The Earl's Regret by G.L. Snodgrass

Author:G.L. Snodgrass
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2016-02-01T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Emily let Margaret run a comb through her hair one last time. The young woman was turning out to be a godsend. She had arrived at Oakmont only a few years earlier and was obviously thrilled with the opportunity to act as a Lady’s maid.

The young woman had taken an immediate liking to Charlotte and insisted on styling the young girl’s hair. Charlotte hadn’t stopped smiling. Her daughter liked being spoiled it seemed.

Oh well, Emily thought. Every little girl should be spoiled at least once in her life.

“There Miss,” Margaret said as she stepped back. “I assume his Lordship is waiting. We can’t have that now, can we?”

“No,” Emily was able to say as her stomach dropped. She couldn’t put this off any longer. She had donned her best dress. A cream day dress with lace at the collar and cuffs. Lace she had sewn onto the dress just last week.

Surely, it would be all right. It was not up to the standards of Oakmont. But, it would have to do.

Sighing internally, she set her chin and nodded to herself.

“Charlotte, dear. You stay here with Margaret. I need to go below for a few minutes.”

“Don’t worry Miss,” Margaret said. “We will be fine.”

Emily smiled her thanks and nodded. Here it was then. The moment she had been dreading ever since she had received Hudson’s invitation.

Squaring her shoulders, she left her daughter with the maid and made her way downstairs. She knew where they would be. The main room. It was a long room that ran half way along the front of the great house.

It was where the Sinclairs always gathered. If things hadn’t changed, it was part library, part music room, with both a harpsichord and a pianoforte. A seating area in the middle and two large fireplaces at either end.

But, the main attraction was the large glass windows that overlooked the valley.

A warm memory flowed into Emily as she remembered curling up on a plush window bench, reading books and looking out over the valley while she waited for Hudson to finish his schoolwork.

He always seemed to have so much more than her. A simple reason she realized. His had been full of math and science. Hers full of sewing and etiquette. She smiled as she recalled the constant pestering of Hudson to borrow his Natural Science books.

He had never told her she was wasting her time. Never accused her of being a mere girl, with no need to learn such things.

Not Hudson. He had simply shared all he learned.

A warm tenderness passed through her as she remembered the young boy. He had been such a good friend. She silently sent up a prayer of thanks that they had reestablished that friendship. It was so important to her.

Her face grew warm as she remembered how they spent their last time together. Admit it, Emily, she thought. You’re also thankful that you are much more than friends now.

As she stepped off the last stair, Peterson appeared out of nowhere.

“Good afternoon, Miss Emily.

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