Page 6 of The Unfortunate Debutante
“I’m at a loss for words,” Luke declared, his eyes scanning the note. “Why would you submit an article to the newspaper?”
Emma stepped out of Rachel’s arms. “I sent in an article detailing the unscrupulous eviction of thousands of tenants in the Highlands at the hand of Lady Sutherland. Those poor families were forced into communities, where they were expected to learn a new way of life, and I wrote about the injustice of it all.”
“It’s the Countess of Sutherland’s land, Emma,” Luke countered. “It’s more profitable to let the land to sheep farmers than the current renters. It was a simple business move.”
Emma lifted her brow. “Because of the countess’s desire to replace Highlanders with sheep, riots have become commonplace, and an elderly woman was even murdered when they came to evict her family.”
“In Scotland, it is a normal practice to destroy the roof timbers of a cleared house by fire to prevent the reoccupation by the evicted party.”
Accepting the missive back from Luke, Emma countered, “Just because something is common practice, doesn’t make it right. The people need to understand the struggles the Highlanders are facing.”
Luke turned towards Rachel, his disapproval evident on his features. “Will you kindly explain to Emma that it is wholly inappropriate for her to write articles for the newspapers? Not only is she a lady, but she is my ward. It would cause a scandal if anyone ever found out.”
Rachel grinned. “I’m confident that Emma just heard you.”
“No one will find out,” Emma rushed to assure him. “I am writing under a pseudonym and using my mother’s maiden name.”
Luke frowned. “Do you require more pin money?”
Shaking her head, she replied, “I do not require any additional funds. You have been more than generous.”
“Then explain to me why you submitted an article to The Morning Post?” Luke asked.
Emma met his gaze as she attempted to find the right words. “I want to be more than what Society expects me to be.”
Luke grunted as he turned towards Rachel. “This is your fault. You let Emma read your book, and now she wants to be a writer like you.”
“I see nothing wrong with that,” Rachel declared. “As long as she is writing under a false name, there is no harm in her writing articles. Is there?”
“Thank you,” Emma mouthed.
Turning his gaze towards the ceiling, Luke said, “I see that I am outnumbered… again. I cannot wait until Matthew is old enough to start siding with me.”
“Considering he is only four months old, that might take a while,” Rachel joked as she wrapped her arms around her husband.
Luke brought his adoring gaze down to his wife and smiled.
Emma sighed at the love so evident between Luke and Rachel and knew it was time to grant them privacy.
“I will go to my room and practice my needlework,” she said, walking over to the door and closing it behind her.
As she walked along the tiled floor of the expansive entrance hall, Emma admired the ivory walls, the gold accents, and the tapestries that hung along the wall. It had been a little over two years since she had been plucked out of her modest home, but still she regularly pinched herself to confirm she wasn’t daydreaming.
This was her life, and what a grand life it was.
Emma tiltedher face towards the warmth of the sun as her grey gelding strolled leisurely through Hyde Park. It’s such a beautiful day, she thought. Due to an earlier rain shower, the path was muddy, and the trees alongside the road glistened. A few gentlemen riders rode past them, tipping their hats in acknowledgement, and offering pleasantries.
She found her ride to be most enjoyable, so much so that she hardly gave Lord Brisbane any attention. He kept babbling incessantly about the most tedious subjects, and she wished he would stop speaking. Perhaps she should kick her horse into a run and leave him far behind. She sighed. No, that wouldn’t be socially acceptable, and she really didn’t want another lecture from Luke about ladylike decorum. He was exceptionally astute in the ways of women, after all.
With a glance over her shoulder, Emma confirmed that the three liveried footmen Luke had assigned to watch her were trailing her. They were far enough back to grant privacy, but close enough to ensure propriety. She was confident that they would be able to match her horse’s stride.
Lord Brisbane broke through her musings. “Are you in agreement, then?” he asked in an eager voice.
Drat! Now she would have to admit that she wasn’t listening to him. Or she could make up a ludicrous excuse and see how he would respond.
“I am afraid my bonnet strings were too tight, and I missed your question,” she said, reaching up and untying the straw bonnet’s strings from under her chin.
His face softened, drawing attention to his black, slick-backed hair. “I understand, my dear. Bonnets can be tricky.”
