Capturing the Governess’s Heart by Sally Forbes
Chapter Twenty Seven
Robert returned to Dalwater Manor in the late afternoon after leaving early to oversee some business matters in town. It had been hard to get up early enough to leave on time, as he had been so late getting to bed. All day, apart from when he had been dealing with his business, he had been thinking about the night before and dancing with Emma. In fact, all he could think about was Emma.
He had breakfasted in his room and had regretted having to leave so early for town that he had missed seeing her at breakfast. He longed to see her again, to make sure he hadn’t been imagining things; that there really was special connection between. But even if there was, he thought, he spirits suddenly drooping, what was he going to do about it?
The house seemed quiet, and Robert wandered through the downstairs rooms, hoping to see Emma, but she was nowhere to be found. He checked the library, but she wasn’t there either. There were no lessons today, he knew, so she probably wasn’t in the schoolroom. He went to Abigail's chambers and knocked. There was no answer, and when he opened to door, the room was empty. Henry wasn’t in his chamber either. Puzzled, he approached Emma’s door, knocking gently. If she was inside sleeping after the late night, he didn’t want to wake her, so he left, hoping to see her at dinner.
Finally, he went downstairs to his study, where he poured himself a large brandy and drank it in one swallow. He felt tired yet restless and frustrated. He paced about aimlessly, trying to think of where she could be. And where were the children? Had they all gone into town together perhaps?
There was a knock at the door and his heart leapt. It could be Emma! He rushed to open the door and was disappointed to see Hughes standing outside looking grave.
“What is it Hughes? And where is Miss Fletcher?” he asked brusquely.
“I’m afraid Miss Emma had some bad news earlier today, Your Grace. That is what I have come to tell you.”
“Bad news? What bad news?” His senses were immediately on the alert. “Is she alright? Has anything happened to her?” he demanded.
“No, Your Grace, but to her father. He has been taken very ill. Her sister sent her a letter asking her to go home at once. She left just before luncheon. She took the two o’clock coach from the village.”
“Good Lord,” Robert exclaimed. How could all this have happened while he had been away only for a few hours!
“She was very sorry that she didn’t have time to leave you a note herself, Your Grace, so she asked me to tell you the news. She said she will write to let you know the situation as soon as she arrives at Whitehaven.”
“But that will take days!” Robert exploded, now at the end of this tether with anxiety for Emma. To think of her in some horrible coach for days on end; it was unbearable. His feeling of powerlessness was almost unendurable.
“I’m afraid so, Your Grace. It was all such a terrible hurry. She was determined to catch that coach, you see.”
“But why on earth didn’t she take a carriage?”
“She did not feel she ought to, Your Grace. You know Miss Emma. She is very proper about such things. She said she had no right or permission.”
Robert groaned and ran his hand through his hair. “But why didn’t my mother give her permission?”
“The dowager was out too, Your Grace. And I feel I should say, the children are most upset about her leaving. Both were in tears. They are very fond of her, you know, Your Grace.”
“Yes, Hughes, thank you … I know that. We are all very fond of Miss Emma. Well, where are the children now?”
“The Duke of Elsby came, Your Grace, and took them out in his carriage to try to cheer them up, he said.”
“Well, that is some relief, at least. They will be safe with Elsby, and if anyone can cheer them it’s him.” He paused, rubbing his chin, wondering what he could do to help Emma. How was he going to manage without her? He wanted so badly to tell her how much he loved her, adored her, wanted to marry her. But what if she never came back? “Alright, Hughes, thank you for telling me, and for making the arrangements for Miss Emma.”
Hughes was just leaving when the dowager appeared in the doorway. “Ah, there you are, Robert,” she said. He looked up and was horrified to see Lady Beatrice standing behind her. His heart sank to his boots. Oh Lord, this is all I need just now.
“Mother, Lady Beatrice,” he nodded, unsmiling.
“Robert, I want you to escort Lady Beatrice today during the promenade hour to Hyde Park. She wishes to hear the band playing there today.”
His patience had worn too thin. “I am afraid I cannot, Mother. I am otherwise engaged. I beg your pardon, Lady Beatrice. Another time perhaps.” He said tersely, pleased to see the surprised look in the young woman’s eyes. His mother glowered at him.
“Then cancel that engagement, Robert. Lady Beatrice is expecting you to accompany her.” That was too much for Robert. “It’s shall not, Mother. And if you are so concerned about Lady Beatrice’s entertainment, why do you not accompany her to Hyde Park yourself? Now, I must kindly ask you, ladies, to vacate my study forthwith. Good day to you both.” He hustled the shocked pair out of the room and slammed the door behind them. Then, he turned the key in the lock, poured himself another brandy, threw himself in a chair, and sobbed.
An hour later, he heard a carriage in the drive. Wearily he got up and looked out of the window. As he had hoped, it was Elsby’s carriage, and Abigail was just stepping out of it, followed by Henry, then the duke himself.
Thank the Lord, Robert thought, tidying himself up and trying to pull himself together around the great empty hole he felt had opened up inside him.
He unlocked the study door and went out to greet them. There was no sign of his mother or Lady Beatrice. He had no idea what he was going to say to the children, but he was very glad for his old friend’s company.
He bitterly berated himself for not being there to support both them and Emma earlier that day. If he had been, then, he could have taken charge of the crisis with her father, so she wouldn’t have had to deal with it all on her own. He could have arranged proper transport, doctors, whatever was needed. Now he was too late, and she was gone!
