Page 104 of The Unfortunate Debutante
The woman spoke first. “Emma,” she said softly, her eyes filling with tears, “you look just like your mother.”
“Thank you,” she responded, not knowing what else to say.
Her grandmother’s curious gaze landed on Simeon.
Emma stepped forward to provide the introductions. “Allow me to introduce Simeon, the Viscount of Wentworth, and my betrothed.”
Her grandfather humphed. “I think not.”
“Alymer… you promised,” her grandmother warned under her breath.
Unsure of her grandfather’s meaning, Emma was grateful when her grandmother pointed towards a maroon velvet settee. “Please sit down. I’ve ordered refreshment.”
Simeon led her over to the settee and waited until the ladies sat down before he claimed the seat next to her.
Her grandmother beamed over at her. “I’m so happy that you called upon us. We received the missive from Lord Downshire this morning, and our hearts practically burst with joy at the news.”
“Betsey is correct,” her grandfather said. “We were sickened to hear of Mr. Lockhart’s deceit, but we were relieved to know that he was shot while resisting arrest. Furthermore, we are most grateful that Lord Downshire took your safety seriously and hired a Bow Street Runner to guard you.”
“Yes, I was rather fortunate,” Emma agreed, sending Simeon a private smile.
“Please, tell me about yourself,” her grandmother encouraged, looking wistfully over at her.
Emma pressed her lips together as she debated what to say. She was caught off-guard when Simeon spoke up instead. “She is well-read, clever, and is passionate about helping other people.”
Sir Alymer huffed. “I understand you also enjoy drinking champagne at social gatherings, including your own ball.”
Emma stiffened. “I did drink one glass that evening.”
“Apparently, your body can’t handle the effects of alcohol,” her grandfather mused. “It would be best if you stayed away from champagne from here on.”
Simeon clenched his jaw. “Lockhart hired someone to poison Emma’s drink that evening. It was no fault of her own.”
“We read in the morning papers about the unfortunate debutante, but we did not make the connection that it was our dear Emma. Did we, Alymer?” Betsey asked with a forced smile.
“No, we did not,” he muttered.
“How did you become the ward of the Marquess of Downshire?” her grandmother inquired.
Emma felt the tension flow out of her at her grandmother’s sweet tone. “David was assigned to guard Lady Downshire while she was residing in Scotland. Unfortunately, she was attacked, and David was killed.”
“Good heavens, I hadn’t realized he’d been murdered,” Betsey proclaimed, her hand covering her mouth. “I’d only seen him on a few occasions when he was in between assignments. He stopped coming by a little over two years ago, and I feared the worst.”
“David never informed me about you,” Emma began hesitantly. “Do you know why that is?”
Betsey’s eyes darted nervously towards Alymer, but she remained silent.
Her grandfather spoke up. “Three years ago, David discovered the truth about us, and sought us out. Unfortunately, he forbade us to establish a relationship with you.”
“Did he state why?” she pressed.
Sir Alymer shrugged. “Most likely, he still held resentment about how we disowned Helena for running off with her louse of a husband. But you must understand that she had been betrothed to Viscount Rutgers at that time.”
“Please say that you are not referring to my father in such a shocking manner,” Emma contended.
Betsey let out a forced laugh. “Of course not. Alymer was just teasing. Weren’t you dear?” she pressed, shooting him a warning look.
“I suppose,” Sir Alymer said dismissively.
