“And do you truly think that it’s possible to refuse me?” Lord Pendergast asked smugly.
“Yes,” Emilia replied, not feeling an ounce of fear since Simon was nearby.
“Do you forget the letter that I sent you?” Lord Pendergast asked, testing her.
“I remember it vividly, and I will still refuse. The man that has stolen my heart is right there,” Emilia said, turning to Simon. There was a wide grin on his lips.
Emilia watched as Lord Pendergast turned to Simon quickly, no longer maintaining his smooth composure.
“This is nonsense,” the duke said, his jaw clenched.
“You have no power over me, Your Grace,” Emilia added. “You can do what you wish with the information that you have. That is of no consequence to me.”
“Your reputation shall be ruined,” the duke said.
“So be it.”
“Your poor father must be horrified,” Lord Pendergast said, turning to Dominic for reassurance.
“Please, be gentle on an old man,” Dominic said, bringing a hand up to his cheek. “Emilia, Rose, I’m baffled by your behaviour in front of our esteemed friend.”
“Father, it’s about time that you see the truth about the duke,” Emilia went on. “I don’t know what has so completely blinded you to his character, but I won’t stand for it a second longer. The man has used manipulation and even blackmail to attain my hand. If you cannot see it, then I’d be happy to explain all.”
“Emilia, stop it with this nonsense,” the duke said, stepping in towards her.
“Watch yourself,” Simon said without moving. Hearing the threatening tone of Simon’s voice, Lord Pendergast stepped back again.
“So, I see,” Lord Pendergast said, laughing mockingly to himself. “The sensual appeal of an artist. My, my, how the young ladies fall.”
A wave of sheer anger came over Emilia, and she felt herself go red in the face. How dare the duke mock the man that Emilia loved? Afraid for what Simon might do, Emilia was surprised to find that he still remained where he stood, no expression upon his face whatsoever. It was almost as though Simon had resolved himself to be the bigger man and only engage if absolutely necessary. Far from it being frustrating, Emilia found it wonderfully admirable.
“You wouldn’t know what real love was if it was flung at your face!” Rose said.
“Rose!” Emilia protested.
“Well, it’s true,” she added, albeit a bit more sheepishly.
“Dominic, my dear friend,” Lord Pendergast said through his teeth. “I regret to inform you that this ineffectual chap here and his lofty artist friend have been engaged in artistic forgery for the entirety of Kingsley’s career. To make matters more interesting, I know where to find the evidence!” the duke said. Emilia could tell that, finally, at that moment, Lord Pendergast had lost his temper. “And so, you’d have your daughter marry a liar? A cheater? There’s nothing genuine about this ruffian that you see before you here.”
Emilia’s heart was breaking. She looked at Simon, wishing to console him. But again, she saw no expression of sadness or embarrassment in his face. Simon was as composed as she’d ever seen him before. In fact, he looked impossibly noble.
“This cannot be true,” Dominic said, confusion and sadness upon his face.
“It very much is true,” Lord Pendergast added. “This man is worthless. You couldn’t even possibly call him a gentleman. How can we not tell that he is lying to your daughter? How can we not tell that he has manipulated her into loving him? Everything else about the man is false!”
“Stop this at once,” Emilia said, not wanting to listen to another word. “This is too much.”
“You think that this is too much?” Lord Pendergast asked. “I’m merely getting started. I could talk about Simon James for the better part of the afternoon.”
“Jealousy, perhaps?” Simon asked with a boyish grin.
“Not jealousy!” Lord Pendergast protested. “Disgust.”
“If I disgust you, sir, then it’s the greatest accomplishment of my lifetime.”
“This is getting out of hand,” Dominic said, putting up his hands to halt the two men. “This quarrel cannot carry on in front of my daughters.”
“I want to see, though,” Rose protested.
Silence followed as everyone took a moment to try and compose themselves. They were at a standstill. From the look of things, Emilia could tell that Lord Pendergast was trying to calm himself after his outburst; something that she was sure he was not prone to. Lord Pendergast was the type of noble that always looked as though he were made of steel.
“May I ask,” Simon chimed in, “how you plan to prove this forgery?” Emilia could see that there was a tight smile upon his lips.
“Ha!” Lord Pendergast replied. “I shall bring Dominic to the studio. My entrance will not be barred.”
“I’m under the impression that you have been misinformed,” Simon went on. “And I will say here and now that you’re welcome to the studio at any time, so that you may thoroughly inspect it. You will be my guest. Dominic is welcome to come, as well.”
“Misinformed?”
“Indeed, misinformed,” Simon went on. “Rumours abound these days, do they not?”
“You’ll truly have me believe that all of this may be chalked up to rumour? I think you’re bluffing with me right now.”
“I promise you, I’m not the type to bluff,” Simon replied.
There was a standoff that followed, and it chilled Emilia to the core to watch. The two men stood there staring at one another, and Emilia became convinced that the conversation might turn to violence right before her very eyes.
“Well, we’ll see then, won’t we!” Lord Pendergast said, storming from the room in a huff. Emilia feared that she might need to hide a laugh; the duke’s exit was so petulant.
Once the duke was gone, there was a tremendous sense of relief in the room. Emilia listened as Rose audibly sighed. Emilia, herself, felt as though she could breathe for the first time in a while.
“Well, I do not know what to say.” Dominic was the first to speak. “Is what you say the truth, Simon?”
“I’m afraid that it is. Lord Pendergast has heard rumours, at best. I’m able to prove it.”
“Well, that is a relief for me. I was beginning to fear for the worst.”
“You have nothing to fear. Your daughters are safe.”
“I didn’t want to marry that man, Father,” Rose said.
“Yes, I suppose that I’m seeing that now,” Dominic said with a sigh. “But why didn’t you speak up, child?”
“Rose was afraid of turning Lord Pendergast down due to his finances,” Simon assured him. “I could see it with my own eyes.”
“I’m ashamed,” Dominic replied. “To be a father and so ignorant to your daughter’s true feelings! I do not know why I was so blind.”
“Lord Pendergast was an admirable match on the surface,” Emilia said. “And Father would have wanted him as a son-in-law.”
“What I will focus upon now is the great happiness it brings me to see Emilia and Simon reunited,” Dominic added.
Emilia turned to Simon, and there was an unbearable warmth and longing in his eyes. Yes, were they truly to be man and wife now? Had Simon literally solved the whole impossible puzzle? If that was the case, she’d give herself to him, body and soul, for the rest of her days. Simon had proved himself to be far more superior a man than she had thought. He had surpassed all of her expectations in a way that she still could not fully comprehend.
“I’m so happy about that too, Father,” Rose said. “I wish them to be married because they’re truly in love!”
“We are in love, Rose,” Simon said warmly. “And I don’t plan on ever letting Emilia go,” he added.
Her entire heart was melting. Who would have thought after everything went so wrong that Emilia would be ending up with the man of her dreams; her lover, her hero, her true friend? Simon was her everything, and Emili
a was never going to forget that.
Then, her thoughts turned towards Kingsley, and Emilia became sad. The master artist had absconded himself to Italy. Not a bad place to be banished to, in Emilia’s estimation. Yet still, she would miss his presence and his remarkable talent. But if Emilia could have Simon in her life, day-in and day-out, that would truly be enough for her.
Her cheeks blushed as she thought of how Montgomery House was now Simon’s, as well as a sizable portion of wealth. Would that be their home? Would Emilia truly be granted such exquisite happiness to spend the rest of her days at Harlow Greens? Everything felt like a dream to Emilia at that moment.
“I suppose that all of this requires a celebratory supper,” Dominic finally said.
“We’ve had far too many of those, of late,” Emilia said with a smile.
“Not enough! Although we don’t know what the future holds, I must celebrate the fact that my daughters are happy.”
“I think that sounds like a fine idea,” Simon added. “Sir, might I speak to you in the study?” he asked.
“Of course,” Dominic replied, and Emilia watched as the two men left the room, and she and Rose and were once again alone.
“We’re free, Emmie!” Rose said, embracing her sister.
“Yes, we are,” Emilia said warmly.
“I can’t believe that it all worked out the way that it did.”
“I can’t believe it, myself.”
“Do you suppose that I can find someone to love soon?”
“Of course, you can!”
“I do hope so. The way that Simon looks at you. That’s what I want for myself desperately.”
“You will have it,” Emilia said, still holding onto her sister.
Happiness flooded her. Then, the memory of that one fateful night that she and Simon shared. Would all nights be like that? Would they be free to love each other in the manner that they craved, and at liberty? Emilia liked to think so.
If they had that freedom, then it was like the world had opened up to them in a way that Emilia never imagined possible. Turning to look out the window, Emilia could see that a gentle rain was falling yet again. It did not make her feel sad or melancholy. In fact, Emilia had the thought that the angels were weeping with happiness.
“I wish to go run in the rain!” Rose said, pulling away.
“Very well,” Emilia replied, “I shall go with you!”
Chapter 25
In the days that followed, Simon felt tremendously vindicated. Not only had he saved his love, he’d also made it impossible for Lord Pendergast to marry either Emilia or her sister. None of it could have been accomplished without Kingsley, of course. Simon sat down to write Kingsley a letter expressing his gratitude.
Sir Kingsley,
Would you believe that everything that you have set into motion has been a success? I, for one, believe it, because all along I knew that you had a solution to the conundrum that I found myself in. For this, I’m eternally grateful. As for all that you have bequeathed me, I can say in no uncertain terms that all of it is beyond generous. I shall take care of Montgomery House with utmost care, and take pains to always put Rutledge to work so that he does not feel out of sorts.
As for Italy, you can expect that I will visit you often. I’m sure that it’s remarkably beautiful there and that your talents will always continue to grow. Please come back to Harlow Greens at your earliest convenience. The doors will always be open for you here. And I’m sure that Emilia would love to see you.
Which brings me to another topic and the reason for the timing of this letter. This very afternoon, I’m paying a call to London in order to ask Emilia to be my wife. I know that you would be pleased, and I’m sure that you would be delirious to watch and listen to us read the Banns. Know that if you cannot make it in person, you shall be there in spirit.
Please, have me in your thoughts when I get down upon one knee. I’m quite confident that Emilia is the only woman in the world for me. Had it not been for you, I would never have found the woman who has captivated my heart. In fact, had it not been for you, I would not be experiencing the rich and happy life that I enjoy on this day.
To you I owe everything,
Simon James
The letter complete, Simon handed it off to Rutledge so that it could be sent post haste. That being done, Simon considered the task that was at hand. He already knew of his success in the matter. There was no doubt in Simon’s mind that Emilia would say yes. But, once he heard that happy word, he’d finally feel content to enjoy the rest of his life.
Hopping into the coach, Simon signalled to the driver that he was ready to depart, and off they fled. Throughout the ride, all that Simon could think of was the happy future that lay before him.
Emilia would be his wife, Rose would be free and safe, and they could enjoy Montgomery House as their own. They’d spend long days in the studio painting and long nights in their bedroom chamber making love. What more in the world could Simon ask for? Everything was falling into place, and Simon was happy to no end.
The Duke of Westmoreland never did come to Harlow Greens to inspect the studio, but Simon was ready for him. There was truly nothing left to discover. Kingsley had taken all. It gave Simon an immense sense of satisfaction knowing that they had got away with it all.
Surely, their business was worthy of reproach, but in the end, all that Simon could think of was the remarkable art that was created and shared with the world. For Simon, that was all that truly mattered.
In the days that followed, Simon had explained everything to the servants, including Rutledge. They were all quite sad, and a few of them even shed a tear. But immediately, they understood who their new master was and acted accordingly.
For the first time, Simon was a master of the house, and he found it to be tremendously pleasurable. The only thing that was missing was the lady of the house. That would have to wait for a bit longer.
Simon had also been spending some time up in the studio by himself, working on portraiture. He had made the important decision that, even though Kingsley had taught him a great deal about scenic painting, Simon was going to pursue his dream and devote himself to painting portraits. He often worked on Emilia’s portrait, even though she wasn’t seated before him. Every time that he did so, he would dream of her and imagine their future happiness.
Simon felt a fit of nerves and knew not why. His bride was more or less secured. Perhaps it was merely from the anticipation of having her all to himself. Simon would take great pains to see that Rose married a fine man that she could love.
Although Dominic would be a father to him, after the whole fiasco with Lord Pendergast, Simon did not entirely trust Dominic’s sense of judgement in such affairs. Simon would always ensure Emilia’s safety, but he would be concerned with Rose’s safety, as well, for the fondness between the two sisters was palpable.
Pulling up to the Spencer townhouse, Simon straightened his waistcoat and alighted from the coach.
“Would you like me to wait here, M’Lord?” the coachman asked.
“No, you may go,” Simon replied. It was the first time that anyone had called him lord.
“Some weighty affairs, then?” the fellow asked.
“Weighty, indeed. I’m proposing to my future wife,” Simon said with a smile.
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