CHAPTER TWENTY
Audsley knew it was bad of him to leave Emma the task of seeing to his mother, but he wasn’t sure he could retain his composure if he did it. She’d been abominably rude to his wife and he couldn’t countenance it. He wouldn’t countenance it. He had a responsibility to his wife and child which must come before everything else. And it was time to make that very clear.
Emma was out shopping when he returned to the house that afternoon and Audsley decided it was finally time to talk to his mother. He found her in the sitting room adjoining her bedchamber, attending to correspondence. “It is about time you came to check on my well-being,” she said, as she barely looked up from an invitation she was reading.
“Emma and my staff have been keeping me apprised of your condition. I would have seen you earlier today but needed to leave immediately after breakfast. I had a feeling you would not wish to be awakened.”
“At least you were right about that one small thing.”
“How do you feel today?”
“How do you think I feel? My heart is weak, that bed is lumpy and I must face the embarrassment of learning my son was married by special license while I was out of the country. You should hope you never have a day such as this.”
“No one has the perfect life,” was all Audsley could think to say to her list of complaints. “Deakins said Emma is out shopping for a new wardrobe. Did you arrange for that?”
His mother smiled and Audsley grew wary. True smiles were rare for the dowager and were almost always bad for others. “Yes, a friend has taken her to a modiste and I’m certain it was a great indisposition to do so, considering how your wife dresses in rags.”
“I would be honored to take her anywhere.”
“You say that now, but wait until your standing in the House of Lords suffers due to her lack of breeding. Oh, don’t furrow your brow at me! I have done you a great favor in arranging for her wardrobe. You’ll still be stuck with her pert tongue and abysmal manners.”
“There is nothing wrong with her manners.” Or her tongue, as he’d been fortunate to discover over the nights they’d been together. “Regardless of the nature of our wedding, Emma is my wife. How you perceive the match is up to you. But how you treat Emma is in my control. If you treat her cruelly, you’ll be cut out of our lives.”
“You would cast me out while I am at death’s door?”
“When you are at death’s door, ask me.”
“She told me she is enceinte. At least now I know why you had to marry so quickly.”
“I wanted to marry her.”
“She obviously trapped you into it.”
“Not in the least.”
“Do keep in mind that if you let your wife run free, your child will suffer, as well. The ton can be very unforgiving.”
“You’ll learn that I can be, as well. You will not say another word against my wife, especially while you reside beneath this roof. If you need anything, have your maid inform me. Otherwise, I will be in my library.”
* * *
Emma returned from her shopping trip more hopeful than she’d been since arriving in London. Lady Embry had been a pleasant companion and had made the daunting task of shopping for a wardrobe much less onerous than Emma would have predicted. She was also pleased to learn that Audsley had returned and was working in his library. He rose when she entered.
“You look like you had a pleasant day shopping,” he said, as he kissed her then helped her to the settee.
Emma smiled at how solicitous he was being about her condition. She sometimes felt like a fraud since she didn’t need the assistance, but she liked his touch too much to object. “I spent too much of the Audsley fortune. I fear our children will have to go into trade to refill the estate coffers.”
“A little hard work will do them good.”
Emma loved how Audsley made jests more often now. It was a side to him she’d seldom seen, but it suited him perfectly. “I confess that it would have been much more daunting were it not for the help of Lady Embry.”
Audsley stilled beside her. “I did not realize you knew her.”
“I didn’t until today. Your mother asked if she would help me. Lady Embry made the process much less intimidating than it might have been otherwise and it was as pleasant as being measured countless times could be.” Emma realized Audsley had grown rather stiff. “Is something wrong?”
“I do not believe Lady Embry is the type of friend you should have.”
“I thought she was a particular friend of the family. I’ll admit that when your mother said that I was afraid she might be like, well, your mother. But she was warm and most helpful.”
“Lady Embry is one of the most fashionable matrons of the ton, so it is no surprise that she was helpful with your gowns. But I would prefer that you do not pursue a friendship with her.”
“Yet you have given me no reason for your request.”
Audsley sighed. “It is not a matter I would like to discuss. Is it simply not enough that I wish it to be so?”
Emma’s heart sank. This was the Audsley she’d been most acquainted with over the past several years. Not the one who made jests, but the one who expected to be obeyed. “I cannot help but wonder what you would expect me to do if you said you no longer wished for me to be friends with Arabella or Daphne or Lily.”
“I would never ask you to give up those friendships. They mean too much to you and I like those ladies very much.”
“But you do not like Lady Embry?”
“Emma, please. I do not wish to discuss this. Can we not leave it at that?” For a moment, he looked hesitant, as if he had gone too far. But then, he kissed her cheek, then went back to his desk. “I look forward to seeing you at dinner but would like to finish writing this speech before then.”
“Very well.” Emma left the room wondering if the old Audsley would now replace the one she loved so much.