Page 111 of The Unfortunate Debutante
As Simeon watched Emma walk away, he felt contentment in his heart. For with Emma, he had everything he had ever wanted… someone to love, and to be loved in return. What a remarkable feeling that was.
Epilogue
Keeping her expression stoic,Emma was listening as Luke shared all the details surrounding David’s death. She’d finally discovered what role everyone played those fateful days on the shores of Scotland. Although, it had been worse than she imagined.
Luke’s last words were, “David died as a hero.”
A contemplative silence descended over the group before Rachel spoke up as she stood next to Luke near the window. “You remind me of David in so many ways. He would have been proud of the woman you’ve become.”
Turning her gaze out the window, Emma’s eyes roamed the Scottish countryside, and the impressive stud farm. They’d traveled to Scotland after their month-long wedding tour to visit Luke and Rachel. Now a married woman, she had expressed a desire to learn the full story of her brother’s death. Luke and Rachel had agreed that it was time for her to know the whole truth.
“Emma, are you all right?” Simeon asked, his arm wrapping around her shoulder.
“I am,” she replied. “I’m relieved to finally know the truth.”
Rachel came to sit next to her on the settee. “It’s not that we didn’t trust you, Emma, but you must understand the great burden of knowing the full truth of David’s death, and our family’s greatest secrets.”
“I understand, and I would never betray my family.” My family, she thought. It felt good to say that aloud.
“We know that, or we wouldn’t have entrusted you with the facts now,” Luke said with a weak smile. “In our own way, we were trying to protect you.”
She tilted her chin with determination. “No more secrets between us.”
“We can partially agree to that,” Rachel stated, glancing back at her husband. “But, some of the secrets are not ours to share.”
Nodding, Emma replied, “That’s something I can understand.”
She was not a simpleton. The women of the Beckett family had more secrets than the men, but she would eventually learn them. All in good time.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to show Simeon the cave where David died,” Emma announced, rising. For the two years that she’d lived in Scotland, she was never once brave enough to visit the cave. The image of David’s body lying in the darkened cave was too overwhelming for her to even attempt it.
“Would you like us to go with you?” Rachel asked with concern in her voice.
Emma shook her head. “It’s time I go and see it for myself.”
“There’s no shame in not visiting the cave, Emma,” Luke remarked, his brows furrowed.
With Simeon standing next to her, Emma felt buoyed by his presence. “I find I can do anything with Simeon by my side.”
Simeon offered his arm, and together they made the trek down the long, treacherous path towards the beach. As they stepped onto the sand, Emma shuddered as her eyes sought out the cave.
“We don’t have to go inside,” Simeon said.
Emma turned to face her husband. “I need to. I want to.”
“Would you like me to carry you?”
She laughed. “I’m not a babe.”
“You didn’t seem to mind much last night,” he replied flirtatiously.
“You, sir, are a rogue,” she bantered back.
Slowly, Emma made her way towards the cave with Simeon close behind. She stopped at the entrance of the dark, damp cave and peered in. Taking a deep breath for courage, she stepped inside, half-expecting a French soldier to jump out at her.
Her eyes scanned the wall, looking for blood or any sign of struggle, but she found none. It was just a cave. She breathed a sigh of relief.
“How are you faring?” Simeon asked, reaching for her hand.
