Free Always Come Home (Emerson 1) by Maureen Driscoll

still
from the floor.
    Ridgeway ignored him. “I cannot offer you
employment at my estate since my sisters already have a governess. Even the
invaluable Stemple is working without wages. But I can offer you safe passage
with us and you can remain at the estate until you find another position. I
will help in any way I can. It will not be luxurious by any means, but it will
be better than remaining here. I am sure of it.”
    Ava was sure of it, too. “I am not in the practice
of asking for favors.”
    “By coming with us now, you would be granting a
favor. Your removal from this house is the only thing that will prevent me
from beating Clayton to a pulp. Though there is a part of me that believes I
should do it anyway.”
    Ava had to smile. “Thank you, my lord. I would
like to come with you.”
    And suddenly, it was as if a weight had been lifted
from her.
    Clayton laughed mirthlessly. “If given a choice
between watching that touching scene and being kneed in the bollocks again, I’d
choose the latter.”
    “And I would be happy to oblige,” said Ridgeway.
    Ava turned to see Maude looking at her, stricken.
Maude. Her only friend. Maude, who would now be completely unprotected in
this house.
    Perhaps Lord Ridgeway saw the sadness on Ava’s
face. Or the devastation on Maude’s. Or his valet’s despair. Whatever the
reason, it made him speak again. “Miss Maude, I do not believe I need to
mention yet again my dismal financial affairs. But if you would like to
accompany us, I will do what I can to find you a position.”
    Maude’s eyes filled with tears and her lips trembled
as she bobbed a curtsey. “Thank you, milord. I would like to come with you.”
    Ridgeway turned back to Clayton. “I trust you will
pay the ladies their wages. You have a house full of witnesses. You wouldn’t
want it spread about town that you don’t pay your debts.”
    “Well, you would know what that’s like,” replied
Clayton. “I will pay them their wages. However, I shall send their earnings
to your estate. After all, I wouldn’t want you to rob them on your journey
home. Now, if you will all four leave the premises with some haste. I expect
you to be gone within the hour.”
    “With pleasure, my lord,” said Ava.
    She had no idea what her future would bring. But it
had to be better than working for Clayton.

CHAPTER EIGHT
    Not quite an hour later, Colin and Stemple, along
with the two ladies, stepped out of the manor. This was about as far from a
successful conclusion to his overall mission that Colin could imagine. Not
only had he failed to secure a rich bride during the last few months in town,
but he was now bringing home three additional mouths to feed. But he couldn’t
have left either of the women behind. He had a feeling Stemple was especially
pleased that Maude was accompanying them.
    It wasn’t yet five in the morning when they set out
from the manor toward the village. Clayton had made it clear that his carriage
would not be available to take them to town. Thank God the viscount hadn’t
insisted on having his blunt returned from the night before. At least they
would be able to rent a carriage once they reached the village.
    “Might I take your valise?” Colin asked Miss
Conway. Stemple had already packed Maude’s sack into his own bag. The two of
them were now walking behind Colin and Miss Conway.
    “Thank you, my lord, but is it not heavy and I am
well able to carry it.”
    “Yet it is not very gentlemanly of me to expect you
to do so.”
    “While I thank you for the offer, you are an earl
and I am a servant, my lord.”
    “By some error of birth, that is a correct
assessment. But the next day of travel could be difficult. I am better able
to bear the physical burden of carrying the bags. And will you not call me Colin?
We will be spending a great deal of time together.”
    “It would not be proper, my lord.”
    “I am not suggesting an elopement to Gretna Green,
Miss Conway. Only that we dispense with