by Lucy Langton
Passing down the hall and to the parlour to oversee the last-minute arrangements, Emilia caught the earl’s eye and he stopped in his tracks. Although she knew it pained him to see her so gorgeous, not wanting any other eye to admire her as his did, he still couldn’t help but smile.
“You look radiant, Miss Stewart,” the earl said.
Emilia also smiled warmly, happy that the earl did not scold her for her lack of modesty.
“It is a special occasion.”
“Indeed.”
As she passed him in the hall, their shoulders brushed, and carnal thoughts returned. It had been some time since they had made love, which was just. To continue with their passionate secret might disrupt Glastonbrook’s new harmony. So instead they confined their imaginations to their own bedrooms, where they thought of one another all night long.
Upon entering the parlour, Emilia enjoyed a cold sip of water from a crystal glass in order to cool the fiery thoughts in her mind. Thoughts of when she and the earl had shared that unspeakable closeness.
But it wasn’t long before the beauty of her environment distracted her well enough. It was as though the parlour were wrapped in paper rainbows. Colourful flowers populated each vase, and a full spread of sumptuous food was laid out on silver trays.
Emilia had to admit that it was too much food for their little party, but she knew none of it would go to waste. Each time a staff member entered the parlour to prepare something, they would see the food and close their eyes in delight of the smell. It would be their feast soon enough.
“You need flowers in your hair,” Deirdre said, approaching Emilia and putting a few sprigs of baby’s breath in her curls.
“That’s lovely,” Emilia replied, bringing her hand up to feel the buds in her hair.
“All is ready,” Winnifred said, wearing a crisp, clean apron for once. Since she’d started to have so much extra help at Glastonbrook, Winnifred had cleaned up nicely. No more blood on her gown from meat and fowl, and no more angry red cheeks. She looked composed and happy.
“It looks wonderful,” Emilia said, in awe of how creative Deirdre’s theme turned out to be.
Within moments, Miles was summoned to the door and the Hutchinson girls had arrived. Sophie and Anne had been informed in their invitation as to the theme of the event and so Sophie wore a lemon-yellow gown with red and green flowers and Anne wore clean white, accented by a lovely silver belt.
“Oh, my word!” Lady Sophie exclaimed upon seeing the decorations.
“So wondrous,” Anne added.
“It’s so good of you to come,” Deirdre said, her face alight with pride. “Please, make yourselves at home,” she added, leading the girls into the parlour.
Emilia stood back for a while and watched the whole event. The girls were smiling and giggling, delighting in one another’s company. The food was relished, and Emilia found that she was so happy watching them that she hadn’t even needed to take a bite. She was content enough with being in such a joyful room.
“It seems to be a success,” Winnifred whispered into Emilia’s ear.
“Quite,” Emilia replied. “I’ve never seen Lady Deirdre so happy.”
“She’s like a little hostess, is she not? Some day she’ll have a home of her own, and I can only imagine the parties.”
“Truly. Considering that this is her first fete, it’s rather telling in terms of what’s to come,” Emilia said, leaning her back against the door frame and sighing. So much had happened in the previous days and weeks, all leading up to that tremendous smile upon Deirdre’s face. And where was Lady Spencer in that moment? Awaiting trial in London and, eventually, her trial before God.
“I forgot the sponge!” Winnifred cried, running from the room with haste. Within moments she returned, a crystal cake platter holding an angelic white sponge cake dotted with various jellied fruits, configured in such a way as to present a rainbow atop the cake. It was well-suited to the theme and the overall decor.
“Miss Stewart,” a voice said, and Emilia turned with a start to find the earl standing behind her, gazing into the room.
“M’Lord,” Emilia replied with a bow of the head.
“I must congratulate you,” he said, his gaze deep and soulful, his intention weighty.
“It was not my doing, I assure you.”
“Yet you convinced me to allow it.”
“It did not take much convincing,” Emilia replied coquettishly.
The earl cleared his throat and looked away.
“Come,” the earl said, the voice of the general returning.
“To where?” Emilia asked.
“To the study. I must have a word with you.”
Chapter 26
The study was warm from the fire that was burning bright. Although Emilia was in a joyful state, she couldn’t help but wonder what it was that the earl wished to say to her in private. Perhaps he wished to complain that the party had been too much, or that Emilia was indulging in Deirdre’s extravagant whims. No matter what he had in store for her, Emilia knew she would weather the storm. She and the earl had already been through so much together and she was confident that there was nothing she could not handle.
The earl seated himself at his desk and regarded Emilia for a moment, taking in her light blue gown and generally happy demeanour. She was now a fixture at Glastonbrook.
“You have done a fine job,” the earl said, getting straight to business.
“Thank you, M’Lord. I was afraid you were going to say that it was too much.”
“I’m learning that when it comes to my beloved sister, nothing is too much. I want the world for her. And not only her . . . ” His voice trailed off.
“Not only her?”
“I find that in general my perspective has changed,” the earl said, stealthily changing the subject. “Since the looming threat to my family has been extinguished, it’s as though the world has opened up. I am making plans . . . for the future.”
Again the earl was being cryptic and Emilia frowned. She could tell that an enormous weight had been lifted from his shoulders, but he was speaking in riddles. Emilia wished to question him further, but usually found that it was best to hold her tongue.
She considered the fact that for the previous weeks she had been playing a role that was delightful, but temporary. Emilia was acting as the lady of the house, which she most certainly was not. It was play-acting and nothing more. She had enjoyed it; relished in it, in fact. But when it came to her position in relation to the earl, she was still a servant, and she must not pretend to hold more sway over him than she truly had.
“I am glad to see that your spirits are lifted, M’Lord,” Emilia said, taking a seat on the other side of the desk.
“It was your doing,” the earl said, looking at her intently.
Emilia felt that rush of heat course through her yet again. Would she never be able to look the earl in the eye without having that effect?
“I only acted in the way that my heart instructed,” Emilia said, implying far more than merely the restoration of Glastonbrook. “I could see from the beginning, when I first arrived here, that something was amiss. I know that I over-stepped my bounds on several occasions, but for that I cannot apologise. Something needed to be done, and I felt as though I was the one to do it.”
“You’re an angel,” the earl said softly. “A guardian angel,” he repeated, getting up from his seat and walking towards the window. Although the sky was a gentle grey, she knew he relished in the fact that the interior of Glastonbrook was like springtime. He dearly hoped that it would remain so.
“I could not go so far as to call myself that. I merely did what needed to be done.”
“No one else would have done so much,” the earl said, pointedly turning towards her. “You overstepped your bounds on several occasions, but your intent was pure.”
“I’d like to think so,” Emilia replied.
“And for that you must be rewarded.”
“
In what way?”
“In what way would you like?”
Although it was a simple question, to Emilia it felt like a seduction. Yes, she could feel the earl examining her with his eyes. She knew that he hungered for her as much as she did for him. But Emilia would not make assumptions, nor would she speak the truth of what she desired, which was the earl himself.
“It would be nice to have a . . . more expansive room. It’s not that there’s anything terribly wrong with mine, but it’s often quite chilly and rather dark during the day.”
“It shall be done,” the earl replied. “We’ll get you a larger room.”
“And also,” Emilia added, a whole host of thoughts finally coming to mind, “I should very much like a more comfortable wardrobe.”
“More comfortable?” the earl asked.
“Indeed. I know that you prefer the demure attire. Unfortunately, it’s rather uncomfortable, what with these high collars and whatnot.”
“You shall have more comfortable attire, that is still modest,” the earl said, leaving no room for argument about the modesty.
“May I ask, M’Lord,” Emilia went on, “why is it that you insist on such rigid modesty?”
“I demand it of all my staff.”
“You don’t demand it of Winnifred,” Emilia said humorously. “Why, just the other day she wore a dress with a swift plunge to it.”
“I don’t care about Winnifred’s dresses,” the earl replied with a bark.
Emilia didn’t understand his sudden anger, yet still she had to stifle a laugh.
“There is something that you must know,” the earl said, turning away from Emilia. “I saw you, months before you arrived at Glastonbrook.”
“You saw me?” Emilia asked, thinking it improbable. She was at the Hutchinson estate at the time.
“Indeed,” the earl replied, and continued. “It was at the time that Lady Barbara Hutchinson knew that you were soon to be released from duty. She had taken pains to find a proper home for you ahead of time, and she was informed that I was searching for a governess. Lady Hutchinson invited me to the estate in order to watch you as you worked with Lady Sophie and Lady Anne. I observed you keenly, watched how good you were with them, and how the girls admired you. It was at this time that I noticed that you were . . . a rather attractive young woman.”
“Oh?”
“Indeed. Far more attractive than I was comfortable with. I thought about it for some time and wondered if having you at Glastonbrook might be a distraction. After much consideration, I decided that it was of the utmost importance that Deirdre have a sound governess more than anything else. That was when I gave Hugh instructions to obtain a modest wardrobe for you.”
“I see,” Emilia said, looking down at the floor. It was all beginning to make sense. She remembered how the earl would often avert his eyes in those early days, and when her apparel was a tad revealing, he’d become cross with her. At the time, she merely thought that the earl disliked her, or that she was unruly in his estimation. Now she realised the attraction was there from the start.
“I am willing to slacken the rules, considering all that has transpired,” the earl said, and turned away from her yet again. There was much implication in his words, and Emilia felt a warm blush come to her cheek.
“I am grateful,” Emilia replied.
“There is more to be said on that topic,” the earl went on, “but for the time being merely know that it has been rather difficult for me to . . . control this situation. Between you and I.”
It was the first time the earl even uttered the words ‘you and I’. She knew not why, but Emilia was exhilarated by the sound of it. It was something solid, something real. There was a ‘you and I’ in existence, and the earl just gave breath to the fact.
“The circumstances have been . . . confusing,” Emilia said, wishing to speak on that subject further.
“Truly. I’m sure you understand my position.”
“I find you generally difficult to understand, but I can glean your meaning.”
“Very well,” the earl replied, seemingly wishing to change the subject.
“Emilia!” she heard a voice cry from outside the door.
“Yes?” Emilia called back.
Deirdre flung herself through the door, a dish of white sponge in her hand and a fork in the other.
“What’s taking so long? Cake is being served,” Deirdre said.
“Sister, how many times must I tell you,” the earl said, his voice indignant, “that when I’m attending to business in my study I’m not to be disturbed.”
“But . . . ” Deirdre protested.
“Go along, Lady Deirdre,” Emilia said calmly. “I’ll be there shortly.”
“Very well,” Deirdre replied with a sigh, and slinked out of the room.
“She listens to you,” the earl said, shaking his head. “Far more than she ever listens to me.”
“You must be gentle. She’s at a tender age,” Emilia explained. “You’ll attract more bees with honey than with vinegar.”
“I want for her happiness, but she can be unruly at times,” the earl said, pulling his hand through his hair. He gazed out the window again and Emilia could see his brotherly dread and the weight of his duty towards Deirdre.
“Leave it to me,” Emilia said reassuringly. “I’ll take care of her, and ensure that she grows into a woman who will make you proud.”
Emilia’s words visibly warmed the earl, and he smiled.
“It’s unbelievable,” he said, shaking his head.
“What’s unbelievable?”
“The way that you care for her. The goodness of your heart,” he said, voice choking with emotion.
“M’Lord?” Emilia replied, not used to seeing emotion of that sort creep into the earl’s demeanour.
“Come,” the earl said, motioning for Emilia to join him by the window.
She did not ask questions but rather got up from her seat and stood beside him. The earl still gazed out of the window, and she looked off in the same direction to which his steely eyes were pointed.
“You see the flowers blooming off in that field?” the earl asked, coming close to Emilia.
“I do,” she replied, feeling her heart race as he drew near.
The earl brought his lips close to Emilia’s ear as he continued to speak. “Those flowers never bloomed before. Not like that. All those rich colours. I think that it’s your doing.”
“I sincerely doubt that I had any say in the matter.”
“Nay, it is true. Your light. Your life. Everything about you, Miss Stewart. It makes the flowers grow, and it causes the sun to shine.”
She turned to him, their faces dangerously close. Although her heart was bursting with love, Emilia was confused. Was the earl seducing her, in that very room? Their passion and need for one another had not changed. But what were they to one another? Was Emilia to be his mistress, and if so, would she be able to fulfil that role?
It was not the way she wanted things to go. Had her dreams come true, she would be his partner, not just his lover. But if it was the price she had to pay to live at Glastonbrook, and to remain by his side, then she would do it. She’d give herself to him, if only to be near him, to feel his touch and enjoy his protection. What’s more, she was hopelessly in love with him and knew that she would be for the rest of her days.
Sensing what the earl desired, Emilia raised her hand and placed it upon his cheek, slowly bringing her lips to his. It was a seduction, and she was not ashamed of it. Connection was what they both craved, no matter how wrong it might be.
The earl reached his hand up and grabbed Emilia’s, pulling it away, then he stepped back. Her heart sank, thinking that she had acted in error. Did the earl no longer desire her kisses? Was he ashamed that she was being so forward?
“M’Lord?” Emilia asked, hoping that he might help her to understand.
Instead of speaking, the earl released her hand and then got down on one knee, looking
directly into Emilia’s eyes.
“Emilia Stewart,” he began, his voice strangled with emotion, “you have touched me body and soul in a way that no other has ever done. I would be remiss to allow you to continue to be a governess in this home.”
Emilia felt her breath catch in her chest. What was happening? Was he releasing her from her duties? Was the earl sending her away? Or was he doing something far more grand?
“And that’s why, Miss Stewart, Emilia, I am asking for your hand in marriage.”
Emilia brought her hands up to her face, unable to believe what she was hearing. It all seemed like an exquisite dream, and she feared that she might faint.