Page 82 of A Dashing Duke for Emily

Emily, after reading the letter through a second time, let her arms drop to her side in exasperation. What a time for this letter to come. Her first thought was that she must find Mark and tell him of her plight and plead for the use of his carriage to take her home. But before she could act Silasapproached.

“Not bad news I trust?” heasked.

“Bad enough. I must return homeimmediately.”

Silas’s expression hardened. “This is not some ploy to avoid me, isit?”

Emily was exasperated. “How highly you regard yourself. Why would a letter from my family have anything to do with you? Excuse me.” And she pushed past him and went looking for Mark. But she had neglected to see him slip into the back of the room during her concert and he came out and called to her as she was headed toward thelibrary.

“MissEmily?”

She stopped and turned toward him. Silas was standing next to Mark and she hesitated to go back but shedid.

“I have had a most distressing letter from my sister on a family matter and she requests I return homeimmediately.”

“Might I offer you my carriage to take you home?” Silas spoke up before Mark couldanswer.

Emily was immediately stricken by the offer, for how could she now ask Mark for the use of hiscarriage?

“Is someone ill?” Mark askedher.

“Not ill, but it is serious enough for me to agree to the request. Will I be missing any important business matters regarding thetour?”

Mark considered that. “I do not believe so. If anything arises, I believe I can handle it. And, if not, we can correspond until I am next inLondon.

“Remember that Mr. Butler will be contacting you regarding your representation. But he will do that directly. However, I am sorry you will be missing the rest of the weekend. You shall be missed. And let me know if there is anything youneed.”

Emily was about to ask Mark about his carriage when Silas said, “Miss Emily, once you gather your belongings, I will be happy to personally escort you toLondon.”

“Excellent. Then that is taken care of,” Mark said, turning to leave and got halfway across the hallway before he turned back. “Oh, Uncle, it will not be necessary to take Miss Emily to London. I just realized the Turners are returning to London directly after supper. And I am certain they would be happy to take Miss Emily home. There is absolutely no need for you to botheryourself.”

Emily smiled broadly as Silasscowled.

Chapter 24

By the time Emily arrived home, it was nearly eleven o’clock and everyone, except her mother, was already inbed.

Mother was a light sleeper and often got up during the night to make a cup of tea or hot chocolate. She was seated at the kitchen table when Emily camein

Mother was startled, not expecting anyone, and she called out, “Who isthere?”

“It is just me, Mother,” Emily said, as she came into the kitchen and sat down opposite hermother.

“Oh, I am surprised to see you. Is the weekend over already? I did not expect to see you until tomorrow or the dayafter.”

“I got a rather urgent letter from Ruth, pleading with me to come home and supporther.”

Mother sighed. “Oh, yes.That.”

Emily’s mother looked very tired. Her nightcap was askew and strands of her hair were falling around herface.

“Why are you still up? It is verylate.”

“You know me. I am a restless sleeper. I just made some hot chocolate, would you likesome?”

“I would not sayno.”

Mother stood and went to the stove and poured Emily a cup from the still warmpan.