barely resisting the temptation to drop a kiss on her brow. Smith lit his passage back, allowing him to follow, immersed in his thoughts.
He realized he was more than reconciled to his forthcoming marriage. Life with Emily would never be dull. He smiled widely. From this point forward he was determined to turn his considerable charm and diplomatic skill to winning his young fiancé's heart.
Emily opened her eyes and attempted to lift her head but an agonizing pain shot from her temple to her jaw and forcing her to lie still. The shutters were still drawn and she could see sunlight through the cracks. It was morning; it was time to summon her abigail. She tried a second time to rise and her world spun and the intensity of the pain sickened her. She closed her eyes until the unpleasant swirling sensations had ceased.
Jenny had heard her struggles and came bursting in. “Now, you stay put, Miss Emily. You took a nasty tumble last night and banged your head. I have informed Lady Althea and she's on her way to see you.”
Emily felt too unwell to argue. She raised a feeble hand to indicate her agreement but made no attempt to speak. Her brain would not engage itself and it was too much effort to marshal her tangled thoughts.
Lady Althea arrived and was horrified to find her older daughter prostrate. “My darling girl, this is too bad. I am sending for the doctor right away. It is a great pity as I planned to introduce you to society today. We have cards for an elegant musical soiree at Lady Armitage's house; it would have been the perfect venue for you to make your curtsy.”
Emily forced her tongue, which felt, and acted, like a piece of wet lamb's wool, to form an answer. “You go to the soiree without me, Mama. It would be a shame for both of us to miss it.”
“Very well, my dear; if the doctor pronounces you well enough for me to leave you.” She glanced around the room searching for clues. “Jenny, what exactly did Miss Gibson trip over?”
Jenny coloured. “I've no idea, my lady. I was elsewhere when it happened. I helped Miss Emily into her bed, that's all.”
“It is all very odd.” Lady Althea smiled. “But no doubt when Miss Gibson has recovered she will be able to tell us exactly what transpired.”
Jenny curtsied and retired to the safety of the dressing room. She rather doubted that the full truth of the matter would ever be revealed, and especially not to Lady Althea.
Chapter Nine
The doctor pronounced Emily to be suffering from a mild concussion and confined her to her bed until he visited again. She felt so wretched that she did not argue. She slept most of the day. She was unaware that twice Smith had arrived with messages from his master. At teatime Emily had recovered sufficiently to drink a little barley water, but still felt too nauseous to eat.
“Your sisters have called, twice, but the doctor said that you were to have no visitors today, apart from Lady Althea,” Jenny told her mistress. She did not mention the missives from Viscount Yardley that remained unopened on the side table. In her opinion that gentleman was more culpable then he owned.
At dusk Emily finally felt well enough to sit up. She had an urgent need to find the commode. She rang the small brass bell her maid had placed by her bed and waited, uncomfortably, for assistance.
Her head spun unpleasantly and she was glad to regain her bed. She noticed the unopened letters on the table and asked Jenny to hand them to her. She unfolded one and the strong black writing leapt from the paper.
Yours affectionately,
Yardley.
Frowning Emily opened the second letter. This should have been read before the other.
Yours respectfully,
Yardley
Incensed she felt her head throb as the blood pulsed in waves around her body. It mattered not that the horrid brute had mistaken her for a burglar; that was no excuse, for no robber would be wearing a dress or have hair down to their waist.
She twisted the emerald ring around her finger, tempted to tear it off and return it. Then sanity prevailed. No, she would allow the engagement to continue for the present, but the minute she was established in society the engagement ended. For however much her grandfather wished it, she was never going to tie herself of a man so steeped in drink and violence that he could mistake a woman for a burglar.
“Where is it we are going this evening, Mama?”
“The Galveston's are throwing a ball to celebrate their eldest daughter's engagement to Lord Brackley. Although it is not a fashionable time to hold such an event I am sure it will be a sad crush. The Galveston's are famous for their parties. Are you certain you are up to it, my dear?”
Emily nodded and felt no ill effects. “I'm fully recovered, thank you. It's high time I wore one of my grand evening gowns.”
“Viscount Yardley is in residence, Emily, my love. I know you have not been well enough to see him but it would have been advantageous for him to escort us on your first appearance. After all, he is supposed to be your betrothed. Unfortunately he told me he does not have an invitation.”
“I am relieved to hear it, Mama, as I have no desire to spend an evening in his company.”
“The card states nine o'clock, but as it could take an hour for the carriage to deliver us we will leave at eight o'clock.” She glanced at the mantle clock. “I have ordered a light repast to be served to us in our rooms at six. This will leave us ample time to complete our preparations.”
Emily could not imagine how changing one's dress could possibly take so long. “I have not seen the girls today; I believe I heard them returning from their excursion a moment ago. I am going to find out how they enjoyed their visit to the Tower. The lions are always a splendid sight.”
Her supper was waiting for her when she returned to her own room. Although she was no longer suffering from a headache her appetite had not returned. She viewed the cold cuts, bread-and-butter and pickles with disfavour.
Jenny appeared from the bedchamber. “Oh miss, I was becoming anxious. Your bath has been waiting this past half-hour.”
“I am coming immediately. I still have an hour before I need to be downstairs.”
She soon discovered why her mother had suggested allowing two hours for her toilette. Her elaborate hair style took so long she had barely ten minutes to put on her first real evening gown.
Lady Althea had wanted her to have all three made up in pastel shades and white for these were the expected colours for a debutante. Emily had refused. This, as far as she could see, was the only advantage that being betrothed to Viscount Yardley presented. An engaged young lady was allowed more flexibility in her choice of colour.
She had selected emerald green silk for the under skirt and a filmy silver gauze for the over dress. The bodice, cut low as fashion demanded, curved prettily over her bosom. Her mother had lent her necklace of square cut emeralds, set in silver, which complemented her outfit perfectly.
“There, miss, you're ready. I haven't pulled you in too tight, there's no need, you're still so slender.” Jenny stepped back to admire her mistress. “You look a picture, Miss Emily. And no one could possibly mistake you for a boy tonight.”
Emily glanced down and grinned. “I do appear to have blossomed in that area, do I not?” She ran the silk
