Page 83 of A Dashing Duke for Emily

“How did Papa find out about Ruth’s beau?” Emilyasked.

“Your Papa went out to deliver an expensive violin to a customer and he saw them strolling down Kensington High Street, holdinghands.

“Oh,my…”

“He nearly dropped the valuable instrument, he told me later, but he went to confront Ruth because he did not know this gentleman. All of this took place on High Street in front of passersby and Ruth was just devastated. He grabbed her by the hand and dragged her home; despite her saying they were engaged. He thrust her into her room and forbade her to come out until he returned thatevening.

“You should have heard the screaming and wailing. You would have thought there had been a death in thefamily.”

“PoorRuth.”

“Did you know about thisengagement?”

“I did. In fact, I met the young man and advised them to hold off until the trio was firmly established. They wanted to get married this autumn. And she was planning to move to Bristol when he finished his studies inLondon.”

“Yes, we heard all of that from her when she attempted to explainherself.”

“And what happens now? I cannot imagine father is taking this at allwell.”

“Ruth convinced him to, at least, meet the young man here at the house, and he is expected tomorrowevening.”

Emily sipped her chocolate. She was tired. It had been a long day and an eventfulweekend.

Then Mother asked, “And your weekend? Was it successful? Did you accomplish what youneeded?”

“Yes, Mother, I did. However, there are a lot of details yet to be worked out and I do not have a definitive picture of how it will all fall into place, just yet.” Emily patted her mother’s cheek. “Mother, I am exhausted. I must rest or I shall be useless tomorrow in negotiating between Papa andRuth.”

“Good-night, my dear, and sleepwell.”

* * *

Father had relented, when Ruth explained that she must go to rehearsal, and had allowed her to leave her room for breakfast the nextmorning.

Those gathered at the breakfast table were very tense. Mother and Papa were eating in silence. Emily had come down early, hoping to intercede on Ruth’s behalf when she appeared. And Mother said that Teresa would be down much later as she had taken to spending a good portion of the morning in the washroom to make herself beautiful. And as a result, she had been banished to the end of the line for the use of the washroom eachmorning.

Ruth finally came in to the breakfast room and sat meekly at her place at thetable.

“Good morning, Ruth,” Emilysaid.

Ruth looked up with a deeply sorrowful expression and replied. “Oh, Emily, I am so happy you have returned. Thankyou.”

Papa looked up and stared at them both, finally asking, “Emily, what news do you have fromLinfield?”

Ruth seemed to be greatly relieved to have her father’s attention removed from her and focused onEmily.

Emily explained the entire series of events and what it would mean for her career. Her father listened with rapt attention and, when she was finished, he asked, “So, you are entirely set on thiscourse?”

“I am Papa. It is right for me and I believe, ultimately, it is in the best interests of thetrio.”

Papa shot a stern glance at Ruth, before he said, “And what do you make of this mess Ruth hascreated?”

“Papa…” Ruth pleaded, but stopped when he glowered at heragain.

Emily remained calm and was determined not to be inciteful. “We have discussed this before, Papa. You must expect your daughters to have personal lives outside of their careers.” She turned to her mother. “And I know that you and Papa want happily married daughters and grandchildren. Is that notso?”

Mother locked eyes with her husband and said quite firmly. “Absolutely.”

Ruth nibbled at her breakfast. It was clear she had no appetite after her recentordeal.