His Not So Sensible Miss (A Gentleman's Guide to Once Upon a Time - Book 3) (26 page)

“
Where is Emily?” he asked
without the pleasant greeting one usually uttered upon entering a
room. He didn’t have time, and if he insulted anyone, he didn’t
really care.

“
She has left,” Ellings
answered.

“
Where? Why? Our discussion
was not finished.”

“
Her aunt and uncle passed
away,” Her Grace offered sadly.

Dillon’s anger immediately left, and he
was filled with nothing but concern.

“
It appears the fever that
has plagued so many has taken them,” Phoebe added

“
So many people have been
stricken and so many have died. Nearly as many who survive.” Her
Grace dabbed her eyes.

“
Did anyone go with her?”
Dillon looked at the different occupants in the room. These were
the closest people to Emily and none had accompanied
her.

“
I offered, but she wanted
to be alone,” His Grace answered.

“
I suspect she doesn’t wish
to be around any of us at the moment.” Claresta looked at Dillon.
Her mouth was pursed and eyes narrowed, almost accusing him of
something. Now what had he done to anger her? “I thought you were
going to explain to her.”

“
I did.” Dillon found
himself on the defense.

Claresta actually snorted. “Not very
well, apparently.”

“
Why, what do you mean?
She’d already heard the rumors, but I wanted her to understand how
the circumstances came about.” Dillon took a step toward the young
lady. “I explained how my mother claimed you were compromised, she
didn’t seem angry once she understood the
circumstances.”

“
I see. What else did you
discuss?”

Dillon glanced around the room. “I
would rather not say.” They were all watching him with an interest
he couldn’t comprehend.

“
I suggest you do. We’re all
friends here and have only Emily’s best interest at heart.” Noah
stood, arms crossed over this chest, feet planted apart.

Dillon swallowed, wondering what
offense had he committed and explained basically how the
conversation had progressed, without mention of his
daughter.

“
Exactly how did you propose
to her?” Phoebe asked.

“
I confessed my feelings and
that I needed her in my life. I told her that we would live at the
cottage, but I wouldn’t be able to see her often because I would
need to be in London. We could be happy, the two of us. We could
live in the cottage, where no one would bother us. I told her that
she would want for nothing and I would always protect
her.”

“
This is worse than I
thought,” Claresta groaned.

Her father shot a look at her. “What do
you know of these matters, dear?”

Claresta rolled her eyes. “I have had a
season in London. I have heard things I am sure I should not have,
and I could probably name a few couples who are carrying on illicit
relationships.”

“
What does this have to do
with me?” Dillon demanded. The faces in the room told him he had
blundered, once again, where Emily was concerned.

“
Did you ever actually
mention the word marriage?” Claresta demanded.

“
It was
understood.”

“
Then why didn’t she say
yes?” Noah questioned.

“
I don’t know. That’s why
I’ve been searching for her.” Dillon wished someone would let him
know why this was suddenly all so important.

“
Whoever enlightened Emily
to the, um, situation yesterday didn’t bother to tell her that the
betrothal, which lasted all of five minutes, was only in your
mother’s mind.” Claresta enlightened him.

“
How do you
know?”

“
She congratulated me on my
betrothal as she was leaving. She didn’t give me a chance to
correct her.” Claresta leveled her eyes on him.

It took but moments for the implication
to sink in and Dillon felt himself pale. “If she believed I was to
marry you, then she could only assume that I was offering . . .” He
trailed off, not willing to speak of such matters in front of an
innocent young woman.

“
That would about sum it
up.” Noah observed.

Dillon felt sick. “She’s returning to
Pevensey?” he asked Ellings quickly.

“
She has a two hour lead on
you, but if you take your horse you can probably catch
her.”

Without a word, Dillon strode from the
room. He asked to have his horse saddled and went upstairs to pack
a few items. When he returned to the foyer, another messenger had
arrived. This was to be delivered to him and he hoped it was a note
from Emily. He opened it as he stood in the doorway of the parlor.
The contents upset him enough to cause him to shake. He tried to
control his panic. “I must return to London.”

Ellings rose out of his chair. “What is
it? Your uncle?”

Dillon shook his head. “No.” He would
not answer the first question.

“
Why is everyone so
serious?” Mrs. Chambers waltzed into the room. “This is a house
party, after all.”

Stunned silence greeted her and she
turned to her son. “What is it Chadwick?”

“
I need to return to
London.”

“
You can’t,” she protested
and stomped her foot. “We still haven’t resolved this matter
between you and Lady Claresta.

“
That matter is resolved,
Mother,” he bit out.

“
But, dear, there are still
a number of activities planned. I can’t believe you would be so
inhospitable to leave so suddenly and early. You must think of the
trouble Lady Wilkes has gone to.”

“
Mother,” Dillon stated in a
firm tone. “I am needed in London, I am leaving now.”

“
What of Emily?” Claresta
came to her feet.

Mrs. Chambers smiled at the young
woman. “She is of no concern, dear.”

Dillon saw red, but controlled his
anger. Now was not the time to enter into that particular
conversation with his mother. “If it were possible, I would go
after her now. I am afraid I can’t,” he stated evenly.

“
Though I have no idea why
that woman left, I don’t see why you need to go after her. I also
don’t see why you need to leave for London. What could be so
pressing?”

Dillon looked his mother in the eye and
answered in a low voice. “Celia has the fever.”

Mrs. Chambers shook her head in
disgust. “Oh, that child. I am sure she can wait a few more days.”
She dismissed and walked in to the room.

If Dillon had the time and no
witnesses, he would have gladly strangled his mother with his own,
bare hands.

“
Mrs. Chambers.” Ellings
addressed in an agitated voice. “I would like a private word with
you. Dillon, you should stay as well.”

“
Your Grace, I really need
to leave.”

“
Your horse has not been
brought around.”

As he spoke the remaining occupants in
the room left quickly. One did not disobey a duke’s command. As
soon as the door closed, Ellings addressed Mrs. Chambers. “You are
a sad excuse for motherhood, if not all of humanity.”

The affronted woman stepped back, her
hand against her breast.

“
Your grandchild is ill. She
has the fever that has claimed a number of lives, including Emily’s
aunt and uncle just recently, and you dismiss her.”

“
Well, she’s not really my
grandchild.”

“
She is most definitely your
grandchild,” the duke shouted. “If my child, or grandchild, were
ill, not even the king would keep me away from them. I have
listened to you dismiss my ward and have held my tongue,
considering your ignorance. But I will not stand by and listen to
you dismiss your own grandchild.”

“
She is of no consequence to
the family, Your Grace. You surely know how these matters occur.”
The woman tried to explain.

“
Her parents were married, a
child came earlier then either anticipated, but they were married
all the same. This child is not an embarrassment.”

“
The marriage wasn’t even
legal,” Dillon’s mother continued to argue.

“
It was completely legal and
it would have never been set aside,” he countered with a
smile.

“
Of course it would have.
Who would have stood in its way?”

“
I would have, as I stood in
its way from the moment the petition was presented. Your son was
married to young Rose Langley and lost her too soon. You should be
grateful to have been blessed with a healthy
granddaughter.”

“
You, sir?” This entire
conversation came to a shock for Dillon. How did Ellings know of
his daughter?

“
Yes, Dillon. As a favor to
an old friend.” He smiled. “We will discuss it when you have more
time.”

“
Thank you, Your Grace.”
Dillon bowed. He owed this man so much more than he would ever be
able to repay.

Ellings turned his attention back on
Dillon’s mother. “You have used Celia against your son to get him
to do your bidding. It will stop now. That child will be welcome in
London when her time comes. If I ever hear even a hint that you
have cut your granddaughter, you will find yourself unwelcome in
the majority of the homes in society. Do I make myself clear?” His
voice rose so that even those in adjoining rooms must have heard
him.

“
Yes, Your Grace,” she
stammered, curtseying gracefully before the duke.

Ellings dismissed the woman and turned
to Dillon to escort him to the door. “We will return to London in a
day or two. If you need anything before then, please send a
message.”

“
Thank you.”

Ellings stopped momentarily and
scratched a name out on a card. “This is my personal physician.
Contact him to attend your daughter.”

“
Again, thank you.” Dillon
couldn’t believe everything that had happened to him in the past
two hours. Though he would like to go after Emily, Celia was in the
forefront of his mind. “What of Emily, sir?”

“
Emily will be fine. I’ll
see to it.”

Chapter 16

“
Good afternoon, Mrs.
Pierce.” Dillon stopped in front of the house Emily’s aunt and
uncle had once lived in. Mrs. Pierce had been the cook and maid for
the Klintonhoms.

“
Good afternoon to you, Mr.
Chambers.”

“
Is Miss Frasier at home?”
He dismounted.

“
Why, yes, she is. Tomorrow
she’ll be moving, so if it is she you wish to see, then you came
none too late.”

“
Where is she moving? I had
assumed her aunt and uncle would have left the house to
her.”

Mrs. Pierce frowned. “The circumstances
took us all by surprise.” She shook her head.

“
I understand they became
ill and died rather suddenly.”

“
Oh, yes, that too.” Mr.
Pierce came forward and took the reigns of Dillon’s horse. “It was
the reading of the will we found surprising.”

“
How so?” He knew the couple
had been somewhat well off, but not exactly wealthy either.
However, they did own their own home.

“
It was left to me and Ben,”
Mrs. Pierce added.

“
What of Emily?”

“
Apparently, because she is
the ward of a duke, they felt she would be taken care of. Other
than the items from the Mrs. Klintonhom’s family, and a few of
their personal possessions and some household furnishings, nothing
was left for Emily.”

She must have been devastated. “How did
Miss Frasier take the news?”

“
Actually, very well. She
said she had not wanted to live in this area and it only made the
break easier. She has been packing up her items for the past week
and will be leaving tomorrow.”

That answered one of his questions.
Ellings had told him Emily planned on moving to Payton Abbey, an
estate near Bradford, in Yorkshire. It was days away from both
London and Pevensey. It was also one of the numerous estates owned
by Ellings. He’d asked Dillon to travel there and give his
assessment on the land, sheep and mills. This particular estate
produced a large amount of wool for the two mills Ellings also
owned in Bradford and was one the most profitable of his holdings.
This one had a more secure future as it didn’t rely on farming or
mines. Wool, or more specifically, clothing would always be
necessary. Dillon had held off making the trip. First, because
Celia became ill, and secondly, to repair the damaged relationship
with Emily. Once these personal matters were righted, then he could
concentrate of the business he’d been hired for. Thankfully, his
new employer was understanding. Still, Dillon didn’t know why he
was being sent. He knew nothing about wool, sheep or mills but
Ellings assured him there were those in his employ who would teach
him what he needed to know so Dillon could advise the duke
accordingly.

“
I’m glad I arrived when I
did. I would hate to have missed her.”

“
Oh, I’m sure you will see
her often enough,” Mrs. Pierce stated with a knowing smile. “I
understand that you are to marry Lady Claresta. I’m sure your
mother is very pleased.”