Chapter Twenty-Six #2
“Lie back, Emily,” Charlotte instructed her with a soothing smile.
“Your mother and I must remove the rest of your wet clothing and get you in that warm bath before the doctor arrives to examine you.” The young countess waved a hand at the men gathered at the door.
“We shall update you with her condition, so please go downstairs and have a brandy to settle your nerves.” She flashed Wylder a particularly encouraging smile.
“Don’t worry, Lord Wyldewood. Emily is in good hands now.
She’s young and very strong. She will be fine, I’m sure of it. ”
*
After changing into dry clothes, Wylder made his way downstairs to the earl’s study, where the others awaited the doctor’s arrival. A servant had brought word earlier that the mare had been checked over by the stablemaster and seemed to have suffered no injuries from the incident.
“That’s a bit of good news,” Lord Blackthorne sighed in relief as Wylder entered the room. “Emily loves that mare. I would have hated to have her destroyed.”
“I found her after she’d already been thrown. Of course, I questioned the wisdom of riding such an unpredictable creature,” Wylder said gruffly.
Lord Blackthorne laughed. “And if I know my daughter at all, I predict that she defended her actions and insinuated that you should mind your own business.”
Wylder shrugged his shoulders, feeling the heat of Simon’s glare upon him as he accepted a tumbler of brandy from the earl. “She did just that. I tried getting her home as quickly as possible without causing any additional damage, Lord Blackthorne.”
“Why were you there to begin with, Wyldewood?” Simon demanded. “It could not be just a matter of luck that you happened to find her in that condition.”
“Simon, what you are insinuating—” Lucien began angrily. He glanced at Emily’s father, who gave a subtle shake of his head, indicating he would not interfere.
“I know what I am insinuating,” Simon interrupted in a cold voice. “And I want Wylder to answer my question.”
“Do you believe what you are suggesting?” Wylder asked quietly, his unflinching gaze meeting his friend’s. “Because if you sincerely do, then you and I have a problem that requires solving.”
“Answer the question, dammit.” Simon’s tone held a desperation Wylder had never heard from him before. And while his hands itched to ball into fists and punch his friend in the mouth, he realized Simon struggled with the noble task of protecting his sister.
“Once I have satisfied your curiosity, you will never bring up this subject again.” Wylder’s stare, directed toward Simon the entire time, was hard and as cold as iron as he related the events leading up to his discovery of Emily.
Explaining in great detail the actions he’d taken upon finding her, he strategically omitted the part when he declared his love and kissed her until they were both breathless.
He would speak with Emily before revealing that confession to anyone else.
“Her mother and I owe you a debt of gratitude for returning her home safely, Wylder,” Lord Blackthorne said, raising his glass in a silent toast to Wylder.
Simon remained silent during Wylder’s explanation, but now, he let out a sharp laugh and scrubbed his face with a hand as if in complete disbelief.
“Am I the only one here wondering what will happen when word of this fiasco gets out? Emily will be ruined.” His accusatory glare settled on Wylder.
“Not that you care if she finds herself embroiled in scandal.”
Wylder stood rigid and tall, his fists balling at his sides. “I care more for Emily’s happiness than you can possibly comprehend, Simon. I always have.”
Simon scoffed, tossing back the rest of his brandy. “You need an heiress to help rescue your estates. Dammit, Wylder. I warned you not to pursue her. You’ve done just the opposite, it seems.”
“That’s enough!” Lord Blackthorne nearly shouted, raking a hand through thick, salt and pepper hair.
He regarded his son with unconcealed, exasperated anger.
“I do not know why you feel this way when it comes to an alliance between Wylder and Emily, Simon, but your mother and I have long considered the earl to be the perfect match for your sister.”
“It is only with my help that he has rebuilt his fortune,” Simon hissed. “You would want Emily to marry a man whose estates are on the edge of total ruin? A man whose father is himself indebted to you?”
Lord Blackthorne stared at Simon for a long moment.
Then, his expression relaxed, and a small chuckle escaped him.
“You and I both know if your sister were given free rein, she would likely amass a fortune greater than the gentlemen in this room combined. She’s a genius when it comes to such things…
although I pretend to be unaware of her dabbling on the Exchange.
As for the duke’s debt, I shall deduct it from Emily’s dowry. ”
Wylder frowned. Not once had Emily mentioned her skill in monetary matters, and there had been numerous opportunities for her to do so.
He could only imagine she’d kept her secret for the simple fact that she did not desire to find herself used for it.
There were men in their world who would not hesitate to exploit that talent and marry her for it alone.
He might have been one of them. If his own father had his way, he would be. But knowing Emily as he did, loving her the way he did, Wylder couldn’t bring himself to expect it of her.
If they indeed were married, he would wait until she trusted him enough to offer her help. And he would accept it gratefully and with much humbleness, knowing Emily Blackthorne, the headstrong, brave, loyal girl he’d loved for so long, was the one who could save him.