Chapter 14
Emma had just stepped into the dining room when she heard Luke shout, “Well done, Emma! Your article made The Morning Post.”
“Congratulations,” Rachel said at the same moment.
Her steps faltered. “It did?”
“And these two letters were delivered this morning for you,” Luke said, extending the missives to her.
Emma eagerly accepted the letters and sat down next to Rachel.
As she tore open the first envelope from the editor at the newspaper, Rachel reached over and placed her hand on her sleeve. “We’re so proud of you. I knew the paper would accept your article.”
“I had my doubts,” she replied honestly.
“You should never doubt yourself, Emma. You are far too clever for your own good,” Luke remarked from the head of the table.
“Thank you,” she murmured as she removed the letter and a five-pound note.
Taking a moment to read the missive, she couldn’t help but let out a squeal of excitement. She brought her gaze back up to Luke and Rachel.
“The editor was so impressed with my article that he has asked me to write three subsequent articles on the Anti-Corn Law rebels,” she reported. “He’s even offered to pay me ￡5 per article.” She brought the letter to her chest. “Can you imagine ￡5 an article?”
“That’s an impressive sum,” Luke replied. “The editor might even be willing to pay more per article. Would you like me to negotiate a higher price for you?”
A laugh escaped her lips. “No, I consider ￡5 to be more than an adequate sum.”
“As do I,” Rachel said.
Feeling overwhelmed with joy, Emma brought the letter and placed it on the table. “The editor also informed me that they received a tip about a rally for the Anti-Corn Law rebels at Grange Gardens this morning.” She looked over at Luke. “May I attend, since it’s only a few blocks away?”
“Absolutely not,” he replied decisively. “A rally is not appropriate for…”
“…for a young woman such as myself,” she said, finishing his thought for him. “I understand.”
“What’s in the other note?” Rachel asked, glancing at the other white envelope on the table.
“In all the excitement, I almost forgot about the other letter,” Emma remarked, picking it up and tearing the top of the envelope off.
She unfolded the one piece of paper and started reading it, her joy being replaced by horror with each word. It wasn’t a missive; it was a threat from Peter. More accurately, a very detailed set of threats.
“Whatever is wrong, my dear?” Rachel asked, her voice sounding very far away. “You’re growing increasingly pale.”
She heard Luke push back his chair, and the next moment, he ripped the letter from her clenched hand. He read:
“You are not as safe as you think you are. I see you reading in your bedchamber, and I have watched you sleep from your window. You belong to me, and I will punish you for…”
His voice trailed off, but he continued reading silently.
Luke turned towards a footman and shouted, “Go and retrieve the bloody constable. Now!” He turned to another footman. “I want my coach prepared and waiting out front. Move!”
Emma’s hand was still shaking as she reached for her teacup. “Why is Peter tormenting me?”
Slipping the note into his jacket pocket, Luke declared, “We are leaving for Eliza’s townhouse immediately. She will keep you safe.”
“How is that possible? She is increasing with child!” she asked in dismay.
It was obvious that Eliza was involved in the Crown’s affairs, but how could a pregnant marchioness keep her safe?
Luke pulled back her chair. “If not Eliza, then I can assure you that Benedict, Adrien, Jonathon, and Larson can keep you safe. They will protect you against Peter.”
Turning to look up at him, Emma said, “But I don’t want to put anyone else at risk.”
Rachel smiled reassuringly at her. “Don’t fret. The most important thing is keeping you safe now.”
“Perhaps it would be best if we sent a missive to Simeon…”
Luke spoke over her. “Absolutely not. I will personally escort you to Eliza’s townhouse. She was expecting you later today, anyway.”
Emma nibbled her bottom lip. “Would it be possible to send Simeon a note to let him know I’m safe?”
“Emma,” Luke huffed, “Simeon won’t be able to protect you like the men in the Beckett family can. I have seen these men in action.”
“True, but…” Her words trailed off. Emma didn’t know why she wanted to write a letter to Simeon, but she thought it would be a good idea to let him know that she was all right. At least, she hoped he cared enough to want to know that she was in a safe place.
Rachel gave her a knowing look and shifted towards Luke. “Why don’t you go make the arrangements to depart? I would like a moment to speak to Emma alone.”
“As you wish.” Luke leaned down and kissed his wife’s cheek. “But your woman talk must be brief. The only way to keep Emma safe is to deliver her to Eliza’s.”
Emma watched as Luke departed from the room, closing the door behind him.
“May I ask why you are so insistent on writing a note to Simeon?” Rachel asked with an uplifted brow.
She shrugged one shoulder. “I don’t rightly know.”
“Could it be that you have developed feelings for your protector?”
Turning her gaze towards the window, Emma said, “It’s ridiculous, really. He’s in love with another.”
A moment of silence descended over them before Rachel asked, “Is it Martha?”
Emma nodded, reluctantly. “How did you know?”
“Martha is one of my dearest friends, and is married to my cousin,” Rachel pointed out. “Besides, she is Matthew’s godmother. I know of her past, including Simeon.”
“Simeon said they were betrothed, but she disappeared when he went to secure a special license. He searched for her for five years,” she explained. “Even if I have developed feelings for him, it wouldn’t matter. Simeon’s heart still mourns her loss.”
Rachel leaned closer to her. “I’ve seen the way Simeon looks at you. It’s not the way a friend looks at another.”
“He says we aren’t friends,” she admitted softly.
“Do you believe that?”
She shook her head. “No, but he’s afraid to admit it.”
“It’s been my experience that love can soften the hardest soul and heal the wounds of the broken heart,” Rachel replied encouragingly.
“But we don’t love each other,” Emma argued.
Rachel gave her a smug smile. “Don’t you?”
“I couldn’t possibly… no, that’s impossible…” Her words trailed off. “Do I?”
Before Rachel could respond, Luke pushed the door open. “It’s time to depart, Emma. Your trunks are being packed, and they will be delivered later this afternoon.”
Both women rose, and Rachel gave her a tight embrace. “Be safe, Emma. I will write a missive to Simeon and inform him that you’re safe,” Rachel said, stepping back.
“Thank you, Rachel,” she murmured.
Within a few moments, Luke had whisked her away in his crested coach to Portman Square.
She glanced out the window at the four-armed footmen riding next to the coach. “Are ten footmen truly necessary to escort me to Eliza’s townhouse?”
“Yes,” Luke answered quickly. “Eight armed footmen and the drivers.”
“But it is only an eight-minute ride by coach…” Her voice stopped when the coach came to a jerking stop, causing her to lurch forward, and the sound of discharging pistols erupted from outside of the coach.
Luke reached under the bench and removed two pistols from an iron box. “Whatever happens Emma, you must stay in the coach.” He extended her an overcoat pistol. “I understand you know how to use this?”
“I do,” she replied.
“Keep it on your person,” he urged.
The discharging pistols stopped, and a deafening silence followed. A moment later, the coach door was wrenched open, and Peter Lockhart appeared, pointing a pistol towards Luke’s chest.
“Hello, darling. I’ve missed you,” Peter said sweetly as his eyes shifted towards her.
“You have no right to talk to her.” Luke held up the pistol and pointed it at Peter. “Put down your weapon.”
Peter shrugged and lowered his weapon. “I’m more than happy to comply, but I have fifteen armed mercenaries out here that won’t listen.
You may want to put down your pistol or they’ll start killing your footmen…
at least, the ones that are still alive.
” He smirked cruelly as he tucked the pistol into the waistband of his trousers.
Taking advantage of Peter being distracted, Emma slid her pistol into the pocket of her white gown.
Luke placed his gun on the bench. “I am willing to pay whatever amount you think is fair to keep Emma safe,” he proclaimed, his jaw clenched.
“You don’t have to worry about Emma anymore,” Peter said. “We are to be wed.”
“No, we are not,” she replied defiantly. “I refuse to marry you.”
“You don’t have a choice,” Peter declared.
“Peter…” Her words stopped when Peter reached in and grabbed Luke by the lapels of his jacket, tossing him out of the coach.
“Luke!” she shouted as she climbed out of the carriage.
She’d barely set a foot on the ground when she froze at the scene in front of her, completely taken aback by the dead bodies of the liveried footmen surrounding the coach.
They were sprawled out, their void eyes staring back at her.
A loud grunt of pain brought her back into the present, and she turned to see two ruffians holding Luke by the arms as Peter repeatedly hit him in the face.
“Stop, Peter!” she shouted, running up to him.
To her surprise, Peter turned and slapped her hard across the face. She crumpled to the ground.
“Don’t get involved in my business, woman,” he snarled. “Downshire took you from me and it’s time he gets what he deserves.”
Placing her hand to her burning cheek, Emma shouted, “He didn’t take you from me, I chose to leave!”
“Yes, and I will deal with you later,” Peter remarked, removing the pistol from his waistband. “But first, I must kill him.”
“No!” Emma shouted, jumping up and running to stand in front of Luke. “Don’t kill him. Please!”
Peter kept the pistol pointed at her. “Step out of the way, Emma.”