CHAPTER SIXTEEN
As Audsley’s carriage came to a halt in front of his London home, Emma realized her life had become a series of firsts. Some of them had been wonderful – the first time making love at an inn, the first time making love in a carriage, and soon she would likely experience the first time making love in their London home. Others were less diverting. She was about to enter his house for the first time as Audsley’s countess, thereby making her the mistress of the household. It wouldn’t be her first time in his – their – home, of course. She and her friends had stayed there when Carter and Grace had been courting. But his cousin Lady Endicott had acted as hostess. Now it would be Emma’s responsibility to run this household and as she looked up at the house now, she could swear it had grown since her last visit.
The courtyard was a whirl of activity as footmen unloaded the carriages. Audsley’s very dignified butler, Deakins, approached while they were still in the courtyard, then bowed. “Lord and Lady Audsley, welcome home.”
“Thank you, Deakins,” said Audsley, before sweeping Emma up into his arms. “I trust Mrs. Deakins is well?”
If Deakins thought it was odd to see Audsley holding his wife in such a way, he gave no indication. “Yes, my lord, thank you for asking. She looks forward to welcoming the two of you back to London but is currently ensuring your suite is ready.”
“I am certain it will be, given her hard work. Do be so good as to have a hot bath drawn, then send up dinner to the master suite about an hour after that.”
“Very good, my lord,” said Deakins bowing, then crossing to the house to carry out his orders.
Emma felt a bit ridiculous to be held in Audsley’s arms as he issued instructions to his staff, but he seemed perfectly at ease. “What are you doing?” she asked, as he approached the door.
“Carrying you into your new London home,” he said.
“The servants are all watching.”
He shrugged – which was impressive, given that his arms were weighted down. “That happens when one is an earl.”
They entered the house and Emma expected he would set her on her feet. That did not occur, as he made his way toward the grand staircase. Everything was much the same as the last time she’d been there. The smell of lemon and beeswax welcomed them home and fresh flowers were in vases throughout the foyer. Emma made a mental note to explore the gardens and wondered if the house had an orangerie. It almost certainly did, and she looked forward to breathing in its bounty.
Audsley walked up the stairs with ease, then turned to ascend the next flight. “Audsley, I already know you are strong. You needn’t carry me to prove it.”
“Are you displeased?” he asked, as he continued climbing.
“Not in the least. Having a strong, handsome husband has many advantages.”
“You think I’m handsome?”
“Quite. Every woman thinks you are handsome, though I hope my saying that doesn’t make your head swell to an inordinate degree.”
“You do not have to worry about that, since I care little how other ladies see me. I am only concerned about one.” He walked down the hall, adorned by portraits of the former Earls of Audsley. Emma realized her own son’s portrait would one day be on a wall in this home. Then she realized hers might be, too. Her life truly had changed a great deal.
He entered his suite where two maids were smoothing the covers on the bed. One of them jumped a bit, startled. Both looked at their master carrying his new wife and their eyes widened. Mrs. Deakins entered from the adjoining bathing room. “Welcome home, my lord, my lady.” Her smile was as warm as Emma remembered it.
“Thank you,” said Audsley. “I see you have arranged for our homecoming with your usual efficiency. I’m certain the countess will wish to meet with you in the coming days once she has settled.”
“Yes, I look forward to it,” said Emma, hoping they weren’t shocking Mrs. Deakins too much.
“I am at your service, my lady. My lord, the bath has been drawn and supper will be ready as soon as you wish it. My lady, your things are being put into the countess’s bedchamber. Will you require a maid to help you undress?”
Emma blushed profusely. “I believe no assistance will be necessary.”
“No, it will not be,” said Audsley. “But thank you, Mrs. Deakins. That will be all.”
The housekeeper ushered the maids to the door but turned before leaving. “If you don’t mind my saying, Mr. Deakins and I were most pleased to hear about your wedding. The entire staff was.” Then she curtsied and left.
“She is most kind,” said Emma.
“She and her husband have been here so long they seem like family, themselves.”
Emma certainly preferred them to Audsley’s mother but figured this might not be the time to say so. “Are you going to put me down anytime soon?”
“Don’t you like being in my arms?”
“I like it very much, but your arms must be getting tired. And before you ask, I am not casting aspersions on your strength.”
“I would hope not,” he said, as he let her slide down his body until her feet were on the ground, though he still kept his arms around her. “Now, unless you are too hungry, perhaps I should show you the bathing chamber.”
“I could be starving, but would still find time for a bath,” said Emma.
“Good. You’ll be pleased to know I sent word ahead to purchase bath oils. You’ll find they can enhance the enjoyment of a simple bath.”
“I enjoy any bath in which I don’t have to heat my own water. Audsley, do you think everyone knows what we are about to do? I’m not certain I’ll be able to look at your staff without blushing.”
He shrugged. “What of it? Now, let us continue your lessons in the bath.”
“This I will gladly do. But don’t get used to my obedience.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it, my lady.”
* * *
The first few days in London found Emma trying to learn everything she could about running the household. The very capable Mrs. Deakins ran the staff with efficiency, but there were a surprising number of decisions which Emma would have to make herself.
“I must confess to you, Mrs. Deakins, that I don’t have much experience with a large household. For the past seven years, my sister and I lived in a small cottage which only had the services of a cook who came in a few times a week. Before that, we lived in a small home with our parents and Mama made most of the decisions. Unfortunately, I come to you woefully unprepared.”
“But you are an intelligent young lady who is eager to learn and kind to the servants. I’m certain you’ll master everything in no time.”
As Emma grew accustomed to her new duties, Audsley caught up on parliamentary matters in his library. Little by little, they settled into a routine of attending to their own work during the day, then devoting themselves to each other at night. Life was just settling in when they were interrupted during supper on the twelfth night they’d been in London.
“The dowager countess has come to call,” Deakins said, shortly before the lady herself stormed into the dining room, furious to the point of shaking. It was clear the butler had meant for the lady to stay in the foyer until he went to collect her, but it was equally clear the dowager would have her say.
“Mama,” said Audsley calmly, rising from his seat. “I did not realize you’d returned to town.”
“I returned only today and what did I find? A letter informing me of this catastrophe.”
Before she could say anything further, Audsley nodded to his butler. “Deakins, do be so good as to arrange for tea in the sitting room for the dowager countess. As for my wife…” Here he turned to Emma. “Have you finished eating, my dear?”
Emma was down to her last bite of dessert, but even if she weren’t, she would have no more appetite. Not with the furious dowager glaring at them. Though it did help a bit that Audsley had said “my dear.” “Yes, thank you. But I believe I might prefer a glass of wine instead of tea.”
Audsley nodded to Deakins, who immediately set off to see to it. “Shall we retire to the sitting room?” He held out his arm to Emma, who took it. The dowager narrowed her eyes, then stalked off in the direction of the sitting room.
It had been a long time since Emma had spoken to Amelia. In fact, they’d had no meaningful conversation since the one seven years earlier. However, there she was now, looking just as unhappy about their marriage as Emma would have predicted. Then Emma remembered something. She was now the mistress of this house and Amelia was her guest. She curtsied to Audsley’s mother. “Welcome to our home, my lady. Do sit down,” she said, indicating the settee.
After a moment’s surprise, Amelia sat and Emma took the chair opposite, with Audsley sitting in the one next to her. He reached for her hand, before warily addressing his mother. “Mama, I will set aside the scene you just made in front of the servants to allow you an opportunity to welcome my wife into the family.”
“I will do no such thing. In fact…”
“You did not let me finish. Emma has done me the very great honor of marrying me. She is my wife and I will not allow anyone – and I mean anyone – to speak ill of her. I regret you had to learn of this in a letter, but we wished to marry quickly, and you were on the continent. I trust that you will receive her with grace. If you do not, there will be a problem. Do I make myself clear?”
Emma was shocked that Audsley had been so straightforward with his mother. He’d been polite, but there had been a tone in his voice which said he would brook no opposition. She didn’t know what his relationship was like with his mother, other than he’d obviously been close enough to her seven years earlier to confide in her about their time in the maze. Something must have changed in the meantime and Emma wondered what it was.
While Amelia’s lips remained pursed together and her eyes narrowed, her face grew redder and redder. She remained that way for a long moment after her son finished speaking. Finally, she replied. “Why was the marriage so rushed?” Then she looked pointedly at Emma’s midsection.
Now it was Emma’s turn to blush. But if she thought Audsley might back down, she was mistaken.
“Emma and I married because we wanted to make a life together. I expect you to give my wife the respect she deserves, and I will accept nothing less from you. Do you understand?”
“How dare you speak to me this way!” said Amelia.
“Do you understand?” he repeated, not backing down an inch.
Amelia turned to Emma. “You trapped him into marriage! I just know it. You took advantage of the weakness all men have, and you trapped him! He would never choose to marry you of his own accord.”
Emma could feel Audsley’s anger rise, but she put her hand on his arm to calm him. “You cannot think your son is such a fool as to be trapped into anything. And I’ll not sit by as you insult us.”
Amelia was struck silent for too brief a moment, before turning to her son. “Are you going to let her talk to me like this?”
“In a word, yes. Emma and I are married, Mama. You can either accept that and welcome her into the family or stay away. But you will not insult my wife in my hearing and especially not in our home.”
There was a long moment when Amelia didn’t say anything. When she finally spoke, it was with the coldest tone of voice Emma had ever heard from anyone. “The two of you have made the biggest mistake of your lives. But I will not allow more of a scandal to befall this family other than the one you’ve already brought upon it. I will act as if I have allowed this and will limit my interaction with you as much as possible.”
“Good,” said Audsley. “You may begin now.” He pointed toward the door.
His mother’s eyes widened, but she didn’t object. Instead, she rose and turned her back on them. She took two steps, then stumbled. Then she clutched her chest and fell to the floor.