When Mark arrived back at Linfield Hall, he found his grandmother seated at his father’s bedside, looking as though she had not slept last night. The nurse and doctor were both standing close by, observing, but apparently unable to do anything to help. His father’s breathing was labored and sporadic and he was not conscious.

He went over and put his hand on his grandmother’s shoulder and she reached up and put a reassuring hand on his.

Mark turned to the doctor who shook his head, answering the unasked question. Mark then went over to the table beside his father’s bed, wound up and started playing his music box. He then turned to his father and said, “Sorry Father, I wish I could have Miss Emily here to play for you again, but this will have to do to send you to your just reward.” He turned to his grandmother. “Is there anything I can do for you? Anything you need?”

She shook her head, obviously trying desperately to hold herself together.

Mark went to his father’s desk and wrote a short note to Sophie telling her of his father’s imminent passing and suggested she might want to come as soon as possible. He turned to a footman standing nearby and handed him the note. “Please see this is delivered to Miss Sophie as soon as possible.”

“Yes, Your Grace.” And he left the room.

Mark pulled up a chair next to his grandmother, and he took her hand. “Now,” he said, “There is nothing to do but wait.”

* * *

The Savoy carriage arrived at Linfield Hall. Alice and Emily quickly stepped out and went up to the entranceway. They were not expected, so there was no one to greet them. But Wesley, having been informed that someone had arrived, came scurrying out of the back, while still putting on his coat.

“Mrs. Alice, Miss Emily, welcome on this sad occasion,” he said.

“Has Father passed?” she asked.

“Not yet, the family is holding a vigil at his bedside. Do you wish to join them?”

“I do. And Miss Emily has come with me to pay her respects.”

“Of course, is there anything you require, Mrs. Savoy?”

“Not at the moment.”

“I should like some water,” Emily said.

“There is a tray with water in the room. You may partake there or I can fetch you some now.”

“We should go up now,” Alice said.

Emily nodded and they went up to the ex-Duke’s room.

Mark broke into a grin when he saw the two women enter. Alice went directly to her father’s bedside as Emily held back in respect. Mark made way for Alice and went over to see Emily, taking her hands in his.

“I am sorry to ask at such a time, but how did the meeting with Silas go?” he asked.

“I will give you the details later, but we accomplished our goal.”

“I am happy to hear that. You must be greatly relieved.”

“I do not know how I am. So much has happened since I arose this morning, I only feel numb right now.”

“I can well understand,” Mark said.

Emily looked up at Mark and asked, “Is there anything I can do?” She heard the music box playing, and offered, “Would it be an imposition if I were to play for him? I see the piano is still in the room.”

“Oh, Emily, that would be wonderful. But something soft and soothing,” he said shutting off the music box.

“Of course.”

She first took a glass of water from the sideboard and then went to the piano, lifted the lid off the keys and began to play the children’s songs the old Duke had responded to so happily when she had played for him previously.

Mark took Alice in his arms and held her as they listened to the music. It was a lovely moment for the two of them and they felt comforted when the music finally ended.

The doctor came over to Mark, and said, “Your Grace, your father is gone.”

Alice turned to Mark and buried her head in his shoulder, as the Duchess stood, with the nurse’s help, and went over to the bed, and took her son’s hand and kissed it.

“This should have been me, not him,” she said quietly. “The world is turned upside down.”

* * *

Before leaving London, Emily had sent a note to her parents saying she would be going to Linfield and was unsure when she might return.

It was now late afternoon after the old Duke had died and it looked as though Alice was not planning to return home right away.

The family was gathered in the library where tea was being served. Alice was seated with her grandmother, attempting to console her. Mark was standing by one of the windows looking out over the park, lost in thought. And Emily sat on the other side of the tea table, not quite certain how she could best help.

The Duchess rested her head on Alice’s shoulder and said, “I should like to return to my rooms now. Can you help me?”

“Certainly, Grandmamma.” And Alice assisted her grandmother to stand and they left the library together.

Mark did not acknowledge their leaving and was still standing at the window when Wesley came in and handed Mark a note. He turned from the window, opened the envelope and read the enclosed letter. When he was finished he dropped the hand holding the note and looked upset.

“Mark, how may I help you?” Emily asked.

Mark said softly, “I invited Miss Sophie to come say goodbye to Father, but she has declined to come, citing her aversion to unpleasantness.”

“Oh, Mark…” she said, rising from her chair and going over to him.

As she neared, he dropped the note on the floor and took Emily in his arms as he began to cry, almost uncontrollably, resting his head on her shoulder. And as she held him she felt his warmth and his strength seeping into her, yet she was the one supporting him at this moment.

His crying did not last long, and when he was finished, he continued to hold on to her, and she to him.

Emily could feel his heart beating and the sound resonated within her like the very music which she played—a low piano note humming through her whole body.

Suddenly, he broke free from her embrace and leaned forward and kissed her. Not a kiss on the forehead or the cheek, but a deep passionate kiss that both fully participated in.

Then, just as abruptly, Mark stopped kissing and pulled back, a look of stricken terror on his face.

“Miss Emily, I am so sorry. I do not know what came over me.”

“I do,” she said, “You just lost your father and you are not yourself.” But she was still vibrating and even shaking outwardly.

Mark put his hands on her shoulders and kept her at arm’s length as he looked at her in confusion. “I… I do not… Please forgive me,” he stammered. “This is not like me.”

But she had not controlled herself either and she now stepped away, overcome with guilt and remorse. But at the same time thrilled and excited.

“If you feel you must leave, I understand,” he said turning from her and pacing. “I shall make my carriage at your disposal.”

“I hope you do not think I was acting as Silas suggested I did,” she said suddenly afraid.

Mark turned to her, horror-stricken. “Never, Miss Emily. It was entirely my fault. My loss of control—triggered by my grief.”

Emily said meekly, “Then, yes, perhaps it is best if I leave. My family was not expecting my absence today and I should return. There is such a lot of change all at once in the household.”

“Very well.” Mark went to the bell pull and rang for assistance.

Wesley appeared. “Your Grace?”

“Call the carriage for Miss Emily and see that she gets safely home.”

“Yes, Your Grace,” Wesley said and left.

Mark began to get himself under control and asked, “Perhaps you can tell me the outcome of your meeting with Silas. You said there was a satisfactory conclusion?”

“There was, but Alice will give you all the details, as it was she who conducted the meeting.”

“Very well.” Mark stood looking at Emily, as she turned to leave.

“Emily, we still need to deal with your representation. Did Silas agree to undo the damage he did with Mr. Butler?”

Emily had to smile. “It seemed to be impossible for him to say it in words, but he nodded in agreement when Alice insisted that he recant his story. But Alice can give you all the details. I was mostly hidden through most of the interview.”

Now Mark laughed, “Hidden?”

“Again, Alice will give you the whole story.”

“Then I will contact you shortly after I have been in correspondence with Mr. Butler.”

“Mark. You have plenty of other things to do now with your father’s passing. Let that be your focus. Experience your grief and console your family.”

Mark gave a gentle nod and Emily left the library.”

* * *

The carriage ride home was the first time Emily had been totally alone, except when she was sleeping, for several days. What an extraordinary turmoil it had been recently. She could hardly register the ups and downs her life had gone through in the last few days. As she tried to take stock of her situation, she had truly no idea where she was in all of this. Her career was nearly over before it began with no certainty as to its outcome. And Mark… oh, heavens… Mark. She put her hand to her breast and tried to keep her heart from fluttering. But she realized, of course, that the kiss was nothing more than the violent reaction Mark had to the grief of his father’s passing.

Or was it? There was passion in that kiss—from both sides. She had to take responsibility for her reaction and she could not put all the blame on Mark.

But she also had to smile at Alice’s brilliant handling of Silas and relish his squirming as Alice managed to get him to relent to her demands. But the man was so slippery, who knew if he would comply with her requests or find a way to wiggle free?

She sighed, slipped back into the carriage seat and shut her eyes until they arrive at the outskirts of London.