A footman sprung to attention at her approach, barely hiding his smile. He opened the parlour door with an exaggerated flourish and showed her in.
The room was not empty. Viscount Yardley was at that very moment piling his plate high with a mixture of sliced ham, coddled eggs and field mushrooms. He had had little sleep and his face was drawn and grey. When he heard the door open he looked up, his expression irritated. This instantly changed to absolute horror when he saw who had interrupted him. Was there to be no respite? Surely a condemned man could be allowed to eat his last meal in peace?
Emily saw his expression and instantly her hackles rose. In her long, mostly sleepless, night she had come to the same conclusion as her grandfather. She would not be in this mess if it was not for the man staring so rudely at her. She was tempted to retreat and leave him to eat his meal in peace but she was famished and, however disagreeable her cousin, she was not going to leave the room without filling her empty stomach.
Sebastian nodded, his brimming plate still in his hand, and Emily nodded back. She knew the correct etiquette was for a lady to be seated and the gentleman to wait on her. Should she sit or help herself? Her stomach gurgled alarmingly and made the decision for her.
The plates were still warm and the food smelt appetizing. Ladies didn't pile their plates but Emily didn't care; she had been half starved for the last two years and now her body craved nourishment. Ignoring her cousin she put a random selection of hot food on her plate and took it to the far end of the long dining table. Then she returned for several slices of hot toast and a large pat of freshly churned butter.
She heard what sounded suspiciously like a snort of laughter, quickly repressed, and glanced up. Sebastian was having difficulty containing his mirth.
“Is there anything else I can get you Cousin Emily? You appear to have missed out on the cold cuts and muffins.”
Emily tried to swallow her retort but it burst out of its own volition. “If you had spent the past two years living on as little as I have you would also wish to fill your plate.”
This unexpected answer caused him to swear. “Dammit, Emily, are you telling me your situation has been so dire that there was not enough food on your table?”
“Yes, that is exactly what I am telling you, sir. What little there was went to my sisters and mother first, I made do with what was left.”
He shook his head; for a moment unable to think of something appropriate to say. “I am sorry to hear that, my dear. It is almost unbelievable that your family has been in such poor circumstances when your grandfather could have provided you with everything you needed.”
Emily dived into her breakfast too hungry to answer. Only when the plate was half empty did she pause and look up. She found, to her astonishment, that instead of seeing a pair of critical blue eyes staring back at her she was on her own. Viscount Yardley had vanished. She had been so engrossed in her excellent repast, she had not heard him depart. His breakfast remained, untouched, on the buffet.
She sighed, exasperated that her Cousin Sebastian was so finicky he could not bear to see a lady eat as heartily as she did. For the second time in twenty-four hours she congratulated herself on a lucky escape; being married to such a stickler would be tedious in the extreme.
Sebastian watched his young cousin devouring her food and instead of being revolted he was angry, furiously angry. Now he knew that her pallor and extreme thinness was caused by semi-starvation, he could see that within a few weeks Emily would be a lovely young woman. In fact she would be a diamond of the first water.
His march through the house had taken him to the earl's apartments. The footman knocked at the door and announced him.
“Good heavens, my boy, this is an early visit. What has brought you here in such a pucker?”
Sebastian gestured impatiently for the footman to leave them before he spoke. His voice was controlled but his fury quite apparent.
“How can you accuse me of ruining Emily's life, sir, when you have allowed the poor 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
“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 no more; she would have to take the chair beside him. He allowed her to settle before he spoke. “What were you thinking of child? Your display yesterday is the talk of Westerham and by this evening will be
