Chapter 10 #3
“It is,” she contended. “If you and Luke hadn’t rescued me that day, I could have been one of those people in Templeton Square. I might have been struggling to pay for the increasing cost of bread.”
Luke uncrossed his arms. “Emma, this is nonsense…”
“It is not,” she replied, speaking over him. “Rachel has written a book, Hannah runs a horse farm, Kate manages a refuge for women, and Eliza…” She hesitated before saying, “I’m not quite sure what she does, but I have an idea, and it’s extraordinary.”
Luke straightened. “You need not compare yourself to others. Every person has unique talents that benefits others. More importantly, being yourself is being unique because there is only one of you.”
“But I pale in comparison to them,” she murmured.
“Comparison takes the joy out of life,” Rachel said. “By constantly comparing yourself to others, you tear yourself down.”
Tears came to Emma’s eyes. “Have you ever felt like you were supposed to do more with your life?”
“I know that feeling well,” Rachel assured her.
Swiping a tear that ran down her cheek, Emma explained, “I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me, I truly am, but I feel as if I am not doing enough to help others.
” She pressed her lips together for a moment.
“I have no doubt that people in my village are suffering because of the Corn Laws. Am I to sit by and do nothing?”
Rachel shook her head. “No, of course not. You must do what your conscience dictates.”
Emma turned towards Simeon. “What I don’t understand is why those constables were using force during a peaceful demonstration.”
“I agree,” Simeon replied, “and I intend to call on Justice Keats after this meeting to discuss just that.”
Luke let out a loud sigh. “Regardless, you can’t keep sneaking out and attending these meetings. Lockhart is a madman, and he intends to make you his.”
A knock came from the opened window. “I believe that’s my cue,” a man said from outside the window. He climbed through the window. “I’ve been waiting to announce myself.”
“What is the meaning of this?” Luke demanded.
Rising, Simeon cleared his throat. “Lord and Lady Downshire, allow me to introduce you to Officer Edwin Pembrooke.”
“We’ve already met. Pembrooke was the bloke who notified me that Emma was being carted off to prison,” Luke informed him.
“Indeed,” Simeon replied. “However, I am as confused as you are about why he’s in your study.”
“Because I found some information about Lockhart that you both will find beneficial,” Mr. Pembrooke said, removing a few folded pieces of paper from his blue jacket pocket.
Luke eyed him with annoyance. “May I ask why you were skulking outside my window, Officer Pembrooke?”
“I was not skulking, Lord Downshire,” Mr. Pembrooke replied, amused. “When I arrived at the estate, I heard shouting, and I came around to ensure everyone was unharmed.”
Pressing his fingers to the bridge of his nose, Luke remarked, “You’re an imbecile.”
Mr. Pembrooke grinned. “I’ve been called much worse.” He turned his gaze towards Emma. “And you must be Miss Emma Pearson.”
She tilted her head towards him. “I am. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Pembrooke.”
“I had the privilege of watching you jab that constable in the throat. I must admit, I was impressed,” Mr. Pembrooke stated, respect in his tone. “Have you considered applying as a Bow Street Runner?”
“Under no circumstances will my ward ever be a Bow Street Runner!” Luke exclaimed.
Mr. Pembrooke winked at her. “I understand.”
“What do you want, Pembrooke?” Simeon growled.
Emma turned her gaze towards Simeon, surprised by the anger resonating in his voice. Weren’t they friends?
Holding up the papers in his hand, Pembrooke shared, “Lockhart is not a good man.”
“Thank you for that,” Luke drawled. “Now get out of my home.”
Pembrooke smirked. “There’s more.” He unfolded the papers. “Lockhart is not working in London at any law office, nor is he staying in any legitimate housing.”
“Then where is he living?” Rachel asked.
“Most likely at a disreputable public house,” Pembrooke answered. “A man fitting Lockhart’s description has been hiring ruffians from the rookeries, and my sources revealed that the sum is quite generous.”
Emma frowned. “Where is Peter getting all this money?” she asked.
“That’s an excellent question, Miss Pearson,” Pembrooke said, smiling, “and I’m afraid I don’t have the answer. However, I do urge you to remain diligent about your safety.”
Luke turned towards her. “You are not allowed to leave the estate for the foreseeable future, and that includes no visits to Eliza,” he said in a tone that brooked no argument. “Do you understand, Emma?”
She nodded. “I do.”
“Do you understand why?” Rachel pressed.
“I do, but I don’t understand why Peter is doing this,” she answered. “We never had an understanding between us.”
“Men can lose rational thought when it comes to a beautiful young woman, such as yourself,” Pembrooke remarked.
Simeon rose. “With your permission, I would like to investigate this matter further.”
“Granted, but you are fired from guarding Emma,” Luke stated.
Simeon tugged down on the lapels of his jacket. “I’ve decided to decline your firing.”
Luke lifted his brow. “You can’t decline being fired.”
“I believe I just did,” Simeon replied.
Walking over to the door, Luke opened it and shouted, “Get out of my home!”
Simeon chuckled as he approached Emma. “I’ll be back later to call on you, Emma.”
“I might be too busy for callers,” she joked.
He grinned as he tipped his head towards her.
Emma watched as Mr. Pembrooke and Simeon exited the study.
“Those men are ignoramuses,” Luke mumbled as he sat down in his desk chair.
Rachel gave her a curious look. “That interaction with Simeon was rather telling.”
“In what way?” she asked.
Leaning closer, Rachel revealed, “He was smiling at you.”
“And?”
“Haven’t you noticed that he only smiles at you?”
She shook her head. “I hadn’t noticed.”
“Interesting,” Rachel said, leaning back.
Emma placed her hands in her lap. “You’re wrong. Simeon has already informed me that we aren’t friends.”
Smiling, Rachel remarked, “That’s even more intriguing.”
Luke’s grumpy voice came from his desk. “Leave it, Rachel. No ward of mine is going to marry Wentworth.”
Emma rose. “If there are no objections, I’m going upstairs to write my article.” She looked down at Rachel. “Would you mind reviewing it once it’s finished?”
“Yes,” Rachel said, rising. “I’ll be in the nursery with Matthew.”
Before she took a step, Rachel threw her arms around her. “I’m so relieved that you’re home safe. You scared me.”
Emma returned her embrace. “I’m sorry, Rachel. I truly am.”
“I understand your need for adventure, but perhaps you could do it from the safety of the estate for the time being.”
“I can do that,” she promised, stepping back.
“Good,” Rachel said. “Now, off with you. But just so you know, we’re proud of you, whether your article is accepted or not.”
“Thank you,” she murmured, exiting the room.