Page 8 of The Unfortunate Debutante
Keeping her head held up, her eyes darted over his shoulders at the growing crowd. The mud smeared on her person and clothing was starting to dry and stiffen, giving her an almost uncontrollable desire to race her horse back home. But the footman made valid points.
“You presumed correctly,” she agreed.
As she urged her horse forward, Emma realized that Lord Brisbane had already mounted his horse and was trotting away from her. Good riddance! She attempted to ignore the gawking gazes of the riders that passed her along the road. She also managed not to act on the impulse of huffing in exasperation. She was not a public spectacle!
When she finally reined in her horse in front of Caddington Manor, she dismounted and walked up the stairs towards the main door. The butler opened the door and stepped aside as she entered.
Munro cast her a concerned look. “Are you all right, miss?”
“I was thrown off my horse and landed in the mud,” she admitted weakly.
Closing the main door, he responded, “I can see that, but are you injured? Should I call for a doctor?”
“Only my pride,” she remarked with a shake of her head.
“Pride is easier to mend than a broken bone,” the butler said, attempting to reassure her. “I will order a bath for you.”
She gave him a grateful smile. “Thank you. Do you know where Lady Downshire is?”
“In the nursery, miss,” he hesitated, before revealing, “along with Lord Downshire.”
With a tense smile, she replied, “It is better to get this over with.”
“Over with?”
“Lord Downshire’s lecture about…” she ran her hand over her mud coated riding habit, “this.”
Munro gave her an understanding smile. “I wish you luck.”
Feeling dread wash over her, she walked up the two flights of stairs and slowed her steps when she heard Luke and Rachel speaking to Matthew in loving tones. What a disappointment I’ve turned out to be, she thought. She had ruined her Season before it had even started.
Stepping into the doorway, Emma expected Luke to start shouting, and he did, but not the way she had anticipated.
“Emma, are you all right?” he asked, striding towards her. He placed his hands on her shoulders and crouched lower to look at her. “Are you all right? Are you injured?”
Tears started forming in her eyes at the depth of compassion she saw staring back at her, but Luke gave her a stern look.
“No crying,” he demanded. “Tell me exactly what happened.”
Blinking back her tears, she admitted, “My horse upended me, and I landed in a mud puddle.”
Luke’s eyes narrowed as he stepped back. “I will fire all of the groomsmen. It’s no less than they deserve. After all, it was wholly irresponsible of them to provide you with a horse you were unable to handle.”
“It’s not their fault,” she objected, shaking her head. “I’ve ridden that gelding before, and he’s a gentle horse. He reacted poorly when I kicked him into a run.”
Coming to stand next to Luke, Rachel was holding baby Matthew in her arms. “Are you injured?” she asked with sympathy in her voice.
“No.” Again, she shook her head. “But, unfortunately, this occurred in Hyde Park and quite a few people witnessed it. My Season is ruined! I’m ready to return to Scotland. We can try again next year.”
Emma saw something pass between Luke and Rachel, but she couldn’t decipher it. After a moment, Luke declared, “We aren’t going anywhere. You are my ward, and I vowed that you will be adored by the ton. It shall be done.”
“How is that possible?” she asked. “My reputation is my greatest possession, and I just ruined it by rolling in the mud.”
Handing Matthew off to Luke, Rachel wrapped her up in a loving embrace, despite her being coated in mud. “You’re wrong. Your greatest possession is your family, and we protect each other… including reputations.”
“But…”
Luke spoke over her. “No buts. We’ll sort this out. You’re under my protection, Emma, and that means a great deal.”
