The Lady and the Sheriff Read online

  “I have also arranged for him to be taken to The New York City Marble Cemetery for burial afterwards. When you’re up to it, I will take you there to see his final resting place. I am sure you will agree it is a beautiful place. As I will soon be your husband, I have covered all the costs. I just want you to concentrate on resting and I will deal with everything.”

  Emma clung to Percy and cried. She realized that she had little money and couldn’t arrange her own father’s funeral, even if she wanted to. When she was a bit calmer, she looked up at Percy. “Thank you for arranging everything. I am very grateful. I will pay you back somehow.”

  Percy shook his head. “That won’t be necessary. Would you like me to arrange to have some food brought up to you? I assume you don’t want to come downstairs.”

  “I’m really not hungry. I just want to be left alone please. May I have my father’s things?” she asked.

  Percy nodded and kissed her on the cheek before leaving her alone for a few minutes. He returned quickly, looking apologetically at her as he approached the bed. “I’m sorry Emma, there isn’t very much. I guess you were travelling light.”

  Emma nodded and looked in the box, smiling as she located his gold pocket watch inside his jacket pocket. “He carried this with him everywhere. It was a gift from my mother, before she became ill.” Emma’s eyes filled with tears as she held the pocket watch to her lips and kissed it tenderly, closing her eyes as she thought about her mother and father in heaven together, reunited at last. Percy was again at her side, gathering her in his arms and kissing her tears away.

  “Good girl,” he whispered, rocking her gently in his arms. “You let those tears all out. You’ll feel better. Good girl.”

  Emma clung to him as the enormity of the situation dawned on her. She was in America alone. Both of her parents were now gone. She sobbed hysterically as she asked God why he had done this to her. Percy offered constant reassurance and encouraged her to cry, telling her she’d feel better. Emma didn’t think she would ever feel better.

  When she was eventually out of tears she looked up at Percy. “I’m sorry. I thought you were an unsuitable husband but I realize that I should have listened to my father. I do love you and I do want to marry you, if you still want me.”

  Percy smiled and nodded. “We will marry soon. My mother is making the arrangements. We will be married in New York, and I hope I won’t have to deal with any more arguments on that subject. If I do, I will have to be firm with you, young lady.” Emma blushed and nodded, glancing down so she didn’t have to look at him.

  Percy kissed her on the cheek and Emma smiled. She still felt numb and guessed she would shed a few more tears for her father yet, but she was grateful that she had Percy to help her through this very difficult time.

  Ten minutes later Percy returned with some bread and soup for Emma. Although she really wasn’t hungry, she allowed him to feed her. “Where will I stay?” she asked him, as he encouraged her to lie down and get some more sleep after she had eaten.

  “You can stay here,” he smiled. “We’ll have separate rooms until our wedding, of course. You can stay in this room if you like it.”

  Emma nodded and closed her eyes. She drifted off into a deep sleep and was grateful that she slept through the night and did not wake again until the next morning.

  When she awoke at last, she once again wondered if she had been dreaming. Seeing the box of her father’s belongings beside her bed and his pocket watch on the bedside table, she started to cry again as she realized her father really was gone. She rummaged through the box, smiling as she found her mother’s wedding ring which Thomas had carried with him since the day she died.

  Emma reluctantly headed downstairs and was greeted by Percy, who hugged her tightly before leading her into the dining room and sitting with her while she ate breakfast.

  “My mother is here. She’s brought a dressmaker with her so I’ll go out and leave you ladies alone. There isn’t time to make you a dress for tomorrow, and I see you have nothing suitable to wear for your father’s funeral. We have borrowed an appropriate dress from my sister which will be adjusted to fit you. You will also be measured for your wedding gown while she’s here. We will marry in one month’s time but don’t worry about that, my mother has everything in hand,” explained Percy, guiding Emma into the living room where his mother and the dressmaker were sitting drinking tea.

  As soon as Percy left, Emma was stripped down to her underwear and the black dress was fitted onto her. It was almost a perfect fit and the dressmaker said she could do the slight alterations needed and bring it back later that day. She then took measurements and Emma stood listening to the excited chatter of the two women as they planned her wedding dress. Emma was thoroughly miserable. She wanted to be allowed to mourn her father and these two women hadn’t even acknowledged her loss. She would also like some say in what type of wedding dress she was going to wear, but the women barely seemed to notice she was there.

  Emma was relieved when they had finished with her and she was able to put her clothes back on and return to her bedroom. When Percy came home later he went straight to her room and insisted she go for a walk with him. “You need some fresh air, it isn’t good for you to be stuck in the house all the time,” he encouraged as he helped her into her coat and led her outside.

  Percy was right. The fresh air cleared Emma’s head and she felt much better. She was still numb with shock and when they returned back to Percy’s home she reluctantly wrote a letter to John and Mary to inform them of her father’s untimely death. She also told them of her upcoming marriage and hoped they might be able to come over, but she guessed the timing would be pretty tight as they would probably need to sail within days of getting her letter to get there on time. She reluctantly accepted it was impossible, but it would be nice if someone she knew could be at her wedding.

  After dinner Percy’s mother breezed in with the dressmaker and took Emma to her room where they checked the fit of the dress she would wear the next day. When Emma started to cry, Mrs. Woodhampton shook her head and left the room, telling Emma that she needed to “toughen up”. The dressmaker didn’t say a word as she helped her out of the dress. As she walked to the door, left the room, and closed it behind her without a word or gesture of comfort, Emma dropped to her bed and sobbed herself to sleep.

  Emma woke the next day and put the black dress on. She sat on her bed and cried. When Percy joined her, she cried harder. “Why has this happened to me? I’m all alone out here. I have no family or friends. Why does God hate me so much?”

  Percy shook his head and held Emma. “God doesn’t hate you. Please don’t talk like that. You told me yourself that your father will now be reunited with your mother. They’ll be watching over you now and willing you to be strong today. And you’re not alone, you have me, remember?”

  Emma gave Percy a small smile and gripped his hand, allowing him to lead her from the room. She scowled as one of the maids approached. She had noticed before that this maid seemed to flirt with Percy and he certainly didn’t seem to discourage her advances. Have a bit of self-respect, thought Emma, glaring at the woman who ran her finger in a suggestive manner down Percy’s chest before grinning and walking away. Emma glared at Percy but he simply shrugged. “Lillian’s always like that. Take no notice of her.”

  Before Emma could protest about the maid’s behavior, Percy led her downstairs, insisting that she eat something. She ate in silence and when Percy led her into the living room to view her father’s casket, she broke down in tears. She had not been prepared for an open casket and seeing her father again reminded her of the events of the past few days. Percy put his arm around her waist and comforted her as she sobbed.

  Emma was grateful to have Percy by her side all day to help her through the funeral service, where a great many of her father’s business associates and friends came to pay their respects. Emma was touched by the kindness of these strangers.

  She didn’t feel lik
e socializing after the funeral service—all she wanted to do was go to her room and mourn in private. Unfortunately Percy’s mother had told her several times that she had gone to a lot of trouble to arrange some refreshments for after the service, so Emma begrudgingly agreed to join them.

  Emma stayed close to Percy’s side, accepting his words of comfort as she struggled to cope with the many people who told her what a wonderful man her father had been. Emma knew he was wonderful, and more than anything she wanted him back. Eventually Percy decided she had had enough and he thanked everyone for coming, saying that Thomas would have been proud to see so many turn up to support his daughter through a very emotional day.

  Percy took Emma to her room, causing her to again think that it was very improper for her to be living under the same roof with him. “Percy, do you not think I should move into a hotel, just until we’re married?”

  Percy shook his head. “Emma, I think you will agree I have behaved with the utmost of chivalry? It seems silly to waste what little money you have on hotel rooms when there is plenty of room here. I want to be there for you, to help you through this. I don’t want you moping alone in a hotel room.”

  Emma reluctantly nodded, scowling as Lillian entered the room with the doctor. Emma looked at Percy, wondering why on earth the doctor was here again. “Percy, I’m not ill. Why have you called the doctor? The only pain I feel is right here in my heart,” she stated, tapping her hand against her chest. “Unless he can raise my father from the dead, there is nothing he can do to ease the pain I’m feeling.”

  “Emma,” he scolded, “you will get a civil tongue in your head and you will apologize to the doctor immediately.”

  “And if I don’t?” she demanded, placing her hands on her hips and glaring at Percy.

  “Then I shall take you across my knee and spank you until you do as you’re told. You’ll then have an aching bottom to go with your aching heart. I don’t want to be so cruel on what has been such a distressing day for you, but I will do it if you make it necessary,” he warned.

  Emma blushed and looked to the floor. “I’m sorry doctor,” she mumbled, “but I’m not ill,” she quickly added.

  The doctor nodded as he approached Emma. “You’ve had a rough day. I’m just going to give you another little shot to help you sleep. It’ll make you feel better, I promise.”

  Emma backed towards the bed and sat down, shaking her head and wrapping her arms around herself. “No, I don’t need it. Please just leave me alone.”

  Emma was stunned when Percy approached her, pulled her from the bed and ordered Lillian to remove her dress. Emma sobbed as Lillian lowered the zipper on her dress and helped her out of it. She couldn’t believe Percy had threatened to spank her in front of that little trollop, who was yet again flirting with Percy. Emma was angered to see that Percy was in fact encouraging her now. Wanting everyone out of her room, Emma allowed her dress to be removed and she approached the doctor in her full length petticoat and held her bare arm out towards him. “Here, give me whatever you want and then just go. If you can give me something that will put me to sleep permanently and send me to be with my parents, I’d be eternally grateful,” she snapped.

  Percy grasped her arm. “Don’t talk like that,” he pleaded. Emma was grateful when the doctor ordered Percy and Lillian to leave the room. He sat down with Emma and she wept as she talked openly to him about her father and how she felt about being stuck in America. The doctor told her not to make any rash decisions about her life at the moment and to take as much time as she needed to grieve. He then laid her down on her bed and gave her an injection to help her sleep, promising that she would feel better if she got a good night’s sleep.

  Emma was grateful that she managed to sleep right through and didn’t wake until the next morning, but nevertheless she was a little angry with Percy when he brought her a cup of tea. She didn’t believe he should enter the room when she was in bed, but he was the perfect gentleman and she quickly forgave him.

  “I’m sorry I called the doctor yesterday. You’d had a hard day. I thought you needed to sleep, but I also thought you might need a little help to achieve that. I’m sorry if I embarrassed you,” he explained.

  Emma’s cheeks flushed as she remembered his threat to spank her, but she realized he had had her best interests at heart and she had been a bit ungrateful she supposed. She guessed under similar circumstances her father would have threatened to spank her too—and possibly would have done it. She knew her father would have been watching her and she hoped that she hadn’t let him down with her behavior.

  Emma brightened up considerably when Percy said he wanted to take her out for a walk. They went to Central Park and enjoyed a picnic together and for a few hours Emma forgot about her worries as she once more thoroughly enjoyed Percy’s company. She decided that marrying Percy was for the best as at least once they were in England she wouldn’t have to see his awful, overbearing mother so often, nor would she have to put up with the trollop of a maid flirting openly with her husband-to-be. That day couldn’t come soon enough for Emma.

  Chapter Four

  Over the next three weeks Emma spent quite a bit of time with Percy. When they were alone she thoroughly enjoyed his company, but as her wedding day approached she was becoming more annoyed with his behavior around his female staff, particularly Lillian. She was almost certain she saw them sharing a kiss at one point, but since they pulled apart quickly when she entered the room she felt unable to challenge Percy over it. After all, he had been so good to her and she felt mean making accusations.

  Sighing, Emma reminded herself that once they were in England they would be away from Lillian and they would be happy. She also made a mental note to employ older female staff when they got back to Windmere. No point in putting temptation in front of Percy, Emma thought bitterly.

  Eventually the day before Emma’s wedding arrived. The dressmaker and Percy’s mother came round and fussed about with her dress, making a couple of last minute adjustments. A huge bonnet was added to the outfit. Although it wouldn’t have been her choice of wedding gown, she had to admit it was very beautiful. Percy’s mother told her that her flowers would arrive the following morning so they would be fresh for the wedding, which was at a nearby church. After the ceremony they would return to the house for a lavish reception.

  Emma found it hard to show any enthusiasm. She was fairly certain that she did not love Percy. His kindness after her father’s death had clouded her judgment of him and made her think better of him than he really deserved. He was a terrible flirt and she believed that although she was saving herself for their wedding day, he was certainly not doing the same. He went out most evenings and generally returned home drunk, and his flirtatious behavior with Lillian was only getting worse.

  If she could afford to go back to England alone she would. Without Percy she knew she would definitely lose the estate her father had desperately hoped to keep in the family, but she was certain that John and Mary would look after her.

  She figured that she could find gainful employment as a maid, using her father’s many connections. But she didn’t have the money to get home so for the moment she was stuck with Percy in New York where she had no friends and was desperately unhappy. She had also been bitterly disappointed when Percy told her that Lillian had accepted employment with them at Windmere and when they headed to England she would travel with them. Emma was not happy about this and was definitely going to have to find a way to put a stop to that plan. In her angrier moments she thought she would throw the intolerable woman overboard if she didn’t get rid of her before they sailed for England.

  Emma missed her father too and although it had been her lifelong dream to travel, she wished she had stayed at home now. She wished she had never travelled to America as it had brought her nothing but heartache. She felt guilty, believing that had she married one of the many suitors her father brought home for her to meet, the Windmere estate would be safe and her father would
still be alive.

  Emma couldn’t believe the doctor’s and Percy’s claims that her father would have died anyway. She didn’t believe that for one minute. Her father had the biggest, kindest heart of anyone she knew. She couldn’t believe that it had turned out to be a very weak heart and had simply stopped beating. This thought made her sob.

  Mrs. Woodhampton and the dressmaker hurriedly got her out of her dress as she started to cry. “You’ll ruin it, silly child,” Mrs. Woodhampton scolded as she stripped the dress from her and left her alone once more.

  When Percy returned home later that evening, he was very drunk. Emma was in bed reading but she could hear him singing loudly and decided to leave him, but as he became louder she shook her head in exasperation. He’ll wake all the staff at this rate. I’d better go and talk to him, try to quiet him down, perhaps persuade him to go to bed, Emma thought angrily.

  Emma got out of bed and put on her dressing gown and slippers before she wandered down the hallway towards the staircase. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Percy in the hallway with Lillian, both of them giggling like children. Emma didn’t think their conduct around each other was appropriate at all and was stunned that none of the other staff seemed to bat an eyelid at their behavior.

  Emma stood at the top of the stairs, watching them with growing disgust. She was only pleased that her father wasn’t here to see how big a mistake she had made when given permission to choose her own beau. Emma again wished she had given one of her father’s choices of potential husbands more of a chance. They weren’t all bad and she was certain her father would never have wanted her to marry such a dirty, lecherous man as Percy.

  Emma suddenly felt sick when she observed the maid drop her dressing gown to the floor, revealing that she was naked beneath it. Percy whispered to her and she giggled as she bent across the table. Percy left the room and returned moments later with a riding crop. He then ran the crop over the body of the maid, cracking it down on her bare buttocks and causing her to squeal. Emma was not entirely certain whether these were cries of pain or pleasure.