Red Crystal Romance: #1 Emma

by Diroll-Nichols, Karen

  “Mrs. Green makes the best pasties,” Nancy admitted.

  Emma saw her hesitation and pushed the coins at her. “Please. Join me. My treat.”

  “Thank you, Miss,” she took the coins and went to wait her turn in the line.

  Emma listened to the chatter as she ate.

  “Friend of yours, Nan?” A deep voice asked.

  “His lordship’s fiancé,” Nancy answered politely.

  “The young Earl’s takin’ a bride?”

  Emma heard the distinct murmur of surprise from more than one of the people hovering around the cart, munching on the pies. She choked on a bite of tender potatoes and carrots.

  “Nancy!” Emma hissed, meeting the gaze of the other woman. “Lucas is an Earl?”

  “Yes, Miss,” Nancy moved forward in the line and paid money for her choice.

  “An American? Marryin’ the Earl?”

  Emma sighed and took another bite of her pie, chewing thoughtfully.

  “Yes, I am an American,” she gazed around at the people suddenly paying attention. “I’m pretty sure it’s not my fault, though. No one asked where I’d prefer to be born,” she said with a smile when her comment received a few chuckles.

  “Don’t seem like high-brow society,” remarked a man looking her over.

  “Heard he won you,” chirped a young voice.

  “Or my idiot father lost me,” Emma shrugged. “I’m sure it’s not much of a secret. Yes, I have an idiot for a father,” she sighed dramatically. “I’m also sure some of you can say the same thing. But again, I wasn’t asked what I wanted. Perhaps I should take out a few lines in the local newsprint so people don’t have to speculate on how I came to be engaged to Lucas.”

  Emma decided it was definitely interesting watching the variety of people trying not to stare at her. At least the servants and shop keepers had the nerve to look her in the eye. The well-dressed, upper-class people, mostly women, she noticed, hastily looked away when she caught them watching her. And the men, stared outright without a single hesitation.

  She sighed, finished off the pie and dusted her fingers against the skirt of her dress. Emma smiled at Nancy and stood up.

  “I’m going to the book shop,” she gestured down the walk to the sign. “You can find me when you’ve finished. Don’t rush…it’s a gorgeous day out.”

  But Emma was distracted as she passed a very fancy shop with velvet curtains and lace that spelled out lingerie. A whole new world, her mind chimed as she stepped into the large open space. The walls were lined with shelves that were filled with labeled boxes and delicate looking samples on display.

  She read the labels and decided she definitely liked her type of undies.

  She wanted to touch the fabric but didn’t want the hawkish woman striding toward her to be upset. Well, more upset than she already appeared. Slips of all lengths with various types of laces around the bottoms. Chemise. An under-dress that went from simple and plain to ornate. Emma decided she liked the ornate ones with bits of lace. Hmm…not pantaloons, she thought, reading the label calling her underwear drawers, with cotton strings to tie and hold them in place and split underneaths. Emma considered the possible reasons and couldn’t stop the giggle. Then there were the corsets.

  “Is there something I can assist you with, miss?” Doubt dripped from her words. “Are you shopping for your mistress?”

  “Mistress? No…no mistress. But you can probably help me,” Emma answered vaguely, returning to the chemise section and gesturing to two that she really liked. “One of each of those. And some of these,” she moved to the drawers and picked out the shortest ones. She was a natural girl of comfort and these were thick enough not to be see-through.

  She wandered to the next collection of displays and touched the thin shoulder straps of the camisole. “I think a couple of these, too, please. This one…” she moved to another with short cap sleeves and gorgeous fine lace down the front. “And this one. You do have them in my size?”

  “Miss…”

  “Carstairs,” Emma offered her palm. “Emma Carstairs.” She shook the woman’s hand and reached into her pocket for the small purse she’d placed the coins in. “I have money,” she reached inside and brought out a handful of coins.

  “Miss!” Nancy burst through the door. Her gaze briefly swept the inside before landing on Emma.

  “Just buying a few things,” Emma told her with a grin. “Want something? I’m buying.”

  “Oh. No. Thank you, Miss.”

  Emma saw the strong tint of red on her cheeks. “It’s okay, Nancy. Just some girl things.”

  “Yes, miss.”

  “I don’t suppose Lucas has an account in this shop?”

  “You are a resident of Eastbourne?” The woman asked.

  “I am now,” Emma sighed.

  “She is engaged to Adrian Lucas St. Christopher,” Nancy provided helpfully.

  “That’s his full name?” Emma arched both brows. “Impressive. You British really get involved in these titles. No offense,” she added quickly.

  “I can easily set up an account for you,” the woman said quickly and returned to her desk for a note pad and pencil. The young Earl always paid his accounts in a timely manner.

  “Thank you. That does make it easier,” Emma sighed, the woman’s words echoing inside her mind. A resident of Eastbourne.

  “Shall I have these items delivered?”

  “Oh, no, I can take them with me, thank you,” Emma moved to the door and stood staring out into what was her new home. Her new now. Even as she watched the bustles, the carriages, the horses and the various other people she considered part of history, she heard the word impossible. Six impossible things. She forced her eyes closed and shook her head. Rambling is never a good thing when it verges on hysteria.

  “I’ll be outside,” Emma announced quickly, and stepped into the midday sunshine. She leaned against the brick and wooden structure and pulled deep drafts of air into her lungs.

  She knew she was playing games with herself. She’d close her eyes over and over, count and open them expecting the normal world she knew would reappear. But it never did.

  “Are you ill, Miss?” Nancy came out quickly behind her, carrying a small paper package. “We should return to the house.”

  “That would be best,” Emma agreed, pushing herself upright and walking down the walkway they had come up. She decided to ignore the people staring and whispering. It was either ignore them or end up in too many arguments to count.

  “I can fetch the carriage, Miss,” Nancy hurried after her.

  “No. A walk will be good for me,” Emma answered, forcing herself to smile.

  “Perhaps it was too soon after the accident,” Nancy said as they walked.

  “Perhaps,” Emma said absently, gazing out toward the beach as they passed the last of the shops. “Did you complete your errands? I can sit here and wait for you, Nancy.”

  “All finished, Miss,” she said cheerfully. “They will deliver everything before the day is out.”

  “That’s a nice thing.”

  “Most of the shop keepers owe his lordship for helping keep the buildings in good repair.”

  “Owe him?”

  “Yes, miss, his lordship owns some of the buildings. I think he uses them to test his machines,” she confided with a little laugh.

  “He certainly has a very busy workshop,” Emma commented idly, recognizing their carriage and frowning. “Where would Daniel go?”

  “The tavern,” Nancy suggested.

  “Can you navigate this thing?”

  “I…yes, Miss…”

  “Then we’re going home,” Emma climbed up into the carriage seat and waited while Nancy handed her the packages she carried. “We’ll just go slow.”

  “If you’re sure, miss,” Nancy climbed into the carriage and carefully started the horses trotting along the beach road. “He’ll be angry.”

  “He won’t be working in the house after today, so I d
on’t care,” Emma said simply. “I don’t like being ogled like I’m a pork chop in the butcher shop window. And I don’t care for any man who makes unwanted advances.”

  Emma leaned back against the seat and just stared.

  “Why hasn’t Lucas found a wife?”

  “Excuse me, miss?”

  “You work for him. I know you listen and learn,” Emma said. “Tell me what you know about Lucas.”

  “He…he works very hard in his shop.”

  “How long have you worked there?” Emma sighed.

  “My father has been his lordships’ assistant for over five years. I’ve always come and gone, taking him meals and watching,” Nancy said thoughtfully.

  “Did he attend social gatherings? Did mothers introduce him to their daughters?” Emma pressed.

  “I don’t know, miss.”

  “It’s okay. I don’t suppose it really matters,” Emma gripped the side of the carriage as they approached the house. “You’re very good with the horses.”

  “Thank you,” Nancy straightened slightly and met the smile Emma offered.

  “I can take these to my room with me,” Emma told her, lifting the paper tied with a string and hopping down from the carriage. “When the stuff I bought is delivered, just put it into the library for me, please.”

  “Yes, miss.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Emma looked down at her dress as she walked up the three wide steps to the porch and reached for the door handle. The inside of the foyer was cool and dark and pulled a soft sigh from her. No Daniel to open the door for her but she heard voices murmuring along the hall from the library. She took a resolute breath and headed to the library, deciding to get the Daniel issue out of the way before she went upstairs and lay down.

  “You spoke to people who were on the boat from America?”

  Emma listened to the level, analytical voice of Lucas and smiled. Her hand came up and she was about to knock on the partially open door when the second voice responded.

  “I spoke with the Captain of the ship she traveled on, as well as a few of the staff. They gave me names of several passengers,” Harris answered.

  “She can’t recall any of it,” Lucas said quietly. “Perhaps whatever drug they used on her, helped eradicate her memory. As well as the carriage accident.”

  “There would be a certain pleasure in having access to her father for answers, even if those answers came with…coercion.” Harris did not sound like he would mind the task at all, Emma thought.

  “I don’t see him volunteering information. And what information that he uttered would surely be tainted with his version of events, not actuality.”

  Emma listened to the dry, almost angry tone to Lucas’ words and tapped on the door.

  “Lucas?”

  “Come in, Emma,” Lucas called out.

  Emma pushed the door open and stood inside the frame. “I’m sorry if I’m interrupting,” she began, glancing around and confirming that it was definitely Harris, who was standing by the open patio doors, his hands clasped behind his back as he turned to face her.

  “Hi, Mr. Harris,” Emma said.

  “Good afternoon, Miss Carstairs.”

  “How was your shopping trip?” Lucas frowned and pushed away from the desk. “Emma, what’s wrong? You’re looking very pale.”

  “Oh, nothing, I’m fine,” she waved her fingers dismissingly, both arms holding the package close to her middle. “Maybe just a little tired.”

  “I shall return when you’ve finished, sir,” Harris said with a look at Lucas.

  “No,” Emma said quickly. “Please. I don’t know how to…what the protocols are here but I need to talk to you both. It’s about Daniel,” she let the words rush out before she changed her mind.

  Harris stood up a little straighter. “Is there a problem, Miss Carstairs?”

  “Nancy drove the carriage home. I think Daniel is in the pub or tavern…not sure what it’s called here,” Emma began, her gaze on the floor as she paced. “But the main problem is…unwelcome advances and his general demeanor towards girls. I don’t want him around the house. I don’t want him around Nancy or any of the other girls who work for you, please. When Mr. Harris looks at us, he looks at us like we’re real people with minds and feelings. When Daniel looks at us, it’s like we’re a pork chop in the butcher’s window and I don’t like it at all.”

  Emma finally let herself take in a breath, peeking up slowly.

  They were silent, both of them watching her.

  “You don’t believe me.”

  Lucas came from behind the desk, his palm gesturing for her to sit in the well-cushioned chair at the side.

  “Please, Emma, sit down. You truly do appear pale.”

  “I’ll freshen the water,” Harris said, carrying the pitcher from the room, his foot falls echoing back to her.

  “I’m not making it up. I’m not lying. I do not want him around Nancy, Lucas. Please,” Emma sat on the edge of the chair, the paper bound package hugged against her ribs.

  “We’d discussed Daniel earlier,” Lucas said quietly, moving to lean against the edge of the desk. “Harris is going to give him one chance but it won’t be here at the house. He’ll be working at the stables with Jenner.”

  “You believe me?”

  “Yes, Emma, I believe you. I might appear absent-minded, but I do observe and listen to what occurs around me,” Lucas told her.

  “I don’t think you’re absent-minded,” she responded quickly. “I don’t. I know you have a lot of things on your mind. And I know he behaves differently when you or Mr. Harris are in the area. He frightens Nancy and I don’t like that.”

  “Does he frighten you?”

  “I suppose he should. But I don’t frighten easily,” Emma admitted with a little shrug. “It doesn’t matter the year…or even the country, I suppose. Men who believe they have the right to behave a certain way, simply do. And generally it’s women and children at the brunt of the violence.”

  “I offer my apologizes for that particular breed of male and the grief they’ve caused you, Emma. I can only promise you that it will not be that way around our home,” Lucas had finally spoken after a lengthy silence.

  “I was afraid you’d be angry with me,” Emma admitted slowly, her arms tightening around the package she held when Lucas abruptly faced her and dropped to his heels. She scooted away on the chair, sinking into the back and staring.

  “Water, Miss Carstairs,” Harris entered the room and held the tray out to Lucas.

  Emma watched Lucas take the glass and hold it out to her. Thirsty, she took the glass and drank deeply.

  “Harris and I were discussing the fact that Daniel did not quite have the proper demeanor for attending people at the house, particularly, the women who work and live here,” Lucas stood up and moved to sit behind the desk.

  “Will you watch for Nancy? I don’t want him hurting her,” Emma looked from one to the other. “He’ll blame her for the…I just know he’ll blame her.”

  “It will be taken care of, Emma, I promise you,” Lucas assured her.

  “Thank you. Both of you,” she quickly drank the rest of the water and stood up. Looking around, she put the glass on the tray that had been set on the desk. “I’m going upstairs for a while. I asked Nancy to put the things I bought in here when they’re delivered.”

  “That’s fine,” he waited until she looked at him. “Would you like a desk in the room, Emma? We have extra furniture and you may select one. It would fit nicely where you’ve set up your portion of the library.”

  Emma knew she was staring. She also realized her mouth had dropped open just a little. She snapped it shut quickly and swallowed. Not trusting her voice, she nodded rapidly.

  “Then when you’re feeling better, let Nancy know and she’ll take you to the store room behind the kitchen.”

  ****

  Lucas wasn’t sure how he managed to keep himself from the captive mayhem coursing through him. It
had been a very long time since he’d wanted to strike something with the fierceness he felt at the moment.

  “You will handle the issue with Daniel,” he said ruthlessly.

  “Immediately,” Harris answered, his voice equally hard. “I did not know he was behaving inappropriately towards Nancy.”

  “Neither did I, Harris,” Lucas tipped his head back. “I’m grateful for Emma’s straight-forward nature. Secure the door. I do not want Emma disturbed by your information.”

  “She has a strong nature.”

  “She should have remained in bed until the bruises and scrapes had healed,” he shook his head. “I have doubts she can be contained. Tell me of what you’ve learned.”

  “The servants working for the transport all had the same impressions,” Harris began his report, hands behind his back as he paced across the library. “Emma Carstairs was unconscious from the time they brought her on board until she departed. Both times, she had been carried on a stretcher. A carriage awaited their arrival and, again, according to those watching, her father was keenly in attendance and swore to all who would listen that he was taking his daughter to a physician who knew how to deal with her ‘condition’. Needless to say, no one ever asked about said condition.”

  “Emma appears quite healthy. Perhaps her shopping trip tired her today, but she’s had no complaints.” Lucas went over the last few days in his mind. “This is sounding as if it had been well planned from the very beginning, Harris.”

  “So it would appear,” Harris agreed. “They had reserved very nice rooms in Lord Davenport’s home.” He stopped pacing to watch his friend’s reaction.

  Lucas raised an eyebrow behind his spectacles. “Carstairs is acquainted with Davenport?”

  “More likely your father is acquainted with Davenport.”

  “And so the mystery deepens,” Lucas murmured. “Pray, continue.”