CHAPTER THREE - AN HONORABLE FOR A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
Upon their arrival at home after the line of suitors whom still wanted her hand were indeed old enough to be her papas instead, the young girl seemingly rejected each hand for a dance. She was enraged by her parents impromtu decision to simply make her a husband to get married to because they wanted to maintain their class and status in the society. Raging towards her father who said nothing at her grumbles of her current situation as the siblings remained quiet
"Papa, what do you mean by marriage?"
He asked
"Do you wish me to spell it out for you?"
He asked
"I cannot get married"
He said
"You can and you will..."
He said this time in a more fierce tone and Emery became rather calm
"All this for class, you would risk sending your daughter to a loveless marriage all because of your quest for more wealth"
She said out of tone
"Emery"
Called out her more understanding sister Rose
"No need Rose, I think she is rather exhausted and cannot choose her words right for now"
Their papa said as he went Inside to retire for the night, while their governess took Sophia and Elise inside, Hayven who thought they were simply asking for too much as she felt it was not in her wrong to say she did not wish to marry turned to their mama
"Seems like you would have a problem convincing Emery"
She said as she took her leave to retire as did everyone else aside from Emery as their mama tapping her by the shoulder said to her
"Emery darling"
She said in a subtle voice
"No, you cannot convince me to marry"
She claimed
"You may see us as being selfish for wanting you and your sister to get married, but it is for your own good son, we do not wish you all to go back to living the way we used to, feeding from hand to mouth, enduring insults from people all because we were poor....we want you to have a good life and that can only happen if you marry a good family and secure your future, think about it Emery"
She said as she patted her arms and went in for the night leaving the Lady Emery rather sober and calm.
The house of Earl Knights was indeed a more peaceful home as the Lord of the home Lord Carlisle was courting a certain miss in the house, the stewards daughter of which his mama has equally warned him against, he claims his heart indeed belongs to her, a lady whom he grew up with miss Louise Bakersfield. His mama always made sure to keep an eye out on her in the cause of any mistakes but a mistake was more than she found as the Lady Knight took her subtle steps in the chambers of the Miss Louise.
"My lady"
She immediately said with a bow
"Hello Louise, you do look troubled"
Lady Knight points out
"Of course not My lady, what brings you here?"
She asked
"You...you have not had your courses in the last two months"
She said as the girl fell into a sudden stammarer
"My Lady....I.....assure you it is not so"
She tried to pacify the Lady Knight by falling into tears
"So are you claiming my son has had you?"
She asked as she knew to answer to that question
"I....I..."
"Was that why you wished to rush the wedding? I knew something was wrong but you, trying to pin him down with a child indeed for another man is extreme"
"My lady, it is not for another man"
She tried to explain
"How dare you, I saw you the other night speaking to a certain man outside of town that he was the father of your child"
She stated leaving the girl speechless as the Earl lord Carlisle a promising bachelor not more than 30 whom was entirely innocent of her claim of his fatherhood walked through the opened doors
"Did I just hear you correctly?"
He asked his mama who did not wish to hurt her son or let him know that his woman whom he almost married was a woman of adventures
"Carlisle, I can explain"
His mama said as he went to his soon to have been wife
"Is it true?"
He asked with a cold single tear down his cheek
"I am sorry"
was all she could bring herself to say
"People know already of your engagement, we are in some serious trouble"
His mama said
"You shall remain here till we have found what to do with you"
He said nearly voiceless as he took his leave. The morning was finally come after the Earl who last sleep stayed up all night starring at the view from his chambers till he was requested to join his mama and sister Lady Bridget for breakfast which was also a silent one. After indeed breakfast was over a fine guest of a choice graced them that morning with her presence as she was sent by the Dowager Countess Lady Eleanor Knight none other than her bossom friend Lady Amelia Oakley.
"My Lady, the Dowager Lady Amelia Oakley is here"
The housekeeper announced
"Please do send her in, I am in dire need of her presence"
The Lady immediately ordered as she was let into the drawing room decorated in fine yellow from chairs to curtains.
"My Lady, you did send for me as a matter of pure urgency"
Lady Oakley said as the doors were shut behind her
"Please have a seat first.....We are all aware of my son's soon to be wife"
"Of course, Miss Louise"
Lady Oakley completed
"Well she appears to be with child"
She said as the room fell into an awkward silence
"Is it for the Earl?"
She asked
"No, for some man outside of town, I do not know what to do to avoid suspicion of the ton. Surely them getting wind of this would bring a scandal itself"
Lady Knight stated
"A damaging one to be more precise, you can simply put her off quietly...or.....we can bring a ruse"
Lady Oakley suggested
"What type of ruse?"
His mama asked
"She would call off the wedding herself, pay her off to remain quiet, and quietly pair the Earl up with another Lady of the ton possibly one who is currently the official reign in society"
Lady Oakley suggested
"Should you think it would work?"
His mama asked
"I do hope so"
She replied
"And what lady may you have in mind?"
Lady knight asked
"I do have a certain Honorable Lady in mind"
The Lady oakley said with a smile.