Page 106 of The Unfortunate Debutante
“This could work.” Sir Alymer bobbed his head in approval. “I originally made my money in trade. I had hoped for my granddaughter to marry an earl, but…”
Hearing enough, Emma rose from her chair, forcing the men to rise, as well. “I do not care for titles or wealth. I only wanted to marry a man that loved me above all else.”
“Bah,” her grandfather said. “You sound just like your mother and look where she ended up!”
Emma tilted her chin determinedly. “I’ve heard enough. I now know why my mother left and my brother never informed me of your existence. They were both trying to protect me fromyou,” she proclaimed, directing her comment at her grandfather.
“How dare you!” Sir Alymer roared. “You have no right to come into my home and speak to me that way.”
“Please, Alymer calm down,” Betsey attempted, reaching out to touch his sleeve.
“No, she is just like our Helena,” Sir Alymer spat out.
“Good!” Boldly, Emma took a step closer to her grandfather. “I don’t need your money, Grandfather. Frankly, I don’t need you, either.” She saw his eyes grow wide. “But I’m willing to allow you to be in my life, assuming you let me live my life as I see fit.”
“But we are family…”
She put her hand up to stop him. “I already have a family. Luke and Rachel, along with the rest of the Becketts, have embraced me completely into their family. They have loved and protected me, allowing me to become who I was meant to be.”
“And who is that?” Betsey asked gently.
Emma smiled at her grandmother. “Anything I want to be.” She turned to look back at Simeon. “I’m ready to depart.”
“Must you?” her grandmother inquired.
“I must,” she replied, “but I hope to see you at my engagement ball.”
Betsey’s gaze grew determined. “We’ll be there.”
“No, we…” her grandfather started to say.
“Stop!” Betsey exclaimed, rising. “You will not run Emma off like you did to our Helena. I won’t let you.” She pointed at Emma. “She is our only remaining grandchild, and I refuse to lose her again.”
Her grandfather’s eyes softened a bit, but they were still hard. “Perhaps we could start over,” he proposed, “assuming she will marry the earl…”
“No! She will marry who she wants, andyouwill accept that,” her grandmother declared, pointing at him. “I won’t lose my granddaughter.” Her eyes filled with tears.
At the sight of his wife’s tears, Alymer moved to embrace her, whispering something in her ear. He turned to address Emma. “Please forgive a stubborn, old fool,” he said in a tight voice.
Emma almost frowned at his forced apology, but she couldn’t help but notice her grandmother was staring at her with pleading eyes. If her grandfather could meet her halfway, then she was willing to, as well.
“I accept your apology, Grandfather.”
He extended his hand out to Simeon. “We shall attend your engagement ball.”
“Thank you, sir,” Simeon replied, shaking his hand. “That makes us very happy.”
Her grandfather gave her a curt nod. “Until the ball.”
“Or you are welcome to call tomorrow,” Betsey suggested in a hopeful tone.
Emma smiled at her grandmother. “I would love to.”
“That pleases me greatly, Emma,” Betsey replied with a relieved sigh.
“It is time to depart,” Simeon reminded her softly. “We must ready ourselves for the theatre tonight.”
“Before you go,” her grandmother said as she stepped forward and embraced her. “I’m so happy that you’re here, my dear Emma. Thank you for your willingness to forgive,” she whispered into her hair. Once she stepped back, Simeon placed his hand on her elbow and led her from the drawing room.
