shame, which was part of the reason they hadn’t become close. Laura had to bite her tongue too often in order not to challenge Emma’s conventional beliefs, and if she relaxed and spoke naturally of subjects that interested her, Emma was shocked.
And didn’t hesitate to comment on it.
But Emma was truly good . Laura had never heard her say an unkind word about anyone, and she would not gossip. Which was a shame, since there was a delicious rumor circulating about the innkeeper of the Red Hen and Dr. Trumper’s housekeeper.
When Mrs. Finch left, Laura broke her news, unable to stop herself from watching closely for any reaction.
“And Lord Caldfort says Harry and I may stay for a month.”
Emma’s eyes widened, but only in natural surprise.
“How lovely for you, Laura. I long to visit my family, but it is so far to Durham and would cost a great deal for a private carriage. Anyway, I’m sure Jack is right that days on the road with young children would be very difficult. And, of course, he has his duties to the parish.”
“You should persuade him to take on a curate.”
Emma’s face tightened. Was all not perfect here after all? “It would be an expense, and there are so many calls on his purse.”
Not least his horses and dogs, Laura thought, but didn’t say it. Jack was no worse than any other man in that respect. Perhaps it was unfair to think that a vicar should be willing to economize on his own pleasures to provide his wife with a visit to her family.
Laura wanted to know if Emma had an explanation for their father-in-law’s strange behavior, so she said, “I am puzzled to be allowed to take Harry away for a whole month.”
“Perhaps Father Caldfort is becoming more moderate.” Lord Caldfort hated to be referred to like that. “After all, there is little Harry can learn here at such a young age.” But then Emma fixed Laura with an intent look. “Jack does hope to take a father’s place with Harry, Laura. It hurts him when you don’t agree.”
Laura’s mouth dried and she sipped more tea. “Harry’s too young yet.”
“Would you say the same if Hal were alive?”
“That would be different.”
“It’s as if you don’t trust Jack with Harry, Laura, but you must know he would be as careful of Harry as Hal.”
What could she say? “I’m sure he would.”
“Don’t mind his way of talking. He doesn’t mean what he says.”
Laura stared. “What can you mean?”
Emma’s color rose. She was pretty, with soft blond hair, and seeing her blush like that, no one would believe that she was a matron of thirty with four children in her nursery.
“It’s just the thrill of a son. You know how men are about such things. Jack has said once or twice that if . . . if anything were to happen to Harry, little Hal would one day be Lord Caldfort, but it doesn’t mean anything.”
Laura found a light laugh. “Of course it doesn’t! It’s a simple truth, as if I were to say that if Lord Caldfort took a turn for the worse, Harry could end up being an infant viscount.”
Emma’s smile showed relief. “Yes, that’s it. It wouldn’t mean you were wishing for his death.” But then she flushed a deeper red at the implication of her words.
“Of course not.” Laura brushed over the moment. “I wish Lord Caldfort a very long life so that Harry can grow up without burdens. I fear it will not be. He seemed particularly unwell this morning. I think he may have received bad news in the postbag. Jack hasn’t mentioned any concerns about the estate, has he?”
Emma was clearly grateful for a change of subject. “No. Well, there are the usual problems due to the depressed state of the economy and the atrocious weather. The harvest was sadly off, and many will feel the pinch. We intend to take a special collection to provide winter food for the desperate. I hope you will contribute.”
“Yes, of course.”
Emma could be guarding marital confidences, but Laura didn’t think so. Emma lied
And didn’t hesitate to comment on it.
But Emma was truly good . Laura had never heard her say an unkind word about anyone, and she would not gossip. Which was a shame, since there was a delicious rumor circulating about the innkeeper of the Red Hen and Dr. Trumper’s housekeeper.
When Mrs. Finch left, Laura broke her news, unable to stop herself from watching closely for any reaction.
“And Lord Caldfort says Harry and I may stay for a month.”
Emma’s eyes widened, but only in natural surprise.
“How lovely for you, Laura. I long to visit my family, but it is so far to Durham and would cost a great deal for a private carriage. Anyway, I’m sure Jack is right that days on the road with young children would be very difficult. And, of course, he has his duties to the parish.”
“You should persuade him to take on a curate.”
Emma’s face tightened. Was all not perfect here after all? “It would be an expense, and there are so many calls on his purse.”
Not least his horses and dogs, Laura thought, but didn’t say it. Jack was no worse than any other man in that respect. Perhaps it was unfair to think that a vicar should be willing to economize on his own pleasures to provide his wife with a visit to her family.
Laura wanted to know if Emma had an explanation for their father-in-law’s strange behavior, so she said, “I am puzzled to be allowed to take Harry away for a whole month.”
“Perhaps Father Caldfort is becoming more moderate.” Lord Caldfort hated to be referred to like that. “After all, there is little Harry can learn here at such a young age.” But then Emma fixed Laura with an intent look. “Jack does hope to take a father’s place with Harry, Laura. It hurts him when you don’t agree.”
Laura’s mouth dried and she sipped more tea. “Harry’s too young yet.”
“Would you say the same if Hal were alive?”
“That would be different.”
“It’s as if you don’t trust Jack with Harry, Laura, but you must know he would be as careful of Harry as Hal.”
What could she say? “I’m sure he would.”
“Don’t mind his way of talking. He doesn’t mean what he says.”
Laura stared. “What can you mean?”
Emma’s color rose. She was pretty, with soft blond hair, and seeing her blush like that, no one would believe that she was a matron of thirty with four children in her nursery.
“It’s just the thrill of a son. You know how men are about such things. Jack has said once or twice that if . . . if anything were to happen to Harry, little Hal would one day be Lord Caldfort, but it doesn’t mean anything.”
Laura found a light laugh. “Of course it doesn’t! It’s a simple truth, as if I were to say that if Lord Caldfort took a turn for the worse, Harry could end up being an infant viscount.”
Emma’s smile showed relief. “Yes, that’s it. It wouldn’t mean you were wishing for his death.” But then she flushed a deeper red at the implication of her words.
“Of course not.” Laura brushed over the moment. “I wish Lord Caldfort a very long life so that Harry can grow up without burdens. I fear it will not be. He seemed particularly unwell this morning. I think he may have received bad news in the postbag. Jack hasn’t mentioned any concerns about the estate, has he?”
Emma was clearly grateful for a change of subject. “No. Well, there are the usual problems due to the depressed state of the economy and the atrocious weather. The harvest was sadly off, and many will feel the pinch. We intend to take a special collection to provide winter food for the desperate. I hope you will contribute.”
“Yes, of course.”
Emma could be guarding marital confidences, but Laura didn’t think so. Emma lied
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