Earlier that morning, Emma’s father asked her to call upon Lady Hester. He wanted Emma to present his annual donation for the orphanage to Lady Hester, along with a large hamper of food and some toys for the children. Emma willingly agreed to do so, and while from the house, she intended to combine the trip with a visit to her milliner.
The only problem was that when Gresham set Emma down outside Lady Hester’s town house in Great Pulteney Street, instead of being able to leave the hamper and banker’s draft, her ladyship had insisted Emma accompany her to the orphanage. She wanted Emma to see for herself what was being achieved by the regular openhanded donations from Mr. Brentry and other like-minded merchants.
It had been difficult for Emma to refuse. Dismissing Gresham, telling him to return with the barouche in an hour, Emma set off in Lady Hester’s carriage to inspect the orphanage, situated a short distance away on the London Road.
To Emma’s surprise, she found the visit to be an enjoyable experience, and on the return journey to her ladyship’s house, she chatted happily about what she had seen and learned.
Emma smiled at Lady Hester and said, “The children appear well cared for. One boy was particularly helpful in telling me about his schooling. He was quite eager to join the navy and travel the seas.”
“Yes, we have a schoolmaster that comes to teach the basics of reading and writing,” Lady Hester said. “Some children decide to go into service, while others have more adventurous ideas in their heads. As long as they are off the streets and are safe, that’s all that matters.”
“It’s good of the orphanage to provide an education, and it must be a comfort to know that when older, they will be able to survive and provide for themselves.”
Lady Hester patted Emma’s hand. “Your father’s been extremely benevolent. He has even offered some of our older children work in his factory. My dear Emma, I must tell you he has been so kind. Such a good and generous man.”
Upon reaching Great Pulteney Street, a waiting footman, on the alert for the return of the carriage, assisted Lady Hester and Emma to climb from the barouche.
The footman bowed low. “Miss Brentry, I’m sorry to inform you that your carriage and coachman have been and gone.”
“Gresham was here?”
It was then that she realized she had been at the orphanage for more than two hours.
“Your coachman asked if her ladyship could spare a servant to run to Lansdown Crescent upon your return. He said he’ll be with you as soon as he can. He did wait, but the horses were becoming restless and he―”
“Oh dear…how thoughtless of me,” Emma said, concerned. “I completely forgot I’d asked him to return within the hour. He must have wondered what had happened to me.”
Lady Hester placed a hand comfortingly on Emma’s arm. “Not to worry, my dear,” said Lady Hester. “Come along inside and join me for afternoon tea. And while we take tea, I will indeed have a footman sent to Lansdown Crescent to fetch your carriage.”
Emma politely refused. “I wouldn’t want to put you to the bother, Your Ladyship. I must visit my milliner on Broad Street. She is making several hats, and one in particular is to be made ready for my wedding day.”
“But you have no carriage. Surely you do not intend to walk.”
“It’s but a short distance to Pulteney Bridge and from there to Broad Street. Walking will be no hardship. Truly. And when I’m finished at Madam Ferrier’s, if need be, I can always take a sedan chair to my father’s house in Lansdown Crescent. In fact, as it is such a lovely afternoon, I might even walk there too. No harm can come of it, and the exercise will do me good.”
“My dear, you really shouldn’t. You don’t have your maid with you. You must allow one of my footmen to escort you instead. Spencer here will accompany you. Won’t you, Spencer?”
Once again, the footman bowed low. “Certainly, Your Ladyship.”
“No, I insist he must not,” protested Emma. “I would much prefer to go alone.”
Apparently realizing that Emma was determined to do as she wished, Lady Hester shrugged her shoulders. “Are you sure I cannot persuade you otherwise?”
“Indeed you cannot, Lady Hester. However, I must thank you for today’s lovely outing, and I promise to report back to Papa, telling him of all your good works.”
Lady Hester smiled. “Give my best wishes to your father, and when you next see Mr. Trent, tell him that I hope things are soon sorted and that Lord Stratton hands Windhurst Hall back to him before too long. It’s such a shame that it has come to this sorry state of affairs. I must confess that at one time, I wondered if you ought to accept Lord Stratton. And although the situation is peculiar, I think you have made the better choice. Mr. Trent is a fine gentleman and―”
“Did you say Lord Stratton has claimed Windhurst Hall for himself?” Emma was surprised. Had she misheard? “I think you have been misinformed. It is a Mr. Cuthbert Williams who is supposed to be in possession of the promissory note, not Lord Stratton.”
“Then gossip, although it cannot be called gossip if Mr. Templeton was speaking of it, was wrong.”
“Gossip? I’m sorry… Who was speaking, and of what exactly?”
“Why, Mr. Trent’s solicitor, of course…Mr. Templeton.” Lady Hester took a step closer and whispered, “Mr. Edward Templeton and another gentleman, who I cannot put a name to, although I know his face from somewhere, were talking about Windhurst Hall.”
Emma, aware they were on the street and could be overheard, not just by the servants but also by passersby, also lowered her voice.
“Are you saying Lord Stratton now has possession of Windhurst Hall?” Emma could feel the blood drain from her face. “It cannot be.”
“My dear, were you not listening to what I said? Come inside and I will explain all that I heard at the Pump Room.”
Having hastily checked the fastenings on her pelisse, ensuring they were buttoned high against the afternoon’s chill, and securing the ribbons of her bonnet tightly beneath her chin, Emma pulled on her gloves.
“Thank you for a delightful afternoon, but I really must go,” she said.
Lady Hester shook her head but did not try to persuade Emma to stay longer. “If you must.”
“I’m so sorry, I cannot delay any further. Should my coachman arrive, please tell him I shall make my way back to the house, and he is not to trouble himself about my whereabouts.”
With a quick curtsy, Emma left Lady Hester, and walking at a brisk pace, she soon reached Pulteney Bridge. Having crossed the bridge, she made her way along Broad Street and passed the milliner’s shop she had originally intended to visit, before turning right to enter The Paragon.
The Paragon was a street of generously sized dwellings, all fronted with classic roman styled façades of honey-colored limestone. It was also where Lord Stratton kept a house. Unconcerned for the stir it would cause should it be discovered she had called upon a gentleman while unescorted, Emma intended to find Lord Stratton and demand an explanation.
Aaron was in trouble, serious trouble, and she was prepared to do almost anything if it would help. Aaron was about to lose Windhurst Hall all over again, only this time, according to Lady Hester, it was Lord Stratton who had gotten his hands on the property. Windhurst Hall could be gone for good, and Emma wasn’t about to let that happen.
A carriage drawn by four horses stood outside Lord Stratton’s house, and as she drew near, she saw Lord Stratton was about to enter the vehicle.
“One moment, we need to speak,” she said. “It cannot wait.”
Lord Stratton made to pass her by, but she stood her ground, blocking his way.
“I’m afraid it will have to wait, Miss Brentry,” he said with a sneer. “I’m about to set off for Merton Manor. I’ve business there that cannot wait.”
There was animosity in his voice. Clearly, he had not forgotten nor forgiven the skirmish in the garden during the rout.
“Merton Manor…is that not where Lord Phillip Merton lives? An excellent notion,” she said. “It is about time I met this disagreeable cousin of Mr. Trent’s. I’ve heard much of him, and it’s time we sorted this unfortunate business concerning Windhurst Hall once and for all. The sooner we decide who is entitled to claim ownership, the better.”
“My dear Miss Brentry, I am taking you nowhere. Especially not to Merton Manor. And as for Windhurst Hall—if Lord Merton is unable to pay his debt and Trent hasn’t yet got his hands on your dowry, I intend to claim the place as mine. Trent’s misfortune is my good gain.”
That was all the goading Emma needed to make her act.
“Get in,” she told him forcefully, pointing to his carriage. “I’m coming with you.”
“You will certainly not.”
Lord Stratton looked and sounded affronted, but Emma didn’t care about his feelings. Social niceties were not on her agenda.
Pulling a pistol from her reticule, the one she carried with her at all times, she pointed it discretely in Lord Stratton’s direction.
He saw the weapon and blanched, turning completely white.
“Get in,” she said once again. “And tell your driver to proceed to Merton Manor.”
Lord Stratton, seeing the danger of the firearm aimed at him, mounted the steps of the carriage and took a seat.
Just as Emma was about to follow suit and clamber in behind, a barouche drove past and she recognized the man at the reins as being none other than her father’s coachman, Gresham. A fleeting glance of recognition passed between them. But with no time to spare, and reluctant to chase the barouche in order to explain, she climbed without assistance into Lord Stratton’s carriage and slammed the door securely shut.
Emma hoped her father wouldn’t be too worried by her unexpected absence. But she had other, more important things to deal with that were of greater concern. Namely, getting Windhurst Hall out of the devious clutches of Lord Stratton and returning the rightful ownership to Aaron.
“You can tell your coachman to drive on,” she said.
With a forceful knock of his cane on the carriage ceiling, Lord Stratton signaled to the coachman to drive off.
The coach moved forward at a steady pace.
Placing his beaver hat on the seat beside him, Lord Stratton removed his gloves and tossed them nonchalantly inside the crown before loosening his tailcoat.
“You said we have to speak. I’m curious, what can you possibly have to say to me?” he asked. “Are you here to tell me you have changed your mind and you are now wishing to marry me?”
“No, my lord. Nothing could make me do that.”
They had reached the outskirts of the city and were heading out into the winding lanes of the open countryside. And as she looked across at Lord Stratton, she felt a sense of revulsion.
“Then why did you come to see me at my home? And why are you now traveling with me to Merton Manor?”
“Be patient and all will be revealed.” With the pistol held firmly in her hand, Emma sat back and made herself comfortable as she prepared for what lay ahead.
And she was prepared to do anything. Anything if it meant Aaron could be happy again.