he had chosen to allow this kind woman to grieve him as though he was. And after his older brother’s death, at that. Surely, he must have known the pain his deception would cause.
They continued along the path, curving around and heading back toward the house. Emilia pursed her lips. Soon, she would have to leave, and despite her misgivings about the earl’s dishonesty, she detested the idea of doing so empty-handed. There seemed to be no hope of managing otherwise, however.
Alice made pleasant conversation, asking about the herbs and flowers in the kitchen garden as they passed, and inquiring as to the progression of a partially constructed glass orangery. Emilia found it a challenge to contribute anything of value to the discourse, and silently thanked her companion for her efforts.
Lady Ceastre stopped and leaned to examine the leaves on the roses that grew over the trellis to which they had come all the way back around. The leaves yellowed and had black spots. ‘Look at this,’ she said in a fretful tone. She tutted. ‘I have told the gardener to treat them with milk, but it seems to no avail.’
An idea struck Emilia.
‘My housekeeper makes a very effective tonic for our roses, my lady,’ she invented. ‘I should be very happy to bring some by tomorrow, if you wish.’
Lady Ceastre beamed at her. ‘Why, how delightful,’ she said. ‘I should like that very much, Miss Whitmore.’
‘Consider it done, my lady,’ Emilia said.
With the matter of her return resolved, some of the tension Emilia suffered dissipated. She found it easier to converse with the countess and the rest of the promenade passed without incident.
Emilia and Alice bid the lady farewell, heading for the carriage, which Abraham brought round. Emilia noticed with amusement that the coachman had been carving a wooden figurine again, no doubt as he waited. It had the shape of a rabbit, and it lay on the seat by the coachman’s side.
In another life, I think Abraham would have liked to have been a toy maker, Emilia thought. The idea filled Emilia with affection for Abraham, and this extended to all of her staff.
And what will become of them all, should I succeed in marrying? she wondered. Stung with a sense of unexpected dread, Emilia pushed aside the thoughts as she climbed into the landau, pressing her hand in Abraham’s as she did.
One concern at a time, she told herself resolutely. I have secured a visit here again tomorrow. Best to remember that, and think of a scheme for how to find the writing desk for now.
‘Well, then, Alice,’ Emilia said with satisfaction as she arranged her skirts. ‘That went better than it might.’
‘Only for a moment I thought all was lost,’ Alice said grimly.
Emilia gave her a smile. ‘Nonsense. Your playacting was inspired, and Lady Ceastre was very kind.’
‘She does seem a gentle soul,’ Alice said. ‘The loss of her nephews grieves her.’
Emilia sighed, leaning back into the seat. ‘Yes. It does seem rather cruel of Lord Ceastre to have deceived her so, when one is confronted with the consequences to the countess who had no ill part to play in his situation with those who conspired against him.’
Alice nodded. ‘I wonder whether his lordship has considered the effect on his aunt.’
‘I don’t know,’ Emilia said. ‘Perhaps he felt the harm was unavoidable.’
‘Perhaps,’ Alice said. ‘Or perhaps he didn’t care.’
Emilia’s cheeks warmed, and she felt compelled to defend the earl. ‘He was the victim of a blackmailer. I don’t imagine his aunt would have suffered less if he had been the centre of some terrible scandal.’
‘Tis still possible he will be,’ Alice said.
To that, Emilia had no answer.
***
‘The man accosted you?’ Roberts exclaimed when Max relayed the events of the afternoon.
The lieutenant was sitting at the secretary whilst Max looked out the window.
‘And threatened that if I did not leave England within the week, “bad things would happen,”’ Max said.
‘The utter gall,’ Roberts said.
‘He mentioned an employer,’ Max mused. ‘And then there’s what Ibbott revealed to me. I rather think the scoundrel’s employer is my own dear uncle, Edward Emery.’
‘The new earl?’ Roberts exclaimed. ‘Surely not!’
‘He gained a title and a fortune when I died,’ Max pointed out. ‘Ibbott said he made no real effort to locate the next in line.’
‘You aren’t considering that he might be the blackmailer?’
‘I don’t know,’ Max confessed. ‘The thought has occurred to me, I own. Charlotte is his daughter; perhaps he wished to protect her. I never knew he was even