Page 36 of The Unfortunate Debutante
The door to the modiste shop opened, and he straightened from the wall. Miss Pearson stepped out with a beautiful woman with black hair, creamy white skin, and red, pouty lips.
Miss Pearson put her hand out towards the woman and provided the introductions. “Mr. Simeon Martin, may I introduce you to Miss Cosette. She owns this dress shop.”
Simeon bowed, admiring her long-sleeved, ornate blue gown. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Cosette.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Martin,” she replied with a French accent.
“You’re French,” he remarked.
Miss Cosette let out a light, airy laugh. “I am so much more than French.” She arched a brow at him. “I wanted to speak to you about the protection you are offering my dear Emma.”
“Pardon?”
She eyed him thoughtfully. “How many pistols are on your person?”
Simeon frowned, confused by the turn of the conversation.
“Three, I’m assuming, if you aren’t lax on your safety,” Miss Cosette stated, her eyes dropping to his Hessian boots before turning towards Emma. “But I am worried that Mr. Martin is a person of low intellect. He can’t seem to follow this conversation adequately.”
Miss Pearson giggled, causing him to break out of his stupor of thought.
“I assure you that is not the case, Miss Cosette,” he huffed.
Taking a step closer to him, Miss Cosette’s next words were laced with an even thicker French accent. “If any harm comes to Emma, I will hold you accountable.” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “And, trust me when I say this, you don’t want that to happen.”
Simeon lifted his brow in surprise, finding himself unnerved by this beautiful woman’s threat. “I understand, but no harm shall come to Emma on my watch,” he asserted.
Pressing her lips together, Miss Cosette watched him with an intense gaze that baffled him. Then, she bobbed her head and announced, “I think you shall do, Mr. Martin. You shall do.” And with that, she turned and went back into the dress shop.
Simeon furrowed his brow at that peculiar interaction. Another example of a beautiful, but odd woman.
Coming to stand next to him, Miss Pearson informed him, “Miss Cosette just opened her shop a month ago, and she’s already the most popular modiste in town. The only reason she agreed to make me gowns is because of our familial connection. I’ve been told that she has turned women away because she has too many orders.”
“What did you tell her about me?” he asked curiously.
She shrugged one shoulder. “Nothing. Other than the fact that you were assigned to guard me.”
“Was she in earnest?”
A smile came to Miss Pearson’s lips. “Indeed, she was. Miss Cosette is a very capable woman, and she is fiercely loyal to her family and friends.”
Simeon glanced over at the door. “She’s quite frightening.”
“She is, isn’t she?” Miss Pearson looped her arm through his. “Are you ready to go get some lemon ice? I am famished.”
Being uncomfortable by her nearness, Simeon knew he couldn’t step away or he would be considered rude. Instead, he led her towards the curricle.
“Lemon ice will not provide you sustenance,” he pointed out as he assisted her into the curricle.
She scooted over to the far side and waited for him to climb in before responding, “It is dreadfully warm, and I could use a delicious treat.”
“It is warm,” he agreed. “Why do you suppose Miss Cosette was wearing a long-sleeved gown on such a beautiful day as this one?”
“I’m not rightly sure,” Miss Pearson replied. “I have only ever known Miss Cosette to wear long-sleeved gowns.”
He reached for the reins and merged the carriage into the traffic. “You have never asked her?”
A look of sorrow came to Miss Pearson’s face. “My family has an enormous number of secrets, which I am not privy to. As much as I want to discover the truth, I know that it’s not my place. I hope one day I will be taken into their confidences.”
