Age of Innocence Boxed Set (Books 1-3)

by Debra Elizabeth

  Catherine nodded. “She is indeed. She’s been with us these ten years now. We would be lost without her.”

  “Oh, indeed. Good help is so hard to find these days.”

  At the other end of the table, Ethan stole a glance at Emily. She looked beautiful tonight in her pale pink dress and he longed for a few moments to talk with her alone, but she seemed distracted and not her usually bubbly self. It seemed so out of character for her. He’d never seen her without a smile brightening up her lovely face. What had made her so unhappy? Not privy to her moods, he was at a loss at how to cheer her up.

  “Miss Stanton, are you enjoying the fine weather we’ve been having this week?” he asked.

  Emily looked up and nodded. “Yes, it’s been lovely.”

  Small talk was not Ethan’s greatest strength and he could think of nothing else to say to engage her further. He concentrated on eating his meal, but took every opportunity to steal a look at her.

  When the meal finished, Riley stood. “Gentlemen, shall we adjourn to my study for a spot of brandy? I’m sure the ladies would like a few moments to speak together. We shall join you in a bit, ladies.”

  “Of course, Mr. Stanton,” Catherine said.

  Everyone pushed their chairs back from the table. Ethan and his father followed Riley into his study, while Mrs. Richardson and her sixteen-year-old daughter, Hannah, followed Catherine and Emily into the front parlor.

  ***

  The evening had gone by in a blur for Emily. She remembered bits of dinner conversation here and there, but her mind was elsewhere. Joseph had returned from his errand to deliver her letter, but without a reply from Mia. She was disappointed, but knew that she had to be patient. Mia was a married woman now and had her own obligations to attend to. She felt so lost and longed to unburden herself to someone about her growing feelings for Mr. Preston. The compliments, the letters and the kiss were signs of his courtship, weren’t they? Why else would he pay such attention to her at the balls?

  Before long, the gentlemen rejoined the ladies in the parlor. The adults were talking politics while Hannah wandered over to the piano.

  Ethan joined Emily by the fireplace. “Miss Stanton, will we see you at the ball Saturday next?” He waited for her response, but there was none forthcoming. “Miss Stanton?”

  Emily was startled out of her reverie. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Mr. Richardson. How terribly rude of me, but I’m afraid I did not hear your question.” A blush of embarrassment turned her cheeks pink. “Please forgive my inattentiveness.”

  “Not at all. I was inquiring if you’ll be attending the next ball.”

  “Yes; yes, we are.”

  Ethan gave her a shy smile. “I should be honored to request a spot on your dance card before all are taken by every gentleman in the county.”

  Ethan’s request gave Emily pause. She wanted to be polite, but it was Mr. Preston’s name she wanted to see on her dance card, not Mr. Richardson’s. It was not in her nature to be rude especially to such a kind and decent man, but she could not rouse the enthusiasm she knew she should for his inquiry. “Yes, that will be lovely. I would be delighted to dance with you. Thank you, Mr. Richardson.”

  Before Ethan ventured anything more, Hannah called to him.

  “Ethan, shall I play for you and Emily?”

  He turned toward his sister. “Yes, Hannah. That would be delightful. Miss Stanton, shall we?” he asked, extending his arm.

  Emily glanced at the expectant look on Hannah’s face. How could she disappoint the young girl? Hannah did not deserve her melancholy. She took a deep breath, placed her hand on Ethan’s arm and they walked over to Hannah.

  “What will you play for us?” she asked.

  “I’ve been practicing a new piece for the past few weeks now. Would you like to hear it? I hope I don’t make any mistakes,” Hannah said.

  “I’m sure you’ll do fine,” Emily said.

  Ethan and Emily sat down to listen. Hannah began to play, tentatively at first before finding her rhythm. When she finished, she looked at her brother. “Ethan, was that better?”

  Ethan began clapping and soon Emily joined in. “That was wonderful, Hannah. Just wonderful,” he said.

  Hannah stood up and curtsied. “Thank you. Emily will you play something for us?”

  Emily paused before speaking. “Oh, I don’t…”

  “Please, Emily,” Hannah begged.

  Ethan turned to Emily. “I agree with my sister. Would you do us the honor and play for us?”

  “Well, what can I say to that? Of course, I’d be delighted to play.

  ***

  Ethan couldn’t be happier. He stood close to Emily breathing in her scent, content for the moment just to be in her company. He was working hard at overcoming his awkwardness being around her and was feeling more confident by the minute. Thanks to Hannah, their visit would last a bit longer.

  He needed to patient and go slow while wooing her. From what he knew, women loved the romance of a courtship and he mustn’t rush it. He had no trouble pouring his heart out in the love poems he wrote for her, but wasn’t as successful when she stood near him. His heart raced and pounded in his chest and his insides clenched. He often wondered if she could hear his heart beat when they danced although she never said anything. Tonight had been a little easier, but he wished he could have thought of something else during dinner to engage her in conversation. No matter. Every bit of progress he made would bring him closer to his goal.

  He watched her while she played and his heart soared.

  I will win your heart, my dear sweet Emily.

  He could hardly wait to hold her in his arms again and looked forward to dancing with her at the next dance.

  ***

  When their guests left, Nesmith helped Emily undress. “Did you enjoy dinner?”

  “Yes, it was lovely. Hannah entertained us on the piano. With some more practice, she’ll be quite good at it.”

  “That’s nice. Anything else?” Nesmith asked.

  “No, nothing of importance.”

  “And what of Mr. Ethan Richardson?”

  “He’s nice, but not lively in his conversation.”

  A frown creased Nesmith’s face. Mrs. Stanton had confided in her while dressing for dinner that she hoped Emily would take an interest in Ethan. Emily’s dismissal of the evening was not the reaction that Mrs. Stanton had been hoping for. Nesmith had not told Catherine of Emily’s interest in Mr. Preston. She had tried to discourage Emily early on from reading too much into the gentleman’s interest in dancing with her. It was not a secret that men loved dancing with pretty young ladies, but that was all there was to it. Dancing and nothing more. It pained her to see Emily so lack luster of late. Something was on the young woman’s mind, but as of yet, she had not confided in her.

  “Not every gentlemen is lively in conversation.”

  “Yes, Nesmith.”

  “Would you like me to brush out your hair?”

  “No, I’ll see to it. Thank you, Nesmith.”

  With no other way to engage Emily in conversation, Nesmith nodded and left her to her own counsel.

  After Emily dismissed Nesmith for the night, she retrieved the small intricately carved box from her vanity. She brought it over to her bed and opened the lid. She pulled out the eight scraps of paper tied together with a white satin ribbon. By candlelight, she read the letters over and over again. Each one ended with the line, “You are my Bright Star.”

  Silent tears coursed down her cheeks. She’d never been so unhappy. “Oh, Mr. Connor, why do you torment me so? I am yours with all my heart.”

  Chapter 8

  It was two agonizingly long days before Emily received a reply from Mia. She was sitting in the parlor reading when Mrs. Jannell brought her the letter.

  “Miss Emily, a letter has arrived for you.”

  She took the letter and immediately tore open the seal and scanned the contents.

  My dearest Em,

  I read y
our letter with much distress. I do not like to see my dearest friend so upset. Of course, I will be happy to discuss the matter at length. I want nothing more than to ease your discomfort over this situation.

  Please consent to stay with me for a few days. Mr. Giles has graciously agreed to my request. He is such a dear man.

  It will be lovely to see you again. My kindest regards to your parents.

  In loving friendship,

  Mia

  Emily’s arms dropped down into her lap. She’d been hoping that Mia would advise her immediately, but that was not the case. She would have to wait until she saw her friend for her long-awaited advice.

  “Will there be anything else, Miss Stanton?” Mrs. Jannell asked.

  “Do you know where my mother is?”

  “I believe I saw her with her bonnet on, heading outside to the garden.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Jannell.” Emily stuffed the letter in her pocket and went in search of her mother.

  She found her in the garden selecting the flowers for dinner. The garden at their London town home was not as large as the one in the country, but it contained a number of mature rose bushes that provided a good variety of flowers to grace the dining table. Emily stopped at the edge of the flowerbed and watched her mother as she looked over the roses. Her mother was kind, graceful, and so beautiful. She looked stunning even in her morning dress with her light brunette hair pinned back in a stylish chignon and a bonnet shading her lovely face from the sun.

  She wanted to emulate her mother as much as possible. Catherine was gracious to everyone she met whether they were one of the ladies of the ton or a servant, but most of all, she loved how her mother looked at her father with kind and loving eyes after all these years. It gave Emily hope that someday her marriage would be filled with the same love, devotion and respect.

  “Mama,” Emily called.

  Catherine looked over her shoulder. “Yes, dear; I’ll be there in a moment.” She finished giving instructions to the gardener about flowers for each evening meal, and walked toward Emily. “What is it?”

  Emily kissed her lightly on the cheek. “I’ve been invited to visit with Mia and Mr. Giles for a few days. May I go, Mama?”

  “How lovely of Mrs. Giles to invite you to stay with her. Yes, of course, you may go. I’ll give instructions to Joseph to prepare the coach for you.”

  “Thank you, Mama,” Emily said, giving her mother a quick hug.

  “Fine. Off you go now. Have Nesmith pack a bag for you.”

  Emily turned and hurried into the house and raced up the stairs. “Nesmith? Nesmith, I need you!”

  The lady’s maid came rushing into hall. “What is it, child? Has something happened? Are you ill?”

  “No, I’m fine. I’ve been invited to visit Mr. and Mrs. Giles for a few days. I need your help in packing a bag.”

  Nesmith’s hand flew to her chest. “Thank goodness it’s only a bag you wanted packed. You gave me such a fright.”

  Emily hugged the older woman. “I’m so sorry, Nesmith. I never meant to alarm you. I’m excited to see Mia, that’s all.”

  Nesmith smiled. “Very well, then. Let’s go select your things and pack them. The sooner you’re packed, the sooner you’ll see your friend.”

  The two women went into Emily’s bedchamber and started pulling clothes out of the wardrobe to pack—shift, stay, stockings, and three additional dresses, one each for morning and afternoon with a fancier dress for dinner.

  Nesmith helped Emily change into an outfit appropriate for traveling including a bonnet and kid leather gloves. “There you go. Very pretty,” she said.

  “Thank you,” Emily said glancing in the mirror for one last check. “I must say goodbye to Mama and Papa before I leave.”

  “Enjoy your visit.”

  Emily found her father in his study. She walked around to his desk and kissed her his cheek. “Good-bye, Papa. I’ll be back in a few days.”

  Riley sat back and looked at his daughter. “What? Where are you going?”

  “I’ve been invited to visit Mrs. Giles. Mama said I could go.”

  Riley nodded. “I see. Well then, have fun with Mia and give my regards to Mr. Giles.”

  “I will. Thank you, Papa.”

  Catherine was waiting near the front door. “Have a lovely visit, dear. Do ask if they’d be pleased to come to dinner next time they’re in town.”

  Emily gave her mother a hug. “Of course, Mama. Goodbye.”

  Joseph stood by the open coach door and took Emily’s hand helping her inside. He closed the door, hopped up to the driver’s seat, and cracked the reins to get the horses moving.

  Emily waved out the window to her mother until she was a mere speck in the distance before she settled back into the cushions for the coach ride to the country.

  It took several hours to reach the Giles’ home. Emily watched as the older stone cottage came into view. It was a solid structure, with plenty of windows to let in the sunlight and a lovely garden off to one side that held a row of rose bushes fully in bloom. Mia had confided in her that Mr. Giles income was 1,500 pounds per annum. He would have no trouble providing a comfortable life for his new wife.

  “Whoa,” Joseph said, pulling on the reigns to stop the coach. He jumped down from the driver’s seat and helped Emily out before going around to the back of the coach to retrieve her bag.

  Mia came to the door to greet her friend.

  Emily embraced her in a loving hug. “Mia, I have missed you so! Thank you kindly for the invitation to visit your lovely home.”

  “I have missed you too. Please come in. I’ll have Mrs. Akins make us some tea.” Mia turned toward Joseph. “Please bring the bag inside, thank you.”

  The two young women walked into the house arm-in-arm, each happy to see the other. Joseph followed them inside and left the bag with the housekeeper before hopping up in the driver’s seat and turning the coach around for the trip back to London.

  Mia led her into the parlor. “Mr. Giles had to leave on business. He sends his apologies that he was not here to greet you, but he’ll return in time for dinner.”

  Emily untied her bonnet and took off her gloves holding them in her lap. “I’m sorry to have missed him. Before I forget, Mama has asked you both to dinner next time you’re in London.”

  “That would be lovely. I’ll be sure to send a note to her and let her know of our plans.”

  Mrs. Akins brought in a tray of tea and biscuits. “Will there be anything else, Mrs. Giles?”

  Mia shook her head. “No, thank you. Please take Miss Stanton’s things to her room.”

  The housekeeper nodded. “Of course, Ma’am” she said. She took the items from Emily before slipping out of the room, leaving the two young women to talk.

  Emily was the first to speak. “Mia, I’m so confused. Do you have any counsel for me on the matter I wrote to you about?”

  Mia leaned forward and whispered. “Did you bring the letters?”

  Emily opened her drawstring reticule, and pulled out a small packet of letters tied with a white satin ribbon. She handed them to her friend. “These are all of them.”

  Mia untied the ribbon and began to read. When she finished the letters, she sat back in her chair. “Oh, my.”

  “What? Please don’t keep me in suspense. What you think?”

  “My dear, sweet Em, the man who wrote these letters is clearly in love with you.”

  “I knew it. I’m so happy you’re in agreement with me. This has been most confusing to me. I read his intent in the letters and all of his pretty compliments every time we met at the dances, but nothing else has happened as of yet. No visits at home since the first one. Do you think Mr. Preston will come to see me soon?”

  “Em, I don’t wish to be cruel because there seems to be someone who loves you dearly, but what if Mr. Preston isn’t the author of the letters? Have you thought about that?”

  Emily slumped back in the cushions. “But, there has been no one e
lse that has paid any particular attention to me. If only you could see the way he looks at me when we dance, you would be convinced. It must be him.”

  “You may be right. Perhaps Mr. Preston will request an appointment with your father at the ball.”

  “You think so? At the ball Saturday next?”

  “It would be the perfect opportunity for your father to give him a date to call on him.”

  “That would be so perfect.” Emily hugged Mia. “Thank you so much. You’ve lifted a terrible burden from me. I’ve been so unsure about everything of late. My doubts have been plaguing me night and day. It was such a puzzle. Why would he write such beautiful poetry and yet, make no move to speak to me about an engagement or even offer a marriage proposal.”

  Mia picked up a teacup and handed it to Emily. “I did not want to make any judgment in my last correspondence until I had read the letters for myself. Do not let doubts plague you any longer. He is hopelessly in love with you. I believe you’ll be having a gentleman caller very soon.”

  Emily sipped the tea. “I’m so happy, and now can fully enjoy my visit. I’ve missed you terribly. I have no confidante in London. Everyone is nice, of course, but I do miss you so. We haven’t seen each other since my first visit after your wedding. Two months is too long to go without a visit with my dearest friend.”

  “I agree. I’ve been so happy and time has flown by with setting up my household and getting settled. Mr. Giles is a wonderful man and I have grown to love him dearly.” Mia leaned closer. “I have a secret of my own to share with you.”

  “You do? Please don’t keep me waiting; do tell.”

  “I am with child.”

  Emily squealed in delight, and the young women clasped hands. “I am so happy for you and Mr. Giles, of course. A home of your own and now a child on the way, how positively delightful for you.”

  “I’ve not told him yet because I wanted to be sure, but with each passing day I’m more sure than ever,” Mia confessed.

  “Oh, Mia.” Emily sighed. “Such happy news and so well-deserved. Didn’t I always tell you how beautiful and special you are? I knew someone would see that as well.”