Chapter Nineteen
Answers were notto be found on the passing streets outside of the coach’s window, but Emma studied them, nevertheless. If she was to escape this madness, she had to keep her wits about her. Unfortunately, her brain had been scrambled properly by the person with whom she shared the coach. Why had she not realized who was responsible for her attack before tonight? Emma still did not know the “why,” but the “who” shifted her chances for survival back in her direction.
She knew with confidence that Mrs. Ottoway had alerted Lords Orson and Graham, both of whom had special training in dealing with those hoping to overthrow the government. Surely, they would discover a means to rescue her, but, in case they could not, Emma did not mean to go away without a fight. Moreover, Lord Orson had declared his affection for her, and she meant to learn more of the man and how she might fit into his world.
Lord Orson had brought her to his “family,” and she never wanted to leave it. She wanted Lady Theodora as a sister and Lords Beaufort and Marksman and Thompson, and, especially Lord Graham, as her brothers. She wanted all of them married with children and sharing special days in each of their lives.She wished for family, as did each of Lord Duncan’s sons. They were the family of which she had always dreamed—proving love meant more than blood, and, if her parents did not wish her in their lives, she would create her own family. As she silently declared her dream, a revelation Emma had never thought to accept arrived—she must begin again, without her parents.
Initially, it had hurt to realize she liked Lord Duncan more than she did her own father; yet, she had easily accepted that she wished, finally, to know a family of her own and to know friendship and affection and laughter, and no longer know loneliness and isolation. In the past week, Emma had become quite addicted to Lord Orson’s kisses and the way he said her name in those moments when they were wrapped in each other’s arms. She was also quite addicted to his devotion to protect her. From Lord Duncan to Lady Theodora to all of Richard’s brothers, she desired all their devotion.
When Lord Orson had told her he had purchased a special license, she had been too frightened about how she might destroy his well-organized life, but if she had another opportunity to accept, she would do so by launching herself into his arms.
“Why are you smiling?” her carriage mate demanded.
Emma felt the blood drain from her face. She had been too caught up in her hopes for a future to recall she should be learning something of their destination. “Where do we travel?” she asked, ignoring the previous question directed to her.
“I fear you must share a room with me this evening. Not fancy, like at Donoghue House with its high ceilings and ornate carvings, but functional, nevertheless. Tomorrow, I will offer you to both Lord Davidson and Lord Orson to see who bids the most for you.”
A jolt of recognition meant to rob Emma of her breath: She had already been in this situation. “In case you were unaware, I have reached my majority.”
“I can guarantee your silence. A gun at your back might suffice, though I prefer a knife, as you found out previously,” her captor declared.
“Perhaps my choice might be to have you commit murder,” Emma said stubbornly. “I shan’t be made to marry where I do not wish.”
“Not even Lord Orson?”
“His lordship has already asked me to marry him, and I refused,” Emma declared to change the temperature of their conversation. Then she added a made-up tale to throw off her captor’s assurance. “Lord Orson would not wish to force me into a joining. As to Lord Davidson, his lordship’s associates were captured in Buckinghamshire. Such is why we were all in Bletchley. According to the men who were captured, Davidson was to marry Lady Shannon this morning in a ceremony at her ladyship’s home. I was told I was Davidson’s preference because I am younger than Lady Shannon, but her ladyship was more than willing, whereas I was not, for Lady Shannon wished the title of countess.”
“I have already sent word to Davidson. We will see if the man still wants you or not, and as to your claims of Lord Orson, I do not believe you. Orson is quite infatuated with you. I have viewed him watching you—studying you.”
“Such does not mean Lord Orson would marry me without affection,” Emma declared. “I could not speak of my desire to be his wife; therefore, Lord Orson withdrew his offer.”
“Impossible. I watched you all walk together to the square.”
Emma shrugged. “I do not know what to say to convince you. If you knew anything about Lord Orson’s parents, you would understand. Surely, like me, you have heard all the rumorsregarding his lordship’s parents. They despised each other, and both had lovers and unwanted children. His lordship does not wish to repeat history. You erred in your estimation of the man.”
“Close your filthy mouth or I shall close it for you. Permanently. What do you know about parental affection?”
Emma did not respond. Instead, she turned her head, though she was still wary of her captor, she understood that the power struggle between them had once more shifted in Emma’s favor.
When Richard returnedto the room, Duncan and Theodora had just arrived, and Graham was making his explanations. “I am thankful you arrived so quickly,” he told them as he presented Duncan a manly embrace, which was more for Richard’s sake than Duncan’s. Richard required both the man’s insights and Duncan’s strength of character if there was to be a satisfying ending to this night.
Theodora shared, “Father dismissed Mrs. Braylon earlier, so we decided to join Hartley’s parents and a few others while the woman ‘carried her dudgeon from room to room,’ as Mrs. Chester described Mrs. Braylon’s exit.”
“According to my housekeeper, she and Mr. Fields followed Mrs. Braylon throughout the house to know assurance none of my treasures were in the woman’s bag. They also said they had been surprised by how many small items belonging to the woman had been added throughout the house,” Duncan said with a small smile. “I was not so surprised, for I had noted them previously. Though, if I had known Lady Emma was not yet safe, I would have waited a bit longer. I had hoped, by now, perhaps you would be presenting me with a new daughter, Orson.”
“Do not blame Richard,” Graham declared. “Lady Emma is nearly as stubborn and as impulsive as is our Orson. Their marriage will be fun to watch.”
“Pardon, my lords,” the porter said from his place by the still-open door. “There are four carriage drivers below who wish to speak to Lord Orson.”
“Good, they found the man who saw Lady Emma’s abductor,” Orson told Duncan.
“Could you send them up, my good man?” Duncan asked.
“And you are, sir?” the man asked. “I was not on duty when you were admitted.”
“Someone you do not wish as an enemy,” Graham growled. “One of your esteemed guests has been abducted from her quarters. Is such the type of information this establishment wishes to be spread among London’s society?”
“No, my lord,” the man admitted. “Mr. Claridge would not be happy to learn of these events.”
