“Perhaps it is,” Edward said. “But I do want her to realize it on her own.”
“I know you do,” Lady Emily said. “But some women...just...do not.”
“Well, you are one of a kind,” he said to her. “Perhaps I should just marry you instead.”
He was speaking in jest and they both knew it.
“Perhaps,” Lady Emily replied, also jesting. “It would indeed make both of our lives easier.”
“Oh, well. We can get married out in the garden, tomorrow if you like,” Edward said. “And we can both just give up on our hopes and dreams and become compliant to everything.”
“I think you have suggested the most wonderful thing,” Lady Emily replied, just as sarcastically.
They understood each other, and they both smiled. Although they didn’t have the slightest bit of romantic interest in each other, they both knew what would make the other happy. Lady Emily was starting to wonder whether it was the only time a man would understand her again.
“How are you fairing with Lord Reginald?” he asked and Lady Emily shook her head.
“Do not ask such a thing,” she replied.
“Why?” Edward chuckled. “He seems perfectly fine.”
“He’s…” she said and then took a deep breath. “There’s nothing wrong with him...He just isn't interesting.”
“How can you tell whether he’s interesting or not?” he asked. “You have barely talked to him.”
“I’ve talked to him,” she cried. “And he’s just not...I don’t know. When you are going to marry someone, you have to at least like them.”
“And you don’t like him?”
“Maybe I am just too damaged,” she said. “Maybe after my first marriage, I’m not going to have a second one.”
“Maybe,” Edward replied. “I know you would not be the first women in that position But at the same time, Emmie, you have to be open to change.”
“I am open to change,” she cried. “It’s just…”
“It’s just what?” he asked.
“He’s not my first husband.” she said, and Edward laughed.
“See? You aren’t open to change. I don’t understand. When you were married, I did not think you had such affection for him.”
“Perhaps you don’t know what you have until it’s gone,” she said, and he sighed.
“There is that,” he replied. “In any case, do not worry. You have known all your life, Emmie, that you do not have to explain yourself to me.”
“I understand,” she replied. “And I know that you know that you are the same. But I wish you would let me help with Catherine.”
“She will come around,” Edward said. “I believe in myself.”
Emily burst out laughing at that.
“At least you have your sense of humour going for you,” she said. “Now, listen...if there is anything you can think of, please let me know. I think I’m going to see if Hannah needs any help.”
“Your maid?” he asked. “That’s different.”
“I’m curious about this man,” she said. “So the sooner he can wake and tell us about himself, the better.”
“I wish you the best of luck,” Edward said. “I believe I am going to take that turn in the garden alone. It has been a long day.”
“Not quite the hunting expedition we hoped for,” Lady Emily replied.
“No,” Edward said. “But it’s a day to remember.”
Lady Emily watched him go, and then went up the stairs to go and see if Hannah needed anything. Maybe this would make her father forget about her and Lord Reginald for a little while. Maybe she would be able to forget about him entirely, in this flurry of activity.
“Hannah?” she asked, as she climbed the stairs. “Hannah?”
“I’m in here, my lady,” Hannah said, and Lady Emily went to find her. She didn’t know what the coming days would bring, but they would be sure to be interesting.
Chapter 6
“I’ve found him some clothes,” Hannah said, a couple of days later in a whisper. They were standing in the strange man’s room, hoping he would awake. Although he had been in and out of consciousness and the doctor had seen him several times, he had still not so much as uttered a word. The doctor did say that he was closer to the surface though, and that Hannah and Lady Emily should prepare for the fact that he could wake at any moment. Because of that, they were trying to be ready for anything. They always visited him with the door open, in case he was violent, and they had clothes and water ready, just in case he wanted that. “But I’m really not sure what he needed, so I went ahead and got everything.”
“I said to just get him spare clothes,” Lady Emily said, gaping at the pile in front of her. “My goodness, that is enough clothing to clothe an army.”
“Perhaps,” Hannah said. “But it’s just...what if he is upper class and insulted?”
“Or what if he’s a solider out of uniform, and then he’s just going to be confused too? Lady Emily said.
All of a sudden, the man gasped, and his eyes flew open. Both of them froze and stood there, unsure of what to do. His eyes were a stunning blue and he was quite handsome, Lady Emily thought.
She blushed at that thought. She wasn’t supposed to think he was handsome, or anything of the sort. It wasn’t what a proper lady thought.
“Heavens to Betsy, do I see two angels before me?” he said, in a distinct American accent that was almost unintelligible.
Both of the women stared at him in shock. They weren’t sure whether to run or giggle. They certainly hadn’t expected him to be American, although of course that made sense. He was coming from America, so why wouldn’t he be American?
Hannah seemed a bit more shocked that Lady Emily, and she took a step back.
“I think I’ll go and find your father,” she said, and took off down the hallway. Lady Emily looked back at her and then turned to the man. She was also a little startled, but there was something inside her that wanted to stay more than she wanted to run. She was curious about him, and the life that gave him that accent. What was it like, where he was from? What kind of life did he have?
“Hello,” she said, after a moment. She was sure that her English accent must have been coming through, just as much as his American one was. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I've been run over by a carriage,” he responded, and winced. “Forgive me but...where am I?”
“You’re in England,” she said. “Just off the coast of Cornwall. There was a shipwreck and we found you.”
His eyes widened and she could see that it all was coming back to him.
“Right,” he said. “Right, I remember...did anyone...was there anyone else?”
“Anyone else?” she asked, confused.
“Was there anyone else who survived?” he asked.
“No one,” she said. “I’m sorry.”
“Oh,” he said, as it finally hit him. “Oh. I...really? No one survived?”
“Not that I know of,” she said. “I’m really sorry.”
“Oh,” he said again and sunk into the pillows. “That’s...I cannot believe it.”
“What is your name?” she asked. “I am Lady Emily Hambleton.”
“Um…” he seemed to have to take a long time to think about it. “My name is...Myles.”
“Myles,” she said, with a smile. “That’s a nice name. You’re from America?”
“Yes,” he said, still seeming a bit disorientated. “Yes, I am.”
“What do you do there?” she asked him.
“I’m a silversmith,” he seemed to remember that quite quickly.
“Oh,” Lady Emily said, in surprise She hadn’t thought that would be the case, given the fact that he had been on a ship. “So...how did you end up here?”
“I...” he winced and she moved forward.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
“Yes,” he assured her. “Sorry. I just...pain…”
“You’re in pain?” she ask
ed and he nodded. “Where?”
“My head,” he said. “I...any water?”
“Here,” she said. She poured him a glass from the pitcher and handed it over. He drank like he hadn’t drank in years. She actually felt as though they must not have been taking care of him properly, if he was that thirsty. “I can get you more.”
“I very much appreciate it,” he said. “I’m sorry if I’m...taking up space.”
“You aren’t,” she said. “The doctor said it was a miracle you pulled through at all.”
“Did you…” he looked confused. “Did you put together the...rescue party?”
“Rescue party?” she asked, with a smile. “There was hardly a rescue party. There was just myself and a few friends.”
“Oh,” he said. “I...what exactly happened?”
“I don’t think that now is the best time to tell you this,” she said. “You need to rest.”
“I see,” he said. “Why not?”
“Don’t worry,” she said. “I will tell you everything. You just need to rest now.”
She felt an odd connection to him, and she couldn’t explain it. Perhaps it was that she thought of her husband when she looked at him, or that she felt very protective over him. Either way, she knew that she had to find a way to make sure he walked out of here alive and well enough to face the world.
“This is my father’s house,” she said to him. “In case you weren’t aware of that. I have been living here for a few months again. You will find it very relaxing, especially when you are well enough to walk int the garden.”
“Oh,” he said. “You aren’t the lady of the house?”
“I suppose I am, technically,” she said. “Since I am...since my mother passed away.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, and she tried to smile.
“While you were asleep, I found myself wondering about whether you...whether there was someone waiting for you,” she said. “Someone I should alert to the fact that you are here?”
“I… just the...I don't know,” he answered. “Everyone is really gone?”
“I’m sorry?” she asked, confused.
“Everyone is really gone?” he repeated. “On the ship?”
“I...I think so,” she said. “I don’t know for certain, but I believe they all are. I will ask around town.”
“How big is this town?” he asked, and she smiled.
“Large enough,” she said. “Have you never been to England before?”
“Never,” he said. “I have only heard stories about it.”
“Well, now you can experience it,” she said with a smile. “What I am more interested in, is what the colonies are like. I have been never been to America and I likely never will. What are they like? What are the people like? The roads? The buildings?”
“New,” he said, and she smiled.
“That must be glorious,” she said. “To have all your history in recent memory.”
“Can you check?” he asked.
“Check what?”
“If everyone is dead?” he asked. She realized he was still confused.
“I will find out for you,” she assured him. “Don’t worry.”
“All right,” he said, although he didn’t seem sure. “What did you say your name was again?”
“Lady Emily Hambleton,” she said. “You’ve forgotten already?”
“A shipwreck seems to be...havoc on one’s memory,” he winced. “Is the doctor available?”
“I can have him sent for,” she said, as she heard footsteps coming down the hall. She assumed it was her father and Hannah, and so she turned to the hallway. “I’ll be right back.”
She glanced back, just to make sure Myles was all right. He gave her the most dazzling smile she had ever seen, which took her by complete surprise. Lying in the bed, he looked stunning. She couldn’t imagine what he looked like when he was well.
As soon as she was in the hallway, she could tell that the mood between her father and Hannah was not as joyous as hers was.
“What are you doing?” her father asked and she raised an eyebrow in surprise.
“What do you mean, what am I doing?” she asked. “I was just talking to our guest. It turns out…”
“Yes,” her father said, and he didn’t look happy. “Hannah has told me all about him.”
“What’s the problem?” she asked, confused.
“He’s American?” her father asked, and Hannah nodded.
“Yes, he’s American,” she said.
“This is terrible,” her father said, and she raised an eyebrow in surprise
‘Why is it terrible?”
“Because you know that all Americans are…” he started talking and then shook his head. “You should stay away.”
“But Father…” she stated to protest, but he shook his head.
“Emmie, do not defy me right now,” he said. “I will see you at dinner.”
She wanted to defy him, of course. It was her second nature. However, she didn’t want to fight with him right now, in earshot of Myles and with Hannah standing right there. So she took a deep breath and nodded.
“Fine,” she said. “I will see you at dinner.”
She didn't want to leave, because she was curious about their stranger. However, Lady Emily used the time before dinner to prepare an argument that she knew she would have to use. She came to dinner fully dressed and ready to argue, and sure enough, her father brought up the topic right away.
“He should leave our house right away,” her father said. “He is an American, and we cannot have an American in our house.”
“Why not?” Lady Emily asked. She was barely into her first course, but she already wasn’t hungry. She knew her father would be close-minded to the whole situation.
“Why not?” her father asked, scandalized “Why not? Because...all Americans are scandalous. You know that.”
“I do not know that,” Lady Emily answered. “I know that you feel that way, but that’s not always the case.”
“Emmie, I cannot believe you,” he said. “You have heard what the Americans who have come to our shore have done.”
She cocked an eyebrow.
“So you are going to place the actions of every foreigner on the man who is upstairs? That does not seem fair.”
“Stereotypes exist for a reason,” her father said. “And you are playing into this one. Just because he is handsome…”
Lady Emily gasped.
“How dare you accuse me of being so shallow, Father?” she asked. She was embarrassed and her father saw that he was in the wrong.
A Lady's Taste For Temptation (Historical Regency Romance) Page 11
