Always Come Home (Emerson 1)

by Maureen Driscoll

  “I would do that even if you did not ask me to.”

  “Good man.”

  Ava moved away so it was not as apparent that she’d been listening.

  He was an interesting man, Lord Ridgeway. Flirtatious, but protective. Poor in funds, but rich in honor. He did not hesitate to pull rank on the insufferable butler, but was so concerned about the safety of a cook’s assistant that he set his man to look after her.

  “Are you ready, Miss Conway?” Lord Ridgeway held out his arm.

  “I am not sure how to prepare for such an evening, my lord,” she said, putting her arm through his.

  “Picturing our host and his guests devoured by jackals helps.”

  She laughed, as they headed for the door.

  CHAPTER SIX

  When Colin and Miss Conway arrived in the sitting room, it was obvious that Clayton and his guests had spent the intervening time drinking. They were singing a lewd song which Colin quickly put an end to.

  “Clayton, there is no reason for Miss Conway to be dragged into this sordid mess,” he said. “Can we not send her back to her room?”

  “And have her miss all the fun? I would never dream of it. Besides, according to my sisters’ complaints, Miss Conway is forever trying to get them to read. I suspect she would like nothing more than to expand our horizons, as well.”

  “My horizon is expanding just looking at her,” said Raffington with a leer.

  “That will be enough of that!” snapped Colin.

  “I say old boy, you’re becoming positively missish,” said Clayton. “Must be the gown.” The others laughed, as expected. “I daresay Miss Conway is not so easily offended, are you, my dear?”

  She stood even straighter, which was impressive given her usual ramrod posture. “As a governess, I am pleased any time one’s horizons are expanded, though I daresay in Viscount Raffington’s case, it was a barely noticeable enlargement.”

  That set the entire room into gales of laughter – save Raffington, of course.

  Clayton looked at his sisters’ governess as if seeing her anew. Colin inwardly groaned. Miss Conway’s excellent setdown of Raffington only made her more attractive to their host. Though Colin could not comprehend how Clayton thought he could escape being the object of Miss Conway’s most excellent wit. And he was most certainly a man who did not like being the butt of anyone’s joke.

  Clayton took another sip of his drink, then cleared his throat. “Now, I think it is high time for the two of you to begin the scene. I believe you are in the balcony.” He motioned to a table on which Colin could stand. “Romeo, you may address Juliet from where you stand. I trust the two of you know the scene and do not need the lines?”

  “I know it well enough,” said Colin.

  “As do I,” said Miss Conway.

  “Then have at it,” said Clayton. “We are all atwitter with anticipation.”

  Miss Conway moved closer to the table and began the scene.

  “’But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east and Juliet is the sun.’”

  “A son of a bitch,” said Hemsworth, eliciting laughter.

  “There is a lady present!” said Colin.

  “Ridgeway has the right of it,” said Clayton. “And besides, Hemsworth, I believe the son of the…person…to whom you referred is Layton, not Ridgeway.”

  That set the room howling with laughter once again, save for Miss Conway who was perplexed. Colin sometimes forgot that not everyone knew his family’s story.

  “You go too far, sir,” said Colin. He would take any amount of abuse, but he would not allow others to speak ill of his family. Even the unacknowledged sibling.

  Clayton bowed his head in fake contrition. “Pray forgive me, please continue.”

  “I believe I will skip ahead,” said Miss Conway. “’O that I were a glove upon that hand, that I might touch that cheek!’”

  Colin responded. “’Aye, me!’”

  “Not like that, Ridgeway,” said Clayton. “Your voice should be higher. Give it another go.”

  Colin raised the pitch of his voice and repeated the line.

  Laughter ensued.

  “Kiss her, already!” yelled Maplewhite. That was seconded by all the men present.

  “Out of the question,” said Colin. “I will not sully Miss Conway’s reputation in such a way.”

  “I don’t remember you having such high morals at school,” said Raffington. “I seem to recall you having your way with any number of barmaids.”

  “Miss Conway is not a barmaid.”

  “More the pity,” declared Clayton. “Tell you what, old boy. If you kiss our Miss Conway, I shall call an end to tonight’s festivities and give you your blunt.”

  “No,” said Colin. “Not when it comes at the expense of Miss Conway’s reputation.”

  “But we’ll never tell,” said Hemsworth. That was seconded by the others, all of whom would bandy it about as soon as they returned to town.

  “Out of the question,” said Colin.

  “I will do it,” said Miss Conway.

  That elicited cheers and whistles from the men.

  Colin shook his head. “Miss Conway, you cannot trust these men.”

  “I thank you for your counsel, sir. But I am determined to proceed. However, I would like Lord Clayton to pay Lord Ridgeway before I do so.”

  “Don’t you trust me, my dear?” asked Clayton.

  “No, my lord, I do not.”

  “Smart girl,” replied Clayton.

  “Further,” she continued. “I would like your word that Lord Ridgeway will have no other tasks to perform.”

  Clayton studied her. “Aren’t you the saucy minx? Ferguson, get a few notes for Ridgeway. However much it would take to rent a carriage for his ride home. Not a first class conveyance, of course. Just one sound enough to make the trip.”

  Colin turned to Miss Clayton. “I will not allow you to do this.”

  “You sir, are neither father nor husband to me. Or even employer. You have no say in my actions.”

  He stepped closer to her and lowered his voice. “They’ll tell everyone. Your reputation will be ruined.”

  “I will not allow them to make sport of you all evening. And, hopefully, no one will take the word of men in their cups.”

  “Everyone will believe them.”

  “My reputation is not your concern.”

  Ferguson returned with the money.

  “Give it to Ridgeway,” said Clayton.

  The butler did as instructed.

  Colin surveyed it before putting it in his pocket. As Clayton had instructed, it was barely enough to make the journey. But it would enable Colin and Stemple to leave the next day. Yet he could not take the money without trying to dissuade Miss Conway one more time.

  “Please, Miss Conway, do not do this.”

  “But I must,” she said. “Are you ready, Lord Clayton?”

  “I assure you I am always ready.”

  Colin wanted to plant the smug man a facer. He was laying claim to Miss Conway and everyone knew it. Except the lady in question.

  “Then I shall kiss Lord Ridgeway.” She then went up on tiptoe and kissed Colin…on the cheek.

  There was stunned silence for a moment before everyone broke out into laughter. Everyone except Clayton.

  “That was not a real kiss,” he said.

  “I believe it was,” she replied. “Lord Ridgeway, did you consider that to be a real kiss?”

  “Absolutely,” he said, not bothering to disguise his glee. “And one of the best I have ever received.”

  “Only one of the best? I am gravely insulted, sir.”

  “The best kiss was bestowed upon me by my dear grandmama on the occasion of my sixth birthday. She also gave me a pony, so you can understand why such an occasion would live on in my esteem. However, that was a very close second.”

  Miss Conway had a lovely smile that was very much in evidence.

  Colin continued. “No
w that I have fulfilled Clayton’s conditions, I bid you all good night. Miss Conway, may I escort you to your room?”

  “That would be very kind of you, sir.”

  “I didn’t say you were excused, Miss Conway,” said Clayton.

  “But you were about to,” said Ridgeway. Then he lowered his voice so only Clayton could hear. “Do not push me on this. I am still a fearsome opponent in a fight.”

  Clayton considered the matter for a moment, then tersely waived them off. “Good night, Ridgeway. Adieu, Miss Conway.”

  *

  Colin was uneasy as he escorted Miss Conway to her room. Clayton didn’t like to be thwarted. Nor did he like being made a fool. Colin and Miss Conway had neatly done both. And while Colin didn’t care that he’d made an enemy of Clayton – it’s not like they had ever been friends – he was concerned for Miss Conway. She would have to remain in Clayton’s house. And Colin was beginning to have grave fears for her safety.

  They arrived at her room only to hear whispers in the nearby nursery. Instinctively Colin placed her behind him as he went to investigate. He entered the nursery only to find Stemple and Maude talking quietly in the far corner. Both jumped to their feet when Colin and Miss Conway entered. And, though it was hard to tell in the dim light, both appeared to be blushing.

  “How may I be of assistance, my lord?” asked Stemple.

  “I do not need anything. I was simply escorting Miss Conway back to her room.”

  “Does that mean the night’s entertainment has concluded?” asked Stemple.

  “Yes, thankfully. But do not let me disturb you. I believe we should take turns sleeping outside the ladies’ bedchamber.”

  “Surely that is not necessary,” said Miss Conway.

  “I am not willing to take any chances. Stemple, would you like the first shift or the second?”

  Stemple looked at Maude, who’d made no move to retire to her chamber. “Might I take the first?” he asked.

  “Of course,” said Colin. “I shall see you in four hours.” Colin was thankful that his time at war had given him the ability to awaken when needed.

  He walked Miss Conway to her door.

  “Mr. Stemple and Maude seem to get along well,” said Miss Conway.

  “Yes. And I am glad to see it. Too often Stemple withdraws from the world, though I do not blame him. People can be cruel, as the servants in this house already demonstrated, save your friend Maude.”

  “I am afraid Maude is often the target of their cruelty, as well. Life can be especially harsh to unprotected women.”

  “Do you speak from experience, Miss Conway?”

  “I have been fortunate in many ways, my lord. I have never known hunger or homelessness. And while my father was alive, I knew I was loved. We didn’t have many material possessions, but my life was rich in other ways.”

  “Then you have been very fortunate indeed, Miss Conway. You are already well aware of my financial situation, but I am also fortunate to have the love of my family – as unconventional as it is.” He realized even as he spoke the words that they were true. He and James hadn’t seen each other for years, but he knew they still shared a deep bond. Even he and Layton had a bond that was stronger than one might expect of two half brothers who’d never lived in the same house. As for his sisters, words could not describe how much he loved them.

  For some reason, he wanted to tell all of that to this woman he’d met only hours before and would never see again. There was something about her that drew him. Part of it was her wit, her intelligence. Her outsmarting Clayton certainly hadn’t worked against her in his esteem. And in the soft light, the features he’d considered merely pleasant before became quite pretty. Beautiful, even.

  He shook himself. She was gently bred, the daughter of a loving father. He couldn’t flirt with the lady when he was leaving the next day. And he certainly couldn’t consider her for a dalliance. So it was best to say good night now. He took off the dress and gave it to her.

  “I shall be leaving on the morrow, Miss Conway. But I wanted to thank you for what you did for me tonight.”

  “Playing Romeo?” she asked with a smile.

  “Outwitting Clayton so well.”

  “I am afraid that is not a task which requires much skill.”

  He laughed. He really liked this woman. “True. Although I must warn you. He is a man for whom appearance means a great deal. He does not like playing the fool, so I suggest taking care with his bruised ego over the next few days. At least until his guests leave.”

  “Thank you for your advice, sir. I shall try my hardest to refrain from embarrassing him again.”

  “Good luck. Because I fear he will inadvertently give you any number of opportunities to show him up.” He wanted to say more. Do more. What he really wanted was to obtain a kiss from her and not just on the cheek. But, alas, there would be none of that. And it wasn’t because he was an impoverished earl in search of a rich wife. It was because he was still a gentleman. “Good night, Miss Conway. And farewell.”

  “Godspeed, my lord. I hope you are able to make it home in time for Christmas.”

  There was nothing else to do, but leave her.

  Reluctantly.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Someone was at his door. Colin had somehow pushed away thoughts of the delightful Miss Conway long enough to fall asleep so that he might relieve Stemple at the appointed time. But just as the war had given him the ability to awaken when needed, so too had it given him the ability to detect even the quietest movements.

  His first thought – his first hope – was that it was Miss Conway come to give him a real kiss. But as he shook the sleep from his brain, he realized that was unlikely. What was likely, however, was that she needed his help. Perhaps Clayton or one of his friends had come to importune her.

  The very thought had him reaching for his dressing gown and striding across his bedchamber. The door opened just as he reached it.

  One of the twins entered. Angelique, he assumed, since the other one had seemed rather offended by his lack of funds.

  She was wearing a dressing gown and little else. He averted his eyes.

  “Lady Angelique, what are you doing here?”

  “I have come to see you, my lord.”

  “I can only assume an emergency has brought you to my door. There can be no other reason for you to be here.”

  “It is an emergency,” she said. “I fear I cannot live without you.”

  She approached him slowly. Colin turned to her just in time to see her begin to undo the sash that held her dressing gown closed. He grabbed a blanket from the bed and threw it over her, just as she was about to reveal all.

  The blanket landed on her head, covering everything down to her feet. For a moment there was no movement, no sound.

  Then everything changed.

  Colin had never heard as loud of a scream, despite being muffled beneath a large quilt. He might admire the power of her lungs, had he not wanted her gone from his room quite so much.

  *

  It had taken Ava a long while to fall asleep because thoughts of Lord Ridgeway had filled her mind. She’d met any number of gentlemen because of Lord Clayton’s incessant parties and she’d been ready to condemn the entire peerage because of their behavior. But Lord Ridgeway was different. Honorable. Interesting. Intelligent.

  She’d stayed awake for two hours after retiring. Maude had still not come to bed, but Ava had no doubt her friend was safe with Mr. Stemple. It was some time after three in the morning when there was a knock at the door. Perhaps Ava had accidentally locked Maude out.

  She went to the door to find Ferguson there, but no sign of Maude. The butler looked her up and down and Ava wished she’d taken the time to don her dressing gown.

  “Why are you here, Mr. Ferguson?”

  “It is Lady Angelique. She is in need of you.”

  Ava reached for her dressing gown. “Is she sick? Shall we send for a doctor?”

  “I do n
ot know the details, Miss Conway. I was only told to fetch you at once.”

  As Ava emerged from her room, Stemple came out of the nursery. “What’s going on?” he asked.

  Ferguson was shocked. “What the devil are you doing here?”

  “Lord Ridgeway asked me to sleep here. Where are you taking Miss Conway?”

  “Not that it’s any business of yours, but she is to tend to Lady Angelique.”

  Stemple’s eyes darted back to the darkened recess of the nursery, where Ava suspected Maude was. Ava could tell Stemple was torn between wanting to accompany her and not wanting to leave Maude alone.

  “Mr. Stemple,” said Ava. “Mr. Ferguson will escort me to Lady Angelique’s room, then back here again. I shall be perfectly safe.”

  “I should come with you,” he replied.

  “Nonsense. I will be fine. Besides, I believe Lord Ridgeway would not wish you to leave.”

  Stemple hesitated, but finally nodded, though he looked far from satisfied by the turn of events. “Very well, Miss Conway. But I expect to see you back here again shortly.”

  “I am sure you will, Mr. Stemple.” She smiled at him, before leaving with Ferguson, who’d already begun the journey to the family wing.

  It was too bad Lord Ridgeway was leaving so soon, mused Ava as she followed Ferguson through the dark halls. It seemed that Stemple and Maude had formed an attachment. Maude worked very hard and had too few diversions. But at least she would have the memory of talking to a good man.

  Much like the memories Ava would cherish of Lord Ridgeway. Colin. She’d learned his Christian name was Colin. It suited him, too.

  “You are to go in there,” said Ferguson, as he opened the door to a dark room.

  “But this is not Lady Angelique’s bedchamber,” said Ava.

  She was rewarded with a light shove into the room.

  *

  Colin needed to get Lady Angelique out of his bedchamber before anyone knew she was there. He did not know how much her desire to be a countess extended, but he had a feeling he could not depend on the lady’s honor to not trap him into a proposal.