It is an honor to be here Miss Emily, he said, in awe of her beauty.
Emily looked at him. He was quite the most handsome of the three. Not as tall as Carrington, but taller than the Duke. He had long dark hair and emerald green eyes. His eyes told her he was sad in some way.
It is most kind of you to invite me here today, but first I have to tell you of my unfortunate circumstances. I am flattered that you wish to know me better. However, I am a man of poor means. My father, the Earl of Rochester, has disinherited me. I would not pretend for one minute that I am suitable for you in any way. You deserve better than to court a pauper. You should marry someone who can keep you in the manner to which you are accustomed. I cannot provide you with what you deserve.
I understand Mr. Carrington, but I really would like to get to know you better, despite your troubles. Emily hadn't expected such a reply and now feared her plan was in jeopardy.
Please, Miss Emily. If I may say so, I find you deeply attractive, and I would like nothing more than to step out with you. But our positions are uncomplimentary. You must consider what harm society would do you if it were known that you were seeing a pauper.
Emily was a little piqued. Mr. Carrington, I do not care about your money. I care about knowing you. Please do not deny me that pleasure.
I understand what you have asked me, but please, do not embarrass me further. It is not for someone of my lowly status to interfere in your life. Thank you for the tea. Now I must bid you good day.
Emily was impressed by Carrington's modesty and consideration for her future wellbeing, but she was angry. Her plan wasn't going to work unless she could persuade the very honorable Carrington to change his mind.
Emily looked out of the carriage window as it took her down the drive, on the Aldborough Hall Estate. They had passed through the magnificent sandstone gate some minutes earlier, and Emily could still not see the house. In the estate grounds, they had passed a church, which was obviously the private place of worship for the Bedford family. They had also driven past several farm houses, which Emily assumed must be Bedford's tenants. They turned in a curve to the right, and she saw it appear from behind a wood. The largest, most magnificent dwelling she could ever have imagined.
It was designed by Robert Adam, the Duke told her as he escorted her from her carriage. It has more rooms that I can count.
It's beautiful, Emily said as she held onto his arm. You are so lucky to live in this beautiful place.
Luck, my dear, doesn't come into it. We are bred for it. We are a higher class of person, who is capable of appreciating this kind of property. Imagine what would happen to it, if the peasants in the village got their hands on it. They would steal the lead off the roof in no time as well as strip all the furnishings out of it.
Emily was saddened to hear him speak of local people in this way, many of whom were his tenants and paid him good money for the privilege.
Parsons here will show you to your room, the Duke said. Parsons, take Miss Emily to the Queen Elizabeth suite and make sure she has a maid assigned to her.
The butler nodded, and Emily followed him up the grand staircase. The servant opened a large mahogany door and motioned to Emily. It was indeed fit for a queen, as its name suggested. It was enormous. To the right, there was a large four-poster bed adorned with a silk bed cover and eight great feather pillows. There was a writing desk in the middle of the room and a marble fireplace with a gilt mirror hanging above it on the left wall. Emily rushed to the window and looked out over the garden to the fields beyond. Paradise, she said.
A footman appeared with her cases and put them on the floor in front of the bed. He was followed by a small woman with red hair. I'm Rose, Miss Emily. I am to be your maid throughout your stay. Can I hang up your dresses, she asked. Emily nodded, and the young woman busied herself with Emily's finest gowns.
At six o'clock in the evening, Rose appeared again. Emily had napped for two hours, tired from her journey. Miss Emily I have come to help you dress for dinner.
Thank you, Emily said gratefully.
Rose stood behind Emily and brushed her hair. Emily looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing an apple green ball gown, fetchingly finished with delicate lace. Her décolleté was purposely lower than usual. Your hair is very soft and quite the most beautiful I have brushed, Rose told her.
At seven thirty, the Duke knocked on Emily's door. When she appeared, he felt a sudden wave of desire envelop him. She was perfect, he thought. Emily smiled at him. It was a suggestive come and get me kind of smile.
At dinner, there were four other people. The Duke introduced them. There were his first cousin and his wife and his best school friend and his wife. The dining room was large and uninviting, and Emily felt cold. The dining table was too long for six, and the guests seemed to be a long way apart. So far, in fact, it was almost necessary to shout at each other.