Page 144 of Murder at Donwell Abbey

When George cast her a quick glance, Emma shrugged. “It’s not as if Henry hasn’t been exposed to this dreadful situation from the beginning.”

“Very true,” he replied. “Then, yes. Your father and I are going to meet with the runner. We’ll see—”

He paused when Harry entered with a plate of scones. “Here you go, Master Henry. Mrs. Hodges warmed them up for you.”

Henry gave the footman a grateful smile before turning back to his uncle. “Do you think the runner will have any information for you about the smugglers or Mr. Larkins?”

“I would expect so,” George replied. “Else I’ll be travelling all that way for nothing.”

Henry shook his head. “Papa would never ask you to come to London for nothing. I hope what they found helps Mr. Larkins.”

“As do we all,” said Emma.

George glanced at their footman. “Harry, once you’re finished there, please tell Jem to saddle my horse. I want to be on the road within the half hour.”

Harry, who’d been stacking plates on the sideboard, nodded. “Right away, Mr. Knightley.”

He hurried out, leaving the pile of dirty dishes behind. Emma sighed.

“Don’t worry,” George said with a wry smile. “I’ll also be looking to hire additional staff while I’m in London, including another footman and a maid.”

“Thank goodness. While Harry does his best, I fear Mrs. Hodges will turn in her notice if we don’t hire more help.”

“That is indeed a shocking notion. Now, what are you plans for today, my dear?”

She glanced at her nephew. “Henry and I will be going to Hartfield for most of the day. Father wishes me to go over the household accounts with Miss Bates, and the bride-to-be would also like to discuss wedding preparations.”

Neither chore was very appealing, but there was no point in further delay, especially since Highbury had turned peaceful once more. She’d run out of promising avenues of investigation, so she might as well turn her mind to family matters.

Even though Emma still viewed her father’s upcoming marriage with a degree of trepidation, there was a significant silver lining. The more time she spent at Donwell, the more she grew to appreciate the gracious old pile and to anticipate her new life with George. As much as she loved her father, her life had been circumscribed by his needs. From now on, though, she would be free to concentrate on her own wishes and dreams, fully embarking on her life as a married woman. She could even imagine a new brood of little Knightleys to awaken Donwell from its years-long slumber.

“You have my sympathies,” George wryly commented.

“I will rely on Isabella to do most of the planning. She has a great deal more patience with Miss Bates than I do.”

Her husband reached a hand across the table to take hers. “You’ve made great strides with Miss Bates. Your friendship seems stronger than ever.”

“She has rather worn me down,” Emma drolly admitted.

George stood. “You don’t give yourself enough credit, my dear.”

Emma also came to her feet. “Thank you. So, you’re off, then.”

“I just need to fetch a few things from our room, and then I’ll meet you in the front hall. One can hope that Harry has communicated my instructions to Jem by now.”

“Oh, you eternal optimist,” she joked.

He briefly smiled before turning serious. “You’re not to worry while I’m gone, Emma. I truly believe there’s no danger from the smugglers at this point. They know we’re onto them, so coming back to Highbury would simply be too risky. But just to be sure, I’ve ordered Harry, both our grooms, and our coachman to keep watch over the house tonight—two of them on each shift. You’ll be perfectly safe.”

Henry scrambled out of his chair. “I’ll look after Auntie Emma, sir. You don’t need to worry about that.”

George smiled. “I know you will.”

Emma hugged her nephew. “And you’re not to worry about us, either, George. I’m sure the most alarming thing we’ll face in the next few days will be talking Miss Bates out of inviting the entire village to the wedding and persuading Father to allow cake to be served. It’s bound to be dreadfully boring.”

“I’ll hold you to that,” he said before exiting the room.

Emma jerked awake as someone jostled her shoulder.