Engaging the Earl, page 25
“Are you expecting someone?” Emma tried calling after her.
The only response that floated down the stairs was, “Try pinching some color into your cheeks, dear.”
She ignored that last command.
One more quick look out of the window told her the rider was already near enough that he could no longer be seen through the glass panes. Sighing—a bit in resignation, a bit in frustration—Emma walked purposefully to the front door. Likely, this gentleman was a wayward traveler, seeking directions. So it was best to be done with him so she could return to her darning.
Shielding her eyes against the glaring sun, Emma watched the rider approaching. There was something familiar about his gait, about the way he held himself. But she couldn’t tell enough about him from that to know who it was.
But obviously, the rider saw her. In two quick kicks, he had the horse flying across the distance separating them. Emma felt a moment of panic. Who was this man? And why did he suddenly seem as if he was being chased toward her by a pack of wild animals?
When he came to the place where a stand of trees blocked out the sun’s glare, Emma’s eyes had to adjust to the sudden absence of light.
After a few seconds, everything came into focus. The sky. The trees. The visitor.
And it felt like her heart slammed to a stop in her chest.
“Marcus?” she whispered.
He pulled his horse to a stop and slid down from the saddle in one fluid motion. Even when he was walking toward her, and she could clearly see his features, Emma had difficulty believing it was really him…at her home.
“Emma.” He said her name like the softest caress. And then as though uncomfortable with the intimacy of the moment, he looked at the copse of trees before quirking a grin. “I’d imagine a place like this would appeal to the tree-climbing hoyden in you.”
“So you came all the way out here to admire the landscape?” she asked, almost breathlessly.
Marcus shook his head.
“C-come inside, then,” she managed, even though her stomach fluttered with nervousness.
Marcus followed after her. “You must forgive my dusty appearance,” he said with an overly formal air. “I…I rode all day.”
Her relief…her surprise…the mixture of emotions she felt upon seeing him again—when she’d all but given up hope of ever laying eyes on him—made her willing to forgive him anything.
Emma made no apologies for their simple abode. And she could tell he expected none. His praise of her home was modest and sincere.
Once they were in the little room off the foyer that doubled as their makeshift sitting room, Emma let her eyes drink their fill of him. He was dusty after a day spent pounding down the country roads. She wanted to tell him how badly she’d missed him, how she’d counted the days that they were apart, but to no purpose since there was never any understanding between them. She could have told him that she didn’t care what his reason was for coming, she was only glad to see him. Instead, she said none of those things.
“Would you care for some tea?” she asked instead. “Or coffee?” she amended when she belatedly remembered that he didn’t like tea.
Marcus shook his head. “No,” he added as an afterthought.
“All right.” Emma sat on the couch, watched as Marcus paced across the worn rug in the little room. She was out of courtesies to offer him. And if she weren’t careful, before long, she’d be making inane comments on the brightness of the sun or the mildness of the weather.
“I’m surprised you came by to visit me,” she said honestly. It perhaps wasn’t the best thing she could have said, but it was at least more interesting than discussing winds and clouds.
He paused his pacing. “Oh. I’m not here to visit you.”
Emma sat back against the couch, almost in a slump. “Oh,” she said flatly…but still not understanding him.
“I apologize. That came out wrong,” he said with a self-deprecating laugh. “I’m glad to see you, but I’m here to see your father. I sent a missive ahead of me since I was delayed by…business. Maybe it didn’t arrive,” he said with a frown.
“My father?” she repeated in confusion.
He didn’t look confused, but he did look uncomfortable. “Yes…”
“Ah, you must be Lord Westin,” her father said, coming down the stairs. “Welcome!”
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Mercer,” Marcus said, moving forward to shake hands with her father.
Emma watched with a mixture of confusion and fascination as the Earl of Westin and her father, who looked better put together than she usually saw him—his hair wasn’t sticking out in tufts everywhere and he was actually wearing a jacket—shook hands. It was as though they were old friends reuniting for the first time in years. And how did they even know each other? Emma looked around for her mother, hoping that she might be able to shed some light on the situation.
But if her mother were aware of anything unusual in this meeting, her face showed no signs of it. Instead, she was smiling as graciously as a grand lady of the manor as she entered the room.
“How delightful to meet you, Lord Westin,” she said after Marcus introduced himself to her.
He bowed over her hand and then turned a dazzling smile on. Her mother nearly swooned into the nearest chair from the force of it.
“I don’t understand what’s going on here,” Emma complained, no longer content to watch this strange tableau without trying to figure out what was happening. It was like being thrust right in the middle of a play where everyone knew their lines but her. Disconcerting.
“I’ve come to visit with your father,” Marcus said again.
“Quite right, Lord Westin. Emma, would you see to a tea service?” her father asked, guiding the earl with a hand on the younger man’s shoulder.
Emma was going to protest for Marcus’s sake that she would bring coffee for him but then thought better of it. Since everyone thought it was acceptable to refuse to answer any of her questions, she certainly was not going to go out of her way to be helpful.
So it was with an almost wicked glee that she made the tea as strong as she possibly could. And when she went to deliver the tray to her father’s study, she tried to step lightly so that she might overhear whatever was being said inside the closed room. What purpose could Marcus have in coming to see her father? To the best of her knowledge the two men had never met before. And unless Marcus was coming to try and talk to her father about some business matters…
But none of that made any sense whatsoever.
She supposed all she had to do was be patient. If it was something she was supposed to know about, she’d discover it eventually. Although she was overwhelmed with curiosity, Emma went to the parlor to sit and wait.
“I’m a fool.” Marcus surprised her by walking into the sunny little parlor at the front of the house unannounced.
In spite of her resolve not to buckle easily, Emma felt the corners of her lips pull upward in a smile. She smothered it before Marcus mistook the expression to mean she was ready to capitulate.
“Go on,” she said, turning around to face him.
Marcus sighed and pushed his hand through his hair. “I should have realized…should have thought…” He couldn’t manage to finish his sentence.
Emma was about to stop him, to try to alleviate his suffering. Before she could manage anything, he kneeled at her feet.
“Emma,” he whispered. “I was so wrong.”
The catch in his voice, the sight of this powerful man on his knees before her brought tears to her eyes.
“Emma,” Marcus said, peering into her eyes with such intensity she thought he could likely see the whole of her yearnings and desires. And surely he could see that each moment spent apart from him was agony to her.
“I’ve made so many mistakes. And I’m sure I’ll make many more,” he said. “But my biggest mistake was letting you walk out of my life. And if you’re willing to forgive me, then I promise I’ll never make that one again.”
She said nothing. She couldn’t. Tears lodged in her throat until she thought that even to part her lips would unleash a storm of weeping.
“Emma?” Marcus asked. His smile began to drop.
Putting her hands to her lips, she shook her head. She needed a few moments. This was all so wonderful and unexpected. She’d resigned herself to a life without love, but now, Emma didn’t have to settle for that kind of half existence. God had provided for her in every way she needed…and wanted.
Marcus must have taken her reaction the wrong way because he rose from his knee and was moving away. As soon as she realized what he was doing, Emma jumped to her feet. His back was to her, but she spun him back around to face her.
“What—” he began.
But Emma silenced his protest with a kiss.
She must have really surprised him because it took at least two seconds for his arms to wrap around her and return the embrace. When the kiss ended, Marcus grinned.
“Is that a yes?” he asked.
“A yes, and an ‘I love you.’”
Marcus dropped a kiss at the corner of her mouth. “I love you, too.”
Emma rested her head against his shoulder. They could stay entwined like this forever, and she’d never complain again. But Marcus pulled slightly back. “I should probably tell you that you’re going to be disgustingly wealthy,” he said with a smile.
“What?”
“The ship came in,” he said as though that explained everything.
“I’m so glad for you, Marcus.”
“Be glad for us, love.” And then, digging in his pocket, he produced a box. “I wouldn’t have been delayed getting here, but I wanted to be optimistic. So I got you a gift.”
Emma smiled at how nervous he sounded. And then gasped when she saw the beautiful ring twinkling up at her. “It’s lovely,” she said, tears springing to her eyes.
After he slipped it on her finger, he embraced her again. “Should I let you go?” he asked finally with a smile.
“Why?”
“Don’t women usually want to go and tell everyone they’re getting married? Surely my sister is dying to know…”
“My letter to her can wait,” Emma said, burrowing her head into the curve of his shoulder.
“You know she never intended you to marry anyone but me,” her future husband said with a chuckle.
“So I guess it was more of a Marcus-hunt than anything…” she said, hiding her face because she couldn’t believe she’d let something that sappy out of her mouth.
He laughed. “I’ve heard that’s the most dangerous prey to pursue. Because they’re so elusive.”
“And stupid,” she contributed.
“No arguments here.” This time he kissed the top of her head. “You might have been the better hunter,” he said, “but I’ve won the better prize.”
“No arguments here,” she returned.
“I’m glad I have a lifetime to prove you made a good choice,” Marcus said, sobering slightly.
“You don’t need a lifetime to convince me of that,” Emma said. The love she felt for him seemed so great she didn’t know if her heart could hold it all. “But I’ll give you one anyway.”
* * * * *
Dear Reader,
I want to thank you for picking up Engaging the Earl and seeing it through to the end! You enable me to do what I love most—craft stories that hopefully warm the heart and lift the spirit.
I’ve been in love with Marcus since he waltzed into the drawing room in his sister’s story. He was everything I felt a good brother should be…protective, loyal and perhaps comically aggravating. But in his own tale, he became a complex hero…more complex than I thought he would be. Little did I know in the beginning that Marcus would have a long list of faults and foibles. Crazily enough, I think it only made me love him more.
And then there’s Emma. Forced to shoulder a heavy burden, she continually had to deny her own wishes and desires in order to serve the greater benefit of her family. But in spite of her strength and courage, she let fear govern her actions, even to the point where it separated her from the man she loved.
These two needed each other. And in a way, I needed them. Writing Marcus and Emma’s story continually reminded me that God’s provision is greater than my biggest imaginings and that there is no situation He can’t redeem if only I let Him.
I hope you’ve been blessed by this love story. And I always look forward to hearing from my readers. I can be found online at www.mandygoff.com or can be reached via email at mandy@mandygoff.com.
Blessings,
Mandy Goff
Questions for Discussion
Emma is forced to work as a governess in order to bring money home to her impoverished family. In Regency England, women had few means of employment open to them. Have there been times, even in our modern society, where you’ve felt unfairly limited based on something you couldn’t change (gender, race, age, etc.)?
Marcus, while certainly happy that his sister and best friend have found love with each other, cannot help but feel envious, as well. What are some situations that have caused strong—and conflicting—emotions for you? And in those situations, how do you allow the positive emotions to triumph over the negative?
Emma’s decision not to tell her parents about her termination frequently weighs heavily on her. Are there ever times when withholding the truth really is “for someone’s own good”? If so, when do you decide when to make your confession? If not, what are some ways to tell the truth without causing additional harm?
When Marcus’s estate manager confesses the investment blunder that might have cost the earl his fortune, instead of dismissing his employee, Marcus shows mercy and compassion. How difficult would it be for you in a similar situation to immediately extend forgiveness?
Although she initially protests, Emma finally agrees with Olivia’s proposal of launching a “husband hunt.” What do you think of her motivations for wanting to find a husband?
After years spent caring for Olivia, Marcus finds that he is unable to refuse her anything—including her request to assist Emma with finding a spouse. But he certainly doesn’t plan on being overly helpful…in fact, he goes out of his way to scare any potential suitors off. Have you ever agreed to do something, wishing all the while that you could say “no”? How do you extricate yourself from those kinds of situations?
Olivia quite clearly wants to see her friend and brother together. And her attempts at playing matchmaker show a concerted effort to push Marcus and Emma into love. Are you ever guilty of thinking that God needs your help? And have there been times when you’ve tried to help something along but have actually ended up causing harm?
Emma’s father frequently lets his optimistic nature overrule his better sense when it comes to his favorite hobby—making financial investments. Where should we, as Christians, draw the line between being optimistic, yet realistic, and being staunchly pessimistic?
Emma, because of her background, struggles with fear. Fear of not having security, fear of losing her independence. Because of her fears, she turns down Marcus’s proposal. Has fear ever kept you from seizing a blessing or gift God intended for you? Why should we, as Christians, live courageously and without fear?
While Marcus doesn’t necessarily recognize it, he has a problem with control. Circumstances in his life that have been beyond his ability to change them have made Marcus cling tightly to his well-controlled existence. Are there any events in your life that had long-lasting negative effects, such as spawning a desire to always be in control? How has God redeemed those qualities?
Emma is frequently disappointed and angry when she learns that her father has once again risked their financial security and lost. While she is justified in her frustrations, do Emma’s reactions glorify God and adhere to the commandment to honor one’s parents?
Marcus decides, once he finds out about Emma’s parents and their situation, that it would be wrong to marry Emma, since he might not be able to provide for them financially. Yet he is unable to stay away from her. How does his longing to be near her override his desire for a better future for her? And by being noble, how does he hurt both of them?
On the surface, it appears Mr. Barnwell would make a good husband. Ultimately, however, Emma decides that she won’t marry for anything but love, even though that means she won’t have any money for her family. Have any decisions you’ve made in the past carried weighty consequences? Were you tempted to do something you didn’t believe in to spare yourself or others from those consequences?
Matthew 6:26 highlights God’s care for even birds, asking, “Are you not worth much more than they?” How does this promise of care and provision affect you when making important decisions? How does it apply in day-to-day life?
Both Emma and Marcus seem to be distrustful of good things. Because of their cynicism, they frequently discount blessings in their lives, while fearing something terrible must be around the corner. Do you ever look for the “strings attached” to your blessings? How can cynicism steal our joy?
ISBN: 9781459223776
Copyright © 2012 by Amanda Goff
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