Page 25 of The Unfortunate Debutante
“I’m afraid he won’t come to Caddington Manor, miss. It’s much too grand for his taste, nor does he have the funds to come to this part of town.”
“Then, where can I find him?”
Peggy shook her head. “It’s not safe for you to go into the rookeries. If you write down some questions, I can ask him on my next day off and remember his responses.”
Reaching for her white gloves, Emma pressed, “Where do you meet him?”
“At his job,” Peggy replied. “He works at a public house called The Tubby Wench. It’s on Bosky Street near the east side. It’s also where the Anti-Corn Law rebels meet each week.”
“That isn’t quite in the rookeries, is it?” Emma asked.
“Right. If you continue down Bosky Street, it turns into a dead end at St. Giles.” Peggy shuddered. “I have never ventured that far, mind you. I’ve only heard stories of how horrific the rookeries are.”
“Mrs. Gupper’s estate is not far from Bosky Street,” Emma remarked out loud. “I could go to The Tubby Wench public house…”
Peggy spoke over her. “That’s a horrible idea! You must get that thought out of your head.”
Before she could respond, a knock came at the door before it was pushed open. Rachel walked into the room, holding Matthew in her arms.
“Emma,” Lady Downshire proclaimed in a firm voice, “I’ve come to talk you out of being a teacher at The Beckett School for Girls. That is completely…” she closed the door, “wonderful news.”
Emma breathed a sigh of relief. “For a moment, I thought you were angry with me.”
“I’m not,” Rachel confessed, “but Luke is not entirely pleased.” She walked over to the bed and laid Matthew down. “Don’t worry. Luke will come around.”
Sitting down next to Matthew, Emma replied, “I’ve been having such an enjoyable time at Eliza’s house. She taught me how to climb down a wall, shoot a pistol, and she’s going to start tutoring me on daggers tomorrow.”
“I wish I could be there with you. But this little guy,” Rachel said, turning her attention towards Matthew, “keeps me up at night.”
Emma smiled. “You could employ a nursemaid for nighttime.”
“I could, but I won’t,” Rachel stated.
Peggy extended her the parasol. “Do you care for your parasol?”
“Not today, but thank you.”
For a long moment, Peggy watched her before asking, “I apologize for my bold speech, but you aren’t planning to leave Mrs. Gupper’s garden party for any reason, are you?”
Emma knew what she was not saying, so she answered, “We’ll discuss it more later this evening.”
“As you wish,” Peggy sighed, turning to exit the room.
Before the door latched close, Rachel turned to her with an expectant look. “May I ask what that was about?”
Emma smiled down at baby Matthew as she explained, “I would like to write an article about the Anti-Corn Law rebels, and Peggy’s brother belongs to the group. I was hoping she would arrange a time for us to meet.”
“You’re writing about the Corn Laws?”
“I am,” she answered. “Furthermore, I assume my article would have a better chance of being accepted if I have a meeting with a member of this group.”
Rachel nodded approvingly. “I agree, but you must be safe. Traveling to interview the displaced Highlanders was a vastly different experience than meeting with members of the lower class in London.”
“I will. Are you coming to Mrs. Gupper’s garden party?” she asked in a hopeful tone.
Rachel yawned. “I plan to rest while you are gone, but I have arranged for Mrs. Morton to accompany you.”
Leaning down, Emma kissed Matthew’s cheek and earned a smile from him. “Mrs. Morton is attentive and genuine, but she is no fun at these social gatherings. She sits in a corner and practices her needlework.”
