Page 101 of The Unfortunate Debutante
He rose, walked over to the table, and placed his hat on it. “Did you get my flowers?”
“Yes, I did. Did you buy out all of London?”
He grinned. “Possibly. Did they please you?”
“They did, but I would have been content with one bouquet,” she replied honestly.
Simeon stood awkwardly next to the table. “I know that, but I wanted you to feel special.”
“Well, it worked,” she said. “Thank you.”
“The warrant for Mr. David Blackmore… well, you, has been redacted, and the charges were dropped,” he informed her methodically.
“What charges?”
He frowned. “Lord Revett charged Mr. Blackmore with causing civil unrest and issued a warrant for his arrest. However, it’s been taken care of. You’re free to continue writing articles, if you so desire.”
“Oh, thank you,” she replied, hoping that was not what he’d intended to speak to her about.
A silence descended over them, and an unusual feeling washed over her. She could not describe it, but she felt vulnerable as he watched her purposefully.
“Emma,” he breathed as he walked over and sat down next to her. “Would you do me the honor of allowing me to court you?” When she didn’t respond right away, he added, “I want to take you on carriage rides, walks through Hyde Park, and eat lemon ice at Gunter’s.”
Every fiber of her being wanted to scream yes, but she had a few questions of her own that needed to be answered first. “And what of Martha?”
He gave her a baffled look. “What about Martha?”
“I heard the way you spoke her name. It was almost reverently.”
He let out a deep, heartfelt sigh. “Martha was my first love, but she most assuredly isn’t my last.”
Not sure of his meaning, she pressed on. “You mentioned you never wanted to marry. What changed your mind?”
“Youchanged my mind, Emma.” He chuckled. “I am in love with you.”
She stilled. “You love me?”
Reaching for her hands in her lap, he tenderly encompassed them. “You challenge me at every opportunity, are incredibly courageous, and you’re the reason I’ve started smiling again.” He brought her hands up to his lips and kissed them. “You took my impenetrable heart and pierced it with your goodness and joy. You make me want to be a better person.”
“I love you, too,” she said softly.
“You do?” he asked. “It’s all right if you don’t…”
Emma cut him off. “I’m not just saying it for the sake of it.” She smiled brightly at him. “I love you, and I have for some time now.”
He waggled his brow. “Is it because I am a Bow Street Runner or a viscount?”
“You could be a night soil collector for all I care,” she teased. “I just love the man, and I care not for the title or position.”
He kissed her hands again, his lips lingering. “That’s why I love you, Emma. Most women of the ton only care for titles and wealth.”
In excitement, she shared, “Luke and Rachel just informed me that I have an inheritance of £30,000, in addition to my dowry. If we’re frugal, we can get a small estate, and you can continue working as a Bow Street Runner.”
“You intend for us to live off your inheritance?” he asked with mirth in his voice.
“If needs be, I can work, as well,” she rushed to add. “I can take in odd sewing jobs and…” Her words stopped when Simeon started laughing loudly.
Once he stopped laughing, he shared, “I’m wealthy. Perhaps not as wealthy as your guardian, but I own Martin Trading Company.”
