Page 67 of The Unfortunate Debutante
“Ah, well, thank you for clearing that up,” Benedict said in an amused tone.
Downshire walked into the hall and shouted for the butler.
Simeon found himself grinning. At his townhouse, they had a bell system to alert his staff, but Downshire still preferred that old fashioned way of shouting for his butler. It was quite humorous to him.
Now that Emma was leaving to an undisclosed destination, Simeon felt his heart begin to mourn for the loss of her company.
12
Emma was waiting impatientlyfor the ink to dry on the paper when Rachel walked into her bedchamber.
“It’s been hours,” Rachel started, “have you finished the article?”
“I have,” she replied, lightly blowing on the page.
Rachel stopped next to her at the desk and started reading. Her face remained expressionless as she read each line. Finally, she read the last line aloud.
“The Corn Lawsare both morally and economically damaging, and we must put aside our political differences to take a stand for what is right.”
Rachel lookedover at her and smiled. “Well said, Emma. I have no doubt this article will be picked up by The Morning Post.”
“Do you truly believe so?”
Picking up the paper, but being careful of the ink, Rachel read,
“Constables exercisedunderhanded tactics as they executed the warrant. The demonstration started off peacefully, but the constables beat everyone in their paths with batons, turning the tide. The images of bloodied and unarmed women and men scattered across the stones of the square will forever be emblazoned on my mind.”
Loweringthe paper back to the desk, Rachel said, “Your perspective is unique. You attended not only the meeting, but the rally, as well. You saw firsthand the atrocities those constables committed.”
“It’s true,” Emma agreed, leaning back in her seat. “Those men had no regard for anyone’s welfare as they plowed through the people.”
“Why don’t I have a footman deliver this article directly to the newspaper?” Rachel suggested.
“Do you mean it?”
Rachel smiled. “I do. With any luck, it will be in the tomorrow’s edition.”
“Wouldn’t that be grand?”
Leaning her hip against the side of the dressing table, Rachel asked, “After submitting this article, what do you intend to do next?”
Emma tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “I plan to write a series of articles about the Bow Street Runners.”
“Interesting. And who will be the inspiration behind those articles?” Rachel asked innocently.
“Wentworth, of course.”
“Of course,” Rachel repeated, amused. “I came up to inform you that Wentworth is downstairs. He wishes to speak to you for a moment.”
Rising from her chair, Emma took a moment to smooth out her gown, ignoring Rachel’s growing smirk.
“Would you like me to chaperone?” Rachel asked.
She shook her head. “We’ll just take a turn in the gardens.”
“But not in the east gardens,” Rachel admonished. “Those gardens are backed up to the woodlands. It’s not appropriate for you to travel that far together.”
Emma feigned an exasperated sigh. “I suppose I can follow that one rule.”
