Page 44 of The Unfortunate Debutante
His eyes narrowed slightly. “She didn’t get hit by the carriage, did she?”
“That’s a low standard for protection detail,” Benedict remarked.
Downshire drummed his fingers on his desk. “We need to keep Lockhart away from Emma at all costs,” he stated. “Wentworth, can you fill in everyone on Emma’s conversation with Lockhart?”
“I can,” Simeon said. “Lockhart supposedly found employment in town…” He went on for a few moments, reciting the whole conversation. He finished with, “Lockhart is extremely possessive of Emma, and I doubt he is going to let her go without a fight.”
Miss Pearson walked over to a tray on the back table and poured herself a cup of tea. She took a sip, then said, “Why would Peter want me to sell my ancestral home, and the lands my family has held for almost a century? He knows how important those are to me.”
Downshire reached for a file on his desk and opened it up. He pulled out a piece of paper. “Lockhart did send over an offer for the land, but my solicitor informed me that the amount was grossly less than it is worth. He wants to burn your cottage to the ground and plans to build small cottages to rent out.”
“Why not rent out the cottage that’s already there?” Eliza asked.
Downshire nodded. “Currently, it is being rented out, and Emma is making a small income every month.”
“I propose we go and see if there is anything in the cottage that makes it worth burning to Lockhart,” Benedict suggested.
“I’ll join you,” Jonathon offered eagerly.
Benedict smiled. “Won’t Hannah be disappointed that you would be gone for two days?”
“Possibly, but twins are a loud lot,” Jonathon remarked. “I fear that I need a break, or I may go mad.”
Simeon placed his hands on the back of the camelback settee and leaned in. “I’ll go to the Bow Street Magistrate and ask for another agent to trail Lockhart. We need to learn where he’s working, where he’s living, and all of his habits.”
“Lovely. Another Bow Street Runner on the case,” Jonathon mumbled under his breath.
“Until then,” Downshire placed the file back onto the desk and turned his heated gaze towards Emma, “you are not allowed to leave Caddington Manor… for any reason.” He lifted his brow. “Do I make myself clear?”
Emma tipped her head. “As you wish.”
Simeon frowned. Now that Miss Pearson wouldn’t be attending the Anti-Corn Law rebels meeting, would she confide the location and time of the meeting to him?
Straightening from the desk, Downshire announced, “I have a meeting with my father about our investments. Perhaps he can provide some insights on what we can do to salvage Emma’s reputation.”
“If he doesn’t, then I am sure my mother will,” Eliza remarked, rising from her seat.
As everyone started to leave the study, Simeon waited until Emma walked out, then quickly followed behind. He tapped her on the shoulder and indicated she should follow him around the corner.
Once she turned the corner, Simeon asked, “Since you won’t be attending the meeting, will you tell me the location?”
“I am attending the meeting,” she answered, glancing over her shoulder.
He eyed her with frustration. “Downshire just issued an order for you to stay inside the estate. You would defy his order?”
Stepping closer to him, she lowered her voice. “I already borrowed a dress from my lady’s maid, and I plan to skip dinner by feigning exhaustion.”
“But Downshire…”
She waved her hand dismissively. “He won’t even know. We will attend the meeting and be home before anyone is the wiser.”
Simeon didn’t know if he should throttle Miss Pearson or admire her spunk. Either way, he would be helping her defy an order from her guardian. He was confident that Downshire would send him to Newgate if something happened to his pretty little charge.
“I could go and tell Downshire what you’re planning,” he threatened.
“You could,” she paused, smiling, “but you won’t.”
He stepped closer to her. “Why do you say that?”
