“It depends, Your Grace, on whether you trust me or not.”
That seemed to surprise Mark. “I simply want to get to the truth.”
“And how do you propose to do that? Are you going to interview Mr. Skeffington? Are you going to interrogate me? What is your plan?” She was angry now—feeling slightly betrayed by Mark who, she thought, had not given her his full trust.
“I would like to visit Alice,” he said. “I want you to tell us both your story and how you think this terrible accusation might have happened. She knows Silas. She knows the music business, and she is a woman. I think it is the fairest way to approach this.”
Emily immediately thought that was an excellent idea, and it somewhat restored her faith in Mark.
“Do you know if she will be at home?”
“I expect she is either working or dealing with the twins. As she so often tells me, that is her life these days.”
They took Mark’s carriage to the Savoy residence and were admitted and ushered to Alice’s study where she was at work. She looked up when they entered.
“Oh, it is you two. How did the meeting with Butler go?”
“Not at all well,” Emily spoke up. “We desperately need your attention and advice.”
“Oh… Very well, then. I shall retire with you to the sitting room. And as it is almost lunchtime, will you join me in a simple meal? Nothing fancy on days when Mr. Blake is writing,” she said with a wink to Emily.
Alice had the housemaid set a luncheon table for the three of them in the sitting room and, as they sat down to eat, Mark began by explaining the explosive meeting at the agent’s.
It was clear that Alice was deeply shocked, and she immediately replied. “I do not for a single second think that accusation is true.” She put her hand on top of Emily’s and squeezed it. “My dear, do you have any explanation for how this might have happened?”
“I do. But it is a torturous story.”
“I want to hear the all of it,” Mark insisted.
Emily then told them of Silas’s persistent pursuit—and demands that she accept his suit. She then related how that evolved, when she continued to reject him, into him trying to force himself on her. She described his threats, at the Linfield weekend, to ruin the trio if she did not acquiesce to his demands to go with him to his house to see his harpsichord.
Both Alice and Mark were stunned at the end of her recitation. They looked at each other unable to speak for a moment.
Then Alice said, “Mark, something must be done about this. I have no doubt of the veracity of Emily’s statement. Even though Silas is our uncle, I have always felt there was a darkness in him. But until now, I have never seen it play out.”
Mark added, “I too have sensed that darkness, but felt it was his torment to deal with, and I never delved further. But this is a serious accusation against him, and I agree that something must be done. What do you suggest?”
“What are our options?” Alice asked.
“The timing could not be worse. Father is very near his end. Grandmamma is most likely bereft and in no state to face this issue.”
“But Silas is not her concern. He is not blood to her, as he was mother’s brother and not of the Linfield family. It needs to be the two of us who deal with him.”
“You wish to be involved?”
“Most certainly,” Alice insisted. “Emily is my dear and trusted friend and I shall not abandon her.”
“Very well, then I shall invite Silas to visit us here, if that suits you.” He suggested. “Silas will not suspect the nature of our interrogation until it is too late.”
Emily spoke up, “But certainly he must know that Mr. Butler will have informed us of his visit by now. He cannot think he will not be challenged if you are present.”
“Emily is right,” Alice said. “I should be the one to invite him and not mention you. I shall base the invitation on some other pretext.”
Mark continued to consider the situation and said, “But dealing with Silas will not solve the problem of what has happened to Emily, even if he issues her an apology. She has lost her reputation and her representation. And that is an even greater challenge.”
Emily turned to Mark and asked. “Then you believe my story, finally?”
Mark hesitated but said, “I never disbelieved you.”
“But you had doubts?”
Mark frowned. “There were momentary flashes of concern.”
“But no longer?” Emily asked.
“None.”
“Then what is to be done?” Alice questioned.
Mark looked greatly conflicted. “I must urgently return to Linfield and see to Father. But at the same time, I fear that any delay in dealing with this matter will only make it worse for Emily, as the accusation against her spreads through the music community.”
Alice was deep in thought, and then she raised her finger. “Let Emily and me deal with this. You go to Father and we will handle Mr. Silas.”
Mark had to chuckle. His sister certainly did have spirit. “Very well, but keep me constantly updated.”
“We shall,” Alice said, “And where do you think Silas is? In town? Or at his home?”
“He just recently visited with Mr. Butler, so I suspect he is still in town.” Mark paused, and then said, “And you feel comfortable taking this on? Silas is crafty and can be ruthless. I do not want to put you in any jeopardy.”
“Mark, my beloved brother, I think we can take care of ourselves. And if he becomes threatening, I shall unleash the twins upon him. Go.”
Mark stood, but added, “I give you full power to speak for me. If you need to call upon the family’s authority, it is yours to wield.”
Alice nodded. “Fear not. I have every reason to believe we can handle this situation.”
“Then, if you ladies will excuse me, I must get back to Linfield.”
Mark kissed Emily’s hand and his sister on the cheek and left.
Alice and Emily were left alone and they just looked at each other—both seeming to be in a state of wonderment.
Then Alice snapped back and said, “Silas has long coveted a painting of mine that I have refused to sell him. I shall write him a note and suggest that I am willing to sell the painting to him, but I have another buyer who is willing to take it from me immediately. That should get him over here post haste.”
“What a conniving family you all are,” Emily said with a laugh.
“Are we not!”
Alice had invited Silas to tea at four o’clock to discuss the painting, if he was still interested. She had had no reply to her hand-delivered note, so both Emily and she were on tenterhooks as they waited to see if he would show up.
Just before four o’clock, a carriage pulled up in front of the house and from the front window, Alice could see it was Silas.
“You best wait in my study. If he sees you, he will be on guard. And I need him to be vulnerable.”
“Oh, no, I want to hear everything that transpires, and if he lies, I am ready to pounce,” Emily said defiantly.
“Very well, then. There is the wood closet next to the fireplace. Hide there and listen.” Alice laughed. “And I believe I would do the same thing.”
Emily entered the wood closet but kept the door ajar just enough to see and hear what might transpire.
The housemaid ushered Silas into the room, hat in hand. Alice was seated at the piano, playing a simple tune.
“Alice, good afternoon.”
“Silas,” she said, showing nothing of her intentions.
Silas went over and stood before the painting he coveted. “So, you have finally agreed to sell this to me?”
“Perhaps. I have had a very generous offer from an art dealer, and I am tempted. But as you have always expressed such an interest in that painting, I decided to let you have the first refusal.”
“And what is the gentleman offering?”
“Five hundred.”
Silas sucked in air. “Oh, that
is far beyond what I consider it to be worth,” he said, turning to face Alice.
“Very well, then it shall be his.”
“Wait, not so fast,” Silas insisted, moving closer to her.
Alice rang the small bell on top of the piano and the maid appeared.
“We shall have tea now, please.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Alice rose from the piano and went to the tea table by the fireplace. From there it was easy for Emily to see and hear the conversation without revealing herself.
Alice engaged Silas in light banter until the tea was served and they had settled into a comfortable conversation. Then Alice paused and eased into her attack.
“By the way, Uncle, what has brought you to London? I seem to remember you saying over the weekend, that you had business at home this week.”
Silas shifted uncomfortably in his chair and hesitated before saying, “An urgent matter came up that demanded my presence in London.”
“Might it have included a visit to Mr. Graham Butler?”
Silas became rigid and glared at Alice.
“To whom have you been speaking?”
“Why, to Mark and Emily, of course.”
Silas relaxed and smiled, “Then you have heard about Miss Emily’s scandalous behavior?”
“Scandalous, perhaps, but not her behavior—yours, Silas.”
Silas stood. “How dare you accuse me—the innocent party in her outrageous attempt to further her career by offering to compromise herself.”
Alice inclined her head. “Our Emily? I think not. I know her very well and cannot believe for one moment that she could be capable of such an act of disgrace.”
“I assume you spoke to her after she was denied representation by Mr. Butler.”
“I did. And her story is entirely different than the one you libelously gave Mr. Butler.”
“And her proof?”
“Her character,” Alice said. “And yours, I might add.”
“How dare you!” he demanded. “You take her word over the word of a member of your own family?”
Alice leaned forward in her chair and said with great assurance, “I most certainly do, and so does Mark.”
Silas appeared unable to come up with a suitable response and Alice continued, “And I think it would be best Uncle, if you returned to Mr. Butler immediately and recanted your statement. And to anyone else to whom you might have related this lie. And for good measure, take out an announcement in The Times clearing Emily of all wrongdoing, and apologize.”
“I most certainly will not. Miss Emily is a complete liar.”
Alice turned to the wood closet, and asked, “Is that true, Emily?”
Silas took a step backward as Emily presented herself and she stood next to Alice.
Emily was as firm as an oak tree as she said, “Mr. Skeffington, you know the truth, as do I, and now Alice and Mark. I highly recommend you follow Alice’s direction.”
“Or else what?” Silas asked, definitely. “It is her word against mine. I shall speak to Mark about this—man to man. He will understand.”
“Mark has given me full authority to represent him in this matter and we are in complete agreement on this.”
“And if I chose not to do as you say?”
“Then, you shall be completely banned from the family. Mark has given me full authority to do whatever is necessary to break you, if need be. And I can assure you that, when the Duchess learns of your behavior, you will, most certainly, no longer be in her favor. And you know what that means when it comes to her will. Remember, Mark is a very powerful man. With his contacts in the musical world, he will do to your career what you tried to do to Emily’s—ruin it. Dismiss this warning at your own peril, Silas.”
Silas was frozen in a glare. “I never thought, Alice, you would jeopardize your reputation for a tarnished woman like Miss Emily, but I can see I was wrong. And I guess that was my mistake.”
“Then you will do as we ask?” Alice asked, not letting up on Silas and ignoring his slur.
He nodded, picked up his hat and started to leave. But he stopped at the door and turned back to her, and asked, “So, I guess that means that the painting is not for sale?”
“Oh, Silas, you never change, do you?” Alice said, with a sigh, but inciting both her and Emily to laughter as he exited the sitting room.
Chapter 29
When Mark arrived back at Linfield Hall, he found his grandmother seated at his father’s bedside, looking as though she had not slept last night. The nurse and doctor were both standing close by, observing, but apparently unable to do anything to help. His father’s breathing was labored and sporadic and he was not conscious.
He went over and put his hand on his grandmother’s shoulder and she reached up and put a reassuring hand on his.
Mark turned to the doctor who shook his head, answering the unasked question. Mark then went over to the table beside his father’s bed, wound up and started playing his music box. He then turned to his father and said, “Sorry Father, I wish I could have Miss Emily here to play for you again, but this will have to do to send you to your just reward.” He turned to his grandmother. “Is there anything I can do for you? Anything you need?”
She shook her head, obviously trying desperately to hold herself together.
Mark went to his father’s desk and wrote a short note to Sophie telling her of his father’s imminent passing and suggested she might want to come as soon as possible. He turned to a footman standing nearby and handed him the note. “Please see this is delivered to Miss Sophie as soon as possible.”
“Yes, Your Grace.” And he left the room.
Mark pulled up a chair next to his grandmother, and he took her hand. “Now,” he said, “There is nothing to do but wait.”
The Savoy carriage arrived at Linfield Hall. Alice and Emily quickly stepped out and went up to the entranceway. They were not expected, so there was no one to greet them. But Wesley, having been informed that someone had arrived, came scurrying out of the back, while still putting on his coat.
“Mrs. Alice, Miss Emily, welcome on this sad occasion,” he said.
“Has Father passed?” she asked.
“Not yet, the family is holding a vigil at his bedside. Do you wish to join them?”
“I do. And Miss Emily has come with me to pay her respects.”
“Of course, is there anything you require, Mrs. Savoy?”
“Not at the moment.”
“I should like some water,” Emily said.
“There is a tray with water in the room. You may partake there or I can fetch you some now.”
“We should go up now,” Alice said.
Emily nodded and they went up to the ex-Duke’s room.
Mark broke into a grin when he saw the two women enter. Alice went directly to her father’s bedside as Emily held back in respect. Mark made way for Alice and went over to see Emily, taking her hands in his.
“I am sorry to ask at such a time, but how did the meeting with Silas go?” he asked.
“I will give you the details later, but we accomplished our goal.”
“I am happy to hear that. You must be greatly relieved.”
“I do not know how I am. So much has happened since I arose this morning, I only feel numb right now.”
“I can well understand,” Mark said.
Emily looked up at Mark and asked, “Is there anything I can do?” She heard the music box playing, and offered, “Would it be an imposition if I were to play for him? I see the piano is still in the room.”
“Oh, Emily, that would be wonderful. But something soft and soothing,” he said shutting off the music box.
“Of course.”
She first took a glass of water from the sideboard and then went to the piano, lifted the lid off the keys and began to play the children’s songs the old Duke had responded to so happily when she had played for him previously.
Mark took Alice in his arms and held her as
they listened to the music. It was a lovely moment for the two of them and they felt comforted when the music finally ended.
The doctor came over to Mark, and said, “Your Grace, your father is gone.”
Alice turned to Mark and buried her head in his shoulder, as the Duchess stood, with the nurse’s help, and went over to the bed, and took her son’s hand and kissed it.
A Dashing Duke for Emily Page 24
