Emilia

Chapter Twelve

When Tilda came to Emilia's room that evening to wish her sister a good night and pleasant dreams, Emilia decided to confront her with what Lord Elham had told her and see what Tilda had to say about that matter.

Tilda did not seem surprised at Emilia's question regarding Sir George Harbury. It was almost as if she had expected it, and there was something defiant in her tone of voice when she said, "I do not think he cares much for me, so why should I continue trying to gain his affection? To me it looks as if every attempt is bound to fail."

"You do not sound as if you were still in love with Sir George," Emilia said reproachfully. "If you were, his reluctance would not make any difference to you. You'd still try to devise a way to win his heart."

"To say the truth, I am not certain if I ever was in love with him," Tilda said.

Emilia stared at her sister in shock. "But you said..."

"I know," Tilda said calmly. "I was mistaken."

Emilia shook her head. "How can anyone be mistaken in such an important matter? Especially you, who always seemed so sensible!"

"Even sensible people make mistakes sometimes," Tilda pointed out. "I did not mean to deceive you, Emilia. I was deceived myself. But now my eyes are open."

"What made you open your eyes, Tilda?" Emilia asked with a smile. Tilda smiled back.

"Not what, Emilia. Who."

"Could it be that Lord Elham was right then?" Emilia cried.

"I would not know. What did he say?"

Talking to Tilda turned out to be harder than she had imagined, Emilia thought. She did not seem to be inclined to say a word more than what was absolutely necessary.

"Only that he thought you had lost your interest in Sir George."

"Then he was right."

An admission at last, Emilia thought, but tried to discover more.

"Who is it, Tilda? Is it Mr. Ingleton?"

Tilda laughed. "I had better not tell you," she said. "Who knows what outrageous means you'd employ to bring us together? - But seriously, Emilia, you must have noticed something."

Emilia blushed. "Well, yes," she admitted. "It is Mr. Ingleton then." This was a sobering thought. Emilia knew Mr. Ingleton did not like her, and she was not sure whether she wanted him for a brother-in-law. But on the other hand, Mr. Ingleton was Lord Elham's brother and was likely to have his share of his brother's good qualities. Those two were obviously fond of each other, and Emilia could not blame Mr. Ingleton for trying to extract his brother from the tangle he had got himself into. She would probably have done the same thing for Tilda.

"What is it?" Tilda asked. "You have suddenly gone very quiet, my dear. Don't you like Mr. Ingleton?"

Emilia smiled, though she did so with an effort. "I have no reason to dislike him," she said. "And I am certain that he will be a very good husband."

Now it was Tilda's turn to blush. "We have not talked about marriage yet," she said quietly. "But I hope we will, before long."

Emilia could discern the longing in her sister's voice, and gave her an encouraging hug.

"I think Mr. Ingleton would be very careful not to raise any such expectations in you, if his intentions were not serious," she said, and Tilda, after giving her sister another hug, went off to her room.

---

A very similar conversation took place in Lord Elham's study that evening. Lord Elham had invited Gerry to dine with him, with the object of finding out what was really going on between him and Miss Brentwood.

Elham felt somewhat responsible for the girl - her presence in London was due to his instigation. If she came to any harm, he would have to answer for it. Not that any harm would come to her in the guise of his brother, Elham thought. Gerry was not the sort who trifled with a young woman's feelings. Even the strictest chaperones liked to see their charges in Gerald Ingleton's company - he was generally considered to be a well-mannered young man who could be trusted to keep the line. So, if Gerry had been unguarded enough to raise certain hopes in a young woman, there was probably more to it. It was, at any rate, worth inquiring.

Lord Elham did not care to rush his horses though. Not a word of what occupied him was mentioned while the two brothers were sitting at the dining table, doing credit to Lord Elham's excellent cook. But once they had retired to the study for a game of piquet and Lord Elham's assortment of fine brandies, Elham decided that the right moment had come.

"I am planning to take Emilia to Syon Park next week," he said. "Do you want to come along?"

"Won't I be in the way?" Gerry asked.

"I was not going to take Emilia alone, as you well know," Elham said. "Her sister is going with us, of course."

"I see," Gerry said. "I am to take care that she does not get in your way then."

"You sound as if you did not relish the task," Elham said. "I thought you liked Miss Brentwood? My mistake, but never mind - I will ask someone else to go with us. Perhaps Harbury will do me the favour."

"Not likely."

"No, I suppose it is not."

Gerry sighed. "Des, if you want to know what is going on between Miss Brentwood and me, why don't you just ask and be done with it?"

"Could I expect an honest answer if I did?"

"Why not? You're my brother. I never lied to you unless it could not be helped." Gerry grinned.

"Very well then. What is going on between you and Miss Brentwood? And take care what you say -- I feel responsible for the girl."

"Nothing that should cause you -- or anyone else interested in her well-being -- any anxiety," Gerry said.

"In other words?"

"In other words, I am planning to ask her to become my wife," Gerry said. "She is perfect -- not as stunning as her sister, I admit, but beautiful and sweet-tempered, not to forget her good sense."

"You do not sound like a man in love."

"What do you know about it," Gerry asked indignantly. "I may not be as eloquent as others, but whether that has anything to do with the way I feel I take leave to doubt. Besides, Des, you'd be the last man on earth to listen to my effusions in Mat ... Miss Brentwood's praise without telling me to stop the nonsense."

"Fine," Elham said with a smile. "Then why don't you come to Syon Park with us and grab the opportunity to propose?"

"I may," Gerry said. "But I am not sure if she is ready for my proposal yet."

---

It was the evening of Mrs. Brentwood's party. When Emilia came to her room to dress for the ball, she was surprised to see that the dress she had chosen for the occasion was not laid out. Sally, upon being reprimanded for her negligence, defended herself. It had been Lady Elham's wish, she said, that Emilia should wear something different than what she had chosen for herself.

"And what am I supposed to wear?" Emilia asked.

Tenderly, Sally laid a dress on Emilia's bed. "This one, Miss Emilia."

Emilia gasped. It was the dress she had seen in Ackermann's Repository the other day, only in slightly different colouring, more suited to Emilia's complexion than the one in the fashion plate had been.

"Lady Elham, you said?" she asked suspiciously.

"Oh yes. She has bought dresses for both you and Miss Brentwood to wear at the ball. You should see Miss Brentwood's -- she'll look as pretty as a picture!"

Emilia did not hear what else Sally had to say in praise of Tilda's new dress, for she was already hurrying along the corridor and knocking at the door of Lady Elham's dressing room. When the old lady's dresser opened the door, Emilia hurried inside.

"I need to speak to you, Lady Elham!"

Lady Elham, sitting in front of a mirror in her dressing gown, turned to her.

"Can you not wait until later, my dear?" she asked chidingly, but not unkindly.

"I ... I wanted to thank you," Emilia stammered.

"That can wait until later," Lady Elham said with a smile.

"But ... Lady Elham ... I do not deserve to receive such presents from you," Emilia continued. "It ... it must have cost a fortune!"

"And now to refuse to oblige me by wearing it?" Lady Elham asked. "Humour an old woman, Emilia."

"I just wanted to say ... this was not at all necessary, Lady Elham."

"I know," the old lady said with a smile. "Necessities make poor presents. Now hurry and get dressed, or we shall be late for dinner at your aunt's."

Emilia went over to the old lady, took her hand and kissed it. Then she hurried back to her room, and Sally helped her put on her new dress. The picture she saw in the mirror surpassed Emilia's dreams -- never before, she felt, had she looked so elegant. Her aunt would have nothing to blush for, she thought, though coming to think of it her aunt was more likely to be annoyed at her niece's appearance. But at least Emilia would not be shabby - and she wore a dress no one had seen on her before.

Sally outdid herself -- she used Lord Elham's combs and white rosebuds to adorn Emilia's hair, and a simple pearl necklace, white gloves and the fan Lord Elham had given Emilia completed her toilette. While she was still standing in front of the mirror, trying to get a glimpse of her appearance from all sides, Tilda came into the room. Emilia gasped. Her sister had never before looked so stunning, and Emilia was quick to tell her so.

"Oh, well," Tilda said with a blush. "I daresay I do not look bad, but I will still walk in your shadow, Emilia, as always."

"This is nonsense," Emilia said. "If you have ever walked in my shadow -- if, mind you, for I never believed you did -- this was only because you chose to do so. There can certainly be no talk of this now. At least one gentleman will appreciate you the way he should, though I am sure there are more than one."

"Don't, Emilia," Tilda said. "You know I have never yearned for admiration."

"Yes, you did," Emilia said. "Or are you trying to tell me that you did not want Sir George Harbury to admire you?"

Tilda blushed. "I did," she confessed. "But I made myself believe I did not. The way he ignored me was easier to bear that way."

Emilia embraced her sister. "He will be hard put to ignore you today," she said. "And I do hope he will, one day, realise what a treasure he has lost."

Lord Elham and Mr. Ingleton, who were to escort them to Mrs. Brentwood's ball, were already waiting in the drawing room when Emilia and Tilda came downstairs. Mr. Ingleton's face lit up when he saw Tilda, and from the moment Emilia saw him walk towards her sister with a radiant smile on his face, she did not doubt that they would soon be engaged. She did not have much time to think about her sister and Mr. Ingleton, however, for Lord Elham claimed her attention, and they talked until a servant announced that the carriages were ready.

Mrs. Brentwood found it rather difficult to hide her indignation when she beheld her two nieces, dressed in the first style of fashion and in their best looks, but she treated them with becoming civility. Her daughters did not find it in themselves to be quite as generous -- the curtness in their manner was uncivil at best, and some would have found their behaviour downright insulting.

Dinner was soon over, however, which made Emilia glad. It had been a rather dull affair, for there were hardly any guests apart from the Brentwoods and Ingletons, and no one who interested her much. Aunt Brentwood had seated her as far away from Lord Elham as she could, so he could not contribute to her amusement. Mr. Sulgrave, though very kind, was no fitting replacement for his company.

Emilia was to open the dance with Lord Elham -- after all the ball was held in honour of their betrothal -- and she found herself looking forward to it. They had not had a private moment all evening, and though dancing with each other in a crowded ballroom did not afford them much privacy, they would be able to talk.

"My grandmother has chosen well," Lord Elham said appreciatively as he led her to the set.

"Do you think so?" Emilia asked.

He laughed. "You know very well that I think so," he said. "Perhaps I should have complimented you before -- but I was entirely at a loss for words."

Now it was Emilia's turn to laugh. "Not you," she said. "You always have something to say."

The dance separated them for a few moments. When she could be certain of Lord Elham's attention again, Emilia said, "So it was your grandmother who chose this gown? I must confess I had my doubts."

"Did you? I cannot think why."

"You know very well why. It would not be the first time you gave me a present I had not asked for."

"This time I am innocent, I swear," he said with a grin.

"If you are innocent, why are you grinning so ... so impertinently?"

Again, they had to go separate ways.

"Well?" Emilia demanded, when she had Lord Elham to herself again.

"You wanted to know why I was grinning," Lord Elham said.

"Quite so. I daresay you have invented a convincing excuse by now," Emilia said.

"There was no need to invent one. I was merely amused. Your unconventional way of receiving a gift never fails to do so."

"You really had nothing to do with this?"

"I cannot say that," Lord Elham said. "My grandmother wished to give you a present, and I gave her a hint as to what you might want to have. I hope I was not mistaken."

The music ended, and Lord Elham led her towards her seat next to his grandmother.

"You were not mistaken," Emilia said quietly, and looked up at him. "It was very kind of you."

"There were selfish motives, though," he said, with a disconcerting smile. "I must admit I wanted to see you wear this dress."

"And now that you have seen me wear it, my lord, do I live up to your expectations?" Emilia asked, her eyes sparkling mischievously.

"More than that, Emilia," he said. "But even that was only to be expected."

---

Emilia danced a great deal that evening -- with gentlemen she knew as well as such she had never seen before but who claimed to be friends of Lord Elham's. London society, it seemed, had fully accepted her as the future Lady Elham, and was ready to welcome her with open arms. Some of the older ladies treated her kindly, while others -- mainly those who had daughters to dispose of -- were reserved, but not uncivil. The young ladies, knowing that they need not compete with her to gain some eligible bachelor's attention, were kind to her too -- with the exception of Emilia's cousins, for whom she did not care much.

Lord Elham danced with her once more -- a waltz, this time -- and took her to supper afterwards. They were seated at a table with Tilda and Mr. Ingleton, and the Sulgraves were sitting at the table next to them. They were laughing a great deal -- Emilia had never before seen Mr. Ingleton so happy, and in such high spirits. All in all, Emilia enjoyed herself much more than she had expected -- until she overheard a conversation between her aunt and one of her guests.

"What a beautiful pair they make," the guest, a middle-aged dowager, said. "And I never thought I'd see Elham so ... besotted."

"Oh, but we all know what kind of females he prefers," Mrs. Brentwood said maliciously. "I do not like to speak ill of my niece -- but I must say that her upbringing has not been quite the thing. Do you know her mother? She is an invalid -- she never was able to give her daughters what I'd call good breeding. There is something ... vulgar, something shockingly brazen about Emilia, something I should hate to see in any of my daughters."

"She did not seem vulgar to me," the guest said. "Her manners were very pleasing."

"Lady Elham's influence, I daresay," Mrs. Brentwood said. "Let us hope the old lady lives long enough to curb her -- though I do not envy her the task. Emilia looks innocent enough, but she is far from that, believe me. Mind you, I do not say anything untoward has taken place between Lord Elham and her, heaven forbid! I hope any niece of mine knows what is proper and what is not. But one cannot help but wonder what he sees in her! There must be some resemblance to one of his ... amours."

Emilia did not wait to hear what else her aunt had to say to drag her character into the dirt. Blindly, she turned towards the door, with the sole purpose to leave the house immediately and go back to Clarges Street. In the hallway, she bumped into none other but Lord Elham, who demanded to know what was going on.

"I am not going to stay a minute longer," Emilia cried. "Don't you dare hold me back!"

"I am not holding you back, but I want to know what happened," Lord Elham said.

"Not here ... not now," Emilia said. "I want to leave!"

Lord Elham told a footman to bring Miss Emilia Brentwood's cloak and to send for Lady Elham's carriage.

"I'll take you home," he said. "But what will we tell my grandmother -- and Mrs. Brentwood?"

"I do not care what my aunt thinks," Emilia snapped. "I am not going to stay in a house where I have been insulted!"

"Who insulted you?" Lord Elham asked, frowning.

"My aunt. Not to my face, oh no, she is too cunning to do so, but I heard what she said about my family and me -- I cannot bear it!"

"Very well," Lord Elham said with a sigh. "Wait here -- I'll tell my grandmother that I am going to take you home. Don't worry, I'll find an excuse."

When Lord Elham returned to her, the carriage was already waiting at the door. He assisted Emilia in getting into it, and then took his seat opposite her.

"Now tell me," he said as the carriage set in motion. "What did your aunt say?"

Emilia did not need any more encouragement to unburden herself. She told him what she had heard, and why her aunt's implications had hurt her so much.

"I have never felt so degraded in my entire life," she concluded.

"Degraded because I love you?" Though Emilia could not see his face in the dark carriage, she could hear the anguish in his voice.

"No, because of the things my aunt implied -- that you'd only feel attracted to ...vulgar, forward women, and that I was one of that sort." She paused for a moment. "Did you mean what you just said?"

"That I loved you? Yes, I did mean it, Emilia. Is it possible that you have not noticed yet?"

"But ... why?"

"Because you are you," Lord Elham said, taking her hand. "There are a thousand reasons really -- each of them more absurd than the other, I suppose, but who cares? You stole my heart before I knew it was in danger, Emilia. Don't ask me how it happened, I would not know -- but happen it did. It had nothing to do with any of the motives your aunt implied, however, I can give you my word on that."

"Oh, Desmond!"

"Will you do me a favour? Don't call me Desmond," Lord Elham said. There was laughter in his voice, so Emilia supposed he was smiling.

"Why not?"

"Think, Emilia. Would I want my wife to sound like my grandmother?"

Emilia laughed. "I suppose not," she said. "But ... but ... did you say your wife?"

Lord Elham changed from the seat opposite her to the one next to her, and took her into his arms. Emilia did not mind at all.

"I know I promised you need not marry me," he said. "I stand by my promise, if you want me to. You need not marry me -- but I wish you would."

"I can't," Emilia said quietly. Lord Elham released her from his embrace.

"Why not?" he asked, sounding puzzled. "I did not think you had developed an aversion to me."

"This is not the problem," Emilia said quietly. "I am ... I am very fond of you..." Still, she thought, she was not yet ready to tell him that she loved him. "But I cannot marry you. I cannot marry a man who will ride roughshod over me, and that is what you are doing all the time! I need a husband who takes me seriously, who take my opinions seriously. I need someone who is ... considerate."

"And I am not considerate enough."

"Sometimes you are -- you can be so endearing sometimes -- but not often enough. Think of all those occasions when you made me do something I did not want. I know you meant well, but..." Emilia broke off, helplessly. There was a short silence.

"What if I made an effort to become the kind of man you want?" he finally asked. "I cannot promise to be that person, but I can try."

"I ... I need to think about it," Emilia said. At least she had gained some time, though for what she needed it, she did not know.

"Do," Lord Elham said. The carriage stopped, and he got out and helped her alight from it. He accompanied her to the front door, and while they waited for the butler to open it, he wished her a good night. For a moment, it seemed as if he was going to kiss her, but all he did was stroke her cheek, and then get back into the carriage.

Emilia was disappointed -- she had wanted him to kiss her. Was this what he called being considerate? But while she was getting ready for bed, she thought about the occasions when he had tried to kiss her -- or even had kissed her -- and how she had protested then, how she had forbidden him to take any liberties with her. It was no wonder that he had not kissed her this time -- he had demonstrated that he did take her seriously. It was not his fault that, on this occasion, she would have been willing to excuse his impudence.

Chapter Thirteen

Emilia had expected her first encounter with Lord Elham after his proposal to be an awkward affair, and was surprised to find out that this was not so. When he called on his grandmother the next day and inquired after Emilia's health, he was his usual, easygoing self and acted as if nothing had happened the previous night. This soon made Emilia feel at ease with him, and she was glad that no one had noticed something had happened between them.

"Do you feel up to going to the park today?" he finally asked her. "Or are you still suffering from the aftermath of yesterday's migraine?" He had excused her early departure from the ball with a splitting headache, as Tilda had told her when she had come home two hours later and had looked in to see how her sister was, so Lord Elham's reference to her "migraine" did not surprise her.

"I am feeling much better, thank you," Emilia said. "But I have promised my sister to accompany her to Mrs. Sulgrave's, so I will not be able to go to the park with you. I am sorry."

"Fair enough," Lord Elham said. "Some other time, perhaps. You know you will need to practise your driving for our outing to Syon Park."

Emilia laughed. "This almost sounds as if you did not feel safe with me driving the phaeton."

"I feel very safe," Lord Elham said. "The question is, do you? Do you trust yourself to drive all the way to Syon and back?"

"Perfectly, I assure you," Emilia said. "If not, I can let you take over the reins whenever you want."

"Can you? And I thought I'd let you take charge of things for once," Lord Elham said with a wicked grin. Emilia refused to react to his teasing.

"So what are your plans for today, now that my driving lesson has been cancelled?" she asked instead.

"Morning calls," Lord Elham said. Emilia thought he sounded rather grim when he said so.

"You do not sound particularly pleased with the prospect," she said.

"I am not, but neither will those I call on be," Lord Elham replied. "Will I see you at my sister's tonight?"

"I think you will," Emilia said. He smiled.

"Excellent. Something to look forward to, then!"

The moment he left, Emilia hurried to the window and looked outside. He looked up at her, gave her an amused grin and touched his hat to her. Emilia watched him until he turned round the corner, and then went to her room to get dressed for her visit at Mrs. Sulgrave's. It was odd, she thought, but not being able to go to the park with Lord Elham vexed her, although she should be glad to have an excuse for not spending time alone with him.

---

There was no reason for Lord Elham to look forward to meeting the people he was going to visit. The things Emilia had told him when he had taken her home the previous night had convinced him that, unless he took measures to prevent it, Mrs. Brentwood would not rest until she had ruined her niece's reputation. He took offence at the fact that Mrs. Brentwood used his name as well as his obvious affection for Emilia to malign her character -- he had never been a saint, he knew that, and he had never been a hypocrite either, like others he could name. But this had nothing whatsoever to do with Emilia. Whatever kind of woman Mrs. Brentwood had referred to as "his type" -- and he could make an educated guess as to what kind that was -- Emilia had nothing in common with them. He had never loved Chloe, or any of the women who had, for a short period of time, enjoyed his protection.

At Mr. Brentwood's house, he was informed that Mrs. Brentwood and the young ladies had gone out, but upon inquiry he was admitted to Mr. Brentwood's study, where the master of the house received him.

"What a pleasant surprise," Mr. Brentwood said. "Is there anything I can do for you, sir?"

"There is, in fact," Lord Elham said coldly. "I came here to find out whether there was any truth in those rumours that have reached my ears." He would not bring Emilia into this, he promised himself. She had suffered enough -- her aunt should not have the satisfaction of knowing that she had hurt Emilia, which had without doubt been one of her objects.

"Rumours?" Mr. Brentwood asked. "What kind of rumours, may I ask?"

"Nasty ones, Mr. Brentwood. Extremely nasty ones -- and they concern my fiancée." He avoided referring to Emilia as Mr. Brentwood's niece. That family had done enough to her to make her renounce the relationship forever. Once she was Countess of Elham, he vowed, she would not associate with the likes of Mrs. Brentwood if he had anything to say in the matter.

"I am shocked," Mr. Brentwood said, and his expression confirmed his words. The campaign had been his wife's work, not his.

"You may well be," Lord Elham said. "Even more shocked, I daresay, once you find out where those rumours came from. I must say I would not have credited it, had I not heard it from a reliable source."

"What does your reliable source have to say as to where those rumours came from?" Mr. Brentwood asked.

"It seems that it is her own family who spread the gossip," Lord Elham said.

"I cannot credit it. Which member of her family would do such a thing?"

"Her aunt," Lord Elham said icily. "According to Mrs. Brentwood, it is no wonder I chose Miss Emilia Brentwood as my future wife, having a taste for loose women. -- Now, I do not resent Mrs. Brentwood's opinion of me - I daresay some of her censure is well-deserved -- but I greatly resent the picture of Emilia's character she has drawn. What makes her do this to a perfectly respectable, sweet girl?"

"My wife said these things?" Mr. Brentwood shook his head. "This is unbelievable, sir. There must have been some mistake."

"A person I have no reason to distrust overheard her say so. The person also gave me a minute description of the lady to whom these slanders were addressed. The description fit Lady Jervington, a friend of my grandmother's. I called on Lady Jervington, and she confirmed every word. It seems that your wife, for someone so worried about Emilia's reputation, takes great pains to ruin it."

"I will speak to my wife about this," Mr. Brentwood said.

"Do. Make her understand how inconvenient it would be for her to have me for an enemy," Lord Elham said fiercely. "Should this not stop, I am afraid Emilia will have to cut the connection with this part of her family. I will not allow anyone to insult her."

"There'd be a scandal," Mr. Brentwood said.

"So what?" Elham said with a derisive laugh. "I've been through enough scandals to know that this one won't hurt me -- or Emilia. It would hurt Mrs. Brentwood, however, and you as well. Perhaps she'd better practise being an outcast, if she means to go on in this way."

"She will not go on in this way," Mr. Brentwood said determinedly. "You may not believe it, sir, but I have my ways and means to stop her."

"I knew you had," Lord Elham said. "That's why I came to see you. -- Give my compliments to Mrs. Brentwood when she comes back. I am very sorry I could not talk to her. Good day, sir."

---

Emilia was surprised to see that Lord Elham had been in earnest when he had promised to try and become the man she wanted to marry. Whenever they met, and they met quite frequently, he showed a great deal of consideration, and demonstrated an interest for her opinions she had not noticed in him before. He made her choose the destinations for their outings, discussed the latest on-dits with her, accepted her opinions without trying to make her change her mind, treated her with respect, and generally behaved just like the husband Emilia had thought she wanted. But the more she saw of the new, the considerate Lord Elham, the more she became aware that she had loved the old Lord Elham better. True, she liked being respected, so he need not give up that new habit, really, but she found out that life had been much easier for her when Lord Elham had taken charge of things. She realised that, even though he had never asked for her opinion of the things he planned to do or the presents he had wanted to give her, he had given these matters a great deal of thought, and that pleasing her had always been important to him. Instead of being grateful, Emilia had accused him of being inconsiderate and overbearing -- and now she caught herself wanting that inconsiderate and overbearing man back. Emilia did not tell him so, though. She did not want to appear like one of those women who never knew their own mind about something.

The day of their outing to Syon Park drew nearer, and Emilia found herself looking forward to it much more than she dared to admit, despite Lord Elham's odd behaviour. Mr. Ingleton and Tilda were to come with them, and the trip promised to be a very pleasant one. The only thing that could still prevent it was the weather, and when a thunderstorm hit London on the day before their projected journey, Emilia's uneasiness knew no bounds and greatly amused Lord Elham.

"Syon House is not so dilapidated that it will fall down before we get a chance to see it," he said.

"I know," Emilia said. "But I was so looking forward to going to see it tomorrow!"

"We may yet go, you know," Lord Elham said. "Unless it rains, which would make a drive in a phaeton most unpleasant, you will have to admit."

Emilia looked outside, watching the pouring rain. Things did not look very promising. "I hope it will stop," she sighed.

"Emilia, if I could make the rain stop for you, I would," Lord Elham said, with a little laugh. "If there is one thing I cannot bear to see it is that look of disappointment in your eyes. But we shan't cancel the outing altogether - we will seize the first opportunity that presents itself, should we not be able to go tomorrow. I promise."

Emilia looked at him, smiling apologetically. "I know," she said. "It is unreasonable of me to complain about things no one can change. I wonder why you put up with it."

"You know exactly why I put up with it," Lord Elham said with a playful smile. "But perhaps you want me to tell you again? I shall oblige you as soon as we are alone." He cast a look at his grandmother, who was sitting on the other side of the room, trying to play the chaperon without intruding on the young couple's privacy. "I know you do not want to be embarrassed in front of my grandmother."

This sounded so much like the Elham she had fallen in love with that Emilia cheered up instantly. What did it matter if she did not get to Syon Park the next day, as long as she could spend some time with Lord Elham?

Luckily, her patience was not put to the test. The next morning dawned brightly, and there was nothing to mar Emilia's expectation of a perfect day. Lord Elham arrived in his curricle, which was to convey Tilda and Mr. Ingleton, and shortly afterwards Emilia's phaeton drew up in front of Lady Elham's house. Some minutes later, the two couples took their seats in their respective vehicles and started their journey.

While she had to drive through the busy streets of London, Emilia did not have much leisure to speak to her companion. Not being used to driving in crowded streets, she felt slightly apprehensive and had to concentrate on what she was doing. Although Lord Elham kept watching her and appeared ready to interfere should the need arise, he did not have to assist Emilia at all.

"Bravo!" he remarked, once they had left the bustle of the town and Emilia could turn her attention from driving. "You are a credit to your tutor, Emilia."

"Did you have any doubt, considering who my tutor is?" she replied, smiling and blushing slightly. The compliment pleased her, even more so since she felt she had deserved it. She had handled the ribbons rather expertly.

"Not at all," he said. "Had I not known that you would be well able to accomplish the drive, I would not have suggested this outing, or let's say I would not have allowed you to drive."

"I suppose one must be an accomplished whip to gain your approval," Emilia laughed.

"One certainly must," Lord Elham said. "Though in your case, several facts are working in your favour."

"Which are?"

"Hanging out for a compliment, are we? One, I taught you, so any disparaging remarks on your driving will reflect badly on me."

"This is not really complimentary then, is it?" Emilia retorted. "You dare not criticise me because it would mean speaking ill of your teaching skills."

Lord Elham ignored her interjection, and continued, "Besides I happen to be fond of you, as you well know."

"So, were it not for your fondness of me and the fact that you taught me to drive a phaeton-and-pair, you'd find dozens of reasons to criticise me," Emilia said, with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "Had I been hanging out for a compliment as you implied, I'd have been severely disappointed."

"Will you stop the carriage, Miss Brentwood?" Lord Elham said exasperatedly. "I'd like to wring your neck."

"Not before I have seen Syon Park," Emilia protested. "You may wring my neck afterwards."

"Fine. I'll let you live for now," he said with a grin. "But stop using every word I say against me and contradicting me whenever you can."

"I did not contradict you," Emilia said.

"You did just now," Lord Elham said.

"I beg your pardon," Emilia said dryly. "I daresay this is a novel experience for you."

"Not any more." He laughed. "I have almost grown accustomed to it ever since I met you, and it is my conviction that I'd sorely miss it, were you to stop."

"Still you asked me to do just that," Emilia said. "What am I to do? I don't want you to go into a decline!"

"Do whatever you want," he said, with an amused grin. "I am quite unlikely to go into a decline on your behalf."

"I liked you better when you told me what to do." Emilia said, thinking his refusal to go into a decline was rather unromantic. He might have said he would, at least, even though she knew he was right -- he was highly unlikely to do so.

"I thought you did not want an overbearing husband," Lord Elham said. "I distinctly remember you saying so."

"I know I said so," Emilia said ruefully.

Her tone of voice made Lord Elham give her an interested look, but he did not press her to say any more. Emilia was glad he did not. She felt she had already said too much, and felt guilty for telling him that his efforts to please her had had a different effect than he had intended.

---

The first view of Syon House took Emilia's breath away. She stopped the phaeton to have a closer look.

"It is huge," she said, awestruck. "And so beautiful! - Is your home as grand as this?"

"I am afraid I am not quite as wealthy as the Duke of Northumberland," Lord Elham said with a smile. Mr. Ingleton, who had drawn up Lord Elham's curricle alongside Emilia's phaeton, said, with a grin, "You don't exactly live in a hovel, though."

"No, it is not a hovel," Lord Elham agreed. "But Syon outdoes it, you will have to admit, proud as you may be of our family home. I am only a humble earl, and cannot be compared to a duke."

Emilia laughed. "You may be an earl," she said, "but humble? Anything but that!"

Lord Elham joined her laughter, and said, "It seems I shall wring your neck after all, Emilia. Take care what you are about."

"As long as you laugh while saying such a thing, I am sure I have nothing to fear," Emilia retorted, and set the carriage in motion again.

"You know me too well for my peace of mind," Lord Elham said smilingly.

When they entered the house, a formidable-looking housekeeper received them with an amount of civility which would have done a duchess credit. She led the young ladies to a dressing-room where they could wash their faces and hands and tidy their hair. Afterwards, the housekeeper escorted them to a parlour, where tea and a cold collation were awaiting them.

"Did you arrange for this?" Emilia asked Lord Elham, looking at the magnificent selection of food, calculated to feed an army.

"I do not think the servants have any reason to do my bidding," he replied. "Northumberland must have ordered this."

"I must say this was very handsome of him," Tilda said. "I am almost starving!"

"Are you?" Mr. Ingleton asked, startled. "Why did you not say so, Miss Brentwood? We could have stopped somewhere on the way to have something to eat."

"I did not feel hungry while we were on our way," Tilda said. "I only just became aware of it when I saw all this food."

During their repast, Emilia kept watching Mr. Ingleton's behaviour with her sister, and she liked what she saw. Perhaps Mr. Ingleton was not so bad after all, and Emilia hoped they would become friends at one point. She wanted to be on good terms with the man Tilda was going to marry.

Once they had finished their meal, the housekeeper reappeared and wanted to know whether they wished to see the house first or preferred to explore the gardens before turning to the interior of Syon House. Although the question was posed to Lord Elham, who in the housekeeper's opinion was in charge of their party, he seemed only too happy to leave the decision to Emilia. Emilia decided in favour of the house -- after a long walk in the beautiful grounds of Syon Park, she argued, they might be too fatigued to enjoy the house the way they should. With a nod of approval, the housekeeper asked them to follow her.

Emilia had been prepared for grandeur from the moment she had first set eyes on the building, but Syon House still managed to surpass her imagination by far. Awestruck, she looked at her surroundings, quietly listened to what the housekeeper had to say on the history of the house and the family, and was secretly happy that Lord Elham's home was, according to his description, less ostentatious. She was not sure whether she wanted to live in a place as grand as this - though what made her think she would ever see Lord Elham's house, let alone live in it? Lord Elham had asked her to marry him, true, but she had not accepted his proposal, and who knew whether he'd ever ask her again?

This was a depressing thought, and in spite of the overwhelming beauty of Syon House Emilia was glad when they finally left it and headed for the gardens. A brisk walk in fresh air would soon take her mind off the topic, she hoped. Tilda and Mr. Ingleton soon got lost somewhere behind them -- whether on purpose or not, Emilia could not imagine -- and so she and Lord Elham walked on alone, quietly, side by side. But if Emilia had believed he had not noticed how quiet his companion had become, she soon learnt her mistake.

"What is wrong, Emilia?" he asked, directing her to a stone bench and making her sit down on it. The masterful Lord Elham had returned.

"Nothing," Emilia said, trying to smile but failing miserably.

"I may be mistaken," Lord Elham said, "but you are not enjoying yourself as much as I thought you would. Perhaps I should not have dragged you here."

"Nonsense! I am enjoying myself very much," Emilia protested.

"If you say so," Lord Elham said coolly. Emilia could hear in his tone of voice that she had not managed to convince him.

"I may be a bit tired," she said, trying to make him stop asking questions. Fatigue was always a good excuse for anything. Almost as good an excuse as a migraine, Emilia thought. "The drive here was rather demanding after all, and the meal and the tour of the house..."

"Shall we sit here and rest for a while then?"

"No, no ... this is not necessary. I am fine, really, and I want to see the lake."

"Are you sure you are not too tired for the walk?"

"Absolutely," Emilia said determinedly. "It is not that far."

"Very well." He got up and took her hand to help her get up too. "I know you are unlikely to do so, but you know you can confide in me if there is anything wrong, don't you?" He looked at her earnestly, and for a moment Emilia was unable to speak. She simply nodded, and on their walk to the lake she tried to appear happy -- for Lord Elham's sake. He had taken so much trouble to arrange an enjoyable outing for her; she thought it was the height of ingratitude to act as if he had done anything wrong. He hadn't. Emilia had, when she had refused his proposal, but how was she to tell him so? Whether Lord Elham realised that her cheerfulness was only pretence or not, Emilia did not know, but he did not refer to it any more. He kept trying to cheer her up, however, and sometimes even succeeded.

They met Tilda and Mr. Ingleton again at the main entrance of the house, and Emilia noticed at once that Tilda was glowing with happiness. Something had happened between them, and Emilia could make an educated guess as to what it was. Probably Mr. Ingleton had proposed to her sister. Her suspicion was confirmed when s Tilda whispered into her ear, "I cannot wait to tell you something, Emilia."

"Did you have a pleasant afternoon?" Emilia asked, beaming at her sister.

"Extremely pleasant," Tilda said with a laugh. "I am so happy ... but I will tell you all about it when we are at home."

"Now it is me who cannot wait," Emilia said, giving her sister a brief hug. "Come to my room when we are back in Clarges Street. As soon as you can tear yourself away from Mr. Ingleton, that is."

---

On their way back to London, Lord Elham noted that Emilia's mood had improved. She had not admitted it, but he knew it had not been fatigue that had made her look so gloomy that afternoon. He had been worried for a while, but since he could not force her to confide in him, he knew there was not much he could do apart from trying to cheer her up -- which he had done.

"You seem happier now than you were before," he remarked, as they were driving along a country lane, following closely behind Gerry and Miss Brentwood.

"I am happy -- though not more than I was before," she replied.

"I take leave to doubt that, but I suppose you know best," he said. "Are you still feeling tired? You only need to tell me, and I'll take over the reins."

"Oh no," Emilia said with a playful smile. "I'd never hear the end of it if I asked you to drive us back to London. I am fine, believe me."

Emilia was without doubt the most stubborn woman he had ever met, Lord Elham mused, and for some reason or other she did not want him to know why she had felt downhearted at Syon Park. There was no use pressing her, and whatever had brought her bout of dejection about, it was now over.

"I think your sister looks remarkably well today," he merely said. He had some idea as to what had caused her radiant looks, too -- when they had walked to the carriages behind the ladies, Gerry had given him a broad grin in reply to his question whether he was to felicitate him. The match had his wholehearted approval -- Miss Brentwood was a lovely young woman and would make Gerry a fine wife, he thought, and Gerry seemed to be head over ears in love with her. Thinking of this, Lord Elham felt rather envious. Why could Emilia not admit that she returned his feelings? What was she afraid of?

He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he did not notice the wagon coming towards them until it was too late. Emilia, not so very skilled in the art of manoeuvring a phaeton and pair past a huge hay wagon on a narrow lane, lost her nerve and before Elham could interfere, she had steered the phaeton into the ditch. There was a violent jolt, and Elham was catapulted from his seat onto the slope. He felt the impact, and then everything around him went black.

When he came to his senses and opened his eyes for a moment, he found Gerry sitting beside him, looking worried.

Elham's first coherent thought was about Emilia -- was she hurt? He was not aware of having spoken the thought aloud -- yet he must have done so, for his question was answered by Emilia herself, who, he found, was holding him in her arms.

"I am fine," she said, in a tearful voice. "What about you?"

"My head is swimming," he said, trying to smile, and closed his eyes again. The sunlight hurt his eyes.

"He is fainting," he heard Emilia say. "Not again! Mr. Ingleton, what can we do?"

"Nothing for the moment," Gerry answered. "That farmer has gone off to get help -- until he gets back, there is not much we can do."

"Shouldn't he be back by now, Mr. Ingleton?" Emilia asked. "He said the village was only half a mile away. Surely it cannot take him so long to drive to the village and back?"

"He may not have found anyone to help him at once," Gerry said soothingly. "He will be back soon, don't worry."

"Will you go and look if someone is coming here?" Emilia pleaded.

"If it sets your mind at rest," Gerry said. "Although you know that Matilda would have told us if there was anyone."

"Still," Emilia said. "Four eyes see more than two."

"Very well," Gerry said. "If you should need me, you only need to shout -- I won't be far away."

"Thank you, Mr. Ingleton," Emilia said, sounding relieved.

Elham heard his brother scramble up the slope to the road, and thought he had better allay Emilia's fears. He should tell her he had not fainted at all, but was only keeping his eyes closed because the light made his head ache. She was scared enough as it was. But just as he was trying to gather the resolve to open his eyes and talk to Emilia, she caressed his face, and her touch made him forget all about his resolutions. He would just stay as he was and see what would happen.

"You will feel better soon," Emilia said quietly, though she did not sound very convincing. "Your brother says there is nothing broken, and I want to believe him. I could never forgive myself if you had come to any harm!" She took his hand, and kissed it. "How could I live without you? I do love you, you know. I never told you, but I do. As soon as you are feeling better, I will marry you, I promise."

That was when Elham could not contain himself any longer. His eyes flew open, and ignoring the stab of pain that seared through his head, he said, "Do you mean it, Emilia?"

After a moment of shock, Emilia glared at him.

"You have been playacting!" she whispered furiously.

"I have not," Elham said, closing his eyes again.

"You pretended to swoon to scare me," she said, more loudly this time.

"I did not pretend to swoon, I just closed my eyes," he pointed out.

"Then why did you not tell us so when I told your brother you had fainted?" she wanted to know. "I've been worried sick about you! This kind of behaviour is ... beastly!"

"I know," Elham said contritely. "It was not right. But when I realised you were holding me ... I was feeling so comfortable, so secure. Can you blame me for wanting to stay right where I was?"

"Still, you could have told me," Emilia said darkly. "I would not have dropped you."

"I didn't want to take the risk," Elham said, smiling faintly. "You have not answered my question yet."

"Which question?"

"The one I asked before. Did you mean what you said? Do you actually love me? Are you going to marry me?"

Emilia sighed. "Yes, I do love you, though the Lord alone knows why," she said. It was evident that she found it harder to say so now that she knew he was conscious. But she was not one to go back on her word, as he knew.

"And you are going to marry me."

"If you still want me to," Emilia said.

"You know I do," he said. "When are we going to marry?"

"When my father comes back," Emilia said. "I want him to be there at my wedding."

Elham took her hand, and kissed it. "I can hardly wait," he said.

"But first you need to get better," Emilia said, with a sad smile. "That is the most important thing for now."

"I can think of one thing that would make me feel better in an instant," Elham said. "Kiss me, Emilia."

She shook her head. "You are pushing your luck, my lord," she said. "I am still angry with you."

"You cannot blame a man for trying," Elham said, smiling.

Gerry chose that moment to come back with two young men who were to take Elham to the nearest inn. Once they had made sure he was comfortable there, Gerry said, he would take the ladies back to London and then return to the inn with Elham's valet. Somehow Elham did not mind his injuries too much. Apart from a couple of bruises and a headache, he thought, there was nothing wrong with him. A price worth paying, considering that Emilia had finally admitted that she loved him -- and that she had accepted his suit.

Chapter Fourteen

Against his will, Lord Elham had to remain in the country inn for almost a week. His brother visited him daily, but did not allow Elham to return to London with him before the doctor had assured him that he had perfectly recovered from his injuries.

Those injuries had been trifling in Elham's opinion - a couple of bruises and a slight concussion had been the only consequences of his accident and after two days he had felt well enough to brave the journey back to London. But Gerry, supported by the village surgeon, thought otherwise, and refused to take Elham with him.

"Listen, Gerry, I am the head of the family," Elham protested when his brother, once again, flatly refused to take him back to town.

"And I've no desire to step into your shoes, so you'll stay here until the doctor says I can take you with me," Gerry said with a smile.

"I need to go to town," Elham said.

"You don't have any urgent business there, do you?" Gerry asked, grinning.

"I do," Elham said curtly. He did not want to stay where he was when he could be with Emilia - Emilia, who had finally consented to marry him. How could Gerry make him kick his heels in the middle of nowhere when he knew what had passed between Emilia and him?

"If you are referring to Miss Emilia Brentwood, you may rest assured that she will be in London when you return there, and is as eager to see you as you are to see her." Gerry smiled. "Imagine her disappointment if you went there early and suffered a relapse, brother."

"Good God, Gerry, you're talking as if I wanted to start my Grand Tour, when all I want to do is to go home. An eight-mile trip can hardly do me any harm, and I promise once I am home I will take good care of myself."

Gerry expressed his doubts regarding the practicability of Elham's suggestion - knowing his brother as he did, he said, he was certain Elham would kick up all kinds of larks once he was back in the Metropolis and would pay no attention to his health.

"I believe you are fine where you are," he finished his sermon, "and I won't take you home before the doctor says you can go. That's that, Des, and you'll have to live with it. - Besides, I believe it will not be long until the doctor does give you his permission. Have a little patience!"

Elham thought he had been patient for long enough. He pretended to be docile, but the moment Gerry had left, he sent for the landlord. When the landlord hurried into his distinguished lodger's room, he was received with an order to procure a carriage for his lordship. Doubtingly, the landlord said he was not sure whether his lordship was well enough to travel - a comment that was immediately contradicted.

"Why should anyone but me be able to judge how well I am?" Lord Elham asked indignantly. "I am not a baby, nor am I an invalid. I've survived worse injuries than those I suffered in that accident. - Will you, or will you not do as I told you?"

"Certainly, my lord. Just as you wish," the landlord replied, taken aback by his lordship's authoritative manner. That such a pleasant young man as his lordship had another, less pleasant side to him was quite a shock.

So the next morning, Elham left the village and arrived in his home in London before his brother had set out to pay him another visit. Having received his brother's missive informing him of his return, Gerry came to see him without delay and expressed his indignation at Elham's imprudence in no uncertain terms.

"Why didn't you follow the doctor's instructions, Des? What if anything had happened?"

"What could have happened, Gerry? Honestly, you sound like an old woman."

"Since you are here now and nothing seems to be wrong with you, welcome home," Gerry said with a sigh.

"Thank you," Elham said, grinning. "You sound almost happy to have me back. - Will you come to Clarges Street with me?"

"Certainly," Gerry said. "I wanted to call on Matilda anyway, and Emilia will be happy to see you are back and none the worse for what has happened."

Elham hoped so, and on his way to Clarges Street he was lost in thought, trying to imagine the welcome Emilia would afford him. Gerry had, apparently, realised which direction Elham's thoughts had taken and did not distract him from them. His brother, Elham thought, had always been a sensible fellow.

---

Emilia had been very anxious on Lord Elham's behalf for days. She tried to show a brave front when in company, but whenever she was alone she pondered the accident and blamed herself for what had happened. Every time Mr. Ingleton called in Clarges Street - which he luckily did every day - she bombarded him with questions regarding his brother's health and had difficulty believing Mr. Ingleton's cheering reports. If Lord Elham was indeed in such good health as his brother said, why did he still have to stay in the country? Why had he not returned to London yet?

During yet another almost sleepless night, Emilia resolved to ask Mr. Ingleton to take her with him on his next visit to his brother. She wanted to see with her own eyes that Lord Elham was on the mend.

Her trip turned out to be unnecessary. She was sitting in Lady Elham's drawing room, writing her note to Mr. Ingleton when the door opened and not only Mr. Ingleton but also his brother arrived. Without pausing to think what anyone present would think of her conduct, Emilia threw herself into Lord Elham's arms. While both Tilda and Lady Gilmorton seemed too shocked to say anything, Lady Elham looked at her grandson and his fiancée with a benevolent smile and merely remarked dryly that manners had indeed changed since the days of her youth. But neither Elham nor Emilia were much aware of what was happening around them.

"You have come home," Emilia whispered happily, scanning his face for signs of ill health. There were none. "How are you?"

"I never felt better." Lord Elham said with a grin and, disregarding their company, kissed her cheek. "Did you miss me?"

Emilia thought this question rather impertinent, and told him so.

"You did, then," he said laughingly.

"A bit, maybe," Emilia said, trying to regain some semblance of dignity. "When did you get home, my lord?"

"About an hour ago, Miss Brentwood," he said, making fun of her return to formality after having welcomed him in a positively shameless manner.

"But did you not tell us yesterday that Lord Elham was not well enough to return to London just yet?" Tilda, recovering from her astonishment about her sister's shocking conduct, asked Mr. Ingleton.

"My brother does not care for anyone's counsel but his own," Mr. Ingleton said dryly. "He decided he was well enough."

"What a black picture you draw of my character," Lord Elham laughed, but Emilia took Mr. Ingleton's words very seriously.

"You should not have done this," she said reprovingly. "What if you suffered a relapse? If the journey had done you any harm?"

"As you can see it has not done me any harm," he said.

"Perhaps you won't notice until later," Emilia pointed out.

"I'll worry about that when it happens," Lord Elham merely said. "I hope you do not blame me for wanting to come back." He caressed Emilia's cheek. "For although you do not admit to having missed me more than a bit, I have to tell you that I missed you very much."

He spent the rest of his visit describing his sojourn in the country inn, reassuring his mother and grandmother regarding the nature of his injuries, and readily promised to escort the ladies to a concert that evening.

"But should you not be careful still?" Emilia asked. "It cannot do you any good to be out until late."

Lord Elham laughed. "Emilia, believe me, I know very well what I can and what I cannot do. You need not worry."

---

Yet it took Emilia a couple of days until she stopped worrying. She kept watching Lord Elham anxiously every time they met, and became quite indignant when he made fun of her uneasiness.

"It is most unkind of you," she said angrily, on one occasion. "I fret about you and you think this is funny!"

Lord Elham took her hand and kissed it. "I am greatly obliged to you for worrying about me," he said with a smile. "But you may be absolutely certain that I am perfectly well."

"I cannot help it," Emilia said. "Without me, you would not have been hurt. I feel guilty."

"There is no need," Lord Elham said. "I might as well feel guilty for having suggested the outing. Apart from our accident, it was a wonderful day, wasn't it?"

"It was," Emilia said with a smile. "I thought it was the most beautiful day in my life until ..." She broke off, unable to refer to the accident. The mere thought of it still agitated her.

"I am glad you enjoyed yourself," he said, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Do not waste a thought on what might have happened. Everything turned out for the best, after all." He laughed. "I think I need to give your thoughts another direction. Have you been to Gunter's, yet?"

"Your brother-in-law took us there once," Emilia said.

"I should have known," Lord Elham said, looking slightly disappointed.

"But I have never been there with you," Emilia pointed out. "I'd very much like to go there."

Gunter's was an establishment famous for its ice-creams and sorbets, situated in Berkeley Square. It was perfectly acceptable for a young lady to visit Gunter's in the company of a young man not related to her, since its famous ice-cream was also served outside in the street, where the customers were seated in their own carriages.

Since it was a warm day, many members of London's Haut Ton could be found in Berkeley Square. They met many of Lord Elham's friends, as well as Emilia's. They had become a popular couple, it seemed. Emilia enjoyed the outing very much, and for the first time she was really looking forward to her wedding with Elham - quite aside from the fact that she loved him, she felt he would make a delightful husband, and wondered how she could have been so blind not to notice that he really loved her.

---

Lord Elham and his betrothed were indeed a popular couple in London. They were both well-liked, and everyone who knew them was convinced their marriage would be a good match. Public opinion agreed that Miss Emilia Brentwood had a good influence on her future husband, that he had become quite respectable of late and that this change suited him.

There was one person, however, who had seen them at Gunter's and disliked the notion of a happily betrothed couple. Chloe Watson was still waiting for a chance to get even with Lord Elham, and she decided the time for action had come. She had been plotting this for a while, and it was now high time for her to execute her plan to cause mischief between Lord Elham and his fiancée. The only thing she needed now was to catch Miss Emilia Brentwood alone.
According to her instruction, her maid had already struck up a friendship with Miss Emilia Brentwood's maid. She was well-informed regarding Miss Emilia's plans - and according to her reports, both Miss Brentwoods were going to pay a visit to Hookham's Library the next day.

Miss Watson chuckled contentedly. Tomorrow might turn out to be her lucky day. The way she knew Elham, he would not escort the ladies to the library, and it would be very easy to distract Emilia Brentwood and get into conversation with her. Elham would have to realise that no one made a fool of Chloe Watson without consequences.

---

Emilia and Tilda had planned to spend most of the morning shopping, and to end their excursion into town in Hookham's library. Emilia knew that her sister would take her time in the library, but it was a fine day and she decided to wait for her in the carriage, should she finish her business first.

As Emilia had foreseen, Tilda took her time in choosing her reading material. By the time Emilia had received her parcel of books, Tilda had only found one that suited her taste, asked her to wait for her outside and promised not to keep her waiting for too long. So Emilia went to the carriage and had just handed her parcel to a footman when she found herself addressed by a young woman. The lady had already caught her eye in Hookham's - Emilia had had the impression that the woman had been watching her, a notion that had not been wholly unjustified, apparently.

"Miss Emilia Brentwood?" the woman asked, smiling uncertainly. She gave Emilia the impression of a well-bred, though impoverished woman. Her clothes were neat and well-made, but not fashionable. The way she talked betrayed some discomfort at accosting a stranger in the street, and there was something apologetic in her whole demeanour. The woman looked somewhat familiar, Emilia thought, but she could not quite tell where she had seen her before.

When Emilia assured her that she was indeed Miss Emilia Brentwood, she seemed greatly relieved.

"You do not know me," she said meekly, "and I must apologise for approaching you in such a manner - I am aware that such conduct is unacceptable - but I need your help, Miss Brentwood. I am at my wits' end!"

Emilia shook her head in disbelief. "How can this be so," she asked, "when I do not even know you?"

The woman hesitated for a moment before she said, "We have a common acquaintance, Miss Brentwood. I am talking about ... about Lord Elham. In fact, I used to be well acquainted with him once ... Be assured, Miss Brentwood, that I would not have put you through this if I had found any other possibility, but I am desperate! Your influence with Lord Elham is my last hope!" With these words, the woman pulled a handkerchief from her reticule to dry her tears. Touched by her apparent distress, Emilia invited her to sit in the carriage with her and to tell her what the trouble was.

"You are so very kind to me," the woman sobbed. "I hate to do this to you. If only I could have thought of another way!"

Once in the carriage, Emilia said calmly, "I hope you will enlighten me, Ma'am. In what way do you think I can assist you?"

It took a few moments before the young woman began her story.

"You see, Lord Elham and I used to be particular friends. Very ... very intimate ones, if you understand my meaning."

Emilia gasped. Her companion looked highly respectable - she would never have supposed she was a fallen woman. Though how one was to recognise a fallen woman if she did not dress like one, Emilia did not know.

"You look surprised, Miss Brentwood," the woman said.

"Well, I am." Emilia said. "You do not look like the sort ... I am sorry. I did not mean to offend you."

"You did not," the woman said. "I never thought I was that sort of woman until I met Lord Elham. I need not tell you, I suppose, about the effect Lord Elham can have on a female. The truth is I was so much in love with him that I would have done anything he'd asked me to. He made me believe his affection for me equalled mine for him. Subsequent events have made me realise that it was not so - but at that time I thought he was fond of me, and I loved him. It is the only excuse I can offer for my actions. In the meantime I have found out he has deceived me. He never felt anything for me. It is a hard lesson I had to learn - that men like Lord Elham can be masters of deception when it comes to having things their own way." The woman burst into tears again.

Emilia remembered the accident and Elham's behaviour on that occasion. He had said he had not wanted to deceive her - but had he said the truth? She had become aware of his remarkable talent for play-acting before. The woman had said the truth. If Elham put his mind to it, he'd certainly be able to coax her into doing whatever he wanted her to do. He was practised in manipulating people.

"I found out about my error when Lord Elham told me everything must be at an end between us," the woman said, in a half-choked voice. "He said he did not want to be bothered with me any more, and that I was to keep away from him. Soon after that I heard about his engagement - and found out that our brief affair had not been without consequences. I informed him of it, in fact I wrote several letters telling him about my condition, but he has answered none of them. Miss Brentwood, I have not come to plead for myself. I am as much to blame for my ruin as Lord Elham is. But I must plead for my baby - his child. Will you ask him to care for his child, even if he does not care for me?"

Emilia was speechless for a few moments. Lord Elham had never denied his dealings with other women -- coming to think of it, he had always been remarkably honest about his affairs. Yet he had never told her more than that he had had love affairs. He had never gone into detail, for which she had been grateful. She had never wanted to know more than she did. But now she had to deal with a side of him that she did not know -- a side of him she did not like at all.

"You want me to plead your cause with Lord Elham?" Emilia finally asked.

"If you would be so kind," the woman said. "I believe Lord Elham will shoulder his responsibility if someone he really cares for makes him aware of his obligation. I am not asking a favour for myself - I know you cannot be well-disposed towards me, Miss Brentwood. I swallowed my pride and approached you for the sake of my child - I will do what I can to keep my baby from hardship."

Emilia nodded. Her heart was heavy, almost broken. She had never suspected that Elham could be so cruel as to abandon his own child. She could forgive his previous affairs - they had nothing to do with her. But she could not respect a man who'd get a respectable girl into trouble and then leave her to face the consequences by herself. Such a man, she felt, could never be a good husband. He deserved neither her love nor her respect.

"I will tell him about your predicament," Emilia said quietly. "But I need to know your name. I am not sure Lord Elham will listen to me unless I can give him your name - as an evidence that you did talk to me."

"Of course," the girl said. "Although he must know who I am. My name is Chloe Watson."

"Chloe Watson." Emilia echoed. "I will talk to him, Miss Watson."

Miss Watson took her hand and pressed it gratefully. "You're an angel, Miss Brentwood," she said before leaving Emilia, telling her that she should not put Emilia's reputation in danger by being seen with her. Emilia stayed behind, all by herself, thinking. How could she speak to Lord Elham about such an awkward topic? How could she keep her promise to Miss Watson?

"By the way, I met your mistress and she asked me to tell you she is with child. What are you going to do about this?" was, probably, not the best way to introduce the subject. To be honest, the encounter with Miss Watson had left her with a strong wish to leave London immediately and never to see Lord Elham again. If only she could find a way to leave before having to face him again - she could honour her promise to Miss Watson by writing to him, once she was safely back in Little Compton. That way she did not have to look into his eyes, wondering whether the affection she could see in them was real or not. She would not let him manipulate her any more.

---

Tilda had noticed nothing, Emilia was grateful to note. She readily believed her when Emilia told her she had the headache, and no one asked any questions when she retired to her room at once when they arrived in Clarges Street. Determined to stay there until she had found a possibility to get home, Emilia began to contemplate her escape. Fate presented her with the perfect opportunity. Later in the afternoon, Emilia was informed that a young man wished to see her and Miss Brentwood, and no, it was not Lord Elham. Looking at the card the butler gave her, Emilia smiled. She hurried downstairs to the drawing room without pausing to check her appearance, and welcomed her visitor with a hug.

"Oliver! Thank God you are here!"

Emilia's brother had not expected such a warm welcome, he said with a grin, kissing Emilia's cheek. He was on his way to Hampshire, and had wanted to see how his sisters were doing in London. Mr. Oliver Brentwood was taken aback when Emilia burst into tears and begged him to take her with him.

"But why, Emilia," he wanted to know. "Aren't you happy here?"

Emilia shook her head. "Take me away from here! Please!"

Oliver, suspecting the true nature of the matter, refused to interfere with what he called a lovers' tiff.

"It's not that," Emilia insisted. "It is much, much worse! I'll write a letter to Tilda and Lady Elham. When can we leave?"

When her brother realised that Emilia was serious, he gave in. He knew when opposition was in vain, and therefore instructed Emilia to be ready in an hour, when he would resume his journey.

Greatly relieved, Emilia went to her room to start packing. She would not have to see Lord Elham again.

By the time Oliver came back to pick her up, Emilia had packed a portmanteau and a bandbox and written a letter to Lady Elham and Tilda. She hurried to get into the carriage with her brother, still fearing discovery.

Only when they had left London behind them, Emilia began to relax. Soon she would be home - and could forget Lord Elham. Still, she suspected that the task would turn out to be a difficult one.

Chapter Fifteen

When Elham, worried about the reports of Emilia's headache, wanted to call on her to see how she was doing, the butler received him with the startling news that the ladies had all gone out.

"I know," Elham said. "I met them at Mrs. Sulgrave's, but I was given to understand that Miss Emilia had stayed at home."

"So she did, my lord, but she received a visitor shortly after they had gone out, and left with him some time later."

"She did what?" Elham exclaimed, not quite trusting his own ears.

"Miss Brentwood informed me that she had had an urgent message from her mother and needed to return to Hampshire, my lord. If I may venture to say so, I did think it was rather strange that she should be in such a hurry, but it is not my place to comment on the young ladies' behaviour."

It had been a ruse, without doubt, Elham thought. Had there really been a message from Lady Brentwood, Emilia would have waited for her sister's return -- surely Lady Brentwood would wish to see both her daughters. Apart from that, Emilia would not have left London without saying goodbye to her hostess - or him. Something was wrong, he was almost certain. He wondered what she had got herself into, and, which was even more important, who was that man? Who had been so lost to all sense of propriety to take Emilia with him without informing her chaperon of his plan? Someone capable of doing such a thing, Elham felt, could not be up to anything good. He had to try and catch up with them to stop whatever mischief that fellow was planning.

"Miss Brentwood has left a message for Lady Elham, my lord," the butler said, interrupting his musings. "And another one for her sister."

"Did she, by any chance, leave a message for me?" Elham snapped. He was not interested in messages Emilia had left for her sister or his grandmother. He wanted an explanation for what she had done. Though before that, he'd deal with that escort of hers.

"No, my lord, but I assumed that she might have sent a note to your lordship's house."

That was possible, of course, Elham thought and hurried to his own residence to see whether a letter had been delivered during his absence. When his servants informed him that there had not been any such thing, he quickly packed a few necessities into a portmanteau and ordered his phaeton to be brought round at once. Emilia and her unknown companion could not have got very far, he assumed, and they would have to spend the night somewhere on their way. The hour was far too advanced for them to be able to reach Little Compton before nightfall. If they were indeed on their way to Hampshire, of which Lord Elham was anything but certain. But it was his only chance. He did not allow himself to dwell on any other possibility.

While he sped out of London in pursuit of his bride, Elham wondered what had made her perform such a rash and imprudent act. Was it a case of cold feet? She had not given him any reason to suppose that she was having second thoughts about marrying him. Besides, she should have known him well enough by that time to know he would not try to force her - and that she could confide in him, whatever her problem was. Why had she left notes for his grandmother and her sister but none for him? Was she angry about something he had said or done? But what could it possibly be? What had he done to deserve such treatment?

He did not know how much time had passed between Emilia's departure from Clarges Street and his arrival there. It had taken him almost half an hour to get ready, and so he supposed they were about an hour ahead of him. The thought of Emilia alone in a carriage with a stranger made Elham drive even more recklessly than he usually did.

By dusk, he began to check every posting-house along the road to find out where they had stopped for the night. His enquiries led to nothing, and Elham began to fear that in his eagerness to catch up with them, he had actually overtaken the fugitives - or that they were not on their way to Hampshire after all. He decided to enquire once more at the next inn and, should his enquiry be without success, to spend the night there and resume his search the next morning. If Emilia was indeed on her way to Little Compton, he would find her there at the latest. If not, he had already lost her and there was no point in continuing his chase. Elham did not really want to think of this possibility.

The information to be gained from the ostler was not exactly heartening. No, there was no young couple from London among the guests. The only young people in the inn were a young gentleman from Hampshire and his sister. Elham thanked the ostler and went inside the inn. A brother and sister from Hampshire, he thought. It was worth a try, at least - they might well pose as brother and sister to protect Emilia's reputation. If those people were not who he thought they were, he could apologise and move on. If they were - well, what then? Elham felt inclined to break every bone in the body of the man who had removed Emilia from London, but this was difficult to accomplish as long as Emilia was there as well, and she was unlikely to leave them so he could beat her companion to a pulp.

The landlord hurried out of the taproom when Elham entered the inn and, when asked whether he had a room for the night, answered in the affirmative. He regretted though that the only private parlour had already been bespoken by a young gentleman and his sister.

"You may have your dinner in your room, if you don't mind - or in the taproom. It's quiet there at this time of evening, so no one's likely to disturb your lordship," he continued.

"Honestly, I do not fancy dining alone," Elham said. "Do you think the young gentleman and his sister would mind if I kept them company?"

"I'll ask," the landlord said and bustled off towards a door at the far end of the corridor.

Elham moved closer to the door and, when overhearing the discussion inside the room, recognised Emilia's voice. Without considering what to do next, Elham opened the door and went inside. He found Emilia seated by the fire, and a young man standing by the window.

"Elham!" Emilia exclaimed, looking startled. "What are you doing here?"

"I was just asking myself the same question about you," Elham said calmly. "Won't you introduce me, Emilia?" He was furious, but Emilia's anxious face made him attempt to be civilised. Had it not been for her, the young man at the window would have parted company with his front teeth already.

"You are acquainted?" the landlord asked.

"We are," Elham said.

"Will you dine together then?"

"Yes," Elham said, at the same moment as Emilia said no.

"Err ... What?" the landlord asked, looking confused.

"I said yes, I will dine with Miss Brentwood and her ... brother." Elham said coldly. "Now off you go."

"Very good, my lord," the landlord said and took himself off, grateful that he need not stay to witness what might turn out to be a nasty scene, if he was any judge.

"You still haven't introduced us, Emilia," the young man said calmly. The moment Elham had arrived, he had turned round to face him and had subjected him to some close, unabashed scrutiny. Elham could not help but admire his nerve.

Hesitantly, Emilia rose from her chair. "Lord Elham," she said stiffly, "may I present my brother, Mr. Oliver Brentwood? Oliver, this is the Earl of Elham."

"Pleased to meet you, sir," Oliver Brentwood said cheerfully, extending his hand.

"Are you?" Elham asked dryly.

"Oh yes, as long as you refrain from bashing my head in," Mr. Brentwood said with a wry smile. "I cannot blame you for wanting to do so. Emilia has treated you shamefully ill." He walked to the door. "I think I will leave the two of you to settle whatever needs to be settled between you."

"Don't you dare, Oliver!" Emilia gasped. "I don't want to talk to him!"

Oliver Brentwood grinned. "I'll wait in the taproom, should any of you need me," he said, and left.

Elham turned to Emilia, who looked as though she'd follow her brother's example any moment.

"Why, Emilia?" he only asked.

Instead of answering, Emilia burst into tears, and Elham realised that something must have happened - something serious. She did not show any signs of resistance when he took her in his arms and tried to soothe her. But once she had calmed herself, she demanded to be released, and he let her go.

"You haven't answered my question," Elham said. "Why did you run away, Emilia?"

"I have come to the conclusion that we should not suit," she said, trying to look dignified but looking like a frightened little girl instead.

"And you did not think I'd be interested in how you came to that conclusion? Did you for one moment pause to think of what my opinion of the matter might be? Running away does not solve any problems, my love. Can you imagine what I went through when I found out you'd gone away -- without a word?"

"I meant to write to you once I was back home," Emilia defended herself.

"You wanted to write to me rather than talk to me?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I knew that if I allowed you to talk to me you'd find a way to persuade me to stay," she said, sounding dejected. "I cannot allow you - or anyone else, for that matter - to make me unhappy."

"Who says you'd be unhappy with me?" Elham asked. "I think it will be quite the opposite - it certainly won't be my fault if you are miserable. -- I cannot let you leave me like this. I love you, Emilia, in case you haven't noticed yet."

"How long will it last?" Emilia demanded. "How long until you tire of me and want to be rid of me, just as you got rid of the poor girl who carries your child?"

Elham stared at Emilia in disbelief. Had she completely taken leave of her senses? Which poor girl was she talking about? How could she blame him for abandoning a pregnant girl when he did not even know there was such a girl in existence? There was only one possible candidate, and Chloe was anything but a poor girl. Besides he assumed that Chloe would have lost no time in contacting him, had she had any suspicion in that direction. Chloe was the last to let go of an opportunity to squeeze money out of him, and a child would have been a perfect opportunity.

"Would you mind enlightening me, Emilia?" he asked coldly. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

"I did not think you could be so pitiless!" Emilia exclaimed. "I could imagine your getting bored with a woman, but not in my worst imaginings would I have thought you'd abandon a poor innocent baby! Have you no sense of responsibility?"

"A great deal of it," Elham said bitterly. "If I had no sense of responsibility, I'd have dealt with you differently, I assure you." He gave a deep sigh. "Who is the girl who insists I am the father of her child?"

"Do you mean to tell me you do not know?" Emilia asked indignantly. "She told me she had written to you! She said you had ignored all her letters!"

"I did not believe any reports regarding the decline of our postal service until now, but it seems there is some truth in them after all," Elham said. "I never had any letters of that kind. - I know you don't believe me, Emilia, so spare your breath and keep your thoughts to yourself. You are determined to see me as a villain, I gather, someone with no sense of decency or responsibility. It is probably better if we do separate -- I do not wish to see you married to such a heartless monster as you think I am. But will you be so kind as to tell me who the girl is? If I have indeed wronged anyone, I'd like to put matters right."

"Miss Watson," Emilia said. "Do not say you do not know her!"

"I do," Elham said grimly. "I know her well. Chloe Watson is a second-rate actress, Emilia, though if she succeeded in making you think she was a poor innocent girl her acting talent must have multiplied lately. Honestly, I don't know what offends me more - that she managed to deceive you or that you were ready to believe what she said without considering for a moment what you knew of me. - I think I have outstayed my welcome here, and it looks as if I had some business to settle. Get home safely, Emilia. Farewell."

He bowed, and left the room, feeling devastated. Had it been only jealousy he had had to deal with, he would not have minded. He felt quite confident that he would have been able to reassure Emilia, had that been the problem. But he did not know how to handle this. Emilia did not love him. If she had, she would not have assumed that he was irresponsible enough to desert a pregnant girl. She would not have run away from him, but would have confronted him with what had been said and would have listened to his side of the story before judging him.

He had better face the ugly truth, Elham thought. Emilia did not care for him. This had become clear to him when he had talked to her. She had not even wanted to listen to him. Her whole attitude had implied that she blamed him, that she had formed her opinion of him without giving him a chance to defend himself.

Elham went into the taproom and ordered some brandy. He would not spend the night in this inn after all. Instead he would drive back to London and call in a couple of favours. Chloe, that devious bitch, was to blame for his misery, and he would do everything in his power to get his own back at her. He did not for one moment believe she was pregnant - she had only said so to cause a rift between Emilia and him. But he'd act as if he had believed it - for the moment. It would be part of his revenge. Elham grinned. As the father of her hypothetical child, he even had the right to meddle in her business.

"You don't look very happy, sir," Oliver Brentwood said and sat down next to him. "Your interview with my sister did not go well?"

"Not really," Elham said. "But she need not worry. I will not bother her again."

"It is none of my business," Oliver Brentwood said calmly. "But I don't think one quarrel is the end of it all, if there is affection on both sides."

"That depends on what the quarrel was about, and whether there is affection on both sides," Elham said. "But you are right. It is none of your business. Forgive my rudeness. I am not in a sociable mood."

Elham drained his glass and got up. "Good bye," he said and shook Oliver Brentwood's hand. "If I want to be back in London by midnight, I had better start."

"You cannot be serious," Oliver Brentwood said. "It's going to be pitch-dark soon! You can't possibly go back to London at this time of night!"

"I cannot stay here either," Elham snapped. "The more distance I can put between your sister and myself the better it is. - Good bye, sir, and give my regards to Lady Brentwood."

With a nod, he took leave of Oliver Brentwood and, after having paid his shot, left the inn. Brentwood was right of course. He could not possibly attempt to go all the way back to London, he knew. But under these circumstances, he did not want to remain under the same roof as Emilia - she had given him too much pain. He was furious with her for her injustice, and for not having seen through Chloe's charade. She had even seen Chloe play on one occasion! Surely it could not be that difficult to recognise an actress one had seen on stage before! The fact was that Emilia had only been waiting for an opportunity to be rid of him. She had probably regretted her promise to marry him the moment she had known he was going to get better ... no. That was not it. He had been confronted with deception too often to know that Emilia had not deceived him. She had probably fancied herself in love with him, and at her meeting with Chloe she had realised that she was not. Chloe's account had tumbled him from the pedestal Emilia had put him on, she had realised that he was only a man after all, and had been too embarrassed with her discovery to be able to face him. It was Chloe's fault, Elham thought angrily, and he'd see to it that she would pay. But in a way it was fortunate that Emilia had realised her error now, before they were married...

No, it was not, Elham thought. She would have learned to love him - him, and not some girlish picture she had formed of him. He'd never get that chance now. Chloe had chosen her revenge well. But so would he.

---

Emilia looked at her brother as he entered the private parlour.

"Is he gone?" she asked and, when Oliver nodded, burst into tears.

"There, there," Oliver said helplessly, ineffectively trying to calm her.

"I've been such a fool!" Emilia sobbed. "How could I be so stupid as to believe a thing that woman said? I should have sent her away; I should not have listened to her! Oliver, I will never see Elham again! I know it - he sounded so definite when he left."

"He'll come back once he has calmed himself," Oliver said, but Emilia was anything but convinced.

"He won't," she said miserably. "Not after the things I have said and done. Oliver, how could I ever look him in the face again?"

"If you're never going to see him again, you needn't worry about that," Oliver said cheeringly.

Emilia gave him a furious glare and then started to cry again. Oliver was sorely tempted to slap her to make her come back to her senses. He disliked hysteria. It made him feel ill-at-ease.

"You've no idea what it is like to be in love," she finally said.

"Looking at what being in love has done to you, I can only be grateful," Oliver said dryly. "Won't you tell me what happened - from beginning to end? Perhaps it will make you feel better."

So Emilia told her story - from Sir George Harbury's proposal till the moment Oliver had called on her in Clarges Street. Oliver listened to her tale without interrupting her, only to lean back with an astonished whistle when she had finished it.

"I have to hand it to you, Emilia, when you do get into a scrape you manage to get into a huge one," he said. "I have to say though that Elham has treated you far more kindly than you could have expected of him. In his place, I'd have dealt with you in a different manner, you may be certain."

"I know," Emilia said, on the verge of tears again. "He is ... he is the best of men! Truly, I don't deserve him! How could I believe what that woman said -- that he had abandoned her and her child? I must have been out of my senses!"

"Probably," Oliver said grimly.

"I suppose this is a fitting punishment for making up that engagement," Emilia said sadly. "Falling in love with the man I said I was going to marry, and losing him. It's pretty ironic, isn't it?"

Some people even would think it was funny, Emilia thought.

"I don't think you have lost him yet," Oliver said soothingly. "True, he is furious with you right now. I don't blame him -- I'd be furious too. But believe me, Emilia - if he does love you, he will come back to you. And unless you are a complete and utter fool, you will not let him go again."

"No," Emilia said with a faint smile. "If he does come back, I will certainly not let him go again."

©2005, 2006 Copyright held by the author.

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