Page 1 of Loving an Earl
Chapter One
Langford Manor
Kent 1814
Lilly St. Claire’sbody had trembled as she’d released heart-wrenching sobs from deep inside her soul as she’d stood over her papa’s grave so soon after she’d wed the Earl of Langford—mere hours, really. As she sat in Langford’s carriage now, tears ran unabashedly down her cheeks, and she was surprised she had any left to shed after her episode earlier in the day. Her new husband sat opposite her, looking almost as heartbroken as she. This was unsurprising since her papa and Langford had known each other for nearly thirty years. And that friendship had led to her marrying the earl this day.
The earl was something of a recluse and rarely traveled to London except when Parliament was in session. The crowds, noises, and smells of London made him nervous, he said, and he preferred the peace and quiet of his country estate in Kent. Lilly was very grateful Langford preferred the country. Not that she knew much about London, as she’d never been, though she’d always dreamed of visiting. Nevertheless, now that she was married to Langford, she could only imagine the scandal when London Society learned the earl had married a vicar’s daughter who was only seventeen. Her fear of becoming the talk of London had her trembling again.
“Are you cold, my child?” Langford possessed a gentle, soft-spoken voice. He always referred to her as a child, which had never bothered her before, but it sounded inappropriate now that they were married.
“Just a little. Please call me Lilly.” She had lied about being cold, and her fingers gripped her cloak, pulling it tighter around her body. But there was no sense in admitting her panic about her new life and what it would entail.
“We are almost to the estate. And you must call me Henry.”
With half-lidded eyes, she studied her husband. At his advanced age, he still clung to the handsome younger self she’d seen in a portrait hanging in the gallery at Langford Manor. Although his hair was white and his frame lean, he still appeared strong, and his mind was sharp. Suddenly, her insides churned. Would he try to get an heir with her? Would that not be the reason he had accepted her father’s request? She’d not been instructed in the goings on of the marriage bed, since her mama died many years ago, and she’d been too young then. What would Henry expect of her? Would he want to consummate the marriage tonight even though they both mourned her papa?
“You may relax, my child,” Henry said in his soothing voice. “When we arrive at Langford Manor, I have instructed my housekeeper to whisk you away to your chambers and prepare a bath and light repast for you before bed.” He paused, leaned forward, and gently covered her hands with his thin, slightly bent ones. “There’s no need to fret about tonight. The loss of your dear papa saddens us both, and I imagine you would prefer to mourn in private, as would I.”
Before she could ask what he meant by fret, the carriage stopped before the large stone manor. The household were lined up outside, ready to welcome her even though she’d been here many times. This time, however, she was introduced as their new countess. Her insides quivered at the look of pity she witnessed in many of their eyes, making her wonder if the pity was for her papa’s death, or for marrying the old earl, or both.
She paid the closest attention to Mrs. Pemberton, the housekeeper, and Miss Daisy Campbell, who’d been introduced as her maid, as they would work closely with her.
When formal introductions were complete, Mrs. Pemberton led her up a grand marble staircase. The beautiful staircase gently curved and split off to the right and left. They stayed to the right, going up another flight to the private family rooms.
“Please accept my condolences on losing your father, your ladyship. There will never be another vicar with a heart as kind and gentle as his.” Mrs. Pemberton cleared her throat and smiled sadly. “Campbell and I unpacked your belongings.” She opened the door, and Lilly gasped at the beauty surrounding her. The room was decorated in soft shades of cream and mauve with little touches of light blue. The furniture consisted of a large sleigh bed with matching nightstands, and a lovely ornate carved secretary, which doubled as a dressing table. Opposite the bed was an impressive fireplace and a beautiful mauve chaise longue. She could imagine spending afternoons reading on it with the flames from the hearth warming her. A more welcoming and soothing bedchamber she’d never seen. Not that she’d seen many.
“The dressing room is just over there.” Mrs. Pemberton pointed to a door next to the secretary. “And this way.” She led Lilly to another doorway to the left of the fireplace which opened to a modest sitting area. “This is your shared sitting room, and his lordship’s chamber is right through that door.”
Lily didn’t know how she felt about being in such close proximity to the earl, even though they were wed. By law, since speaking their marriage vows, he could do with her as he wished. She was essentially his property. Though the thought of that didn’t unnerve her as she initially believed it would. He was kind and gentle on the surface, and she believed his heart was as well. She would not panic now and believe he hid any odd tendencies, though the thought did bring her mind back to consummating the marriage. Lily clasped her hands together to hide the trembling as the housekeeper led her back through her room and into the dressing room, where a tub filled with steaming water awaited her. The scent of roses filled the air and tickled her senses.
“I will leave you in Campbell’s capable hands.” Mrs. Pemberton bobbed. “Good evening, my lady, and welcome to your new home.”
Lilly found herself being undressed and helped into the soothing bathwater. “I will see to the rest myself, Miss Campbell.”
She dipped. “Yes, my lady.”
How odd to have a maid of her own. Perhaps Miss Campbell would allow Lilly to call her Daisy. Perhaps that would make this all feel a bit less strange and formal. She’d have to ask her tomorrow, Lilly thought, as the young maid left.
Alone at last, Lilly sank into the tub up to her shoulders and relished the scented and soothing water. Her hand touched the small emerald pendant that had belonged to her mother. It was a necklace she rarely took off. Even though her memories of her mother had faded, she felt close to her when she wore her necklace.
Lilly closed her eyes and concentrated on the warm water cradling her body, hoping it would help to tame her runaway mind and heart about how unprepared she was for her new role as a married woman. Managing a household, even as large as the earl’s, did not frighten her. She had managed her papa’s affairs, which had included the whole village, for many years. Surely, along with the housekeeper and the butler, she could manage Langford Manor. What she didn’t know was how to be a wife. Everything she’d learned about married couples had been observed in public places. She hadn’t a clue about the intimate details of a marriage.
She didn’t bother with washing her hair, as she’d done so that morning. After scrubbing her skin and realizing she couldn’t hide in the cooling water forever, she exited the tub, dried off, and donned the night rail and matching robe laid out by her new maid. When she entered her bedchamber, she froze when she came face to face with Henry dressed in a thick blue banyan and looking flushed.
“I hope your accommodations are to your liking, my chi... Lilly.”
Swallowing the lump in her throat, she replied, “Yes. Very much so.”
“The cook prepared a delicious feast for us. Come into the adjoining room so we may partake.” As soon as he finished speaking, he turned and walked through the doorway into the sitting room. He stood by a chair at a table filled with covered dishes and a platter full of cheese, fruits, and slices of bread, waiting to seat her.
As she sat and murmured, “Thank you,” she hoped she’d managed to hide her nervousness from her new husband.
“My pleasure,” he said as he sat and placed a napkin on his lap. “This looks wonderful.”
Draping her napkin across her lap, Lilly removed the cover from her plate and found roasted pheasant, crispy small potatoes, and candied carrots. “It all smells divine.” She hadn’t realized until this moment that she was hungry. With all that had happened today, she’d not eaten since breakfast. Her heart pained, and tears stung her eyes as reality set in.
Her papa was gone. Forever.
