Page 104 of A Dashing Duke for Emily

Mark stood and said, “Splendid as always, and thank you for entertaining, and hopefully, giving solace to our guests. Will you sit with us? Would you like anything todrink?”

Emily remained standing. “Thank you, Your Grace, but this has been a most hectic week and I should like to retire, if Imay?”

“Of course, and I hope you becomerested.”

Emily took Alice’s hand and said, “I am so sorry about your Papa. I cannot think about such a loss. I would so miss my parents if either of them leftus.”

“Thank you,dear.”

Emily went to Grandmother and bid her good night and left the room after giving Mark a sweet smile, which hereturned.

* * *

Despite being exhausted and worn out from the ups and downs of the past week, Emily found she could not immediately go to sleep, but continued to toss sleeplessly in the bed. Without lighting any candles, she rose from her bed, put on a robe, and went to the window and stared outside at the night sky—clear and unobstructed by any clouds. As she was a little chilly, she wrapped a window drapery around her shoulders and leaned against the cove of the wall to the left of the window frame. The black sky was alight with stars and the Milky-Way cast its arms across the expanse as though it wanted to embrace the world in a lovinghug.

She stood for some time in peaceful contemplation when she was surprised to see a slash of light burst across the floor as her door noisilyopened.

She hugged the wall and pulled the drape more tightly around her. The light was from a candle, but she could not make out the identity of the person carrying it. Whoever it was, blew the candle out and there was only the faintest glow from the light in the hallway, silhouetting the figure at the door. The figure did not move for some time, as though adjusting to thedarkness.

Emily thought to call out to ask who it was, but something held her back. If it had been a servant, he or she would have announced themselves. But the figure did not move and the hair on Emily’s neck and arms stoodup.

Then, slowly, the figure began approaching the bed, finally standing at the foot, but again not moving. And then in the quietest possible voice, the figure called her name, and started to come around the side of the bed closest toEmily.

It was clear, whoever it was, thought she was asleep in the bed and had no idea she was standing at thewindow.

Then the figure called her name a little louder as it sat on the edge of the bed and reached out an arm and discovered she was notthere.

The figure abruptly stood and began looking around theroom.

“Emily. Where are you?” It was Silas. “Emily…”

Silas began coming toward the window and said, “Now, my darling girl, do not be shy. I certainly do not want to hurt you. Just hold you in my arms and give you a kiss or two. Emily, show yourself. Where areyou?”

Then from the hallway, a light began to approach and through the door Mark appeared holding a lantern, accompanied by twofootmen.

“Uncle!” he shouted. “Leave this roomimmediately.”

With his lantern illuminating the room clearly, Mark moved into the room as the footmen cameforward.

“Seize and remove him,” Mark ordered. The footmen took hold of Silas and dragged him out of theroom.

Mark had, as of yet, not seen Emily and she bursts forth from behind the drapery and ran to him, throwing her arms aroundhim.

“Oh, Mark. Thank God you appeared. How did you know that brute washere?”

“When he made such a point of staying the night and not going home, I became suspicious of his intentions and posted someone to watch your room. And when he appeared and entered your room, I wasalerted.”

“Oh, Mark…” she said, burying her head on his chest, as she held on to himtightly.

“Are you all right? Did he harmyou?”

“No,” she said, standing back and pulling the robe tightly around her. “But if I had not been at the window… whoknows.”

Mark became agitated. “I cannot believe he tried… He promised me he would leave yoube.”

Emily was becoming calmer, and she reached over and took hold of Mark’s arm. “It is over. Nothing serious happened,” she tried reassuringhim.

“But I cannot allow him to remain a part of this family. I warned him, but still he behaves like abrute.”