Page 22 of The Unfortunate Debutante
His words stilled when he heard a knock at the door, and he turned towards the noise. A young woman was standing in the doorway, dressed in a simple, white gown. She was tall, with dark brown hair and pale skin, but it was the way her smile reached her eyes that caused him to take notice of her. They reflected genuine happiness, something he had not known for some time.
“I apologize for the intrusion, but Munro just informed me that you wanted to see me,” she said in a kind voice.
“Emma, please come in,” Lord Downshire invited, waving her into the room. “I would like to introduce you to someone.”
Simeon placed his snifter on the desk as he watched Miss Pearson approach them.
Coming to stand next to his ward, Lord Downshire said, “I would like to introduce you to…”
“Mr. Simeon Martin,” he interjected loudly, ignoring Lord Downshire’s annoyed expression. He had no desire to inform this young woman that he held a title. It was his experience that women only were interested in conversing with him when they found out he was a viscount.
Miss Pearson curtsied. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Martin.”
“Likewise, Miss Pearson,” he replied, bowing.
Lord Downshire gestured towards him. “Mr. Martin is a Bow Street Runner and…”
She let out a gasp. “You are a Bow Street Runner?” she asked with enthusiasm.
Simeon had not expected that reaction from a Society miss. “I am.”
A bright smile came to her lips. “I would love to speak to you about your thoughts on the Corn Laws and…”
“Emma,” Luke interrupted in a warning tone, “what have we discussed before?”
Clasping her hands in front of her, she replied, “Women do not talk to gentlemen about politics, religion, philosophy, history, or anything inherently interesting.”
Simeon grinned at her exasperated tone.
“I hope I did not offend your delicate male constitution by speaking my mind, Mr. Martin,” Emma said, her eyes twinkling with merriment.
“I assure you that you did not,” he responded, finding himself entranced by her playful nature.
Lord Downshire pressed his lips together before saying, “I have hired Mr. Martin to…”
“Unfortunately, I am…” he started.
His words stopped when Luke stepped forward, and his eyes narrowed disapprovingly at his ward. “How did you get a bruise on your cheek?”
She brought her hand up to touch the bruise. “Oh, Lord Morgan was teaching me some defensive moves, and my face connected with his hands.”
Lord Downshire’s brow lifted. “Morgan hit you?”
She shook her head. “No. You misunderstood me. His arms were around me, and I dropped down low to escape his hold. But, in doing so, my face collided with his clenched fists.”
“Where was Eliza when this was happening?” Lord Downshire asked with a clenched jaw.
“At the table with Josette and Benedict.”
Taking his hand, he placed it to the bridge of his nose. “And Benedict just allowed Morgan to attack you?”
A mischievous smile came to her lips. “Benedict was still recovering. You see, I stomped on his boot and made him cry.”
Simeon chuckled. “You made Lord Lansdowne cry?”
“Not on purpose, mind you,” Emma said. “He asked me to escape a hold. The quickest way was to stomp down on his boot with the heel of mine.”
Lord Downshire stared at his ward for a long moment. “I am not completely unaware of what my sister is teaching you, but you must avoid acquiring visible bruises.”
