Mia beamed with happiness. “Yes, you did. I am truly blessed to have married such a wonderful man and to have a friend like you.”
“When will you tell him?”
“Soon, very soon. Now, tell me. What gossip from London have I missed?”
Emily laughed. “Oh, you will not believe what I heard at the last ball.”
“Tell me. I cannot stand the suspense.”
Emily leaned forward and whispered in Mia’s ear.
Mia’s eyes widened in surprise. “She did that? Really?”
Chapter 9
Ethan Richardson smoothed down his jacket once more before knocking on the door of the Stanton London home. He heard footsteps, and took a deep breath trying to quell his nerves. This was it. The day he would take the first step toward a shared future with the woman he loved.
Mrs. Jannell opened the door. “Mr. Richardson, it’s a pleasure to see you, sir. May I help you?”
“Yes, uh, thank you. I’m here to see Mr. Stanton.” He handed his card to the housekeeper.
“Very good, sir. Please come in and I’ll inform him.”
Ethan followed the housekeeper.
“Please wait here,” Mrs. Jannell said as she ushered him into the parlor.
He watched the housekeeper scurry down the hall and heard the knock on the study door. Their voices were muffled and he waited anxiously for her to return. He walked to the window overlooking the front garden. He turned around when he heard footsteps.
“Mr. Stanton will see you now, Mr. Richardson. Please come this way.”
Ethan nodded and followed Mrs. Jannell to the study in the back of the house. The door was open and he walked inside. “Good day, Mr. Stanton. Thank you for seeing me.”
Riley stood up and walked around his desk extending his hand. “It’s my pleasure, Richardson. May I offer you a brandy?”
Ethan returned the firm handshake. “No. Thank you kindly.”
“Please have a seat. May I inquire as to the meaning of your visit?”
Ethan tried hard to rein in the emotions roiling in his stomach. He’d never been so nervous before, but then again, he’d never asked for a young woman’s hand in marriage before either. “Yes, sir. Well…um…I came here today about a matter of utmost importance to me. A personal matter.”
Gentlemen requesting appointments with a young lady’s father usually meant one thing.
“A personal matter, you say?”
Ethan rubbed his hands on his trousers several times before looking up again at Riley. “Yes, sir. The reason that I’m here… That is, I would very much your permission to marry your daughter Emily.” He wanted Riley to see his sincerity and understand that his interest in Emily was no passing fancy.
“I see. Have you spoken with Emily?”
“No, sir. I wished to speak with you before approaching Miss Stanton.”
“Why do you wish to marry my daughter, Richardson?”
A slight coat of perspiration broke out on Ethan’s upper lip, but his eyes lit up at the mention of Emily’s name. He rubbed his hands again on his trousers before answering. “Sir, she is a delightful young woman whom I’ve come to admire a great deal. She lights up a room like a bright star whenever she enters.”
“Indeed she does,” Riley agreed. “Have you discussed this with your aunt and uncle?”
“Yes, sir. I have spoken to both of them about my intentions. Lady Tisbury thinks highly of Miss Stanton and approves of the union. That is, of course, if Miss Stanton agrees to accept my proposal.”
“I see.”
Ethan’s nerves were getting the better of him. He stood up and started pacing in front of Riley’s desk. “I wanted to let you know that she will be taken care of financially, of course. There’s no question about that; but I will also give her a generous per annum of her own. She would be free to spend it however she pleases. I understand ladies like that and it is my fervent wish to make Miss Stanton happy.” Ethan glanced over at Riley, but his face showed no emotion.
“What does your father think of the match?” Riley asked.
“He’s very much in favor, sir. He finds Miss Stanton to be a charming young lady.”
Riley nodded his head. “Richardson, please sit down. I’m not going to bite you.”
Ethan nodded and sat down again. “Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.”
“No need to apologize. In fact, I’m pleased you hold my daughter in such high regard. I agree with your father. This will be a good match for both of our families. You have my permission to speak to her when she returns from a visit in the country with Mrs. Giles.”
Ethan exhaled loudly. His visit could not have gone any better and he was elated to receive Riley’s blessing.
Both men stood. Ethan wiped his sweaty palm on his pant leg before he extended his hand. “Thank you, Mr. Stanton. Thank you, indeed. I will make your daughter very happy. I promise.”
Riley shook the young man’s hand. “You had better, Richardson.”
***
Three days later, the carriage stopped in front of the Giles’ home. Joseph climbed down from the driver’s seat and waited for Emily to finish her goodbyes.
“I’ve had a wonderful visit,” Emily said, hugging Mia. “We must not let so much time slip by before we visit again.
“Indeed, I heartily agree. Thank you for coming.”
“You must write to me and let me know how you fare,” Emily whispered in her ear.
Mia nodded and walked her friend outside.
Joseph took Emily’s bag from the housekeeper and secured it in the back. He opened the carriage door and extended his hand to help Emily inside the coach.
“Thank you, Joseph.” She settled her skirts and leaned out the window. “Bye, Mia. Thank you for everything. My regards to Mr. Giles.”
Mia waved until Emily’s carriage disappeared in the distance. Her hand went to her belly. “Hello, little one,” she whispered
Hours later, the carriage stopped in front of Emily’s London town home. Joseph jumped down and opened the door helping her descend the two stairs.
Nesmith was waiting to greet her. “Welcome home,” she said.
“Thank you, Nesmith. It’s wonderful to be home again.”
“Your father wishes to speak with you,” she said.
Emily’s heart skipped a beat. “He does?”
At last, could that mean Mr. Preston had come to see Papa while she was visiting Mia? Was her sweet torture about to end?
“Where is he? I will see him at once.”
“He’s in his study.”
Emily picked up her skirts, rushed down the hall. The butterflies roiled around her insides and her heart pounded. She knocked on the study door. “Papa, are you in there?”
“Come in, Emily.”
Emily burst through the door as her father put down the document on his desk. “Papa, it’s so good to see you.”
Riley stood and embraced his daughter. “So good to have you home, my dear Emily. I have missed you too. This old house is very quiet without you.”
“I’ve missed you too. Oh, and Mr. Giles sends his regards.”
“Did you enjoy your visit?” Riley asked. He sat down in his chair behind the desk.
“It was a lovely visit. I hadn’t realized how much I missed Mia until I was back in her company, but she is very happy with Mr. Giles. He’s a kind and generous husband. Their home is lovely and Mia is delighted with it.”
“That’s good to hear. Giles is a good man. Emily, please sit down. I have a matter to discuss with you.”
Emily took a seat waiting for her father to tell her the good news she hoped had finally arrived. “What matter, Papa?”
“I had a visit from young Mr. Richardson the other day. He would like to speak with you in private.”
Emily’s shoulders slumped. “What? Mr. Richardson?”
“Yes, who else? Who were you expecting?”
Emily felt a sharp stab in her heart. She was so shocked that she could
not draw air into her lungs. This was not the news she’d been expecting at all. How could this be? She didn’t want to speak to Mr. Richardson in private. No, this was all wrong. She had to fix it. “Papa, I thought it was, um, Mr. Preston who had come to see you.”
“Preston? No, I have not spoken to him. Emily, do you realize what this means? Mr. Richardson will propose marriage to you.”
Emily stood up and started pacing her father’s study. She wrung her hands together and tears threatened to spill from her eyes. “Papa, I don’t want to talk with Mr. Richardson. He’s nice enough, but he’s so dull. Please don’t make me speak with him.”
She glanced at her father and his eyes narrowed at her outburst.
“Emily, what has gotten into you? Mr. Richardson will be an excellent choice as a husband, and he’s from one of the finest families around. You could not ask for a better match. You will want for nothing. I’m in favor of the union and you should be too.”
Tears coursed down her cheeks. “But, I don’t love Mr. Richardson. I love Mr. Preston. Please, Papa, I know Mr. Preston will speak with you soon, perhaps even at the ball. Please wait for his visit before you make a final decision,” she pleaded. She swiped at her cheeks to wipe away the tears. “Please, Papa.”
Riley stood. “Emily, dear. You are young and not wise in these matters. I only want the best for you. Love is not the only foundation for a good marriage. Love alone cannot put food on the table, or warm you in the winter. You must be taken care of financially and Richardson will do that as well as give you an ample allowance of your own.”
“But, Papa, you love Mama.”
“I do, of course, but I did not when I married her. I admired your mother while I courted her, and that admiration grew into love over the years. Richardson is a kind young man who admires you a great deal. I’m sure you will grow to love him as I did with your mother.”
“Papa, please wait. Don’t make me do this. I’m begging you.”
Riley reached out for his daughter. “Emily, enough of your silliness. I want you…” He stopped in mid-sentence and grabbed his left arm, pulling it close to his chest.
“Papa, what’s wrong?”
“Pain…” he sputtered, before crashing to his knees.
Emily’s hand flew to her mouth. She watched in horror as her father crumpled to the floor. She rushed over to his prone body and picked up his hand. She patted it furiously. “Papa, can you hear me? Papa, please open your eyes.”
With no response from her father, Emily rushed out of the study and into the hallway, calling for anyone who would answer. “Mama! Mrs. Jannell!”
Her panicked cry reverberated through the house bringing her mother rushing to the study. “Emily, what are you shouting about?”
“It’s Papa. Come quick. He’s collapsed.”
Catherine ran into her husband’s study, and knelt beside him. He was deathly pale, but his chest still rose with shallow breaths. “Emily, go find Mrs. Jannell. Tell her to send Joseph for the doctor with all due haste. Quickly, now.”
Tears streamed down Emily’s face. This was all her fault. She should have never argued with him about Mr. Richardson. She stood by her father, paralyzed with guilt. What had she done?
“Emily, go now!”
Her mother’s panicked tone of voice snapped her out of her stupor. She rushed out of the room to find the housekeeper, praying that her beloved Papa wouldn’t die. It was something that she could not even comprehend. Her father was her rock. She never saw him as anything but her strong and loving father. He had to be okay. He just had to be.
Mrs. Jannell was rushing down the hall. “What has happened? Why are you screaming?”
“It’s Papa. He needs the doctor.”
Mrs. Jannell whirled around and ran to find Joseph.
Emily returned to the study. “Mama, what can I do?”
Catherine shook her head. “Nothing. We must wait for the doctor.”
With nothing else to do she returned to the parlor and paced in front windows waiting for Joseph to arrive with the doctor. Back and forth she walked while she wrung her hands. She had caused this and would never forgive herself if her worst fears came true. Their conversation played over and over in her mind. Mr. Richardson would propose? How could this be?
She had never been more confused than she felt now while Mia’s words echoed in her mind about the author of the love notes. No, it couldn’t be Mr. Richardson who had written them. He was not lively and passionate and he had never shown her anything more than the same courtesies he showed every young lady.
No, it couldn’t be him.
Chapter 10
It had been a long day waiting for the doctor’s prognosis and Catherine could do nothing but wait until the doctor finished his examination. It was such a shock to see her strong husband lying so helpless in the bed. He’d always enjoyed robust health and this attack was the last thing she had ever expected to happen to him.
“His heart is weak,” the doctor said. “He’ll need to rest. The quiet of the country would be better for him, but I don’t think he would survive the trip now. Perhaps when he is stronger, we can revisit the subject of moving him.”
“Of course, Dr. Winston. Thank you for coming so quickly,” Catherine said.
The doctor picked up his bag, ready to leave. “He must have no excitement; nothing that would possibly induce another attack. Quiet and rest are the best medicine for him. Please see to it that he is not disturbed.”
“Yes, I understand.” Catherine looked at her sleeping husband. His face had relaxed and his breathing was slow and steady. “When will he wake?”
“I’ve given him something to help him sleep. He should awaken tomorrow morning sometime. I’ll be back in the afternoon to check on him.”
“Thank you again, Dr. Winston.”
“Call me if his condition changes during the night. Anything at all.”
Catherine nodded. “I will.”
Emily had been pacing back and forth in the parlor for hours. She heard the doctor come downstairs and watched him leave before she rushed upstairs to her father’s bedroom. She knocked on the door. “Mama, may I come in now?” she whispered.
Catherine opened the door and pulled her daughter into her arms. “Shhh… he’s sleeping. He must not have any excitement. Let’s go downstairs and have some tea. He needs to rest.”
“Of course, Mama.” Emily followed her mother down the stairs.
Mrs. Jannell was waiting at the bottom of the stairs. “How does he fare?”
“He’s sleeping now and must not be disturbed.”
“Of course, Ma’am. May I bring you some tea?”
“Yes, thank you. That would be lovely.”
Catherine and Emily went into the parlor and waited. It wasn’t long before Mrs. Jannell returned with tea and refreshments.
“Here you are. Try to eat something. You’ve had a long vigil.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Jannell,” Catherine said. “You always take such good care of us.”
Emily took a deep breath and waited until the housekeeper had left them alone. She turned toward her mother. “Mama, will Papa be well again?”
“Yes, dear. With time and the proper rest, the doctor said he should recover his strength. His heart is weak, and for now he must rest.”
Emily sighed. The emotional turmoil of the past several hours weighed heavily on her. How could she live with what she’d done?
“Emily? What is it, child?”
“Oh, Mama, it’s my fault,” she said, losing her composure. “All my fault.” Tears fell from her eyes, and great sobs wracked her body.
Catherine rubbed Emily’s back trying to soothe her. “What are you saying? I don’t understand. Emily dear, please calm down and tell me how can this could possibly be your fault?”
It was several minutes before Emily stopped sobbing long enough to respond. “I was arguing with Papa about Mr. Richardson, and then he… then he… grabbed his chest and fell to th
e floor.” Another round of tearful sobs filled the room.
She saw her mother purse her lips. Was her confession too much for her to deal with tonight? Mama had nearly lost her husband, and she was to blame. Would she lose her mother’s love over this?
Her mother’s response was curt. “I see. We shall discuss this later.”
Emily looked at her mother with red-rimmed eyes and dread seeped into her heart. “Mama, can you ever forgive me? I didn’t mean to hurt Papa. Really, I didn’t. I promise I meant…”
“Emily, enough dear. I think we’ve had enough excitement for today. Why don’t you take your tea and go upstairs now? It’s been a hard day for all of us. We both need rest. Have Nesmith help you into your nightdress.”
Emily was crestfallen. Her mother’s answer was no comfort to her, and did nothing to ease her guilt, but there wasn’t anything else she could do at the moment. She didn’t want to make matters worse and would comply with her mother’s wishes. The last thing she wanted was to upset her mother more. “Yes, Mama. I shall find her at once.” She kissed her mother’s cheek, picked up her tea, walked out of the parlor and slowly up the stairs in search of her lady’s maid.
It didn’t take long to find Nesmith. She’d been standing close-by in case she was needed. Nesmith met her at the top of the stairs and took the tea from her shaking hand. “Come on, now. Let’s get you into bed. It’s been such a shocking day for everyone.”
Emily nodded. Her nerves were frayed and she had no energy left even to confide in Nesmith.
Nesmith helped her undress, and brushed out her hair. “Do you need anything else before I attend to your mother?”
Emily shook her head. She noticed that even Nesmith wasn’t in her usual good spirits. The mood of the whole house was somber worrying about Papa’s health.
“Thank you. I’m fine. Good night, Nesmith.”
The lady’s maid nodded. “Try to sleep. You’ll feel better in the morning.”
Nesmith put her tea on the small table beside the bed. “Good night.”
Emily picked up the cup and took a sip. Her mind was reeling with everything that had happened today. She had been in such good spirits when she came home from her visit with Mia, but everything had spiraled out of control from the moment she entered his father’s study. She was wracked with guilt and found it hard to sit still. She got out of bed and began to pace her bedroom. How could she have been such an ungrateful daughter? What if Papa dies? Would Mama ever forgive her? Oh, why did she have to argue with him? She could stand the guilt no longer, sat down at her vanity and pulled out a piece of stationery to pour out her anguish to Mia.
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