“This should have been me, not him,” she said quietly. “The world is turned upside down.”
Before leaving London, Emily had sent a note to her parents saying she would be going to Linfield and was unsure when she might return.
It was now late afternoon after the old Duke had died and it looked as though Alice was not planning to return home right away.
The family was gathered in the library where tea was being served. Alice was seated with her grandmother, attempting to console her. Mark was standing by one of the windows looking out over the park, lost in thought. And Emily sat on the other side of the tea table, not quite certain how she could best help.
The Duchess rested her head on Alice’s shoulder and said, “I should like to return to my rooms now. Can you help me?”
“Certainly, Grandmamma.” And Alice assisted her grandmother to stand and they left the library together.
Mark did not acknowledge their leaving and was still standing at the window when Wesley came in and handed Mark a note. He turned from the window, opened the envelope and read the enclosed letter. When he was finished he dropped the hand holding the note and looked upset.
“Mark, how may I help you?” Emily asked.
Mark said softly, “I invited Miss Sophie to come say goodbye to Father, but she has declined to come, citing her aversion to unpleasantness.”
“Oh, Mark…” she said, rising from her chair and going over to him.
As she neared, he dropped the note on the floor and took Emily in his arms as he began to cry, almost uncontrollably, resting his head on her shoulder. And as she held him she felt his warmth and his strength seeping into her, yet she was the one supporting him at this moment.
His crying did not last long, and when he was finished, he continued to hold on to her, and she to him.
Emily could feel his heart beating and the sound resonated within her like the very music which she played—a low piano note humming through her whole body.
Suddenly, he broke free from her embrace and leaned forward and kissed her. Not a kiss on the forehead or the cheek, but a deep passionate kiss that both fully participated in.
Then, just as abruptly, Mark stopped kissing and pulled back, a look of stricken terror on his face.
“Miss Emily, I am so sorry. I do not know what came over me.”
“I do,” she said, “You just lost your father and you are not yourself.” But she was still vibrating and even shaking outwardly.
Mark put his hands on her shoulders and kept her at arm’s length as he looked at her in confusion. “I… I do not… Please forgive me,” he stammered. “This is not like me.”
But she had not controlled herself either and she now stepped away, overcome with guilt and remorse. But at the same time thrilled and excited.
“If you feel you must leave, I understand,” he said turning from her and pacing. “I shall make my carriage at your disposal.”
“I hope you do not think I was acting as Silas suggested I did,” she said suddenly afraid.
Mark turned to her, horror-stricken. “Never, Miss Emily. It was entirely my fault. My loss of control—triggered by my grief.”
Emily said meekly, “Then, yes, perhaps it is best if I leave. My family was not expecting my absence today and I should return. There is such a lot of change all at once in the household.”
“Very well.” Mark went to the bell pull and rang for assistance.
Wesley appeared. “Your Grace?”
“Call the carriage for Miss Emily and see that she gets safely home.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” Wesley said and left.
Mark began to get himself under control and asked, “Perhaps you can tell me the outcome of your meeting with Silas. You said there was a satisfactory conclusion?”
“There was, but Alice will give you all the details, as it was she who conducted the meeting.”
“Very well.” Mark stood looking at Emily, as she turned to leave.
“Emily, we still need to deal with your representation. Did Silas agree to undo the damage he did with Mr. Butler?”
Emily had to smile. “It seemed to be impossible for him to say it in words, but he nodded in agreement when Alice insisted that he recant his story. But Alice can give you all the details. I was mostly hidden through most of the interview.”
Now Mark laughed, “Hidden?”
“Again, Alice will give you the whole story.”
“Then I will contact you shortly after I have been in correspondence with Mr. Butler.”
“Mark. You have plenty of other things to do now with your father’s passing. Let that be your focus. Experience your grief and console your family.”
Mark gave a gentle nod and Emily left the library.”
The carriage ride home was the first time Emily had been totally alone, except when she was sleeping, for several days. What an extraordinary turmoil it had been recently. She could hardly register the ups and downs her life had gone through in the last few days. As she tried to take stock of her situation, she had truly no idea where she was in all of this. Her career was nearly over before it began with no certainty as to its outcome. And Mark… oh, heavens… Mark. She put her hand to her breast and tried to keep her heart from fluttering. But she realized, of course, that the kiss was nothing more than the violent reaction Mark had to the grief of his father’s passing.
Or was it? There was passion in that kiss—from both sides. She had to take responsibility for her reaction and she could not put all the blame on Mark.
But she also had to smile at Alice’s brilliant handling of Silas and relish his squirming as Alice managed to get him to relent to her demands. But the man was so slippery, who knew if he would comply with her requests or find a way to wiggle free?
She sighed, slipped back into the carriage seat and shut her eyes until they arrive at the outskirts of London.
Chapter 30
The notice in The Times read:
Regarding the Rumors Surrounding Miss Emily Dunn, lately of the Dunn trio
I, Mr. Silas Skeffington, impresario, do hereby refute all rumors surrounding Miss Emily Dunn and myself. There have been scandalous allegations about Miss Dunn’s behavior toward me and I assert, categorically, that they are all untrue. Miss Dunn is the very model of propriety. And I bid all who have been influenced by these rumors to erase all doubt from your mind as to the purity and innocence of the aforementioned Miss Dunn.
Even as Emily read through this notice the first time, she could see that Silas had framed the apology in such a way that he appeared to be completely innocent. And there was just the faintest lingering question—even though he was clearing her name—as to why this notice was even necessary, unless there was some truth to the allegation.
Emily put down The Times at the breakfast table. She had not been sleeping well ever since that terrible day at Mr. Butler’s office and she had been getting up early to look for Silas’s promised notice in the newspaper. And here it was. But it did not settle her mind. She did not trust Silas and would continue to be on the lookout for any of his nefarious undertakings.
Fortunately, he was no longer a presence in her family’s life since the disbanding of the Dunn trio. But he was still a part of Mark’s family and would always be lurking in the background as long as Mark was working with her to help establish her career.
Emily immediately thought about Alice and wondered if she had seen the notice, and if she had, what she might think of it. She wanted to rush over and see her, but it was the day of the old Duke’s funeral and she would be seeing her later, as Emily had been invited to the funeral at Linfield and Alice had promised to pick her up at nine o’clock and take her with the Savoy family. Emily did not know if the Savoys were going to take the twins, but suspected not. They were too young to even understand what it was all about—and they would be a nightmare to handle, even if they brought along the nanny.
Molly had brought Emily her tea, warm toast, and an egg cup.
It was quite lovely to eat by oneself, she thought—unburdened by the low simmering tension in the family. And then her mind drifted, as it often did, to Mark—and that kiss. And though it gave her pleasure to recall the event, it also disturbed her—not because of his action, but because of her response.
As often happened, that remembrance made her think of Linton. Sweet Linton. The boy Linton—who, while talented, was not yet a man. She had had a note from him just yesterday, saying he missed seeing her at the trio’s rehearsals—as they were now disbanded—and asked her to meet with him so they could discuss the pieces they wanted to play at their encore engagement at the café.
Emily knew she must respond, but with all the turmoil in her life these past days, the thought of a lighthearted performance at the café was the last thing she wanted to think about.
Mother and Papa came into the breakfast room at the same time and interrupted her thoughts and solitude. Emily slipped the newspaper to the floor beside her chair. Fortunately, Papa did not ask to read The Times, but engaged Mother in a conversation she initiated about the plans for Ruth’s wedding.
It had been decided that the wedding would be held in London, before the couple returned to Bristol after Spencer’s graduation, as Mother did not like the thought of Ruth following Spencer unless the knot had been tied.
And as the parents were discussing the venue for the wedding, Ruth came in and sat at her place at the table.
“No, Mother. We cannot have the reception here at the house. There is just not enough room, and it would disrupt the entire household for days on end,” Papa insisted.
“But we could use the garden,” Mother suggested.
“Still no,” Papa said firmly.
“But Papa,” Ruth spoke up, “Then where? All the places I have investigated have been booked, or are too small or disgusting.”
Emily then suggested, “I could speak to Fanny. Harrods has several fine rooms they let out for receptions that most people are not aware of. I am certain she could arrange it. And they are even capable of doing the catering.”
“What a splendid idea,” Ruth said, lighting up.
Mother nodded in reluctant agreement and Papa asked, “How much is that going to cost?”
“I will speak to Fanny and get all the details so you can decide, but remember, the wedding date is coming up shortly and there is not a lot of time to dither about.”
“Can you speak to her today?” Ruth asked.
“Not today. I have the funeral at Linfield.”
“Then I shall speak to her myself,” Ruth said. “As you say, we do not have a lot of time.”
Mother tutted. “Poor old Duke. He was not that old, was he?”
“Mother said you were there when he died,” Ruth commented.
“I was playing for him at the time. And I would like to think he passed serenely to the music he loved.”
No one responded to that delicate moment, so Emily rose, picked up the newspaper, tucked it under her arm, and excused herself. It was time to get ready for the funeral.
Mercifully, Alice and Chester had left the twins to Nanny’s care at home.
The mood in the carriage was somber, Alice, undoubtedly, thinking of her father. Chester, while supportive of his wife, seemed to be preoccupied with other matters—perhaps business related.
After a time, Emily asked Alice, “Did you see Silas’s notice in The Times this morning?”
Alice snapped out of her inner thoughts and replied. “No, I did not. So, the old reprobate came through, did he?”
Emily had cut out the notice and she now dug it out of her bag.
“Here,” she said, handing it to Alice.
Alice read it and looked up, quizzically. “What a strange notice.”
“Yes, I thought so too,” Emily replied.
“It is as though he was totally uninvolved and he is taking on your redemption as a favor.”
Emily laughed. “Yes, that is exactly it.” Then she had another thought. “Is he likely to be at the funeral?”
“I would expect so, unless Mark has banished him for some reason. And I feel certain he would have informed us, if that was the case.”
“I have to say, I am somewhat apprehensive about seeing him again.”
Alice made a fist and shook it. “Just let him try anything and I shall be your protector.”
Emily chuckled. “That is most reassuring.”
Eventually, the carriage arrived at Linfield and Emily was surprised to see the large number of people attending the funeral. The old Duke must have been much beloved.
As they left the carriage, Alice and Chester were directed to the library where the immediate family was gathering, and Emily was escorted to the room where she had given her recital—where the other guests were waiting.
Refreshments were offered and Emily wandered the room nodding to several people she recognized. And a few even spoke to her, recognizing her from the recital.
A few even looked at her askance and she wondered if they had read The Times notice and were reacting to that.
The funeral ceremony was to be held in the Linfield chapel and the burial was to be held at the family plot in a secluded part of the estate.
As the guests were ushered to the chapel, they were joined by the Linfield family. Mark caught Emily’s gaze and nodded, which she returned. Grandmother was dressed in a great deal of black lace and was dabbing her nose with a handkerchief as she was supported by Baggs and Silas. Alice and Chester were on either side of Mark who was leading the way.
The chapel was not large, and Emily wondered if all the guests would be able to fit inside for the funeral—but all did, although many needed to stand as there were not enough seats.
The family was in the left front row and Emily had found a seat to the left of the center aisle about halfway back.
A small organ played a Bach chorale partita. Emily could not help herself and found she was fingering the piece and critiquing the organ player for being far too slow and lugubrious—but it was a funeral, after all, so she forgave the musician.
Silas, who was in the far left front row next to Grandmother, kept turning around and glancing at Emily. But he made no move to contact her. Emily did not know if that was because he was tending to Grandmother, or because he felt restrained by Mark’s injunction.
Finally, when all were gathered, the funeral started. The chapel was close and hot with all these bodies, but the ritual of the funeral passed Emily by almost unnoticed, as she was distracted by the events of the past few days.
When the coffin was carried out by the pallbearers, Emily noticed Mark was leading and, as he passed her row, he gave her a quick, slight smile. And she was shocked to notice, that even that brief acknowledgment sent her heart racing and her palms sweating.
The casket was loaded into the hearse carriage and that was followed by the cortege of carriages assembled to transport the mourners to the gravesite.
The internment was brief and efficient, and the family led the way back to the cortege. Soon all were transported to Linfield Hall. Here was a reception buffet in the room where the guests had assembled previously.
The family was gathered at the entrance to the room and many important and powerful looking ladies and gentlemen filed by to offer their condolences. Emily held back and, not being escorted, was generally ignored. She had taken a small plate of food from the buffet table, as she had had little breakfast, and as it was well after noon, she was hungry.
Emily caught Alice looking over to her several times, and eventually Alice broke away from the family and came to her.
“How are you holding up?” Alice asked.
“I am fine, but what about you? This must be a very trying occasion for you.”
“We all knew Father was fading and would leave us soon, so we were prepared. Of course, one experiences the loss, but at the same time, I was expecting it, so it was not so much of a shock.” Then Alice remembered her task, and said, “Mark asked me t
o tell you he would like to have a word with you as soon as the condolences are finished.”
A chill rushed through Emily’s body at that, but she remained calm. “Of course. And when are you and Chester thinking of leaving?”
“Oh, I haven’t told you. Mark asked us to stay the night. Grandmother is taking this badly. To lose a child is always wrenching. And he feels having the family around her will help.”
“Oh,” Emily said, not sure how she would get home.
“You are welcome to stay here, of course. I believe the room you occupied before is still available to you. But transportation can certainly be arranged if you need to return home.”
A Dashing Duke for Emily Page 25
