The harsh sound of a clock striking the hour made Emily jump. She was late. How could that have happened? She quickened her steps, lifted her skirt, and ran lightly downstairs. Where was the library? The vast hall was deserted, and none of the usual footmen in sight. There were five routes for her to select from but she had no idea which one to take.
Frantically she searched for a bell-cord in order to summon assistance but found none. Then she had an inspired notion; she would open the front door and knock loudly on it; that would surely bring Penfold out of hiding.
Pleased with her scheme she turned the heavy knob and stepped out into the morning sunshine. The trees were so lovely in their autumn colours that she became distracted and released her hold on the door. Its swung shut with an ominous clunk. She spun round too late, the door was firmly closed. She lifted the heavy brass knocker and banged it. She waited expectantly. There was no sound of footsteps hurrying to her summons. She banged again, with such force that she hurt her hand. Yesterday the wretched place had been overrun with staff, where were they all today?
She decided to abandon the front door and search for another entrance. Penfold, who had been closeted with Mrs Todd, the housekeeper, opened the door to see a flash of lilac vanish round the corner. It was not his place to question the strange ways of his betters, so quietly shut the door and went about his business.
Emily was breathless, and the hem of her dress limp and dusty by the time she finally found a side door that opened. She burst in, startling two parlour maids about their duties.
“Thank Heavens! I have found someone. Please could you direct me to the library?”
The younger girl recovered first. “Yes, miss, if you would care to follow me.”
Emily was late, very late. Her hair was escaping from its pins and the hem of her dress was mired but in her urgency she failed to notice.
Sebastian was glaring out across the park; he did not like to be kept waiting. The sound of her hurrying footsteps alerted him. He turned, and stood, legs slightly apart, arms rigidly beside him, and waited.
“Miss Gibson, my lord.” The maid, duty done, disappeared but not before she had noted the Viscount's expression and Emily's appearance. Both would be described in detail to the rest of the staff when they sat down for supper that night.
Emily curtsied and as her eyes dropped she saw the appalling state of her dress. Her spirits sunk even lower. This was not an auspicious start. She raised her head and shrivelled under the icy stare of her future husband. Where was the friendly man she had just been out riding with?
There was an interminable silence; Emily did not speak, she felt too ill. Sebastian knew if he opened his mouth too soon he would say something they would both regret.
Emily recovered her composure. “I must apologize for keeping you waiting, sir.” She was about to explain why she was late but he forestalled her. She noticed that there appeared to be something wrong with his breathing.
“For God's sake, sit down, Emily and let us get this farce completed.”
Every instinct told her to flee from this formidable man but her feet refused to move. He took a step towards her and fearing that he was going to strike her, she retreated until her shaking back was hard against the door, her eyes wide.
“Please, I'm sorry. I got locked out.” To her shame she felt unwanted tears spill out and trickle down her cheeks.
“It is I who must apologize, Emily.” Sebastian took her hand and gently drew her towards a sofa. “Sit down, my dear, you are shaking. I should not have frightened you like that; it was inexcusable. I am behaving like a nincompoop. Here, use this.” Emily felt the soft touch of a linen handkerchief placed into her fingers and obediently wiped eyes.
“I am not usually a watering-pot. I don't understand what's happening to me. I promise you, I am usually a woman of good sense.”
“It is this wretched business. It has got to us both, has it not?”
She nodded. “You have no more wish for this than I do, do you, Cousin Sebastian?”
“No, I do not. But I am afraid we have no choice, my dear. Our behaviour yesterday has put us beyond the pale and only the announcement of our engagement will save us both from ruin.”
“Grandfather told me you could lose your position in the government as well as in society. Is that truly the case?”
“It is; we have no choice.” Then he smiled and inexplicably her heart turned over. He reached over and took her hand. “Miss Gibson, will you do me the inestimable honour of becoming my wife?”
She swallowed twice, before answering. There appeared to be a lump stuck in her throat. “Yes, my lord, I will.” The pull on her hand continued and she found herself being embraced by two exceptionally well-muscled arms.
“Look at me, Emily,” he commanded. She did as she was bid and received her first adult kiss. The feel of another mouth on hers was at first alarming but slowly she relaxed and began to enjoy the strange sensation.
“There, it is done.” Viscount Yardley released her and stood up. “I assume you will tell Lady Althea our good news?”
“Yes, of course I will. What happens next? Are we obliged to do anything else?”
“No; I am returning to Town after I have spoken to the Earl.” He bowed formally and, without further conversation, strode out of the room.
Emily stared at the closed-door scarcely able to comprehend what had just taken place. In the space of thirty minutes she had been shouted out, scared half to death, comforted, proposed to, kissed and abandoned. It was too much to take in. Shakily she got to her feet and began to walk around the room, trying to bring order to her tumbled thoughts.
She was still in the library when her sister discovered her. Millie greeted her with a scream of delight.
“Em, here you are! I have been searching for you for hours. Everything is like a game of hide and go seek in this huge house.”
Emily put down her book and returned her sister's happy smile. “I know, Millie, I got lost this morning and have not dared venture out of here again. Is there a particular reason you are seeking me?”
“Yes, Madame Ducray from London has arrived and has boxes of samples and things to show you. Mama has got dressed and taken some breakfast. I love Westerham; we're going to be so happy here.”
“I'm sure you're right. Come along then, shall we try and find Mama's apartments or ring for assistance?”
“We had better ring; she will be getting anxious.”
Lady Althea greeted her daughters as though they had been lost for weeks. “My dears, at last, I have been so worried. Where ever have you been for so long?”
“Em was hiding in the library; it took me for ever to find her.”
“Well you are both here now. Madame Ducray has set up in your sitting-room, Emily. She is waiting to see us there.”
Serena bounced off the chaise-longue. “Shall there be dresses for me as well, Mama?”
“Of course, my love. Your grandfather said we are to have whatever we wish. He has placed no restrictions on expenditure.”
It was only then that Emily realized her mother and sisters were ignorant of either her scandalous behaviour or her precipitate engagement.
“Mama, I have to speak with you first. Millie, take Serena into Madame and tell her that we shall be along in a few minutes.”
“Can we start choosing material for our dresses and pinafores?”
Lady Althea answered. “Yes you can, my dears. Madame will direct your attention to those most suitable for girls of your age.”
Mary led her charges away leaving Emily and her mother alone. “You have not heard what happened yesterday, have you Mama?”
“I heard that you and Papa fell out but were reconciled immediately. I also heard that Viscount Yardley and you were at daggers drawn. Surely there can not be anything else?”
“I'm afraid there is. You had better sit down whilst I tell you.”
When Emily finished her story her mother was shocked speechless, but only for a moment.
“Am I to understand that you are now engaged to be married to Viscount Yardley and he has departed for Town without bothering to speak to me?”
Emily nodded. “He asked grandfather's permission to address me. I suppose he felt that was sufficient.”
Lady Althea was incensed. She knew she had been slighted and did not take it kindly. “I think it is the outside of enough. I have known of his existence scarcely a day and already I cordially dislike him. You shall not marry him, Emily, I will not have it.”
“But if I do not, both of us will lose our reputations. The scandal will also reflect on both you and the girls. I cannot allow that to happen.”
Her mother pursed her lips then her eyes lit up. “I have it, Emily. When we have replenished our wardrobes, we shall go to Town. Although it is not high Season there will still be plenty going on. We can be ready in a month or less. I shall write at once to all my old acquaintances and get invitations for us to the most prestigious dances and soirees. As Viscount Yardley's fiancé, and my daughter, you will be accepted everywhere.”
Emily interrupted her mother's excited plans. “But why? How will that help?”
“It is as plain as the nose on your face, my love. You will be considered a success, your reputation will be restored and then you can break the engagement and no one will think twice about it.”
“What reason shall I give for doing so? I don't wish to be called a jilt on top of everything else.”
“We shall just say you do not suit after all. I will think of something. Papa has promised to make all of you a generous settlement. You are now an heiress. There will be no shortage of eligible suitors, I can assure you.”
Emily did not point out that she really had no desire to be married to anyone. It seemed a shame to dampen her mother's enthusiasm. It was so long since she had seen her taking an interest in anything.
“Is there no way that Viscount Yardley could cry off without damaging his name?”
“No, my love. The man is honour bound to keep his promise, but society understands that it is a woman's privilege to change her mind.” Lady Althea rose. “Come, Madame will think us discourteous if we do not appear.”
Emily's sitting-room had been transformed into an Indian bazaar. Silks, satins, sarcenet and muslins exploded over chair backs and sofas, cascading into pools of liquid colour on the polished boards. Upon the occasional tables were spread pages from, La Belle Assemblée, with the latest fashion plates for adults and children alike.
The petite Frenchwoman, her brindled hair scraped back into an unflattering bun, fluttered forward, her tiny hands waving theatrically. “Oh, Lady Althea, Miss Gibson, we are so “appy to see you “ere. I “ave some lovely gowns made up for you to wear whilst I am constructing your new choices.”
Madame ushered her clients to the one uncluttered sofa. “If you will please to sit “ere, I will “ave my girls show you the gowns that are complete.” Emily and Lady Althea sat where directed. There was no sign of either Millie or Serena.
“Where are my girls, Madame? Surely they have not become bored so quickly?”
“Oh no, my lady. They are in the chamber with their nurse, trying on the new clothes with great enthusiasm. Are you ready? I will call my assistants to begin.”
“Can I really select as many outfits as I wish, Mama? Does grandfather have bottomless pockets?”
Lady Althea patted her daughter's hand. “He is one of the warmest men in England, my love, so do not stint yourself. I promise you that I have no intention of doing so. I never thought to have a closet bursting with lovely gowns ever again. I believed that I had forgone such luxuries when I married your dear Papa.”
Emily tensed, waiting for the torrent of tears that always followed such a mention but it didn't come. She smiled.
“I'm certain that he would want you to look beautiful again. Indeed, you're looking better already. I'm sure that in a few weeks you will be feeling fully restored and well enough to travel to London with me.”
“I shall, my love, I shall.” Lady Althea stared intensely at her eldest daughter. “You are also far too thin, my love. We must both endeavour to eat more. Slender is attractive but stick thin, I am afraid, is not.”
Emily giggled. “If I continue to eat as I did this morning I will be the size of a horse in no time” Madame coughed politely, drawing their attention to the entrance of the first of the two mannequins. After two hours even the delight of selecting new gowns was beginning to pall for all the company. They decided to postpone the measuring and fitting for the afternoon.
Lady Althea returned to her rooms promising she would eat before resting. Emily and her sisters found their way back downstairs to the small dining parlour where, they had been informed, a cold collation had been set up for them.
“I have four new dresses, with matching slippers, and bonnets and ribbons as well.” Serena told Emily proudly.
“And I have the same. How many did you select Em?” Millie asked.
“I am now the proud possessor of two morning gowns, two tea dresses, one walking dress with matching pelisse, and one evening gown. I have, naturally, a full complement of slippers, bonnets, reticules and shawls to accompany them. I shall be so smart you will not know me.”
“Mary says we are having lots of other garments made especially. I do not see when we will have time to wear them all. And I expect I will have grown out of them before they are even half worn out.”
“You have to change your outfit every hour, Serena; it is what happens in the ton, is it not, Em?”
Serena looked suitably horrified.
Do not tease your sister, Millie. No, Serena, you do not have to change so often. However, I believe that it is not done to wear the same dress twice in public, but that only applies to adults I am sure.”
The girls stared, open-mouthed. Millie was the first to recover. “But that can not be right. It would mean having hundreds of dresses; no one would have so many. It would be too wasteful.”
“Three hundred and sixty five dresses, if you went out every day.” Serena said with awe. “No wonder we have such enormous closets in our chambers.”
Emily shook her head laughing openly at her sisters. “Don't take me so literally, girls. By “out in public” I meant to a party, ball, or soiree, not walking or driving in the park.”
By the end of the day the Gibson family was exhausted, but they were all well satisfied by the day's events. Madame Ducray was even more so, for she returned to London with an order of such magnitude she would be obliged to take on more seamstresses if it was to be completed on time. It had been arranged that she would deliver the finished items to Westerham within four weeks, in order that any alterations could be made before the party departed for London.
The Earl of Westerham's townhouse was naturally, in the best part of town, away from the noise and pollution of the teeming city streets, but not so far from the park that Sebastian could not exercise his horse, or drive his high-perch phaeton.
He took himself to Whites to tell his acquaintances of his betrothal. It was imperative that the news of the engagement was spread before other gossip arrived in town. Someone was bound to hear about the riding debacle; such an exciting titbit of scandal would be greedily absorbed and hurried on its way.
By the end of the day Sebastian's face was stiff from smiling and his back sore from the congratulatory slapping. No one questioned his choice or his timing; he was the sole heir to a great name and it was his duty to produce sufficient sons to secure the title. What better way than choosing to marry his second cousin?
Too dispirited to join in any card games or attend one of the soirees or musicals to which he had been invited, he returned home. He had done his duty, their reputations were safe. No wedding date had been set, but knowing the earl, it would be sooner rather than later. He scowled as he contemplated his future tied to a young woman with no sense of decorum and a figure like a boy's. She did have lovely eyes and a fine head of hair, but setting up his nursery with such a female did not fill him with enthusiasm.
The next morning he reported to his office at Home Guards and discovered he was required to leave immediately for Belgium. Napoleon had escaped from Elba and was already in Paris, gathering loyal troops as fast as a dog found fleas. Wellington required his immediate services. He caught the next packet to Calais and was safely established on the Duke's staff within less than a week. All thoughts of Emily and their engagement were forgotten in the excitement of preparing for the inevitable battle with the French.
Meanwhile, at Westerham, Lady Althea slowly recovered both her looks and her spirits, even her straggly hair regained its lustre with the judicious use of henna. Emily rode out every day, sometimes with her sisters, sometimes accompanied only by a groom. She got to know her grandfather and finally forgave him for his neglect.
The ring, which had once been her grandmother's, remained unworn on her dresser. When the day came for their departure to London she had all but forgotten that she was engaged. Apart from the arrival of this token, with a brief note, they had received no communication from Viscount Yardley, which bothered her not one jot.