A Dashing Duke for Emily

by Hanna Hamilton

  Emily was definitely conflicted. She would love to stay and be a part of this family, which was becoming increasingly familiar to her. But, at the same time, she had her own family and duties in London.

  “Let me think about that. But I do not want to be an imposition, so I am not sure it is appropriate for me to stay when your family is grieving.”

  Alice gave Emily a hug. “My dear, you already are a part of this family. Grandmamma adores you, as do Mark and me.”

  “And Silas?” Emily asked with a wry smile.

  That sent Alice laughing. “Ah, well… Silas is the black sheep and does not count.”

  “And speak of the devil…” Emily said, nodding toward Silas as he was seen approaching them from across the room.

  But before he could arrive, Mark broke free from the receiving line and headed directly to Silas, interrupting his march toward Emily and Alice.

  Mark then had words with Silas that the two ladies could not hear. But, while Mark was speaking to him, Silas kept glancing at them with menacing looks. But they could see Mark physically restrain Silas with his hand and Silas finally backed away and left the room.

  Mark then continued on toward them. He took Alice’s arm and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

  “Miss Emily, thank you so much for being here for us. I cannot tell you how much it means to all of us. Grandmamma commented on how welcome you were and what a great honor it was to have you here.”

  Emily lowered her eyes at such a profuse compliment, but replied, “Thank you, Mark. It means a lot to me to be welcomed.”

  Then Mark took her hand and said, “That Father passed while you were playing for him was such a great gift and we are forever grateful to you for that gesture.”

  Alice then laid her hand on Mark’s arm. “Brother, as Chester and I brought Emily with us, and since we are to stay the night, I have invited Emily to remain with us. She can have her room from the weekend. Would that be an inconvenience?”

  Mark and Emily’s eyes locked for a brief moment. There was a hint of panic in Mark’s eyes, but he responded, “Of course, she must stay.” Then he addressed Emily, “Unless you desire to return and then I know one of our guests would be happy to escort you home. However, because many of our friends have come a great distance to be at the funeral, quite a few are also staying the night.”

  Again, their eyes locked and Emily felt torn. She wanted to stay but was uncertain how Mark might react if she did stay. While Mark’s gaze registered panic, it also contained a hint of desire and a plea for her to remain.

  Then quietly Emily nodded. “If I can help in any way, I would be happy to stay.”

  Mark beamed, and said, “Perhaps you might play just a little after supper. I know Grandmamma would be so pleased.”

  Then Emily smiled at the thought of being useful. “Oh, I should like that very much. Are there any piano pieces that are her favorites?”

  Alice suggested a few and Emily was pleased to be able to perform those for her. She then turned to Mark, “And do you have any favorites?”

  Mark smiled and playfully pinched his sister’s arm. “I would love to hear that new piece by Reginald Blake. Have you learned it yet?”

  Emily smiled. “Not yet, but there is the piece I performed previously, if that will suit you?”

  “I think we can make do with that.”

  Chapter 31

  Mark could not help but contrast the joyous exuberance of the musical weekend, not long past, to the subdued evening after the funeral. The few guests, who were staying the night, congregated, after a quiet supper filled with reminiscences of the old duke, in the tapestry parlor to hear Emily play a few subdued and appropriately solemn pieces.

  Grandmamma was seated in one of her favorite chairs to Mark’s left and Alice and Chester were to his right. Sophie was seated in a chair just barely wedged in between Mark and his grandmother. Mark glanced at Silas, who was seated further away with a young lady who Mark noted Silas was cozying up to during supper.

  Mark thought back to his encounter with Silas earlier that evening when he interrupted Silas’s march toward Emily and Alice.

  “Have you not done enough damage?” Mark had asked, taking hold of his uncle’s shoulder. “I am telling you, unequivocally, to leave Miss Emily alone.”

  “I am just going over to say hello,” Silas said, pulling away from Mark’s grasp. “And how dare you presume to lecture me.”

  “I presume because you disgraced yourself in your detestable ploy to damage Miss Emily’s budding career. That stunt you pulled with Mr. Butler, I shall never forgive—a slander of Miss Emily and a grave affront to me.”

  Silas shuffled and momentarily looked away, but then said, “I made amends with the notice in The Times.”

  “But have you gone and personally recanted your slander to Mr. Butler as Alice insisted?”

  “I am getting around to it. Perhaps next week.”

  “Not perhaps—definitely. Before any more damage is done to Miss Emily’s reputation.”

  Silas looked over at Alice and Emily and scowled, but turned back to Mark and said, “I may have made a mistake with that move—I admit that. But you may not prevent me from pursuing Miss Emily romantically.”

  “Uncle, has she not made it abundantly clear, that she has no interest, whatsoever, in accepting your suit?”

  Silas smiled, “Oh, Mark, you know women, always playing coy and never meaning what they say.”

  “In this case, Uncle, you had better believe it. She has told me herself, that she is horrified at your advances. Leave off pursuing her or experience the full force of my wrath—which would include permanent banishment from this family.”

  Silas said nothing but gave Mark a sly smile. “Oh, Your Grace, I would never do anything that would jeopardize my position in this precious family.” And with that, he turned and left the room.

  As Mark now watched Silas engaged in conversation with this new young lady throughout the evening, he began to think that his uncle had taken his scolding to heart and Mark turned his attention back to his grieving grandmother.

  When Emily had finished playing, she was greeted by a number of appreciative guests thanking her and eventually found her way over to the family.

  Mark stood and said, “Splendid as always, and thank you for entertaining, and hopefully, giving solace to our guests. Will you sit with us? Would you like anything to drink?”

  Emily remained standing. “Thank you, Your Grace, but this has been a most hectic week and I should like to retire, if I may?”

  “Of course, and I hope you become rested.”

  Emily took Alice’s hand and said, “I am so sorry about your Papa. I cannot think about such a loss. I would so miss my parents if either of them left us.”

  “Thank you, dear.”

  Emily went to Grandmother and bid her good night and left the room after giving Mark a sweet smile, which he returned.

  Despite being exhausted and worn out from the ups and downs of the past week, Emily found she could not immediately go to sleep, but continued to toss sleeplessly in the bed. Without lighting any candles, she rose from her bed, put on a robe, and went to the window and stared outside at the night sky—clear and unobstructed by any clouds. As she was a little chilly, she wrapped a window drapery around her shoulders and leaned against the cove of the wall to the left of the window frame. The black sky was alight with stars and the Milky-Way cast its arms across the expanse as though it wanted to embrace the world in a loving hug.

  She stood for some time in peaceful contemplation when she was surprised to see a slash of light burst across the floor as her door noisily opened.

  She hugged the wall and pulled the drape more tightly around her. The light was from a candle, but she could not make out the identity of the person carrying it. Whoever it was, blew the candle out and there was only the faintest glow from the light in the hallway, silhouetting the figure at the door. The figure did not move for some time, as though adju
sting to the darkness.

  Emily thought to call out to ask who it was, but something held her back. If it had been a servant, he or she would have announced themselves. But the figure did not move and the hair on Emily’s neck and arms stood up.

  Then, slowly, the figure began approaching the bed, finally standing at the foot, but again not moving. And then in the quietest possible voice, the figure called her name, and started to come around the side of the bed closest to Emily.

  It was clear, whoever it was, thought she was asleep in the bed and had no idea she was standing at the window.

  Then the figure called her name a little louder as it sat on the edge of the bed and reached out an arm and discovered she was not there.

  The figure abruptly stood and began looking around the room.

  “Emily. Where are you?” It was Silas. “Emily…”

  Silas began coming toward the window and said, “Now, my darling girl, do not be shy. I certainly do not want to hurt you. Just hold you in my arms and give you a kiss or two. Emily, show yourself. Where are you?”

  Then from the hallway, a light began to approach and through the door Mark appeared holding a lantern, accompanied by two footmen.

  “Uncle!” he shouted. “Leave this room immediately.”

  With his lantern illuminating the room clearly, Mark moved into the room as the footmen came forward.

  “Seize and remove him,” Mark ordered. The footmen took hold of Silas and dragged him out of the room.

  Mark had, as of yet, not seen Emily and she bursts forth from behind the drapery and ran to him, throwing her arms around him.

  “Oh, Mark. Thank God you appeared. How did you know that brute was here?”

  “When he made such a point of staying the night and not going home, I became suspicious of his intentions and posted someone to watch your room. And when he appeared and entered your room, I was alerted.”

  “Oh, Mark…” she said, burying her head on his chest, as she held on to him tightly.

  “Are you all right? Did he harm you?”

  “No,” she said, standing back and pulling the robe tightly around her. “But if I had not been at the window… who knows.”

  Mark became agitated. “I cannot believe he tried… He promised me he would leave you be.”

  Emily was becoming calmer, and she reached over and took hold of Mark’s arm. “It is over. Nothing serious happened,” she tried reassuring him.

  “But I cannot allow him to remain a part of this family. I warned him, but still he behaves like a brute.”

  “Perhaps, if and when I begin touring and I shall be out of the country, he will forget about me and… find someone more sympathetic to his desires.”

  “I shudder to think who might put up with his gross behavior.”

  One of the footmen returned and announced. “Your Grace, Mr. Skeffington just left and said… well, he said something that I cannot repeat in front of a lady.”

  Mark laughed. “That is exactly what I might expect from him. Thank you, George.”

  After the footman left, Mark lit several candles in the room, and went to the window, drew the draperies and turned to Emily. “Are you alright to sleep now? Do you want someone to attend to you? Do you need anything?”

  Emily shook her head. “No Mark, I am not that delicate. It was an unexpected intrusion, and there was a moment or two of concern, but I am not easily frightened.”

  Mark smiled broadly as he went over and took her hands in his. “You are a fine lady, but also a strong and independent woman. I have not known many like you. You are very dear to me.”

  Emily glanced down shyly before lifting her eyes to his. They gazed into each other’s eyes, both now fully acknowledging the mutual lack of shyness.

  “Thank you, Mark,” she said, squeezing his hands.

  Mark looked at her and seemed to be struggling with what to say, but responded. “Emily, my Emily… I can resist this no longer.”

  “Resist what, Mark?”

  “The certain fact that it is you I love, Emily.”

  Shocked, yet delighted—as if struck by a bolt of pure joy, Emily questioned Mark, “But Miss Sophie… what of her?”

  “I have been playing out my assigned role with her, but with no conviction or enthusiasm. I shall end any of her expectations immediately.”

  “But will she not be devastated?”

  “We were friends long before we were courting, and I believe that friendship will remain. Unless you object.”

  “Not I. Lifelong friendships are invaluable and must be preserved.”

  Kneeling, Mark took her hand, asking, “Then Emily, will you be my wife and become the new Duchess of Edgerton?”

  At first, she felt unspeakable joy, then it hit her—her career—what would become of that? Her lifelong dream? Shattered?”

  Looking confused, she stammered, “Ah… Mark… I… my… what about my piano?”

  Mark pulled her into an embrace. “Emily, my Emily, do you think for one moment that I, the one who has worked so diligently for your success, would ever ask you to abandon your most precious dream?”

  As she disengaged from Mark, Emily’s face lit with a radiant smile. “Do you mean that? You would support my career?”

  “Most certainly. Not only support it, but actively work to make it happen.”

  “But if I was the Duchess…?”

  “Then you shall become known as the Duchess of Music.”

  She felt such relief that she grabbed hold of Mark, looking adoringly up at him. He leaned forward and kissed her. Gently holding her at arm’s length, Mark declared “But you have not accepted me yet. Will you marry me, Emily Dunn?” his eyes twinkling.

  Emily coyly placed her finger to her cheek, as though she was considering the proposal and might just refuse. “Mark Linfield, yes, I will marry you.”

  Chapter 32

  Mark’s first duty the next morning was to visit Grandmamma. He was concerned that she might not approve of the engagement, especially as it was immediately on the heels of his father’s death. She absolutely had to be the first person he informed—even before his beloved sister.

  He had made Emily promise not to reveal the engagement until he had notified his family first. Since she was staying with them, it was not an issue. Her family and friends could wait to be informed until the proper ducal protocols had been followed.

  Except for the occasional furtive glances and smiles, Mark felt strange having breakfast with Emily present, without acknowledging the change in their relationship. However, Mark’s concerns were relieved by the fact there were many guests breakfasting and preparing to leave right after the morning meal. That kept Mark occupied, visiting with each guest, and receiving their final condolences.

  It was not until time for the Duchess’s late morning tea when Mark felt comfortable visiting her.

  “Good morning, Grandmamma,” Mark greeted as he entered her chambers. He gave Baggs a discreet nod, indicating he wished to speak to the Duchess privately.

  This gesture did not escape the Duchess and she asked, “Is there a problem, Mark?”

  “Not at all,” he said, sitting next to her on her divan. “In fact, I have some splendid news.”

  The Duchess’s face clouded over and she shifted slightly. “What good news can there possibly be so soon after my son’s passing?”

  She was still dressed in her mourning attire looking particularly dour. Mark almost thought about delaying the announcement of his engagement, instead deciding against it, even if it pained her, because he knew it would be unfair to Emily asking her to postpone the announcement to her family.

  “Grandmamma,” he started, placing his arm along the back of the divan behind her. “I know you may think this is an inappropriate time to make this announcement, but I am engaged to be married.”

  At first his grandmother’s brows knitted in what appeared to be disapproval, but then she beamed asking, “And when did you ask Sophie? It seemed you barely s
poke to her at all last evening.”

  “Grandmamma, it is not Sophie whom I have asked.” He let that statement register before he proceeded.

  “Is it that young woman?”

  “Emily Dunn. That is her name.”

  Grandmother turned from him and took a moment to collect her thoughts before replying, “What happened? I do not understand. You and Sophie…”

  “No, Grandmamma, Miss Sophie and I have always been friends, and for me, she was not really a desirable bride, except in your mind. I went along with your wishes until it became obvious to me that Emily Dunn was the one I wanted to wed.”