CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
“Thank you for meeting with me, Embry,” said Audsley, as he sat in a club chair across from the man at White’s. He had worked with him on various pieces of legislation through the years, but they had never socialized other than the occasional conversation at a ton event. But Audsley felt he could be trusted not to betray his confidence. “I understand you have some shipping connections in France.”
“I do. Are you interested in investing?”
“No, but I was hoping to get some information from you.” He told Embry what he’d learned so far about Emma’s parents and the difficulties he’d had in making contact. “So, I was wondering if you knew a better way to find answers.”
Embry took a sip of his drink as he considered it. “It’s a rather tricky business to learn anything in France. But I’ll get your man the names of trusted associates who can work on your behalf.”
“Thank you. I’ll pay whatever is needed to facilitate the negotiations.”
“You can trust my men to make the best bargain for you, but it could be expensive, nonetheless. That wife of yours must mean a great deal to you.” Embry took another sip of his drink while staring intently at Audsley.
“She means everything to me.” Audsley wondered why Embry was interested in the state of his marriage.
After a moment, Embry nodded. “I’ll help however I can and hope everything turns out well. I’m also pleased to learn of your matrimonial happiness. A man needs a good reason to stay home.” He got up to take his leave. “I’ll send word if I hear anything.”
Audsley thanked him again, then was about to leave when he heard a familiar voice behind him. “What the devil are you doing here, Audsley?” asked Carter.
Audsley was especially glad to see him, not just because Carter was his closest friend, but because it meant Grace was in London, as well. Emma needed her sister and Audsley needed Emma to be happy. “Finally made it to town, did you?”
“I finally remembered I have a seat in the House of Lords. Of course, my wife has been begging me to return so she can look after Emma. But it was still difficult to leave the comforts of home.”
“From what I recall, your Mayfair home is rather comfortable, as well.”
Carter shrugged. “But it has the disadvantage of being in London, which is filled with people who wish to visit and meet my new wife.”
“I would think you’d like Grace to take her place in the ton.”
“Of course, I do. I just hate it when it takes her out of our bed. Speaking of which, do you know how many times your visits in the country took me away from pleasurable pursuits with my wife?”
“I have a pretty good idea. You weren’t exactly subtle about it.”
“So, you knew, yet you kept coming.”
“Yes. I was frustrated in my own courtship of Emma and figured it wasn’t fair that you had such an easy time of it.”
“My courtship of Grace was anything but easy. She corrected my spelling! But marriage life has helped make up for it, though she still corrects my spelling.”
“That’s what you get for having a clever wife.”
“And I love every minute of it,” said Carter with a grin.
“With any luck, you’ll be able to make her very happy in the near future. I want to talk to you about Emma and Grace’s parents.”
* * *
Amelia paced the length of her sitting room yet again. “I can’t believe Emma didn’t return to the country. I thought for sure that learning about Lady Embry would be all the incentive she needed to turn tail and run.”
“I believe your daughter-in-law is made of sterner stuff,” said Friedman, from where he lounged on the settee, one booted foot on the low table in front of him.
“I blame my late husband’s cousin for this. She’s a lonely old widow who fancies herself a matchmaker.”
“But even a matchmaker would have a difficult time covering up cold, hard proof of an affair, if you had any,” said Friedman, as he crossed one leg over the other.
“Remember your manners and get your feet off the table.”
For a moment, Friedman did nothing and Amelia wondered if he realized just how wholly dependent he’d become on her and her purse. But then he took one foot off the table and, after a long pause, removed the other.
“How will you give the new Lady Audsley proof?” he asked. “I don’t think your son will naturally fall into the arms of the delectable Lady Embry.”
“He’s a man. They all fall.”
“Don’t be so certain of it. After all, we are the stronger sex.”
“Not in matters of the bedchamber, you aren’t. And I plan to use that to my advantage.”