Always Come Home (Emerson 1)

by Maureen Driscoll

  Clayton cleared his throat. “Ridgeway, you never did answer my question on how you planned to travel to your estate.”

  “But Lord Ridgeway is not leaving, is he?” asked Angelique. “He has only just arrived.”

  “I am expected home for Christmas and I look forward to seeing my sisters.”

  “How fascinating,” said Angelique. “Do you also have brothers?”

  There was some muted laughter at the question. That was typical when the subject arose. “My younger brother James is in America.”

  “Why would anyone want to go there?” asked Anastasia.

  “He wanted to make his own way in the world.”

  “Have you any other brothers?” asked Angelique. “Why does everyone keep laughing at that question?”

  “Alas, dear sister, the answer is not one for young ears,” said Clayton. “But, yes, Ridgeway does have another brother, though it has never been formally acknowledged. However, they are so similar in looks they could be twins.”

  “I should like to see America one day,” said Miss Conway, trying valiantly to change the subject. “What does Lord James write of it in his letters?”

  “Unfortunately, he hasn’t written many of them. He has lived on the American frontier where mail service is irregular at best. But I wish he would come home and tell us in person.”

  “Do you think he has seen a Red Indian?” asked Angelique. “I would certainly hate to come upon such a savage, especially since they are only half dressed.”

  “How do you know of such a thing?” asked a bemused Clayton.

  “I read a rather scandalous novel about it.”

  “Miss Conway,” said Colin. “Was that part of your lesson plan?”

  “I hardly think I would sanction any book that describes American tribesmen as Red Indians or savages. I am, however, pleasantly surprised to learn Lady Angelique has read anything at all.”

  Angelique bristled. “I shan’t make a habit of it, if that’s what you’re thinking. But at least it was interesting, as opposed to what you try to force upon us.”

  The rest of the meal proceeded thusly, with Clayton bringing up Colin’s money problems at every opportunity and the girls taking turns showing who could be the most outrageous and, sadly, moronic. Colin felt it would be easier to attribute their deplorable behavior to the follies of youth if they didn’t take quite so much delight in tormenting Miss Conway.

  For her part, Miss Conway shrugged off the insults with admirable aplomb. What was distressing, however, were the looks and comments directed her way by Clayton’s other guests. They were getting more foxed by the moment and their comments more and more suggestive. There was no doubt that they were looking for some sign of interest from the lady.

  A sign they most definitely were not getting.

  When it was finally time for the gentlemen to indulge in their port, Miss Conway excused herself, taking the entire quotient of the table’s good sense and witty conversation with her.

  Then Clayton’s sisters reluctantly took themselves off, but not before some rather pointed hints from their brother.

  “Ridgeway, you still have not told me how you plan to travel to Wiltshire,” said Clayton. “Do be sure to take your man with you. I hear he frightened the maids with that face of his.”

  Colin bristled. “Stemple earned his scars on the battlefield. The maids are lucky to be in the presence of the man.”

  “Such patriotic fervor. I’d forgotten you ran off and fought in the Peninsular Wars. Thought you’d show your father a thing or two by getting yourself killed. I’m so sorry your survival got in the way of your revenge. Forget I said a thing about your valet.”

  Colin wanted to punch his host. But, unfortunately, he needed a favor. “I am forced to ask for a loan, Clayton. I’m going to see about hiring a private coach to speed my journey along. I would not want to miss Christmas when I have promised my sisters to be there.”

  “A loan, you say? A loan implies repayment. And there’s not much chance of that, is there old boy?”

  “Unfortunately, no. Not in the near future. But I will repay you.”

  “Only if you find the right bride.”

  “No,” said Colin, gritting his teeth. “I promise that I will find a way to repay you, with interest.” If by “interest” he meant planting the man a facer.

  “Since I am all but certain you have a long list of creditors and I have no wish to be added to the bottom of that list, I will simply give you the blunt.”

  “Thank you. Though I intend to repay you.”

  “There will be no need, since I plan to exact payment tonight.”

  “In what way?”

  “There are any number of things I could ask you to do. You could muck out my stables. Or shovel the snow from the drive. I imagine you’d do a bang up job of washing dishes.” At this point, all his other guests were laughing. And Clayton dearly loved an audience. “Now, what shall I do?”

  Colin looked at his nemesis, feigning indifference, as he refilled his glass of port. The simple truth was that Clayton could ask him to do any or all of those things and Colin would be forced to go along. He’d happily do them if it meant getting out of there even one minute quicker. And, more importantly, home to his sisters.

  “I think I have it,” said Clayton. “You always delighted in having your head in a book at school. Put your knowledge to the test. I’d like you to do the balcony scene from ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ As Juliet. Dressed as a woman.”

  Clayton’s friends howled with laughter.

  “I cannot wait to see this,” said Maplewhite. “I do hope he wears one of Miss Conway’s gowns.”

  “What an excellent idea,” said Clayton. “What say you, Ridgeway? Are you up for a spot of Shakespeare?”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Ava was relieved that dinner was finally over and one more day of Lord Clayton’s house party had almost passed. His guests would depart before Christmas and the arrival of his parents. She only had to be on her guard for just a few more days.

  She was in her room, which was on the nursery floor. The girls’ bedchambers were on the floor below and Ava was thankful she was not within shouting distance of them. Normally she liked the seclusion, though it was unnerving at times with so many drunken houseguests.

  She tidied her room in anticipation of Maude’s arrival. During house parties, the two shared a bed as a means of protecting each other. Maude’s usual roommate often kicked her out to entertain lords as a means of collecting extra vales. Ava and Maude had become good friends, so the arrangement was pleasant for both of them.

  But Maude still had a few hours of work left, giving Ava time to curl up with a book. And to try not to think of Lord Ridgeway.

  She’d been thoroughly disconcerted to meet the man in the portrait gallery earlier. It had been a foolish thing for her to do, venting to the portraits. And if he’d said anything to Clayton, she would have been sacked for certain. She’d been wondering if he would try to extract payment from her for his silence. Clayton’s other guests would have. Or at least they would have tried. For she would not give payment of any kind to useless lordlings who went about their lives bothering people.

  But instead, Lord Ridgeway had thoroughly entertained her both then and in his conversation at dinner. She’d felt sorry for him the way Clayton had continually reminded him of his lack of funds. She’d also been bothered by the cruelty of the other men when hinting at what must be an illegitimate brother. Yet, Ridgeway took their taunts in stride. She liked the way he kept himself above the fray. She would have liked to have seen them all at school, for she got the impression Ridgeway didn’t suffer fools gladly. And there was no doubt Clayton and his friends were fools.

  A knock on the door put her senses on edge. It was too early for Maude, who would have announced herself. It might be the insufferable Ferguson. Even worse, it could be Clayton, back with another of his indecent suggestions.

  She put down the book and picked up a lea
d figurine she’d acquired on her travels with her father. She went to the door. “Who is it?” she asked without opening it.

  “Ridgeway. I have come on an errand and request an audience with you.”

  She opened the door cautiously. “My lord?” she asked.

  “Miss Conway,” he bowed. “I have an unusual request. It was something instigated by Clayton, which means it is also asinine.”

  Her lips quivered from laughter. “I am almost afraid to ask what it is.”

  “What is in your hand?”

  She held up the figurine, a lead statue of a bird. “A precautionary measure.”

  In an instant, all signs of the affable earl disappeared. “Are you unsafe in this house, Miss Conway?”

  “I am not complaining, sir.”

  “I asked you a question. Do you fear Clayton or his guests?”

  “I can defend myself, sir.”

  “Unfortunately, women are rarely assured of being able to do that, Miss Conway. I am glad to see you take precautions, though a weapon such as that could also be used against you.”

  “I am aware of that. On nights such as these, my friend Maude stays with me. Fortunately, I am also armed with wit and good sense.”

  “That makes you unique in this house.”

  She smiled. “What was your unusual request, Lord Ridgeway?”

  “You still have not answered my question about your safety.”

  “No, I have not. How may I assist you?”

  He must have realized she would not be more forthcoming because he frowned at her before continuing. “Miss Conway, as you have heard, I have no money.”

  “Have you come here for a loan?”

  He snorted his laughter. “Do you have money to lend me? Because it may come to that. But in the meantime, Clayton has said he will give me enough money to travel to my estate if I recite the balcony scene from ‘Romeo and Juliet’ wearing one of your gowns.”

  “I am surprised by his request.”

  “That he would wish to humiliate me in such a manner?”

  “No. That he would know of the balcony scene in ‘Romeo and Juliet.’”

  Lord Ridgeway laughed a gratifyingly long amount of time. “Ah, Miss Conway, you are the only bright spot in this entire misadventure. Might I prevail upon you? I have, obviously, nothing to offer in payment other than my profound gratitude.”

  “Of course,” said Ava, as she opened the door further. “Do come in. I am afraid to say I do not have a wide selection of gowns from which to choose, nor do I think they will fit very well.”

  “I am sure they will do nicely,” he said, as he entered the room.

  She had no wardrobe, only four hooks on the wall. Her few other things were in a small bureau. “I am afraid I have only one other brown gown as well as one that is grey. I do have my dark green, but I save that for church.”

  “The brown or the grey would work nicely, thank you.”

  She held both gowns up to him. “I do not think either will fit you.” Especially since he was well over six feet tall, which made him a good five inches taller than she. He had a lean muscled physique, which meant he could probably fit the gown over him, but not come even close to fastening it.

  “I will have to remove my jacket and waistcoat. Should I go elsewhere to do that?”

  “I believe my sensibilities are such that I will not faint if you do so here.”

  She might have spoken too soon. For as Ridgeway shrugged out of his jacket and waistcoat, she could see how the well-tailored shirt fit him as if a second skin. Suddenly she was in need of a glass of water.

  “You must want to return home very badly,” she said as she turned toward the pitcher and away from the prime physique in front of her. During her trips to her father’s archaeological digs, she’d seen men without shirts. But somehow this man fully clothed was doing odd things to her.

  “My sisters mean the world to me, Miss Conway. I have already failed them in so many ways. But I promised I would be home for Christmas and will not go back on my word. I will play whatever game Clayton devises if it means I can be on my way.”

  “They are fortunate to have you as a brother.”

  “Are they? Sometimes I am not so sure,” he said as he pulled the dress over his head, careful not to tear it.

  “I have no brothers or sisters. But I know that I would certainly appreciate a brother who would go to such lengths to see me.”

  The gown barely stretched over his frame and was wide open in back. It was also several inches off the floor.

  “How do I look?” he asked with a grin.

  “Like a brother who truly loves his sisters.”

  There was another knock at the door. Ava opened it partway to find Maude standing there. “I’m glad they did not keep you so late working tonight,” she told the cook’s assistant.

  “Actually,” said Maude from the hall, “I’m not done with my work, yet. But I was wondering if you knew which bedchamber was Lord Ridgeway’s.” Then her eyes went wide.

  Ava turned to see Ridgeway at her shoulder. “Are you looking for me?” he asked.

  Maude could only stare at the man in Ava’s dress.

  “Lord Ridgeway,” said Ava, “may I present my friend Maude Anderson? Maude, this is Lord Ridgeway.”

  Maude curtsied to him, but was still regarding him cautiously.

  “I am participating in Lord Clayton’s entertainment this evening,” said Ridgeway. “Or, rather, I am the entertainment. Was there a reason you needed to find my room?” Then he had a moment of panic. “You’re not going to tell the twins, are you?”

  “Of course not, your lordship,” said Maude, bobbing another curtsey for good measure. “I have something for your man. Some salve I made up.”

  “Has he been injured?”

  “No, my lord. It’s for his scars. My sister had similar burns and this salve used to help her. I made some up for your journey tomorrow.”

  “That is very kind of you. I must say I am surprised he discussed his condition with you. Stemple speaks to very few people about his scars.”

  “We was eating in the pot room and it just came up.”

  “Why were you eating in the pot room?” asked Ava.

  Maude scowled. “On account of those useless gits didn’t want their appetites spoiled.”

  Lord Ridgeway drew himself up. “Are you saying the other servants banished Stemple to another room?”

  “Yes, sir. They’re like that, my lord. I pay them no mind, but they act like that to anyone different. But I took Victor his dinner and we had a nice chat. He’s a much better man than the others. I wanted to give him the salve to show that. And Ava…I mean, Miss Conway, I told him I would have you write down the ingredients so he can get some made up for when he goes home. Can you do that for me, please?”

  “Of course, Maude. This is very kind of you.”

  Maude shrugged. “It was the least I could do for a man who fought for King and country.”

  They were then interrupted by the appearance of Ferguson.

  “What are you doing up here?” he asked Maude.

  “I asked for a snack,” said Ava quickly. “Maude was kind enough to bring it up to me.”

  The butler scowled. “It is not her place to do so. She should be doing dishes.”

  “Actually, Ferguson,” said Ridgeway. “I need Maude’s assistance for a few moments, but will send her back to the kitchen when I am through. Is there something you needed?”

  “Lord Clayton is growing impatient.”

  “I will be down directly.”

  “He also requests the presence of Miss Conway. She will be playing Romeo in your impromptu theatrical.”

  “I do not believe this concerns Miss Conway,” said Ridgeway.

  “But I believe what matters is Lord Clayton’s desire. You are both to report downstairs as soon as possible,” said Ferguson with a smirk. He turned to leave.

  “I am an earl, Ferguson. An impoverished one to be sure.
But an earl nonetheless. I believe there should have been a ‘my lord’ at the end of that order.”

  Ferguson lost some – but not all – of his attitude. “As you say, my lord. Maude, get to the kitchen.”

  “When I am done with her. That will be all, Ferguson.”

  The butler bristled at being dismissed, but he did leave.

  “He’s not going to like that,” said Maude under her breath.

  “I am glad to hear it,” said Ridgeway. “Now, shall we repair to my bedchamber so Maude can deliver the salve to Stemple? I am most grateful for your kindness. He is not just an invaluable valet, but also my friend.

  When they arrived at Lord Ridgeway’s room it was to find Stemple in a chair reading. Ava had not yet seen him and her heart immediately went out to the man. The burns must have been terribly painful.

  Lord Ridgeway introduced them, then Stemple turned with some curiosity to Maude.

  “I brought some of the salve,” she said, as she presented the small jar to him shyly.

  For a moment, it looked like he would not take it. But it became apparent he was simply overwhelmed.

  He cleared his throat. “Thank you, Maude. This is very kind of you.”

  Maude grinned, while also blushing. Whatever they’d discussed at dinner in the pot room must have been interesting, indeed.

  “A word, Stemple, if you please?” asked Lord Ridgeway.

  They moved a few feet away, but Ava’s hearing had always been keen so she did not hesitate to eavesdrop.

  “Stemple, I am about to perform what I believe will be a series of humiliating tasks in order to obtain the blunt to get us out of here.”

  “It is not worth it, my lord. We can leave in the morning and find another way.”

  “I appreciate your optimism, but the money will help and I care not what they think of me. However, I am quite concerned about the unsavory goings on in this household, particularly as they pertain to Maude and Miss Conway.”

  Stemple stiffened. “Are the ladies in danger?”

  “I believe they might be. Miss Conway will be coming downstairs with me. But I would ask that you accompany Maude to the kitchen, then when she is done with work for the night I would like you to escort her to Miss Conway’s room in the nursery. I will need you to stand a post until I can relieve you.”