Page 19 of The Unfortunate Debutante
“I am so sorry,” Emma said as she watched him limp around on the lawn.
To add to her embarrassment, Eliza, Josette, and Morgan were all laughing at Benedict’s discomfort.
“Well done, Emma,” Morgan praised. “The element of surprise is your greatest ally.” He waved her closer. “Come stand here.”
Emma came to stand in front of him as she explained, “When I was younger, my brother showed me some moves to protect myself.”
“Now you tell me,” Benedict mumbled as he limped back over to the table.
Giving her an expectant look, Morgan explained, “I’m going to grab you. I want you to stop me, by any means necessary. Understood?”
She pressed her lips together. “I’m not sure this is such a good idea. I might hurt you.”
“Hurt me?” Morgan huffed. “Fat chance of that.”
Without saying another word, Morgan lunged at her, and Emma grabbed his shoulders and kneed him in the stomach.
Morgan groaned as he staggered back and looked up at her in amazement. “I may have underestimated you, Emma.” He lifted his brow. “Again?”
“If you insist,” she replied, waiting for him to make the first move.
His movements were precise and quick as he approached her. She went to jab him in his throat when he grabbed her arm, yanking it behind her back, and brought his arms tightly around her stomach. Reacting quickly, she dropped down low, ignoring the pain when her face connected with his clenched hands, and wriggled out of his hold. She turned quickly and punched his stomach.
Grunting, Morgan placed his hands on his knees and took a deep breath. “You have an impressive amount of agility, Emma. You said your brother taught you those defensive moves?”
She nodded as she brought her hand up to touch the throbbing pain in her right cheek. “He did. David was fiercely protective of me and wanted me to know how to defend myself, if the need ever arose.”
Morgan eyed her cheek remorsefully. “I am sorry I hurt you. That was not my intention,” he said as he straightened.
“I know that,” she rushed to reassure him. “And I am sorry if I hurt you.”
“You didn’t hurt me,” Morgan proclaimed forcefully, almost too forcefully.
Eliza spoke up from the table. “You are a woman with many hidden talents, Emma.”
Turning back towards Eliza, she replied, “I daresay that I have never been in a situation where I needed to defend myself, especially now that I live with Luke and Rachel. After all, Luke ensures that I always have a companion and footmen to accompany me whenever I go into Town.” She frowned. “Mrs. Ruth Morton is the most dutiful companion when Rachel is busy with Matthew.”
Josette eyed her suspiciously. “You don’t seem pleased by the arrangement.”
“No, I am,” she rushed to explain. “I am most grateful for everything that Luke and Rachel have given me. But sometimes, even though I am surrounded by people, I still feel alone. And I feel like I’m hiding my true self from the world as I attempt to fit into Society.” Her shoulders slumped slightly. “I know I’m probably not making any sense right now.”
“You are making perfect sense,” Josette reassured her.
Benedict scooped Caroline up in his arms as he asked, “Have you told Luke and Rachel how you feel?”
She started shaking her head profusely. “Heavens, no. I have been so blessed that I have no right to complain.”
“Who is it that you want to be?” Eliza asked, tucking an auburn tendril behind her ear.
Emma bit her lower lip. “I want to be a writer like Rachel and write additional articles for the newspaper. I want to write about the Corn Laws and delve into how people are suffering from the exorbitant price of grain.”
“And what is stopping you?” she pressed.
“I don’t want to upset Luke.”
Benedict chuckled. “If Luke asks you to leave, we will gladly take you in.”
Her eyes grew wide. “Oh no, I hadn’t considered that he might ask me to leave. Do you think that’s a possibility?”
