Chapter 18 #3
He shrugged nonchalantly. “It turns out that Lord Revett is a distant cousin of the Duke of Wellington, and he owed me a favor.”
Lifting her brow, she asked, “The House Speaker owed you a favor?”
“You could call it that.”
The crowd parted as the Duke of Remington, and a tall, lean man with a pointed nose and black hair approached them. “My dear Emma Pearson, and Lord Wentworth, allow me to introduce you to the Duke of Wellington,” he invited.
Emma curtsied. “Your grace,” she murmured respectfully.
“Thank you for attending our humble engagement ball,” Simeon said after he bowed.
The Duke of Wellington chuckled. “There is nothing humble about a social gathering that the Duchess of Remington hosts.”
“Very true,” the Duke of Remington agreed.
“I’m not a man that favors balls, but I would be honored if you would save your second set of the evening for me,” the Duke of Wellington requested, his eyes reflecting kindness as he watched Emma.
“I would be honored,” Emma said.
His lips twitched. “Very well, then. I will be back shortly to collect my dance.”
“If that doesn’t change the ton’s opinion of you, then we have one more trick up our sleeve,” the Duke of Remington remarked, watching the Duke of Wellington walk away.
“Which is?”
The duke smiled. “Patience is not one of your virtues, is it, my dear?”
“No, it’s not,” she admitted, returning his smile.
The duke bowed. “If you will excuse me, the ball is about to begin.”
Taking her hand, Simeon placed it into the crook of his arm. “Would you like a glass of champagne before you dance the first set with Downshire?” he joked.
“That’s not amusing,” she replied, bringing up her gloved hand to hide her smile.
He chuckled. “This time if you fall, I will be the one to catch you.”
“My hero,” she breathed.
Sir Alymer and his wife broke through the crowd and approached them. Lady Blackmore stopped in front of Emma and gushed, “You are looking radiant tonight, my dear.” She turned towards her husband. “Doesn’t she, Alymer?”
“Yes, she looks just like her mother did at this age,” he admitted, his voice strained. “I hadn’t noticed it until now.”
Betsey smiled kindly at her granddaughter. “Will you be coming for tea tomorrow?” she asked in a hopeful voice.
“Yes, I intend to,” Emma replied.
“It warms my heart to hear you say that,” Lady Blackmore said, breathing a sigh of relief. “I have enjoyed your visits immensely.”
Sir Alymer cleared his throat. “As have I,” he added gruffly, and Simeon heard the emotion in his voice. “If you have no objections, I would be honored to dance a set with you.” He appeared to hold his breath in anticipation of her answer.
“I would like that, Grandfather,” Emma said with a smile.
With a tender smile, Sir Alymer remarked, “I’m very happy that you’re in our lives, Emma. Thank you for giving this gruff man a second chance.”
Emma reached out and embraced her grandfather. “That’s what family does. They forgive,” she stated, stepping back.
“I shall return shortly to collect my dance, young lady.” Sir Alymer turned back to his wife and offered his arm. “Shall we, Betsey?”
As they watched the Blackmores disappear back into the crush, a hush came over the room, and the orchestra stopped warming up.
“Her Royal Highness, Princess Charlotte,” a herald announced.
The man continued to announce her entourage, but Simeon had stopped listening. He was too busy watching Emma. She had gone perfectly still as her eyes tracked the dark-haired princess approaching them near the center of the room.
Emma dropped into a low curtsy as Simeon bowed, both waiting to be acknowledged by her highness.
“Miss Pearson, I presume?” Princess Charlotte asked, stopping in front of her.
Keeping her gaze downcast, Emma replied, “Yes, your highness.”
“Please, rise.” Princess Charlotte stepped closer and lowered her voice.
“I came at the behest of the Marquess of Downshire. He told me of your plight, and I do not condone Society’s ill treatment of you, which is why I wanted to make an appearance.
Now, your engagement ball will be the social event of the Season. ”
Emma brought her gaze up. “Thank you, your highness,” she said with a hint of awe in her voice.
“You are welcome,” Princess Charlotte responded kindly. “Lord Downshire also mentioned that you write articles.”
“I do.”
“That is splendid, Miss Pearson. I admire a woman that takes her own initiative.” Princess Charlotte turned her gaze towards him. “Lord Wentworth, I presume.”
“You are correct, your highness.”
“Lord Downshire informed me that you stopped a violent attack at Grange Gardens a short time ago.”
“Lord Downshire is well informed,” he acknowledged.
“Your country thanks you for your service.”
He bowed. “It is my honor to serve my king and country.”
Princess Charlotte smiled. “I believe my work here is done,” she said, her eyes scanning over the crowd before returning to Emma. “You shall be the belle of the Season after tonight, my dear. Enjoy it.”
Turning gracefully, Princess Charlotte departed almost as quickly as she had arrived.
Emma’s eyes filled with tears as she turned to face him. “How did Luke accomplish that feat?”
“I merely suggested that he write a missive to Princess Charlotte explaining the circumstances…”
His words were stilled when she went onto her tiptoes and kissed him firmly on his lips.
“Emma,” he said against her lips, “you’ll cause a scene.”
She lowered herself back down to her feet. “Then let them talk about how much I love you. You wonderful, wonderful man,” she gushed.
The orchestra started warming up in the corner again, and Downshire emerged from the crowd to collect Emma for the first set.
As Simeon watched Emma walk away, he felt contentment in his heart. For with Emma, he had everything he had ever wanted… someone to love, and to be loved in return. What a remarkable feeling that was.