She got up and began to pace the room. Why didn’t he come to speak with her? She was desperate to fix her mistake. What could she do to melt his cold heart? A myriad of feelings filled her with dread. Could she fix this? Or would she have to learn to live in a loveless marriage?
Before she could stop them, tears leaked from her eyes. “Ethan, please come to me tonight.”
She waited in the sitting room for what seemed like hours. Ethan did not come to her. The fire had nearly died out when she walked into the bedchamber to retire for the night. She was so sure that she would be able to fix her terrible mistake once Ethan came home, but once again she had been wrong. The hurt she had inflicted on her husband was worse than she ever imagined.
She pulled back the covers and crawled into bed. It would be another long sleepless night.
The same routine continued for the next five days. Each evening at dinner, Emily asked if Ethan would come and speak with her. Each night ended in another disappointment. She had been married for more than two weeks and she had not yet lain with her husband. No matter. She was determined not to give up and hoped one day soon she would win his love again.
She sat in her sitting room after another silent dinner spent with Ethan. She had asked her question again, but it didn’t appear that he would come to her room tonight. She had resigned herself and stood to retire to her bedchamber.
A knock on her door drew her attention. She sat back down on the chaise. “Come in.”
Ethan entered and stood just inside the door.
A sigh of relief came out before she could stop herself. “Thank you for coming. I’ve been waiting to speak to you. You see…”
Ethan held up his hand. “Madam, I’ve come to tell you that I leave in the morning for business in the north.”
She stood. “What?” She couldn’t believe her ears. He was leaving her again. She took a step toward him. “Ethan, please…”
“Good night,” he said, before he turned and walked out of her room closing the door behind him.
Emily stared at the door not quite believing what had happened. He had not forgiven her and her worst fear was coming true. He wouldn’t even give her a chance to explain.
“I will not give up, Ethan. I will win your love back no matter how long it takes.”
Chapter 15
Ethan opened his bedchamber door and went inside. He knew that Emily was trying to be his wife especially when she had come to dinner in her wedding dress the first night of his return, but some hurts were not so easily fixed by a pretty dress or a smile. Even fifteen days later, he was smarting from her pronouncement on their wedding night that she didn’t love him. He could not seem to let it go. It would be best if he left for a while. Perhaps time and distance would ease his pain.
He ran his hand through his hair as he paced his room, still agitated. He didn’t know what Emily had wanted to say to him, but he wasn’t in the mood to hear it, especially if it was in the same vein as their previous conversation. A man can only take so much bruising to his ego.
He took off his jacket and threw it on the chair in the corner. Next came his cravat and he undid the top few buttons on his shirt. He thought about retiring for the night, but he was too wound up. Every time he saw his wife, it felt like there were two sides of him warring with each other. Love her, don’t love her—which would he choose?
“Damn.” It was no use, he would get no sleep tonight especially with his mind racing. He opened his bedchamber door and headed down to his study for a good, stiff drink.
***
Emily rose early the next morning in the hopes of talking to Ethan before he left even if it was just to wish him a safe trip. Perhaps he might allow her to kiss him goodbye. She didn’t wait for Rigal to appear, but dressed quickly and headed down to the dining room. Her face fell when she saw his discarded plate of food. She was too late. He’d already left without a word to her about where he was going or when he’d be back, if ever.
Molly walked back into the room to clear the dishes. “Good morning, Ma’am. Are you ready for breakfast?”
Emily nodded, hiding her disappointment. “Yes, thank you, Molly”
She sat down and waited for her tea. After a sparse breakfast, she left the table and made her way to the parlor. She walked to the desk along the far wall, pulled out the chair and sat down. She reached for a piece of stationary and began her letter.
My dearest Mia,
I hope this letter finds you well. I’d love to visit with you if you are feeling up for company. I have something I would like to discuss.
Always,
Em
She folded the letter and wrote “Mrs. Giles” on the front. She got up and picked up the silver bell that rested on the nearby table.
The housekeeper came into the parlor. “You needed something, Ma’am?”
“Yes, Mrs. Keats. Please have this letter delivered to Mrs. Giles, Mrs. Charles Giles?”
“Of course, Ma’am. Do you expect a response?”
“Yes, please have the courier wait while Mrs. Giles pens her reply.”
“Very good.” Mrs. Keats took the letter, turned and left the room.
Emily strolled over to the piano and sat down on the bench. When she was younger, music had always soothed her when she had too much on her mind. She didn’t think it would help now, but she began play some of her favorite tunes. It would help pass the time until she heard from Mia. She hoped it wouldn’t be too long although she had no idea how far away the Giles cottage was from the manor house. She had not paid much attention when they had ridden out to the home on her wedding night. She should have asked Mrs. Keats. It seemed to be her pattern of the last month. Either she said too much or not enough.
She breezed through most of the day trying to stay busy. It was late afternoon when Mrs. Keats found her in the parlor.
“Mrs. Richardson, your reply is here,” the housekeeper said holding the silver tray out to her.
Emily reached for the letter. “Thank you.” She tore open the letter, anxious to see what Mia said.
My dearest Em,
How wonderful to hear from you. I am indeed well and would like nothing better than to have you come for a visit. Please come at your earliest convenience and stay as long as you wish.
Always,
Mia
Emily breathed a sigh of relief. It would be good to see Mia and she desperately needed her sage advice. She turned toward Mrs. Keats who had stayed waiting for further instructions.
“Please tell Cook that I will take dinner in my room this evening.”
Mrs. Keats nodded. “Yes, Ma’am.”
Emily left the parlor and went up to her room in search of Rigal. She needed her to help pack a bag for her upcoming visit with Mia. She would leave tomorrow morning. She had no idea when Ethan would return. It could be a day, a week, a month, or never. Any place would be better than staying in this lonely house and she doubted that Ethan would come back before she returned from her visit with Mia.
She walked into her sitting room. “Rigal, are you here?”
“In here, Ma’am,” her lady’s maid answered.
Emily strolled into her bedchamber. “I will be going to visit Mrs. Giles for as long as a week. Could you please pack my trunk?”
“Of course. Is there anything special you’d like me to pack?”
“No, whatever you choose will be fine, I’m sure.”
“When are you leaving?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
“Everything will be ready for you.”
“Thank you, Rigal. I appreciate all your help. If Mr. Richardson returns from his business trip before I return, please let him know where I have gone.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
The next morning Emily came down for breakfast and informed Mrs. Keats that she was going for a visit to see Mrs. Giles. She would be gone for at least a week. By the time she finished her meal, her trunk had been brought downstairs and secured to the back of the carriage.
Rigal slipped her pelisse over her shoulders while Emily put on the bonnet and kid gloves.
“Thank you, Rigal. I shall see you next week.”
“Yes, Ma’am. Enjoy your visit.”
Emily nodded and strolled outside. The sun was beginning to warm the air. It was a grand day for a carriage ride. The driver had opened the door and extended his hand to help her inside. He closed the door and climbed up front to the driver’s seat and clicked the horses into action.
She settled back into the cushions and couldn’t help but admire the grandness of Ethan’s carriage. Short silk draperies hung from the windows if she desired privacy. She kept them open to see the countryside. Why hadn’t she noticed it before? The last time she’d been in the carriage was on her wedding day. Not a fond memory and thinking about Ethan made her heart lurch. She hoped Mia would advise her on how to win her husband’s affection back.
It took several hours to reach the Giles home. Emily enjoyed the ride through the surrounding countryside. The sun was high in the sky and the temperature had warmed considerably when they pulled up to the Giles cottage.
Mia was puttering in the garden when they drove up. She turned at the clip-clop of the horses and waved before walking over to the carriage.
Emily smiled when she saw her friend and barely contained her excitement. It was so good to see her.
The driver hopped down and opened the carriage door. Emily quickly descended the two stairs. “Thank you, Owen. Please return in one week’s time.”
“Yes, Mrs. Richardson,” he replied. He went to the back of the carriage, unloaded her trunk and carried it inside.
Emily and Mia hugged.
“Oh, Mia, how I’ve missed you,” Emily said.
“And I you. Please come in. You must be tired after your long journey.”
Emily nodded and the young women walked arm in arm into the modest cottage. The housekeeper met them at the door and took Emily’s pelisse, bonnet and gloves.
“Would you care for tea?” Mia asked.
“Yes, that would be wonderful.”
Mia turned to the housekeeper. “Mrs. Bridges, please have Mrs. Richardson’s trunk brought to the far room on the left and bring us some tea.”
“Of course, Mrs. Giles.”
Emily glanced at Mia’s growing middle. “You look wonderful. Being with child agrees with you. I’ve never seen you look more beautiful.”
Mia blushed. “I’ve never been happier in my life. Mr. Giles is a wonderful husband and I’m so excited to bring this child into the world. Mr. Giles, of course, wants a son. It would give me great pleasure to present him with an heir. The baby is strong and has been kicking nonstop.”
“Really?”
Mia took Emily’s hand and placed it on her belly. “Wait, you’ll feel a kick soon. The little one has been quite active all day.”
“Oh, I feel it. Does it hurt?”
“No, not at all,” Mia said. “Come, let’s go to the parlor where we can talk in private.”
“That’s sounds wonderful.”
After the tea was served and the housekeeper had left, Mia turned to Emily. “Em, what’s wrong? You look sad. What has happened?”
Emily wrung her hands, not sure where to begin, but there was no sense delaying any longer. It was why she’d come in the first place. She took a deep breath and began to explain. “I scarcely know how to tell you.”
Mia squeezed her hand. “Whatever it is, I’m here to help. Take your time.”
“I feel like…um…”
Mia sat still.
“I have driven my husband away,” Emily blurted out.
She watched Mia eyes widen in shock.
“What?”
Emily’s eyes welled with tears, but she blinked them back. “Ethan has left me to go on a business trip.”
“Oh, Em. Is that all? That is not so unusual. Mr. Giles travels for business as well. Ethan will return soon when his business is concluded.”
Emily shook her head. “No, you don’t understand. This is different.”
“Different? How?”
Emily spent the next half hour recounting the early days of her marriage. When she finished she slumped back against the couch pillow. “It’s all my fault. I fear that I will never see Ethan again.”
Mia sat still. “I see. This is indeed a grave situation, but I have an idea. Don’t worry, you’ll see him again. I’m sure of it.”
“But, how can you be so sure after everything that has happened. He can barely stand the sight of me these days?”
“Because I’ve read his love letters. That man is hopelessly in love with you.”
“Maybe at one time, but he was so cold to me the evening before he left.”
“Of course he was, but you must understand. It was a terrible mistake you made. You have wounded his pride. Men do not take well to that.”
“What am I to do? He won’t talk to me. I have tried on numerous occasions to apologize, but he has ignored me at every turn,” Emily said.
“The damage has been done and will not be fixed easily. You must woo him back.”
“Woo him? How can I do that if he’s not even around? Anything you can tell me, I’ll be happy to do it.”
Mia leaned in closer to her friend. “Good. Here’s how to win him back.”
Chapter 16
By the time the coach pulled up to the Richardson manor house a week later, Emily was feeling much better about her situation with Ethan. Mia had helped her as she hoped she would. Her time at the Giles cottage had been wonderful. They spent many hours talking like they used to before their respective marriages and it was just what she had needed. She felt energized and ready to tackle the plan to fix her own marriage. Seeing Mia and Charles together had been an inspiration. They were a couple clearly in love with each other. That’s what she wanted too and she was determined to fight for Ethan’s love.
“Welcome home, Mrs. Richardson,” Gileson said as he held the door open for her.
“Thank you, Gileson. Would you ask Mrs. Keats to meet me in the parlor.”
“Of course, Ma’am.” Gileson bowed and turned on his heels to find the housekeeper.
Rigal was waiting behind Gileson. “Welcome home, Ma’am.”
“Thank you, Rigal,” Emily said as she discarded her pelisse, hat and gloves into the capable hands of her lady’s maid. “I shall be upstairs shortly.”
The driver brought her trunk inside and followed Rigal upstairs.
Emily walked down the hallway to the parlor. Mrs. Keats was waiting for her. “Mrs. Keats, I will have some letters that will need to be delivered later today.”
“Yes, Ma’am. This letter arrived for you while you gone.”
Emily took the letter and broke the seal, hoping against hope, that it was from Ethan, but it was not to be. No letter had arrived from Ethan while she had been gone. No matter. She was not going to brood on it. “Thank you. I’ll ring for you when I’m finished.”
“Yes, Ma’am.” Mrs. Keats nodded and left the parlor.
Emily glanced down at the letter again. Lady Tisbury had invited her for dinner the day after next. She sat down at the desk and pulled out a piece of stationery.
Dear Lady Tisbury,
Thank you for your kind invitation for dinner. I shall be delighted to accept and am looking forward to seeing you.
Sincerely,
Emily Richardson
She folded the letter and sealed it before writing ‘Lady Tisbury’ across the front. Mia had given her sound advice on her next steps while Ethan was away and she planned on carrying through on them. She pulled out another sheet of paper and started on her next letter. After an hour, she had a stack of six letters to be delivered. She stretched her arms over her head and stood. She picked up the silver bell on the table and rang for the housekeeper.
Within moments Mrs. Keats appeared. “Yes, Ma’am?”
Emily handed her the stack of letters. Please have these letters delivered as soon as
possible.
“Of course, Ma’am. Shall the courier wait for any replies?”
Emily shook her head. “No, it’s not necessary.”
“Anything else, Ma’am?”
“Please tell Cook that I’d like my dinner sent up to my room.”
Mrs. Keats nodded and padded out of the room, leaving Emily alone again.
She picked up Lady Tisbury’s letter and headed upstairs to her own rooms. She was tired from the journey and wanted to rest a while before dinner.
Once inside her sitting room, she plopped down on the chaise, leaning her head against the pillow. She could hear Rigal in her bedchamber emptying her trunk.
“I’ll just rest a moment,” she murmured. She closed her eyes and quickly fell into an exhausted sleep and began to dream.
The candles flickered in the crystal chandelier sending prisms of colors--blues, greens, pinks and yellows--around the room. The musicians played a lively tune and the dance floor was awash in a sea of beautiful silk dresses as the couples floated around the room.
Ethan held her and it felt like her feet never touched the floor. He looked at her with love and longing in his eyes and she was happy, so very happy to have such a wonderful and handsome husband dancing with her.
“My darling, you look enchanting this evening,” he said. “I’ve never seen you look more beautiful.”
Her eyes sparkled and her lips curved up in a mischievous smile. “I see, Mr. Richardson. Perhaps last night is the reason…”
His rich baritone laugh caressed her skin light as a feather and she shivered with delight. She loved to tease him if only to hear that laugh.
“Well, Mrs. Richardson.”
“Yes, Mr. Richardson?” she asked as he swept her around the room.
“My darling Bright Star,” he said as his lips touched hers. “Mrs. Richardson, Mrs. Richardson….”
Emily startled awake.
Rigal was standing next to her. “Mrs. Richardson, your dinner tray is here.”
Age of Innocence Boxed Set (Books 1-3) Page 12
