Page 6 of Until I’m Safe in Your Arms

One more peep over the railing at the handsome gentleman decided Emma. “I believe I am strong enough to venture out into the garden by myself, Augusta. I think it would be good for me to start going about on my own occasionally.” She leaned toward her friend, hoping to convince her. “Your mother will be so pleased to hear about my solitary stroll.”

Augusta pursed her lips, then touched the lace again and nodded. “Very well. If Marks can repair it quickly, I’ll join you out in the garden.”

“I’ll be looking for you.” Emma hoped she sounded sincere, although she’d prefer it if the person joining her in the garden was a certain officer standing downstairs.

Hoisting her skirts, her friend hurried back up the stairs, and Emma breathed a sigh of relief. Surreptitiously, she touched her hair, hoping it was still neatly coiffed, and turned to look over the railing again only to find the handsome young officer vanished.

“Drat!” Giving a great sigh, Emma held up her skirts and swiftly descended the rest of the stairs. Obviously another guest of Lord and Lady Caxton, the officer couldn’t have gone far, although if he’d just arrived, he might have gone to his room to freshen up. Except all the bedrooms were upstairs and he had certainly not passed her on the staircase. Had he gone out to the garden? Tempting idea, but Emma shook her head. What was the first thing a good guest did upon arrival? Greet his host and hostess.

Standing in the midst of the entry hall, Emma gazed first one way then the other. She’d no idea where Lord and Lady Caxton were receiving their guests. To the left was the entrance to the library, to the right, a reception room. With so many guests milling about, there was no way to tell. She could ask someone where the earl was, but it wasn’t proper to speak to someone to whom one had not been introduced.

A footman carrying a tray of cups containing lemonade passed by her, expertly weaving his way among the guests. Emma breathed a sigh of relief. Servants she knew how to deal with. She reached for a glass and the footman stopped. “Can you tell me where I might find Lord Caxton?”

“In the library, miss.” He nodded to her then continued on his way.

Emma took a sip of the lemonade then set it on a tray sitting out of the way on a carved teak sideboard and set out once more. Holding her shoulders back, she raised her chin and sallied forth, down the short corridor and into the library.

The small room was packed with guests, so tightly, in fact, Emma’s skirts wedged between two gentlemen conversing on her right and a rather large lady directly in her way. Pressing her hoops inward, she managed to free herself and finally gazed around the room, searching for a glimpse of Lord or Lady Caxton. She wasn’t short, but the guests were so thick she had to raise herself up on tiptoe to look for the couple. At last, two ladies brushed past her, heading out of the stifling space. Emma bounded forward into the empty space then stopped short.

Before her stood Lord and Lady Caxton, smiling and conversing with the very handsome British officer she’d seen in the entry hall. So surprised she couldn’t think what to say, Emma instead took in the officer head to toe. This close she could see just how handsome he really was, and not just from the allure of his regimentals. Taller than she by almost a head, the gentleman had dark blue eyes framed by sooty black lashes that had widened as much as her own, she believed. His uniform set off his physique to perfection, accentuating his broad shoulders and neat waist. At last, her gaze came to rest on the firm lips that had quickly turned up in a wide smile.

“Now this is a stroke of luck, eh, my dear?” Lord Caxton beamed at his wife. “Instead of Mohammed going to the mountain, the mountain’s come to Mohammed.”

“I beg pardon, my lord?” Emma frowned, then quickly adjusted her face into more graceful lines.

“He means I was just coming to find you, my dear.” Lady Caxton took her arm and guided her toward the officer. Emma’s heart took off racing, as though she’d run a long way trying to find some sort of haven. “This gentleman has asked for an introduction to the charming young lady he saw descending the stairs. He described her in such detail, I knew it could be no one but you.” The countess squeezed her arm gently. “May I, my dear?”

Overwhelmed, Emma gazed up at the officer and could only nod.

“Miss Washer, may I introduce Captain Alexander Bancroft, Lord Caxton’s nephew. Alex, this is Miss Emma Washer. Lady Tilney acted as her Social sponsor this past Season.”

Captain Bancroft’s deep blue eyes, gazing at her steadfastly, seemed to pierce her soul with happiness. She smiled back at him, exuding every ounce of joy she possessed. “I am truly glad to meet you, Captain.” The mantle of protection she’d so longed for seemed suddenly within her grasp, making her words deeply heartfelt. “So very, truly glad to meet you.”

Chapter Two

“As I am to meet you, Miss Washer.” He seized her hand and kissed it, the warmth of her skin emanating through her glove. “I saw you just now on the stairs and immediately begged my aunt for the introduction. I am amazed we have not met before now.”

“Miss Washer has only recently graced London society with her presence.” Uncle Jack beamed at them. “She arrived not two months ago, isn’t that right, my dear?”

“Yes, it is, my lord.” Miss Washer cast her gaze downward very demurely. “Lady Tilney brought me out last June. She was kind enough to ask Lady Caxton for an invitation to this house party.” With suddenness, the lady raised her head, her eyes gazing deeply into Alex’s. “I am so very grateful to her for doing so.”

The penetrating blue of those eyes, the long lacy lashes framing them, sent a stab of hunger to Alex’s gut. “As am I, Miss Washer.” He turned a grin on his aunt. “You have my sincere thanks as well, Aunt Lucinda. I should have hated to have to wait until next spring to welcome Miss Washer back to England.”

“Then I suggest you make the most of this meeting and escort the young lady out to the rose garden, my boy.” His uncle had no claim to subtlety. “The heat shouldn’t bother you a’tall.” He chuckled. “I daresay it might even speed things along.”

No subtlety whatsoever.

Alex cleared his throat. “Would you like to accompany me to the rose garden, Miss Washer?” He shot a warning look at his uncle. “Or perhaps a stroll to the Great Folly? It and the small park surrounding it were devised by a very famous landscape gardener.”

Miss Washer’s face lit up. “I have visited the rose garden twice since yesterday, Captain Bancroft, and it is indeed a lovely spot. However, I would certainly enjoy a visit to the folly as I have not yet seen it.”

“Splendid.” Alex offered his arm, which Miss Washer took with a smile. “Thank you, uncle and aunt. We will return in good time for dinner.”

“Well, I should hope so, my boy. I don’t know what you could find to do out at the folly for three hours.” His uncle snorted. “Or perhaps I do. Enjoy yourselves.”

Alex moved them quickly toward the doorway, praying for no other comment from his relative.

As a lady should, Miss Washer seemed to not have heard such a ribald comment and serenely kept up with his quickened pace as they left the library, turned right, and came out on the southern side of the manor house. Alex gave a silent sigh of relief and they set off across the lawn, making for a crushed stone path that led to the folly.