Page 71 of The Unfortunate Debutante
Simeon decided not to reveal that Eliza and Josette also contributed to bringing down the leader of The Cursed Lot and saving Martha from the clutches of her evil father.
He angled himself towards her. “Martha was working as a nurse in the hospital at Gravesend with Emmett,” he hesitated, his voice becoming strained, “and that’s when I saw her again. For the first time in five years.”
“What did Martha say?”
He huffed. “She pointed a gun at me and threatened to kill me.”
“Why?”
Frowning, he said, “I can’t share that without betraying Martha’s trust. Her past is her story to share, not mine.”
Emma nodded thoughtfully. “I understand.”
“I tried to convince her to love me, but it was too late. She’d already fallen in love with Emmett.”
“I am sor…” She hesitated, then softly said, “I’m at a loss for words. I fear my words are inadequate.”
He placed his hand over hers. “It’s all right. You don’t have to say anything.” He gave her a tentative smile. “This is the first time I’ve shared this story with anyone. I never thought I’d be able to without my emotions taking over.”
“I’m so glad you did,” she murmured, her eyes full of compassion.
He turned his gaze away from hers. “Two weeks after we caught the leader of The Cursed Lot, I got a missive from the palace. It informed me that Prince George wanted to meet with me.”
“What an honor.”
“It was,” he agreed, “but I didn’t care about the title. The only thing I wanted was Martha’s love, and I had lost it.” He sighed deeply. “After that, I spiraled out of control. I stopped reading the letters from my parents, I avoided my friends, and I allowed others to run my company. I felt empty inside.”
“Do you still feel that way?”
Furrowing his brows, he thought for a moment, then answered, “Not anymore.”
“That’s good,” she said, smiling.
He brought his gaze back to hers. “We aren’t so different, you and I. After all, I don’t belong in this world, either.”
“But you’re titled and…”
He interrupted her. “Just because someone has a title, doesn’t mean they belong in this world. I own a trading company and work as a Bow Street Runner. I daresay my actions are more scandalous than falling off a horse into a mud puddle.”
“Did you forget that you landed on top of me near Gunther’s?” she asked with an uplifted brow.
He cleared his suddenly hoarse throat. “How can I forget that?”
“Does your family know that you found Martha?”
He shook his head. “No. I have yet to tell them.”
“And the title?”
“I assume they’ve discovered I was given a title.”
“We could write them together, if you wish,” she suggested.
Bringing his elbows to his knees, he leaned over and said, “I shall do it on my own. Besides, I’m not sure I’m ready yet.”
“I’d give anything for my family to still be alive,” Emma remarked wistfully.
“Now it’s my turn to be sorry.”
