Tempting the Earl

by Wendy May Andrews

  The countess waited politely for Emily to respond. The girl looked suddenly anxious, as if her mind was racing to think of an answer. Had the maid so many names to choose from? she wondered somewhat wryly.

  "Spencer, my lady. My name is Emily Spencer," she replied finally.

  "That is an excellent name, Emily. I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Spencer." Lady Clara laughed. "I will put you in the rose room. It is quite near my suite, so you won't feel alone. When we arrive home, it will be late, so we will retire directly. I will give you the tour tomorrow, and we can spend some time getting settled. Then we will start planning this party we shall be throwing for Philip. Let's try to make it fun for us too, even though we must invite the insufferable female Philip is interested in.

  "That's the spirit, my lady! We will make it be the best house party anyone has been to. Let's pick the jolliest guests and plan the best entertainment. No one will even notice that the `shrew' is there. Actually, my lady, you might want to invite some other young ladies his lordship might be interested in. If he is in close confines with this Lady Maude and has someone else to contrast her with, perhaps he will see the error of his ways"

  "I like the way you think, my girl. That is an excellent idea. I will give serious thought to whom else we should include. But for now, do you know any games we could play to while away the hours?"

  Lady Clara was surprised by Emily's enthusiastic response and even more surprised by the number of sophisticated games she was familiar with. They continued their travels sufficiently amused, passing the time with playing cards.

  "We are just about home, Emily," the countess finally informed her companion.

  "Are we? How the time has flown. You, my lady, are a tough opponent!" Emily complained good-naturedly. "You are an expert at cards. We will have to think of which games we can play during the days of the party. There will have to be indoor games and things to do outside as well. Do you have areas on the grounds where we can set up croquet and badminton? If we are having young people, we shall need such activities. And are there any sights within an easy ride of Rosemount? If so, we will need to advise those who might be interested to bring appropriate mounts for excursions. And how long will the party last? That will determine how much entertainment we need to provide." Emily was full of ideas, but the countess interrupted.

  "Enough, Emily. You are exhausting me just thinking about it all. Let's get a good rest tonight, and we will give it more thought on the morrow after you have seen all that Rosemount has to offer. Then you will know for yourself which of your ideas have merit. Here we are. Prepare to meet your new home"

  At that, the coach swayed to a stop in front of the magnificent manor Emily was now to call home. She gazed about with curious eyes as the footman handed her down. It was hard to see very much, as night had fallen during the journey, but she could see the house had at least forty rooms. However, despite its size, it did appear to be quite welcoming, and Emily looked forward to seeing it in the daylight.

  "Welcome home, my lady." Rosemount's housekeeper stepped forward along with the butler to greet the mistress.

  "Thank you, Mrs. Parks. And Mr. Parks, good evening. How have things been here in my absence?" Lady Clara greeted the couple.

  "Quiet, milady. Not too much goes on while you're away. Everyone just waits for your return," laughed Mrs. Parks.

  "I would like to introduce Miss Emily Spencer. She has joined our household as my companion. Please make her feel welcome. Come, Emily, meet Mr. and Mrs. Parks. They have been with us since I joined the family, before the current earl was born"

  Emily bobbed a polite curtsy to the Parkses. She knew it was important to be friendly with the housekeeper and butler, especially when they were a team. She found herself holding her breath, waiting to see if they would accept her or not. The pair barely batted an eyelash when told that this young girl dressed in a servant's uniform was to be their mistress' companion.

  "Welcome, Miss Spencer. If you need anything, just let me know," welcomed Mrs. Parks warmly. "Spencer, you say? Are you any relation to old Lord Spencer over in Bancroft? My sister's husband's cousin is his housekeeper."

  Emily's smile froze on her face. "Not that I am aware of, Mrs. Parks," she answered a bit stiffly, hoping the countess had not noticed.

  Lady Clara might have, but she made no comment, and they were ushered in to greet the rest of the servants who had waited up for them. Everyone was further distracted by the bustle of activity produced by bringing in the baggage and getting everyone settled for the night.

  Emily was relieved to finally be left alone in her new room. She surveyed her surroundings in delight. It is a definite step up from servants' quarters, she thought as she tested out the comfort of the bed and enjoyed the luxury of a spacious chamber. It will be so nice to have a room to myself again, she thought with a sigh of contentment. She remembered with delight that Lady Clara had requested one of the footmen to take a message to the dressmaker first thing in the morning. And it will be so good to have something better to wear, she thought as she hung up her serviceable frock and put on her nightgown.

  Emily felt guilty at the thought, since she knew she should be grateful for what she had in comparison to where she had been just a couple of months previously. She pushed those worries aside as she climbed into the soft bed that had been turned down and warmed by one of the maids. Emily's last thought before sleep finally claimed her was that it was nice not to be a maid anymore. She fell asleep with a smile on her face.

  The pleasure Emily felt the next morning as a maid entered the room carrying morning chocolate for her was nearly indescribable. "Oh, thank you so much! That is exactly what I wanted. What is your name?" Emily thought to inquire, remembering her vow to herself not to take anyone for granted.

  "I'm Maggie, miss," the maid answered hesitantly.

  "I am pleased to make your acquaintance. And I will be very pleased to see you every morning if you bring me chocolate just like this" She smiled at Maggie as she climbed out of the big bed. "I actually do not have much need of you this morning, though, aside from bringing my water if you would be so kind. There will be more to do after I have seen the dressmaker, I am sure"

  "Very good, miss," replied the maid politely before she withdrew to get the water for Emily to wash in.

  Emily gazed around herself with pleasure. I am going to be happy here, I think, she mused with contentment. Clean, warm, and cozy-what more could a girl ask for? She smiled as she tugged on her uniform. Greater variety in clothing, replied her vanity. That will be looked after in due time, thought Emily, determined to be happy with her new lot.

  She reminded herself that she just had to stay safe for a few more months, and then she would gain control over her own life. She worried that she was more exposed here than as a maid at Yorkleigh, but this situation suited her better, and Lady Clara would keep her safe. Besides, no one ever notices the servants, she thought. And, really, a companion is just a glorified servant, she reassured herself. In the meantime Maggie had returned with her steaming water, and Emily quickly washed, then set out to find the countess.

  "I have asked Mrs. Parks to join us on our tour. As we look around, she can start making our plans for the house party," Lady Clara informed Emily as they finished their morning meal.

  The three women proceeded to poke their noses into every corner of the large manor. Mrs. Parks took notes of all the instructions Lady Clara and Emily had for her.

  "We should start airing out the unused bedrooms," Emily mused aloud. "If we start now, it will not be such a burden when we get closer to the arrival date for the guests"

  "That's an efficient idea, Miss Spencer," admired Mrs. Parks. "I'll be off now, milady, to see to my other duties. You and Miss Spencer will do all right without me on your tour of the grounds, I'm sure"

  "Thank you for your time, Mrs. Parks" Lady Clara graciously excused her.

  Lady Clara and Emily exited through the drawing room out onto th
e vast, manicured lawn leading gently to the woods, which interspersed the entire estate. The extensive rose gardens were off to the east of the house, the stables off to the west. To the south, on the other side of a copse of trees, were the ruins of the old abbey. Lady Clara pointed out the landmarks as they wandered toward the gardens.

  "The lawn area would be perfect for croquet or badminton, wouldn't it?" asked Emily. "And these gardens will give everyone hours of enjoyment. You must have an entire army of gardeners maintaining these beautiful blooms," admired Emily, overtaken by their heady perfume.

  "Yes, we do have quite a number of gardeners. You are welcome to assist them whenever the mood strikes you. Now come, my dear, my modiste Juliette will be arriving shortly. In the meantime, you can help me with my correspondence, if you please."

  "It will be my pleasure, my lady." With that the two women returned to the salon, where the countess' secretaire was kept, and they spent an enjoyable interlude composing notes to the countess' various friends in the shire, informing them of her return home.

  "So we need to set a date for this party, my lady, as well as figure out the exact guest list and what we are going to do with everyone. We can finalize our plans once everyone has replied if they are coming or not" Emily was sitting at the secretaire with a sheaf of paper, a pen, and a small ink bottle at the ready. "How many people are you planning to invite? Shall we plan a ball as the climax of the event? Perhaps invite the gentry from the surrounding area for various activities?"

  "Slow down, Emily!" exclaimed Clara with a slight chuckle. "Yes, a ball will be the perfect ending to the house party, and, yes, for that we will invite the gentry from around here. The sons and daughters of my local friends will be very excited to be invited, I am quite sure. I think the event should be at most a week. Some will have commitments and won't be able to come for the entire week but will arrive as the days pass. We will, of course, have the Lady Maude, her brother, and her parents, Lord and Lady Sedgely; Lord and Lady Fitzgerald and their daughter, Julia; Lord Marsden; Lady Waddell and her two daughters, Jane and Ann; and Lord Sutherland. We will start with those invitations first; they will have the farthest to travel. Please write up invitations and see that they are sent out"

  Lady Clara paused as she thought of whom else to invite. "I need to give a bit of thought to a few more people. We must speak to the Parkses about hiring some temporary help from the village. Cook will definitely need extra hands in the kitchen. I think you have given sufficient thought to entertainment. Maybe mention in the invitation that if they wish to bring their mounts, they are welcome to. I will make sure there is something suitable for you to ride"

  At that Emily interrupted, "Really, my lady? You'll find me a mount? I have not been riding in ever so long. It shall be such a great pleasure"

  "Are you an experienced horsewoman, Emily? It will be a pleasure to provide you with a suitable mount, to be sure. Now, where was I? Oh, yes, don't forget to write to Philip telling him the details and the dates so he will be here on time. Let's plan to have people arriving in about three weeks, with the ball exactly four weeks from today. That will give us plenty of time, won't it?"

  The Right Honorable Earl of Yorkleigh The London House

  Dear Lord Yorkleigh:

  The Lady Clara and I have arrived safely at Rosemount, and all is well with us and the household here. We trust that the same can be said of you and your household. We wish to inform you that the plans for the party are progressing quite well. There will be approximately twenty guests in residence for parts of the week. Your presence is politely requested no later than three weeks from this date.

  On another matter, could you please have someone rearrange the shelves of your library containing the works of poetry according to the enclosed list? I have been thinking about how I shelved them while I was there, and I realize that I did it according to my own preference, which, upon reflection, I realize was quite presumptuous. I think the enclosed list contains a much better sequence for shelving. No doubt you would agree.

  As well, I have enclosed instructions from your lady mother's head gardener for a better way of grooming the roses. As you know, Rosemount specializes in roses, so could you please pass these instructions on to Henri? I am quite sure he will appreciate them greatly.

  We await your attendance upon us here at Rosemount with keen anticipation. We trust your work for His Majesty the king is progressing satisfactorily.

  Your humble servant,

  Miss Emily Spencer

  Rosemount

  "Can you believe the little baggage is giving us instructions now, James? And on the proper maintenance of the rose gardens! How do you suppose Henri is going to react?" The earl burst into laughter at the audacity of his former maid.

  "Actually, my lord, Henri was quite taken with Miss Emily and will probably be delighted that she remembered him. The library is surely going to seem empty without her when we return to Yorkleigh," replied Mr. Dale wistfully.

  "So you have fallen under the little minx's spell as well as Henri, have you, my boy?" queried Philip sardonically. He was secretly delighted by the tone of Miss Spencer's letter. He would have to remember to call her Miss Spencer while he was at Rosemount. It would seem much too familiar to be addressing his mother's paid companion by her Christian name. It will be a pleasure to see the pretty chit again, though, he thought.

  He would certainly be glad to have this business for the king out of the way. Progressing satisfactorily, she had said. I wish it were, he thought gloomily. The king had him looking for a needle in a haystack. A peeress of the realm was missing, and somehow it had become his job to find her. Why the king thought he would be able to find the chit, he had no idea.

  He would begin his search by speaking to Lord Edwin, the new Viscount Ridley, to see what he had to say for himself. He had the most to gain by the young woman's disappearance, as he was her legal guardian until she came of age. Philip did not believe the story Lord Edwin had related to the king. The king didn't believe it himself, but it would not do to accuse a peer of lying straight to the monarch's face, without irrefutable evidence. The fact that the man seemed shifty was not proof enough, unfortunately.

  Of course, Philip reflected, it was a good thing that the king trusted him with a matter that he was taking so seriously. He just hoped he could live up to the king's expectations.

  "James, we will need to get more information about Viscount Ridley before we go to meet with him. I want you to find out where he was before he inherited his title, who were his friends and who his enemies. Someone as shifty as Ridley is sure to have some of each. Get whatever help you need. I require this information as quickly as possible. The king wants this matter cleared up"

  "It shouldn't be a problem to find out about Ridley. I will get started immediately." James declared, eager to investigate the mystery. "When will you be meeting with him?"

  "I am going to his new estate in a couple of days to speak with him in private. The only time I ever met him was when we were in audience with the king. He seemed far too nervous for it to be just awe of the monarch. The king and I both feel he is hiding something, but we need to find out what it is before we make any accusations."

  "Certainly, my lord, I will see to it immediately. I know of a few individuals who make it their business to know things. That's where I will start"

  "That is excellent, James. I am going to ask around at the clubs to see who knew Ridley before he ascended to the title. We can meet back here late this evening."

  "Very good, milord."

  With that both men departed on their errands, deep in thoughtful suspicions about this new member of the peerage and what he might or might not know about the missing young lady.

  Two evenings later the earl sat at his large desk in his library staring despondently into the fire burning in the grate.

  "James, I am really having a bad feeling about this. Everywhere we turn, there are allegations about Ridley. Nothing has ever been proven,
but the rumors that swirl around him should have made any parent hesitant to declare him guardian to their daughter. What was the marquis thinking when he left his young daughter in his care?" The earl was angry in his frustration over the lack of information about the missing young lady.

  "In defense of the deceased marquis, milord, perhaps he did not know what suspicions were attached to Lord Edwin. From what we have learned, the marquis and his wife removed themselves from society many years ago and retired on their principal estate. Would you harbor suspicions over your relations and have them investigated?" asked the secretary reasonably.

  "If I was going to leave my children to them, I should like to think I would be responsible enough to ensure beyond any doubt that they would be in good hands," answered Philip heatedly.

  "That's reasonable, but we also have found out that both the marquis and marchioness died suddenly in a carriage accident. They no doubt never thought a guardian would ever actually be required for their only child. They were planning to live to see the births of grandchildren who would inherit their wealth and titles, not this distant cousin they knew little about. Naming him as guardian was merely a formality."

  "You are no doubt right, James, but let this be a lesson to you to always think of all the possibilities. All rights, let's review what we have found out so far. I drive out to meet the scoundrel tomorrow morning. I have not been able to find anyone who speaks highly of him. Many were unaware of him before he gained the viscountcy, but I met a couple of gentlemen who suspected him of cheating at cards. He has actually been blackballed from several of the hells"

  "I too have heard of suspicions of cheating, but it is the missing women in his past that has me the most concerned, milord. In the town where he grew up, there are two peasant families who had beautiful daughters who disappeared after Ridley took an interest in them. Foul play was suspected, but no one could prove anything, and he has remained free. He and his friend, Lord Maximillian Woolfe, are suspected of many things in the village, but they made themselves scarce as soon as Ridley inherited his estate. You will no doubt have to confront the two of them when you go there on the morrow"