'Is there anything else I can get you Cousin Emily? You appear to have missed out on the cold cuts and muffins.'
Emily tried to swallow her retort but it burst out of its own volition. 'If you had spent the past two years living on as little as I have you would also wish to fill your plate.'
This unexpected answer caused him to swear. 'Dammit, Emily, are you telling me your situation has been so dire that there was not enough food on your table?'
'Yes, that is exactly what I am telling you, sir. What little there was went to my sisters and mother first, I made do with what was left.'
He shook his head; for a moment unable to think of something appropriate to say. 'I am sorry to hear that, my dear. It is almost unbelievable that your family has been in such poor circumstances when your grandfather could have provided you with everything you needed.'
Emily dived into her breakfast too hungry to answer. Only when the plate was half empty did she pause and look up. She found, to her astonishment, that instead of seeing a pair of critical blue eyes staring back at her she was on her own. Viscount Yardley had vanished. She had been so engrossed in her excellent repast, she had not heard him depart. His breakfast remained, untouched, on the buffet.
She sighed, exasperated that her Cousin Sebastian was so finicky he could not bear to see a lady eat as heartily as she did. For the second time in twenty-four hours she congratulated herself on a lucky escape; being married to such a stickler would be tedious in the extreme.
* * * *
Sebastian watched his young cousin devouring her food and instead of being revolted he was angry, furiously angry. Now he knew that her pallor and extreme thinness was caused by semi-starvation, he could see that within a few weeks Emily would be a lovely young woman. In fact she would be a diamond of the first water.
His march through the house had taken him to the earl's apartments. The footman knocked at the door and announced him.
'Good heavens, my boy, this is an early visit. What has brought you here in such a pucker?'
Sebastian gestured impatiently for the footman to leave them before he spoke. His voice was controlled but his fury quite apparent.
'How can you accuse me of ruining Emily's life, sir, when you have allowed the poor girl to slowly starve these past two years? It is unpardonable. If you were a younger man I would call you out.'
The Earl recoiled and grasped a chair-back for support. He appeared to crumble and suddenly he was no longer a wealthy, powerful aristocrat but a vulnerable old man. Sebastian realized, too late, he had allowed his anger at Emily's treatment to overcome his common sense. What sort of diplomat was he? Why he was behaving like a veritable greenhorn he had no idea. A stripling straight from school would have better manners.
Instantly remorseful his anger evaporated. 'I am sorry, grandfather; I did not mean to distress you.' He came forward and helped the old man to a chair, waiting until he was seated and comfortable before he spoke again. 'Emily's half starved; how could you have allowed this to happen?' His enquiry was mild this time.
The old man shrugged. 'I did not know how bad things were. I know that is no excuse but I intend to make amends for it now. Those girls will want for nothing, I promise you. I want to give Emily a season, if that is what she would like.'
Sebastian could sense a reprieve. If Emily went to London, it was possible she would meet someone more to her liking. She had made it patently obvious that she held him in little regard.
'That sounds like an excellent idea, sir'
'I am glad you approve, my boy.' He had now recovered his composure and was once more in control. 'As your fiancé she will have entrée to all the best homes. A young lady needs to see the world a little before settling down.'
'I have not asked her yet, Grandfather. Have you considered the very real possibility that she will refuse me? We do not suit you know.'
'Stuff and nonsense! Emily will do as she is bid, once things have been explained to her.' He paused, lost in thought. 'I will speak to her after I have broken my fast. Then you
will
make her an offer. I expect you to appear at eleven o'clock sharp, in the library, is that understood?'
'Yes, sir. I shall be there.' He had no option, he had given his word and he was now obliged to ask a most unsuitable girl to be his wife. He shuddered as he considered the mayhem she could cause in the refined world of international diplomacy. But he had promised. He was obliged to marry her unless she could be persuaded to cry off. His mobile mouth slowly curled at the corners. What if he made himself so objectionable Emily decided that his wealth and title would not compensate her for being shackled to him. Sebastian bowed.
'If you will excuse me, sir, I will speak to you later, when all is settled between my cousin and I.'
'See that you do.'
* * * *
Emily swallowed the last two morsels of ham and placed her cutlery on her plate. She pushed back her chair and looked longingly at the remaining food still spread out on the sideboard. Did she have room, perhaps, for a hot muffin with bramble jelly?
The door opened and her grandfather was bowed in. Immediately she curtsied, dropping her eyes politely.
'Good morning, sir.'
'Good morning, my dear Emily. Please do not rush off; you can keep me company. Will you take a dish of tea whilst I break my fast?'
Emily straightened, her eyes widening. Whatever she had been expecting it is not such a convivial greeting. 'I would love to, thank you,' she added with a smile, 'I can highly recommend the ham and coddled eggs and the muffins look delicious also.'
He chuckled, his faded blue eyes almost disappearing in the creases. 'You may serve me, child, with whatever you enjoyed yourself. I have a devil of a job deciding.'
The footman retreated once the earl was safely seated. Happily Emily selected a variety of tempting items, but did not overfill the plate. She felt sure that an elderly gentleman would not wish to consume the same amount of food she had managed. He appeared satisfied with her choices and commenced his meal whilst she fetched him a mug of porter and poured tea into a delicate porcelain cup for herself.
She could delay no more; she would have to take the chair beside him. He allowed her to settle before he spoke. 'What were you thinking of child? Your display yesterday is the talk of Westerham and by this evening will be the topic of conversation in every house in the neighbourhood.' Emily had expected him to rant and rave and this quiet enquiry made her blush with shame.
'I am sorry, my lord. I was provoked. I know that is no excuse, but it could not have happened without Viscount Yardley's assistance. He is more culpable than me. It is to him you should apportion blame. I thought he was a diplomat. Is he not supposed to know how to behave in all circumstances?'
'Exactly, my dear girl. Yardley accepts the fault was his, even if the actions were yours. He is ready to take the necessary steps to save your reputation.'
'I do not understand. How can he do anything? It's too late, the damage is done.' Emily choked back a sob. 'Mama will be destroyed by this. She had such high hopes for me, and I shall never be received in society now, shall I?'
'You will, if you except Yardley's offer.'
'His offer…' she stammered. 'Are you saying I must marry him in order to put things right?' She gazed at her grandfather; her eyes widened and the colour left her face. 'Surely not? There has to be another way. I have no more wish to marry Viscount Yardley then he has to marry me.'
'Nonsense! You will deal admirably together. If you do not accept it will not just be your good name that will be lost. His will be gone also. Do you wish to ruin him as well as yourself?'
'Of course not.' She hung her head. Whatever she decided, her moment of foolishness was going to cause a lifetime's misery. She had no choice, but at least this way her sisters, her mother and her grandfather would be happy. After all, only yesterday she had been contemplating marriage to Sebastian as the solution to her family's problems. Her position now was no different, really.
She raised her head and pulled back her shoulders. Nobody would ever know how she felt about the situation.
'I shall accept Viscount Yardley's offer, when he makes one. I shall be honoured to become his betrothed, whatever the circumstances that promoted it.' Her smile was pitiful but he beamed back, delighted he had achieved his objective so soon.
'Good girl. You will not regret it. Sebastian can be a little stiff necked but never doubt his intelligence and his good heart.' He wiped his mouth on his starched white napkin. 'Now, run along, my dear. I am sure you wish to see your mother and deliver your good news. I expect
you to be the library at eleven o'clock sharp.' Still smiling brightly Emily rose gracefully to her feet, curtsied, and went, not to see her mother as suggested, but back to her room to find the privacy she craved.
Jenny was in the dressing-room mending her torn dress. 'I'm going to ride. Please find my habit right away.'
Less than fifteen minutes later Emily had escaped outside and was hurrying, head down, towards the stables. Sebastian was going the same way but from the rear of the house. He had been striding round the garden perfecting his plan.
Emily walked straight into him. Instinctively he closed his arms around her, protecting her from harm. The impact of their collision caused him to stagger backwards into the thick yew hedge that bordered the path. Its bulk prevented a second fall.
'Good grief, Emily! You almost had us over.' Sebastian said, as he carefully straightened and replaced her feet on the path.
'I beg your pardon; I was not looking where I was going. I hope I did not harm you?' Her voice was high and strained. She tried to smile and relax her rigid pose. 'I am hoping to find a mount; do you think there is one suitable for me?'
He stepped back, brushing the leaves and debris from his person. 'As long you do not wish to ride Sultan, as I am about to go out myself. Will you accompany me? I can show you the estate, if you wish to see it?'
Emily took the olive branch. 'I would love to, thank you, Cousin Sebastian. And I can assure you I might be impulsive but I'm not stupid. I have no intention of setting tongues wagging a second time.'
'I am glad to hear it.' He offered her his arm and she felt it would be uncivil to refuse. The moment her hand rested on the rough fabric of his riding jacket she knew it to have been a mistake. She felt his muscles bunch beneath her light hold and believed that his reaction demonstrated his antipathy to her touch. She could not have been more wrong.
The progress had been noted by an observant stable boy and Sultan, and a spirited grey mare, were saddled and waiting when they arrived in the yard. Emily looked around with approval. The well-swept cobbles, freshly painted boxes and the glossy, enquiring heads hanging over half doors, told her that this was a well-kept stable yard.
Then she saw the horses, standing ready and her smile, for the first time that morning, became genuine. Without pausing she stepped up to the huge chestnut stallion and rubbed his nose. He lowered his head to allow her to pull his ears.
'Good morning, you handsome fellow. How are you today?' The animal whickered and lipped her face with his whiskered mouth. 'Silly thing; you're too big for kisses.' As she stepped away she became aware that she was, once more, the centre of a circle of interested spectators. Her eyes met Sebastian's, they were not censorious, but amused. 'I'm sorry; but I could not resist greeting him.'
Grinning he leant down and with a pocket handkerchief wiped away the trail of slobber his horse had left on her forehead. 'There is no need to apologise; Sultan is sorely in need of friends. He is cordially disliked by all the grooms and lads who attend to him. For some strange reason he has fallen under your spell, Cousin.'
'You are bamming me? Sultan is not wild, he's a gentle giant.'
'I think his stable lad would dispute that, my dear.' He smiled; his eyes alight with laughter, making him suddenly look approachable and less severe. 'Do you like Polly, your mount? She is a fast ride but I am certain that you will have no difficulty handling her, even riding side-saddle.'
Emily turned her attention to the mare, who was more interested in flirting with the stallion. 'I love her. If I can not have Sultan for my own, I shall happily settle for Polly.'
The head groom threw her up into the saddle and she hooked one leg round the raised pommel. The other groom fitted her neatly booted foot into the single stirrup.
Sebastian vaulted into his saddle unaided and gathered up his reins. 'I thought we would take the route through Home Woods, there are hedges, logs and ditches to jump, and then come back across the park.'
'That sounds perfect. It's so long since I've been able to ride and I have missed it dreadfully.'
They clattered out of the yard in easy conversation. He had quite forgotten his vow to alienate his future wife by his obnoxious behaviour. She had quite forgotten that she disliked him. The dreaded appointment in the library was temporarily pushed aside by the exhilaration of the ride.
They arrived back two hours later, hot and mud-spattered, having spent the entire time without speaking a cross word. They parted, amicably, and when they returned to their apartments to change their garments neither of them gave a thought to what faced them in the library.
* * * *
Sebastian dressed in a coat from Westons, cut square at the front as the newest fashion dictated. It took his man, Morrison, twenty minutes to ease him into this and his skin tight inexpressibles and highly polished Hessians. He tied his own neck cloth in an intricate arrangement he had devised for himself. Satisfied, he strode from his chamber, his jaw clenched and his expression grim.
He was faced with the prospect of spending the rest of his life in the company of someone he scarcely knew. It was a recipe for disaster. Then his expression relaxed a little as he recalled the pleasant two hours he had just spent in her company. He now considered that his plan to trick Emily into breaking the engagement was reprehensible and hardly appropriate to man of his elevated position and he decided he had no option but to abandon it.