Risking It All For The Sinful Earl (Historical Regency), page 4
“Merely because he could?”
“Indeed, there was no purpose to it whatsoever. He simply wanted to prove that he could buy another one.”
“What a ghastly thing to do,” Emilia said, shaking her head.
“One more piece of information, but I must admit that this one might just be conjecture.”
“There is a very strong chance, yes,” Emilia replied.
“The Earl of Dennaby keeps ...” Gina said, leaning in and hushing her voice. “A harem.”
“A harem?”
“Of women, yes. He keeps a harem of women at his country estate.”
“Gina, you know how much I love you, but this is far too absurd.”
“I only speak of what I hear,” Gina replied, raising her hands in the air to wash herself of blame.
“It’s strange how Roderick never spoke of the dish of pickled herring, the Spanish stallion, nor the harem when he mentioned the earl,” Emilia said in mock confusion.
“He doesn’t speak to the same sources that I speak to,” Gina replied in an aloof manner. She began to clear the porcelain china, signifying that their little talk was coming to an end. “It’s time for you to rest now. I have said all that I know of the Earl of Dennaby and I hope that you will take heed.”
“I will consider your words in all seriousness,” Emilia said light-heartedly, walking to her bed.
Gina stopped at the door and turned to say one last thing. “You know how much I care for you, sweet girl,” she said, her voice turning tender. “All of this may sound ridiculous to you, but it comes from deep concern...and love.”
“I know, Gina. And I thank you,” Emilia replied with a smile.
As soon as Gina left the room, Emilia lowered her head to her pillow and fast fell asleep. Even though there were high points and low points to the evening, the overall experience was pleasurable. Emilia was finally coming out into society, and although it didn’t rule her entire world as it did for other ladies, it still caused a great deal of excitement within her. Whether or not the Earl of Dennaby was as Gina explained, it was still a thrill to garner his attention. And Emilia was sure that, in due time, the truth of his character would be revealed.
Chapter 4
Lord Joshua Pembroke sat in his study well into the night. It was the earl’s favourite time, when the rest of London was asleep, and he was left to ruminate on things. He considered Lady Constance Belmore’s ball and what a success it had been. Mostly, he thought of the charming girl he had danced with, known as Lady Emilia Grey. From what he understood, tongues were already wagging across London. Joshua would ignore it; as he ignored most things pertaining to the ton.
There was not much known about the girl, but the earl didn’t even have to do much digging. He knew all there was to know about those in proper society by word of mouth. If there was something important that must be known, he would hear of it. He was a true Londoner in that sense. Often, he heard bits of information that he didn’t wish to know about.
This was the reason Joshua Pembroke had many followers – gossiping ladies who flitted about in his company, giggled and told of the latest scandals. This frustrated him, for he preferred more refined company who talked of things such as art, politics, history and the sciences. Sadly, he did not mingle in this kind of company often, so he had to resign himself to the types of high society members that gravitated in his circle.
And they did gravitate. They whirled about like dervishes in a manner that often gave Joshua a headache. And that’s why the delightful Lady Emilia Grey had seemed so different. She was self-possessed, beautiful – but not ostentatiously so – and she had an air of goodness about her. All of these things he found to be appealing because of their rarity. What’s more, Lady Emilia did not trust him, which made him like her all the more.
Not that he felt any lady had the need to not trust him. He was merely attracted to a woman who had a good head upon her shoulders and wouldn’t fall for the first rich fellow that came her way and showed some interest. Joshua could be coy about his affections. He could sit back and allow the remembrance of him to drive Lady Emilia mad to the point where she came pounding on his door. It had happened in the past. But because he sensed her to be different, he took it upon himself to act with haste in order to make his interest known. What’s more, he didn’t wish to sit on his heels whilst some other earl, duke or, god forbid, baron, swooped in to secure marriage with her. Joshua was going to act upon his affections that very evening by taking out pen and paper.
Before writing the letter, the earl looked about his vast study and sighed a warm exhalation. It was his favourite place in all of London. The earl’s townhouse was one of the more renowned. It stretched up five storeys high and had a marvellous balcony off the master bedroom. The study, which also served as a library, was spacious yet still warm and comforting. The walls were of dark wood and the smell of old books permeated the air. A great fire was crackling in the fireplace. Even the servants were asleep at that hour, the earl had instructed them to do so. It was the time of night when the Earl of Dennaby conjured all his most important and profound thoughts.
He leaned over the sheet of paper and picked up the pen, scratching his chin. It would be utter nonsense to express his feelings through words. This was something he was always suspicious of. He thought that, instead, one’s feelings must be expressed through action. It was the same with every other element of his life. If he wished to secure a business deal, he didn’t think and dream about it, he made it happen through action. If there was a wonderful trip that he wished to venture on – such as the grand tour that he just returned from – Joshua wouldn’t read about the countries he dreamed of seeing. He would simply book a ticket on the ship that would take him there. Joshua had learned many lessons in his life, and the most important had been that he couldn’t sit around and wait for things to happen.
Of course, money made it easier for him to bring things to fruition. If he wanted to go somewhere, he went. If he wanted to buy something, he purchased it. And if he wanted to bed a woman, alas, he did so.
But Lady Emilia Grey was not the type for bedding and forgetting. She was a woman of substance, and Joshua was sure of it even after only a short while with her. She was the type of woman a man could not soon forget in his life. Her presence lingered, as did her fragrance, which Joshua recalled was akin to sandalwood and spring flowers. Not an artificial fragrance, he could tell. Rather, it was her own natural scent and it filled him with a deep longing.
And so, poised for action, Joshua decided that there was no need to remark upon the ball, her loveliness, and his desire for her. Instead, the order of the day was to invite her to dinner, the very next evening. Was it hasty to make such a request? In his own estimation it was not. Such matters must be seized upon, and in order to make the proposal more comfortable, Joshua thought it appropriate to invite Lady Emilia’s brother as well.
He had not seen much of the brother at the ball, but it was someone that he was aware of. Lord Roderick Grey was not a commanding member of high society, yet he was occasionally referred to. In the earl’s estimation, Roderick was a rather secretive fellow. But this did not trouble Joshua too much, so long as the brother got out of his way in his pursuit of the sister. Brothers could sometimes be pesky. Joshua knew this from past experience. Often, they served as brokers, trying to leverage money for the family should the earl wish to take the sister to wife. Joshua always found this behaviour to be rather frustrating and annoying, and in many cases it had tempered his affections for the sister.
So, as a symbol of peace, Joshua would invite Roderick as well. It would be a simple, casual meal. Joshua took great pains to ensure that everything was perfect and consulted with the chef of the home daily to make sure that his orders were followed.
Still holding pen in hand, he brought it to paper and began. He had excellent penmanship, which had been instilled in him at a young age. His late father had painstakingly seen to Joshua’s schooling. And, as such, Joshua had one of the finest minds in all of Britain. He would never boast of such a thing, but he had been told on several occasions.
Lady Emilia Grey,
All pleasantries of this evening’s ball aside, it was my great pleasure to meet you. I request yours and your brother’s presence at dinner this evening at Findley House, my residence here in town. Dress for the occasion is modest, as will be the repast. Please send word of your acceptance,
Respectfully,
Lord Joshua Pembroke
***
Roderick sat at the breakfast table in shock. The letter had been brought to him before his sister had had a chance to come down the stairs, and he held it in his hand in wonder. Was it true that the renowned Earl of Dennaby was requesting his sister’s presence at dinner in his own home? Several thoughts were flitting around in Roderick’s head.
For one thing, how had his sister accomplished such a thing? She had dressed simply enough at the ball, and in his estimation, her beauty – however great – was much simpler and more unostentatious than the rest. Roderick had always considered the Earl of Dennaby to be a man that has affections for the more glittering and adorned ladies of society. What’s more, he viewed his sister as that sweet little girl in a white muslin gown, running around the countryside and getting grass stains upon her dress. He thought of her as the daydreaming lass with smudges of dirt upon her flushed cheeks, heated from laughter and singing. And so, for Roderick, it was painfully difficult to accept that Emilia was now out in society and that her presence was desired by one of the wealthiest men in London.
What would their parents think? It always filled him with sadness to think about it, how they had missed their children’s lives. Roderick also often considered whether or not he was doing the proper thing. As Uncle Stanley was no longer overlooking their lives as he once had, Roderick considered that Emilia was truly under his care. Now that powerful men were coming to court her, should Roderick act as a father? And what’s more, could he trust his own judgement of character?
Roderick had to admit that he had heard some ghastly things about Lord Joshua’s character, but he did not know how much of it was hearsay. Roderick never cared much for the gossip of society, but now he had to wonder if, with Emilia out in the world, he would have to take an interest. How could he perform his new role without his own personal interests getting in the way? And Roderick did have personal interests, indeed.
He read the letter in his hand once more. It seemed almost business-like, which could be expected from the earl. A man that powerful and in such a position would no doubt need to write many official letters, and it seemed fitting that he should do much the same for a woman he was courting. Marriage was a business transaction, after all. Even Roderick could admit to that. It was a transaction that he needed to make as well. If only he could get Marina Spencer out of his mind.
“Can I get you anything while you wait, M’Lord?” a servant asked.
“No, I thank you. I’ll merely wait.”
“Very well.”
Roderick looked down at his pocket watch and noted that his sister was uncharacteristically late coming down that morning. Perhaps last night, as he suspected, she had stayed up late gossiping with Gina. There would be a lot of issues to gossip about, and Roderick was quite sure that Gina had strong opinions about the Earl of Dennaby, just as everyone else did.
He felt his stomach grumble and wondered whether or not he should have accepted the plate from the servant. Another cup of hot tea was poured and Roderick picked up the periodical that sat before him while he waited. Scanning the text for relevant news and information, he noted that there was an article highlighting the ball from the evening before. Incredible that the scandal pages came out so hot and fresh, even after an event so recently concluded. Looking down the column, there was a note that Lady Emilia Grey had danced with Lord Joshua Pembroke. It was noted there because, apparently, she was the only lady he had danced with. Roderick didn’t know whether to laugh or be upset. He didn’t wish for his sister to be gossiped about. But alas, it wasn’t gossip, was it? It was the truth. Emilia had shared a dance with the powerful earl, and the very next morning, he was already asking her to dinner. High society members must move fast.
When Emilia came into the room she looked as though she was in good spirits and well-rested. In a simple pink muslin gown, Emilia appeared just as he remembered her in her youth and wished her to remain – happy, innocent, free.
“I’m sorry I’m late, brother,” Emilia said, seating herself.
“You’re attempting to make me starve to death,” Roderick quipped.
“Precisely,” Emilia replied, placing her napkin upon her lap. “What are we dining on?”
“Eggs, toast, and sausage for me. Porridge for you.”
“Oh stop. It’s too early for your teasing.”
“Never too early,” Roderick replied, putting the paper down and considering whether or not he should tell his sister what the contents were.
“You have a funny look upon your face,” Emilia commented.
“This is merely what my face looks like.”
“How unfortunate,” Emilia replied with a smile.
Their breakfast was served to them and Roderick watched as his sister ate heartily. He considered when would be the best time to show her the invitation, but if she saw it now, Roderick feared she might become nervous and lose her appetite. He chose to wait until she was done with her food. Finally, her plate clear and her tummy full, Roderick thought it was time to act.
“I have something to show you,” he said cautiously, unsure how his sister would react.
“What is it?”
Roderick handed the invitation across the table and held his breath.
***
Emilia was afraid that her jaw would drop down to the table. Was the letter real? Was it a hoax? Surely no one would ever play such a cruel trick. But still, the hand was very well done, like that of an earl, and it was written on Lord Joshua’s own monogramed paper. It must be him. Yet Emilia couldn’t quite believe that it was happening.
“This very night?”
“That’s what the invitation states.”
“That seems rather soon, does it not?” Emilia asked.
“When a man wants something, he wants something.”
“Don’t be crass,” Emilia replied.
“I’m not being crass. He’s merely a man on a mission. I’m a man. I know the feeling.”
“But should we go?”
“Should we go? Emilia, we’re talking about one of the wealthiest men in Britain.”
“That doesn’t mean I should comply to his request,” Emilia replied.
“What did you think of him?” Roderick asked, and Emilia could see that there was doubt in her brother’s expression.
“He was rather forward, and even admitted to being so.”
“Did that dissuade you?”
“I’m unsure. I truly had never experienced anything like it before. My mind told me not to trust him.”
“And your heart?” Roderick asked.
Emilia stopped to consider the question. She found it easy to talk with him about matters of the heart. She was grateful for that. Considering that they had lost their parents early on, there were many matters of the heart they had to contend with together all their lives.
“My heart was rather...confused. I certainly was swayed by his handsomeness, but I didn’t wish to reveal too much too soon. And oh, if you could have heard the scathing comments that Gina made last night.”
“So, you were up gossiping all night!”
“I got pulled in,” Emilia protested. “You know that once Gina starts, there’s no getting out of it.”
“Well, in the end, you can’t listen to her, but you must listen to yourself.”
