CHAPTER FOUR
Audsley should have seen it coming. He should have known his mother’s demands for him to return to London couldn’t go unanswered forever. But it still came as an unpleasant surprise when he heard her carriage arrive at the abbey shortly before Audsley was to meet Emma for their daily walk.
Amelia Aston, the Countess of Audsley, was one of the most feared hostesses of the ton, despite not having the title of duchess or marchioness. She came by her infamy in part because her mother’s family was one of the oldest in England, tracing its roots back to shortly after William the Conqueror made his mark. She also derived some of her power as a sign of respect to her late husband, who had been a well-respected peer, if not the friendliest man. But, mostly, she earned her place by being ruthless. A cutting remark or even a raised brow had been known to doom a debutante’s entire season.
At two and fifty, Amelia was still an attractive woman. Her black hair had a shock of grey at the temples and her eyes were so dark they were almost black. She carried her thin frame with such a regal air it was rumored Queen Victoria had patterned her walk after her.
Audsley saw his mother infrequently, which seemed to suit both of them well. She’d vacated the Audsley townhouse in Mayfair once he’d left university and purchased her own home nearby, which was where she spent most of her time. Recently she’d begun insisting he marry and had even made a list of acceptable brides. He’d seen the list. There were only four names on it and he wasn’t interested in any of them. That was one reason he hadn’t returned to London, despite her many letters demanding that he do so.
The other reason was he didn’t want to leave Emma.
He looked forward to their daily walks very much. He’d been careful to avoid repeating the caresses of their one outing in the woods, but they’d kissed on almost every occasion they were out. To keep their lips otherwise occupied they spoke of everything and nothing at all. Well, she spoke and he mostly listened. But he was fascinated by what she said. They may have grown up near each other, but their lives couldn’t have been more different.
He’d lived the life of a nobleman, with an education at Eton and Oxford, and now occupied a seat in the House of Lords. Emma had been the daughter of a teacher, though she’d been well educated and had absorbed all the knowledge she could acquire. Audsley had begun passing on his broadsheets to Emma and Grace when he was finished with them. On the very next day, she was ready to discuss what she’d read with a faculty which far surpassed most gentlemen of his acquaintance. It was most extraordinary.
She was most extraordinary.
But now his mother was there and his routine would change.
Audsley was still at his library window watching the approaching carriage, when his butler, Stevens, entered. “My lord, the Countess of Audsley has arrived.” Though the man was the consummate professional, Audsley could tell he was worried about the disarray the household would soon be thrown into as the dowager began rearranging things to her liking.
Audsley nodded at him. “Do be so good as to have the maids prepare her ladyship’s bedchamber and have a light meal prepared. Warn Cook that the menu will likely be changed for this evening and however long her ladyship will be in residence.”
“I have already done all of that, my lord. How long do you think she will stay?” It was hard not to hear his unspoken wish that the visit be a short one.
Audsley couldn’t have been more in charity with the sentiment.
“I have no idea, though I have a feeling her return to London will occur when I make mine. For the sake of everyone here I shall try to do that with some haste. Please give the staff a libation each night through the duration of her stay.” He would have to take a drink or two himself.
Stevens smiled. “Very good, my lord.”
As Stevens left to ready the house, Audsley took a deep breath, then went outside to greet his mother. He bowed before her, as she disembarked from the carriage.
“Mama, welcome home. I hope you had a pleasant journey.”
“I did not. Nothing about the journey was anything approaching pleasant. The inn was wholly inadequate and I do not know how Reilly is still in business. I’ve half a mind to have him shut down. The weather was miserable, the roads in terrible condition and I do not have to tell you that I am missing many an entertainment in town just because you decided to ignore my entreaties to return to London. I am not pleased with you, Audsley. What do you have to say for yourself?”
That he wished for more time in the country with Emma. “I regret that your journey was not a pleasant one. But your visit will give us a chance to discuss those matters you have alluded to in your letters.”
His mother lifted a perfectly shaped brow. “That was hardly the apology I am due. But I’ll see you at supper so we can discuss this further. This house looks like it hasn’t been cleaned in years. I’ll have a word with your housekeeper.”
“Mrs. Walker is very diligent in her duties, Mama. I’ll not have you belittling her.” It was one thing to tolerate his mother’s ill treatment of him and quite another to subject his staff to it.
Amelia narrowed her eyes. “Am I not still the countess of the abbey?”
“You are. But I am the earl. I’ll see to it that you have everything you require, but I’ll not have you haranguing my people.”
She didn’t say anything for a moment, then she swept past him. “You’ll regret speaking to me like that.”
He had no doubt she’d be true to her word, then Audsley realized his London butler, Deakins, had accompanied her and was now standing a discreet distance away, looking extremely uncomfortable.
“Welcome to the country, Deakins. I hope she did not tear you away from other plans.”
“It is my honor to serve the Audsley family, my lord,” he said bowing.
“I thank you all the same. I presume Reilly was a good host, as always?”
“He was, my lord. Very accommodating. I paid him extra as we left, for any inconvenience. He didn’t want to take it, but I assured him you would be grateful for his hard work.”
“Very good. He runs the best inn on the way to London. I would hate to not be welcomed the next time.”
“You’ve no fear of that, my lord, but, if you’ll excuse me for saying, I do not believe the staff at the inn regard Lady Audsley with as much esteem.”
“I suspect you are right. I’m certain Stevens is preparing a room for you as we speak. Please feel free to retire for the rest of the night. And thank you for all your hard work during the journey. I suspect it was taxing.”
“Thank you, my lord,” said Deakins without contradicting him, before heading to the servants’ quarters.
* * *
His mother’s mood had not improved by the time supper was served. Since it was just the two of them, Audsley had sent word that they would dispense with gathering before dinner in the sitting room. He’d received no response, but his mother arrived for dinner punctually at eight and proceeded directly to the dining room where he was waiting.
“I see you don’t have enough respect to dress for supper,” she said, as she waited for Stevens to seat her. She was dressed in a silk gown she’d bought in Paris the previous year and was wearing the Audsley diamond necklace with matching earbobs. While Audsley had no desire to wed, a perverse part of him wished to do so simply so that he could take the jewels for his bride.
“I am wearing evening clothes, Mama,” he said, as he took his seat and nodded to Stevens to begin the service. “Other than forgoing a diamond cravat pin, I believe I would not look out of place at a ton ball.”
“Only because they dress so casually now,” she said, as she examined her cutlery, searching for a less than perfect shine. Not finding it seemed to put her even more out of sorts. “Why have you not returned to town?”
“I have been occupied here.”
“Doing what?”
Walking with Emma. “Estate business.”
“That is what stewards are for.”
“Sometimes it is necessary for an earl to be with his people.”
“But surely not for this long. You may claim to be attending to your duties, but in one area you have most grievously failed. You must find a wife.” She took a sip of her soup, then snapped her fingers in the direction of a footman. “Take this back. It lacks salt.”
“We can have salt brought to the table, Mama.”
“I am no longer in the mood for soup. I do not know why you will not consider any of the bridal candidates I have selected for you.”
“I suppose it is, in part, because you refer to them as candidates, as if they are running for public office.”
“In a way they are. The Countess of Audsley is a very distinguished, well-respected position. Not every lady is capable of performing the duties as required.”
“Another reason is because you speak of my future wife as someone who must fulfill duties. I rather like to think she would be someone I wished to spend my days with.” As for his nights, all he could think of was Emma.
His mother sniffed at the pheasant which had just been unveiled in front of her. “Take it away, it is much too gamey. Audsley, I do hope you won’t embarrass me by adhering to the unfortunately modern concept of wishing to choose a bride because she suits you. Nothing could be more of a harbinger of future discord than someone who likes you right now. Tastes change. Breeding does not.”
“Thank you for your insight, Mama, but I will select my own bride and nothing you do will dissuade me. And that is the last we shall speak of the matter. If you have nothing else to say, let us spend the meal in silence.”
And that was exactly what transpired. It was a long and silent meal, broken only by the occasional directive from Audsley to his servants and the almost continual snapping of the countess’s fingers.