Page 18 of To Heal a Broken Earl (The Rakes of Mayhem #7)

The next morning

My God! He kissed me . And I loved it.

Emma lay in her bed, staring up at the ceiling, exhaustion demanding that she stay there and force herself to sleep longer. She let out a long sigh. “It won’t matter how long I stay in bed,” she admitted a little above a whisper. “I know I won’t sleep another wink.”

So much had happened the day before that when she closed her eyes, memories of the day and night spiraled vividly through her mind.

Just the thought of Michael’s smoldering kiss sent waves of pleasure rippling through her body.

Closing her eyes, she replayed the scene in her mind—how he had caught her as she fell to the floor of his library and then kissed her.

While her lips tingled from the memory of his touch, it was her heart that couldn’t let go.

What would have happened if Hastings hadn’t shown up? A wave of excitement shot through her as she recalled the sense of frustration over being separated from Michael.

He’d kept his promise to her, and they’d spent an entire day in the attic, combing through the trunks and attic space looking for things that Emma could use in redecorating.

He was the easiest man to be around, Emma decided.

Despite a sometimes-gruff demeanor, she found Michael a caring, honorable man—a man she was realizing more and more that she wanted to be around.

There had been so much to look at, but it was the beautiful veil that stole her attention.

While nothing identified exactly who it had belonged to, Emma had the feeling it had been Michael’s grandmother’s.

It was the loveliest bridal creation she could remember seeing.

Fitful dreams of it had driven her from her bed after hours of trying to sleep.

In her dream, she ran and laughed, wearing the veil that flowed beautifully behind her as she dashed through a flower-filled meadow.

Was it her wedding she kept dreaming of?

No matter how hard she tried, Emma couldn’t make sense of the dreams. Each time she closed her eyes, the dream repeated itself.

And each time she revisited the dream, she struggled to see the dress that matched her veil, only to end up disappointed.

To make matters worse, she heard deep male laughter in the background, but she couldn’t recognize who it was.

Her obsessive thoughts of that veil, coupled with her exhaustion from the day’s events, should have been enough to lull her to sleep. But her tingling lips kept her awake. Michael kissed me, her heart sang over and over. No matter her other thoughts, this was the one she clung to.

She heard voices in the hall and the bark of a dog.

“I should get up,” she murmured. “I cannot lie here and dream of yesterday and waste the day before me. And if I don’t get out of bed, the two of them will bound in here and take over my bed.

” Sitting up, she swung her feet over the side of the bed into the worn slippers, an act that reminded her of a few hours ago, when she had gone to the study for a book to help her sleep.

A knock sounded on her door, and she reached for her wrapper as Doris entered the room with Katie at her side.

“My lady, you’ve received a letter,” the maid said, handing the correspondence to Emma. “Stanhope asked that I bring it to you immediately. I should return downstairs to watch for the modiste.”

Emma gave a quick nod, and the maid left the room, leaving her alone with Katie and the dog.

“My sister!” she said, clasping the letter to her chest. A tremor of excitement rushed through her.

She had missed her sister so much. Emma patted the bed next to her, signaling for Katie to climb up.

Once the girl snuggled beneath Emma’s arm, Finn jumped onto the bed and tucked himself against Katie, as Emma broke the seal on the letter.

“I miss my mama and daddy, Auntie,” Katie said, a hint of sorrow in her voice.

“It appears Finn is trying to comfort you, Katie,” Emma said tenderly, unfolding the letter.

“He’s my best friend, Auntie. I can’t wait for him to meet Mummy and Daddy,” Katie said, hugging Finn tight.

“Let’s see what Mummy has to say, little one,” Emma said, feeling a tear slide down her cheek.

Dearest Emma and Katie,

Martin and I heard the horrible news about our home.

Please don’t worry about anything, Emma, and no servant was injured.

We know you are prone to worry, but the most important thing is that the two of you are safe.

As I understand it, you are both in Sussex, staying at Lord Wilton’s manor house.

Lord Wilton is an honorable man and will keep the two of you safe until we can join you.

We would come immediately, but the most important thing for us to do is find another home for all of us.

It may be a few more weeks before we can be there.

Martin’s parents have asked that we stay, and since things have gone better than usual, we have indeed agreed to stay for a little while. We miss you both terribly.

We are working to return as quickly as possible, but we must stay here until we can secure new housing. As soon as we know, we will come and get you both.

We can replace the belongings, but not those precious to us.

Thank you for taking such good care of Katie.

And thank you, Emma, for saving our horses.

Lord Armstrong wrote and said that you rode them to safety, and he has transferred them to his estate for the time being.

I know they are horses, but they are special to us and feel like family.

We love you both and miss you both. Katie, please do as Auntie Emma tells you to do. I miss you so much. Mummy and Daddy will be there to get you before you know it!

Much love,

Evie and Martin

(Mummy and Daddy)

After reading the letter to Katie, Emma wiped another tear from the corner of her eye and noticed that the child did the same. Finn jumped up on Katie’s lap and licked her face.

“We are safe,” Emma said. “And we are happy.” She looked at her niece. “You seem very happy. Are you?”

“Yes, very. We’ve had quite the adventure,” Katie said enthusiastically. “But I miss Mummy and Daddy.”

“Of course—we both miss them. This is a good time to remind you that you and Finn should stay close to the manor house, and have either me or Doris, or even Lord Michael, outside with you. Do not go anywhere without letting me know first,” Emma emphasized.

And as much as she hated to add the next, she did.

“And if you see that man from the day of the fire, please don’t go near him.

Let me know as soon as possible.” As safe as they were, Emma couldn’t dismiss a nagging thought that she needed to stay very aware of her surroundings.

Surely it had nothing to do with Michael, who considered it his mission to keep them safe—even though things had heated up considerably when she was alone in his presence.

Until the arsonist was caught, she imagined she’d worry.

“Woof!” Finn said, as if to reply, it’ll be all right, Katie.

“You’d like my mummy and daddy, Finn. They give the best goodnight kisses and hugs…” Katie started.

“Miss Katie, Lady Emma,” Doris said, returning, “the modiste has arrived.”

~*~

Later that morning

The modiste, the esteemed Madame Darnelle, entered with an air of elegance, accompanied by two assistants carrying overflowing boxes and bolts of fabric.

Their arrival filled the room with an energy Emma wasn’t sure she was ready to face.

She still felt awkward having all her clothing, including her delicate garments, replaced by a man she had encountered less than a week ago, and a wave of anxiety coursed through her.

Trying to steady her frazzled nerves, she took a sip of Mrs. Peppers’s soothing mint tea, letting the warm liquid calm her troubled mind as she reminded herself to breathe.

Stanhope had prepared one of the larger bedroom suites for the modiste to use, giving both Katie and Emma, as well as Finn, who hadn’t left Katie’s side these past few days, lots of room to work with the dressmaker.

Mrs. Peppers had arranged for a carafe of mint tea, a pitcher of lemonade for Katie and the assistants, and finger sandwiches and other tempting treats.

She had even provided a meaty bone and a small plate of treats to keep Finn occupied.

“Lady Emma, I am so happy with the canvas I have to work with. May I say that your figure is perfection?” Madame Darnelle gushed, whirling about Emma’s body with a measuring tape, then calling out measurements to one of her assistants.

The other assistant had Katie standing on a footstool, measuring her for several day dresses.

There was also a box of shoes for them to choose from.

Surprisingly, the shoes and slippers fit both Emma and Katie perfectly—puzzling, to be sure.

Had Michael snuck into their bedchambers and measured their shoes while they were asleep?

How else would he have known what sizes to give the modiste?

Impossible. He would have sent one of the maids to do it, she decided. That must have been how he did it. Still, his thoughtfulness brought a lump to her throat.

Michael was truly a kind man, even if he pretended to be grumpy, she thought with a private smile.

She became even more determined to do everything she could in the time they were here to make over the parlor and any other room that Michael wanted to refurbish.

They were off to a good start after they visited the attic.

She’d discovered several beautiful pieces of furniture and decorative items that would add warmth to the parlor and make it a welcoming room.

The modiste’s exclamation of delight brought Emma out of her musings and focused her attention once more on the fitting.