Read Online A Country Mouse by Fenella Miller - Free Book Online
Authors: Fenella Miller
Tags: Regency Romance Novella
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girl to slowly starve these past two years? It is unpardonable. If you were a younger man I would call you out.'
The Earl recoiled and grasped a chair-back for support. He appeared to crumble and suddenly he was no longer a wealthy, powerful aristocrat but a vulnerable old man. Sebastian realized, too late, he had allowed his anger at Emily's treatment to overcome his common sense. What sort of diplomat was he? Why he was behaving like a veritable greenhorn he had no idea. A stripling straight from school would have better manners.
Instantly remorseful his anger evaporated. 'I am sorry, grandfather; I did not mean to distress you.' He came forward and helped the old man to a chair, waiting until he was seated and comfortable before he spoke again. 'Emily's half starved; how could you have allowed this to happen?' His enquiry was mild this time.
The old man shrugged. 'I did not know how bad things were. I know that is no excuse but I intend to make amends for it now. Those girls will want for nothing, I promise you. I want to give Emily a season, if that is what she would like.'
Sebastian could sense a reprieve. If Emily went to London, it was possible she would meet someone more to her liking. She had made it patently obvious that she held him in little regard.
'That sounds like an excellent idea, sir'
'I am glad you approve, my boy.' He had now recovered his composure and was once more in control. 'As your fiancé she will have entrée to all the best homes. A young lady needs to see the world a little before settling down.'
'I have not asked her yet, Grandfather. Have you considered the very real possibility that she will refuse me? We do not suit you know.'
'Stuff and nonsense! Emily will do as she is bid, once things have been explained to her.' He paused, lost in thought. 'I will speak to her after I have broken my fast. Then you will make her an offer. I expect you to appear at eleven o'clock sharp, in the library, is that understood?'
'Yes, sir. I shall be there.' He had no option, he had given his word and he was now obliged to ask a most unsuitable girl to be his wife. He shuddered as he considered the mayhem she could cause in the refined world of international diplomacy. But he had promised. He was obliged to marry her unless she could be persuaded to cry off. His mobile mouth slowly curled at the corners. What if he made himself so objectionable Emily decided that his wealth and title would not compensate her for being shackled to him. Sebastian bowed.
'If you will excuse me, sir, I will speak to you later, when all is settled between my cousin and I.'
'See that you do.'
* * * *
Emily swallowed the last two morsels of ham and placed her cutlery on her plate. She pushed back her chair and looked longingly at the remaining food still spread out on the sideboard. Did she have room, perhaps, for a hot muffin with bramble jelly?
The door opened and her grandfather was bowed in. Immediately she curtsied, dropping her eyes politely.
'Good morning, sir.'
'Good morning, my dear Emily. Please do not rush off; you can keep me company. Will you take a dish of tea whilst I break my fast?'
Emily straightened, her eyes widening. Whatever she had been expecting it is not such a convivial greeting. 'I would love to, thank you,' she added with a smile, 'I can highly recommend the ham and coddled eggs and the muffins look delicious also.'
He chuckled, his faded blue eyes almost disappearing in the creases. 'You may serve me, child, with whatever you enjoyed yourself. I have a devil of a job deciding.'
The footman retreated once the earl was safely seated. Happily Emily selected a variety of tempting items, but did not overfill the plate. She felt sure that an elderly gentleman would not wish to consume the same amount of food she had managed. He appeared satisfied with her choices and commenced his meal whilst she fetched him a mug of porter and poured tea into a delicate porcelain cup for herself.
She could delay
The Earl recoiled and grasped a chair-back for support. He appeared to crumble and suddenly he was no longer a wealthy, powerful aristocrat but a vulnerable old man. Sebastian realized, too late, he had allowed his anger at Emily's treatment to overcome his common sense. What sort of diplomat was he? Why he was behaving like a veritable greenhorn he had no idea. A stripling straight from school would have better manners.
Instantly remorseful his anger evaporated. 'I am sorry, grandfather; I did not mean to distress you.' He came forward and helped the old man to a chair, waiting until he was seated and comfortable before he spoke again. 'Emily's half starved; how could you have allowed this to happen?' His enquiry was mild this time.
The old man shrugged. 'I did not know how bad things were. I know that is no excuse but I intend to make amends for it now. Those girls will want for nothing, I promise you. I want to give Emily a season, if that is what she would like.'
Sebastian could sense a reprieve. If Emily went to London, it was possible she would meet someone more to her liking. She had made it patently obvious that she held him in little regard.
'That sounds like an excellent idea, sir'
'I am glad you approve, my boy.' He had now recovered his composure and was once more in control. 'As your fiancé she will have entrée to all the best homes. A young lady needs to see the world a little before settling down.'
'I have not asked her yet, Grandfather. Have you considered the very real possibility that she will refuse me? We do not suit you know.'
'Stuff and nonsense! Emily will do as she is bid, once things have been explained to her.' He paused, lost in thought. 'I will speak to her after I have broken my fast. Then you will make her an offer. I expect you to appear at eleven o'clock sharp, in the library, is that understood?'
'Yes, sir. I shall be there.' He had no option, he had given his word and he was now obliged to ask a most unsuitable girl to be his wife. He shuddered as he considered the mayhem she could cause in the refined world of international diplomacy. But he had promised. He was obliged to marry her unless she could be persuaded to cry off. His mobile mouth slowly curled at the corners. What if he made himself so objectionable Emily decided that his wealth and title would not compensate her for being shackled to him. Sebastian bowed.
'If you will excuse me, sir, I will speak to you later, when all is settled between my cousin and I.'
'See that you do.'
* * * *
Emily swallowed the last two morsels of ham and placed her cutlery on her plate. She pushed back her chair and looked longingly at the remaining food still spread out on the sideboard. Did she have room, perhaps, for a hot muffin with bramble jelly?
The door opened and her grandfather was bowed in. Immediately she curtsied, dropping her eyes politely.
'Good morning, sir.'
'Good morning, my dear Emily. Please do not rush off; you can keep me company. Will you take a dish of tea whilst I break my fast?'
Emily straightened, her eyes widening. Whatever she had been expecting it is not such a convivial greeting. 'I would love to, thank you,' she added with a smile, 'I can highly recommend the ham and coddled eggs and the muffins look delicious also.'
He chuckled, his faded blue eyes almost disappearing in the creases. 'You may serve me, child, with whatever you enjoyed yourself. I have a devil of a job deciding.'
The footman retreated once the earl was safely seated. Happily Emily selected a variety of tempting items, but did not overfill the plate. She felt sure that an elderly gentleman would not wish to consume the same amount of food she had managed. He appeared satisfied with her choices and commenced his meal whilst she fetched him a mug of porter and poured tea into a delicate porcelain cup for herself.
She could delay
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