CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Two days after her mortifying episode in the breakfast room, Emma had a delightful surprise when Audsley’s cousin Lady Endicott came to call. He was out, as he so often was these days, so Emma had the pleasure of receiving the lady by herself. Emma was in the library when Deakins came to announce their guest, with Lady Endicott directly on his heels.
Louise Kempton, Lady Endicott, was in her early sixties and had been widowed half a dozen years. She was Audsley’s cousin on his father’s side and was a truly kind woman. “Forgive me for not waiting to be announced,” she said, as she entered the room and turned an apologetic look toward the bemused butler. “But I have been both extremely excited and terribly frustrated since receiving Audsley’s letter and am finally back in London to see you.”
Emma enfolded her friend in her arms and tried unsuccessfully not to cry. “Deakins,” she said, wiping her eyes, “pray bring us tea and the best scones Cook has to offer.”
“At once, my lady,” said a smiling Deakins, as he bowed and departed.
Emma led Lady Endicott to the settee. “Now why are you frustrated? Do you have reservations about the match?”
“Certainly not! I have wanted this to come to pass since you stayed here a few months ago. I did my best to push the two of you together, though I did it with such subtlety I daresay you didn’t even notice.”
Emma had to laugh, as she remembered the other lady’s matchmaking. “I believe I may have picked up on a hint of it from time to time.”
“That is only because you are a lady of great intelligence and discernment. I was frustrated because I was in the wilds of Scotland and there is no returning from there quickly, despite the advancements in travel. Is Audsley at home?”
“No,” said Emma before the tears began to fall again. “I feel like a fool for crying.”
“Oh, my dear,” said Lady Endicott, as she rubbed Emma’s back. “I remember more than one bout of tears when I was newly married. It comes with the territory. It is a great misconception that a lady spends years belonging to no one other than herself, then becomes the perfect wife as soon as she is married. The reality of it is young ladies – sensible ones, that is – have minds of their own and lives to match them. However, a bride is expected to move from a home where her father made all her decisions to her husband’s abode where he will start ordering her about. Who wouldn’t shed a few tears over that? But Audsley hasn’t been too dreadful, has he?”
“Of course not, my lady.”
“You must call me Louise. We are cousins, are we not?”
“Thank you, Louise. And Audsley hasn’t been ordering me about too much.” Louise raised a brow, which made Emma laugh. “All right, he has issued a few, but compared to how he used to order me about when I was merely a tenant, I must say he has vastly improved. No, Audsley isn’t my problem.”
Understanding infused Louise’s whole demeanor. “Is it his mother?”
“In part,” said Emma, carefully. She trusted Louise not to carry tales, but she didn’t want to impugn Amelia with anyone. “It’s the entire thing. I’m not a very good countess.”
“Nonsense. I cannot imagine Audsley told you that and if he did, I shall box his ears. Not really, but I would give him a talking to which would surely blister them.”
“He has been very kind. But there are so many rules and expectations. Also, I…” Emma didn’t realize she had put her hand over her stomach until Louise broke out into a grin.
“Emma, I shouldn’t ask, but is there another change in your life?”
“A wonderful one.” The baby always made her smile. “It is also why we couldn’t wait until you returned from Scotland before marrying. Audsley didn’t want to take any risks.”
Louise enveloped her in such a warm embrace that Emma couldn’t help but cry anew. Louise pulled back, horrified. “Forgive me, my dear. Did I hurt you?”
“No, of course not,” said Emma, wiping her eyes but unable to stop her tears. “It’s just…” She shook her head, unable to speak.
“Having a baby is a wonderful experience which completely turns one on one’s head. I remembered crying at least thrice a day in the early months.”
“When did it stop?”
“I’m not sure it ever really does stop. Children have a way of making you laugh and cry in ways you never thought possible, though what you’re going through now won’t last too long. But I believe you should wring every little concession you can from Audsley while you’re at it, since I’m certain he won’t be able to abide seeing you in tears.”
That only made Emma cry harder.
“Oh, my love!” said Louise, as she hugged Emma. “Please forgive my silly jest.”
“It isn’t that, it’s just…” Emma didn’t want to put Louise in the middle of her problems, but she’d no sooner had that thought than the whole thing came tumbling out. “He’s in love with Lady Embry!”
“Who is, my love?” Louise looked truly confused.
“Audsley!”
“Impossible!”
“It’s true!”
“Emma, there is no way that is true. Whoever told you such a dastardly lie?”
Emma had to sort through the fog in her brain to remember. “Amelia told me he was in love with her, and Cressida Phillips told me it was only a matter of time before they’d have an affair, since Lady Embry has already borne two sons.”
“A pox on both of them for saying such things. And, really, Emma, I would think you’d have more sense than to believe anything either of them said. It is true that Lady Embry and Audsley saw each other socially for a time, but that was over long ago.”
“Only because Lord Embry swept her off her feet, leaving Audsley broken-hearted.”
“That is utter nonsense. Audsley may have had a dance or two with her, but I heard nothing about his heart being engaged.”
“But you wouldn’t! He is a very private man and hides his emotions.”
“Then how did I know he was in love with you these many years? I see you have no response to that, do you?”
Emma’s insides flip-flopped. “Did he ever tell you that?”
“He didn’t have to, my dear, because I am also a woman of great discernment. He has never shown any type of partiality to any other lady – and there have been a few over the years – but I’d known about you even before you stayed at the house. And once I saw the two of you together, well, I predicted this baby long ago. I’m just surprised it took this long.”
“You truly don’t think I have anything to worry about?”
Louise took her hand. “I truly believe you have already started your happily ever after.”