmaking who’d caused a problem? Or perhaps the controlling Mr. Collins in his attempt to get Emily under his thumb?
The baronet didn’t know who was the source of the interference, but he intended to set things right as much for Oliver as for himself. He knew Delia Keaton was important to him, and she would never be happy as long as Emily was miserable. Regardless of the lady’s attempt at normality, he’d seen the pain in those amber eyes.
It occurred to Sir Ethan that if the ladies were leaving, then so would the Collinses. He was determined to find the truth, so he must have an interview with Joshua Collins before the gentleman departed.