Chapter 17 #2
Benedict’s demeanor grew stern as he forcefully declared, “Blackmore is under the Becketts’ protection, and no harm is to come to him. Do I make myself clear?”
At that moment, Simeon was grateful that Benedict’s anger was not directed towards him. He truly was quite frightening.
Lord Revett bobbed his head. “I understand. The charges will be dropped against Mr. Blackmore, but would it be permissible for him to stop writing articles for the newspaper?”
“No, it would not,” Benedict responded.
A frown came to Lord Revett’s face. “I will also release Hatcher from prison.” He took a sip of his drink. “Is there anything else, or can we end this interrogation?”
Adrien piped up, “I think that will do.” He glanced over at Simeon and Benedict. “Shall we?”
As they rose from their chairs, Lord Revett said, “A word to the wise, gentlemen. By allowing Hatcher and Blackmore to go free, there will be more resistance against the Corn Laws. I’m afraid you’re doing more harm than good here.”
“I disagree,” Simeon started. “The landowners have too much power in Parliament. Eventually, the people will take back what is rightfully theirs.”
“And what is that?” Lord Revett scoffed.
Simeon grew serious. “Their voice.”
Emma had a bright smile on her face as she entered the dining room. Last night, she’d taken a long soak and then slept peacefully, dreaming about being wrapped up in Simeon’s arms.
“You seem happy this morning,” Rachel commented from her seat at the table. “Is there a particular reason?”
Walking over to the buffet table, she said, “To begin with, I’m alive, and Peter can’t hurt me anymore.”
Luke spoke up from the head of the table. “I am relieved, as well.” He placed the newspaper on the table. “Hatcher is being released from prison today.”
“Is he?” Emma asked in a surprised tone. “I thought the Crown was going to make an example of him.”
“Apparently not,” Luke replied.
“That’s good,” Emma remarked, walking over to the table and sitting down next to Rachel. She couldn’t help but notice the pointed look that Luke and Rachel exchanged. “What’s going on between you two?”
Luke wiped the corners of his mouth with his napkin. “Do you intend to seek out your grandfather now that you know he’s alive?”
She nodded. “I do.”
“Would you like me to send a missive to Sir Alymer’s townhouse to inform him that you intend to call on him soon?” Luke asked. “I have made some inquiries, and his townhouse is across town.”
“That would be wonderful,” she replied. “Do you think he would mind if I call upon him today?”
Rachel reached out and placed her hand over hers. “Any grandfather would love to see his granddaughter, at any time.”
Luke cleared his throat, and he appeared anxious. Which was odd, she thought.
“Rachel and I were talking earlier, and if you decide to live with your grandfather, we will respect your choice,” he said. “Regardless, your dowry and inheritance…”
“Inheritance?” she questioned. Her inheritance had been spent by Peter.
Rachel smiled. “Luke and I have made provisions for you. We set aside ￡30,000 in an account for you to access on your twenty-first birthday.”
Touched by their generosity, Emma found herself speechless.
Luke gave her a tentative smile. “The money is yours. We just want you to be happy, Emma.”
Jumping up from her chair, she gave Rachel a quick embrace before she embraced Luke. “I’m not going anywhere. You are my family.”
“You say that now, but…” Luke began.
She spoke over him. “No buts. I’m happy here, and I always will be.”
“There’s one other thing I want to give you,” Luke said, reaching into his jacket and pulling out a gold locket. “Jonathon found this when he was searching your cottage.”
“My mother’s locket,” she murmured as she accepted it. “I’d wondered where it had gone.” She admired the locket as the memories of her mother came flooding back to her.
So distracted was she, that she didn’t hear Munro knock. “Miss Pearson, where would you like all your flowers?” he asked, holding a bouquet in his hands.
“Wherever you see fit,” she replied, slipping the locket into the pocket of her gown.
The butler cracked a smile. “The entire entry hall is already filled. Would you mind if we started stacking the flowers on the table, at least, until we find enough vases?”
“Please,” she said in a surprised tone, walking over and accepting the bouquet from him. “Was there a card with these?”
Munro extended a card towards her before he snapped his fingers. Two footmen each brought in a stack of large bouquets in their hands and placed them onto the long table. Then again… and again. Before long, the end of the table was filled with flowers.
Turning her attention away from the extravagant number of flowers on the table, Emma unfolded the card.
A flower for every moment I thought of you last night. – Simeon.
Taking the card, she pressed it up against her chest and sighed.
“You sound content,” Rachel remarked. “May I take a guess and say those flowers are from Lord Wentworth?”
“They are,” she replied, smiling.
Munro stepped back into the room. “Lord Wentworth is here to see Miss Pearson. Are you available for callers?” he asked with a twinkle in his eye.
“I am,” she answered, tucking the note into her pocket.
“Very good, miss,” he said. “I will show him to the drawing room.”
Rachel beamed over at her. “Good luck, Emma.”
“Why exactly does Emma need luck to speak to Wentworth?” Luke grumbled.
Walking out into the entry hall, she stopped by a mirror and smoothed out her yellow gown with puffy sleeves. She was grateful that she’d spent extra time on her person this morning. Peggy had created an elaborate hairstyle in hopes that Simeon would call on her.
She’d never felt beautiful before, but Simeon looked at her in such a way that she felt beautiful, inside and out.
Emma took a deep breath to gather courage, knowing it was silly to be nervous. Simeon had bought every flower in London for her. He had to have some deep feelings for her.
She stepped into the drawing room and saw Simeon was sharply dressed in a royal blue riding jacket, a matching waistcoat, and buff trousers. His brown hair had been brushed forward and his long sideburns were nicely trimmed. He was fidgeting with the black top hat in his hand.
His eyes lit up when he saw her. “Morning, Emma. I hope I did not call too early.”
Walking further into the room, she replied in an overeager voice, “Not at all.”
Simeon lifted his brow, but thankfully, he didn’t address her high-pitched tone. “I was hoping to speak to you about an urgent matter?”
“Urgent? Is everything all right?” she asked, growing concerned.
“Oh, yes,” he rushed to correct. “It’s more private in nature.”
“Private?”
Simeon ran his hand through his hair. “I rehearsed this speech about a hundred times in the carriage ride over.”
“And what speech is that?”
He pointed towards the settee. “Please have a seat and allow me to explain.”
Emma sat where he indicated and was pleased when he sat next to her. He angled his body to face her. “When I first met you, I found you to be irksome and meddling.”
“To be clear, are you insulting me?” she asked in confusion.
“No, no… that’s not my intention,” he said before his shoulders slumped. “You should’ve heard my speech in the carriage. It was brilliant.”
She smiled encouragingly. “Please proceed. I find myself to be most curious.”
He rose, walked over to the table, and placed his hat on it. “Did you get my flowers?”
“Yes, I did. Did you buy out all of London?”
He grinned. “Possibly. Did they please you?”
“They did, but I would have been content with one bouquet,” she replied honestly.
Simeon stood awkwardly next to the table. “I know that, but I wanted you to feel special.”
“Well, it worked,” she said. “Thank you.”
“The warrant for Mr. David Blackmore… well, you, has been redacted, and the charges were dropped,” he informed her methodically.
“What charges?”
He frowned. “Lord Revett charged Mr. Blackmore with causing civil unrest and issued a warrant for his arrest. However, it’s been taken care of. You’re free to continue writing articles, if you so desire.”
“Oh, thank you,” she replied, hoping that was not what he’d intended to speak to her about.
A silence descended over them, and an unusual feeling washed over her. She could not describe it, but she felt vulnerable as he watched her purposefully.
“Emma,” he breathed as he walked over and sat down next to her. “Would you do me the honor of allowing me to court you?” When she didn’t respond right away, he added, “I want to take you on carriage rides, walks through Hyde Park, and eat lemon ice at Gunter’s.”
Every fiber of her being wanted to scream yes, but she had a few questions of her own that needed to be answered first. “And what of Martha?”
He gave her a baffled look. “What about Martha?”
“I heard the way you spoke her name. It was almost reverently.”
He let out a deep, heartfelt sigh. “Martha was my first love, but she most assuredly isn’t my last.”
Not sure of his meaning, she pressed on. “You mentioned you never wanted to marry. What changed your mind?”
“You changed my mind, Emma.” He chuckled. “I am in love with you.”
She stilled. “You love me?”
Reaching for her hands in her lap, he tenderly encompassed them.
“You challenge me at every opportunity, are incredibly courageous, and you’re the reason I’ve started smiling again.
” He brought her hands up to his lips and kissed them.
“You took my impenetrable heart and pierced it with your goodness and joy. You make me want to be a better person.”
“I love you, too,” she said softly.
“You do?” he asked. “It’s all right if you don’t…”
Emma cut him off. “I’m not just saying it for the sake of it.” She smiled brightly at him. “I love you, and I have for some time now.”
He waggled his brow. “Is it because I am a Bow Street Runner or a viscount?”
“You could be a night soil collector for all I care,” she teased. “I just love the man, and I care not for the title or position.”
He kissed her hands again, his lips lingering. “That’s why I love you, Emma. Most women of the ton only care for titles and wealth.”
In excitement, she shared, “Luke and Rachel just informed me that I have an inheritance of ￡30,000, in addition to my dowry. If we’re frugal, we can get a small estate, and you can continue working as a Bow Street Runner.”
“You intend for us to live off your inheritance?” he asked with mirth in his voice.
“If needs be, I can work, as well,” she rushed to add. “I can take in odd sewing jobs and…” Her words stopped when Simeon started laughing loudly.
Once he stopped laughing, he shared, “I’m wealthy. Perhaps not as wealthy as your guardian, but I own Martin Trading Company.”
Her mouth dropped in surprise. “You own Martin Trading Company?”
“I thought it was fairly obvious, since my name is in the title of the company,” he quipped.
Her cheeks were starting to grow warm, and she pulled back her hands to cover them. “I just assumed you worked as a Bow Street Runner because you lacked an income.”
With a tender look in his eyes, Simeon said, “And that’s why I chose you. You’re different than all the other women in the ton.”
“I know that,” she murmured, diverting her eyes. “The ton will never accept me because of what I’ve done.”
Simeon placed his finger under her chin and lifted it up. “First of all, none of that was your fault. Peter set you up to fail.”
“He succeeded,” she replied.
He continued watching her, his expression assessing but not without compassion. “You mean to give up then?”
“What can I do?”
Leaning closer, he didn’t stop until his lips hovered over hers. “We fight.”
“We?” she asked, liking the sound of that immensely.
“Yes, we.”
Enjoying his nearness, and afraid of moving to break the spell, she replied, “What do you propose?”
“Do you trust me?” he asked, his eyes boring into hers.
“Always,” she breathed.
“Then leave it up to me.”
She nodded, unable to formulate a reply, even if she’d wanted to.
Simeon’s lips twitched just before he pressed them against hers.
He kissed her gently, cautiously at first. He leaned slightly back, and she drew a deep, staggered breath in response.
He gave her an achingly sweet smile before he kissed her again, this time deepening the kiss.
His arms came up around her, and he kissed her with passionate ardor.
So lost was she in the kiss, that her mind barely registered Rachel’s voice. “Luke is on his way.”
Immediately, Simeon rose and stepped far away from the settee, just as Luke entered the room.
“Did he offer for you?” Luke asked in an annoyed tone.
Emma nodded. “He did.”
“Did you accept?” he grunted.
“I did.”
With a frustrated shake of his head, Luke replied, “Tarnation! Benedict won the bet.”
“What bet?” Emma asked, her eyes seeking out Rachel.
Rachel gave her husband an exasperated look. “The men in the family had a bet going when Simeon would propose.”
Growing serious, Luke asked, “Is Wentworth coercing you in any way to marry him?”
She laughed. “No, I love him.”
“I assumed as much,” Luke commented, placing his arm around Rachel’s waist. “This is what David would have wanted for you. To be happy, and to be in a position to select your own suitor.”
Simeon came to stand next to her but stopped when Luke cleared his throat rather aggressively.
“You two will not be without a chaperone until after the wedding,” Luke warned.
“Leave the engagement ball to me,” Rachel said in a cheerful voice.
Simeon spoke up. “I have a few thoughts on the engagement ball, as well.”
“You do?” Emma asked, eyeing him suspiciously.
He winked at her. “Trust me.”
Emma couldn’t help but smile back at Simeon. He was going to court her! Her fairy tale dreams were finally coming true.