“I thank you, Mr. Cole,” Emma answered as she reached for her small reticule. She took out five coins and placed them on the counter.
“Please, my lady. Your money is no good here,” Mr. Cole protested.
“I do insist, Mr. Cole. You have done so many selfless deeds for our family, it is the least I can do. I will not leave here until you take the money. You work hard and should be rewarded for that,” Emma insisted, sliding the coins towards Mr. Cole.
“I am most grateful,” Mr. Cole said.
Emma reached for the glass bottle and placed it carefully into her satchel, and as she turned, she noticed Mr. Wallace standing behind her.
Emma had come to know Mr. Carson Wallace through an introduction made by Lord William.
Mr. Wallace owned the estate neighboring Woodlock Manor, and as William had explained, Mr. Wallace was secretly in love with Lady Elizabeth, although he would deny it with his life.
“Mr. Wallace,” Emma greeted with a smile.
“Good afternoon, my lady. What a surprise to see you once more,” Mr. Wallace reciprocated her gesture. “It has been quite a while since we last spoke. I have not seen you at any of the recent balls I attended.”
“Indeed. I purposely remained in my home to avoid any type of harassment from the residents here who are under the impression they know who I am,” Emma shrugged. “But I do apologize for making it seem as though I wish to avoid people whom I know would not believe those tales.”
“I am truly sorry what those gossip mongers have done to you, Lady Emma. It cannot be an easy thing. Perhaps you should ask His Grace, the Duke of Somerset, to resolve this for you, as he has experience in such things.”
Emma’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean, Mr. Wallace?”
“Have you not heard the tale?”
When Emma shook her head, Mr. Wallace stepped closer. “Stories were being spread of Lady Elizabeth and a man named Lord Dorset, which threated to ruin her reputation. Of course, those tales were untrue, but that did not stop a vindictive Lord Dorset from his malicious gossiping. The duke had decided to take matters into his own hands and he drew Lord Dorset’s cork in right there,” Mr. Wallace answered and pointed to the small park on the other side of the square. “His Grace even had Lord Dorset publicly admit that he had fabricated the tales.”
“That is very noble and pragmatic of him,” Emma muttered. “Luckily I do not have to face these unseemly people for much longer.”
“How so, my lady?”
“My gracious father has agreed to allow me to visit Edinburgh for as long as I wish. I will stay with a cousin of my mother’s. I am truly excited, as it has been a place I desperately wished to visit,” Emma explained.
“Edinburgh is a magnificent city.”
“You have been there?” Emma asked him, truly interested.
“Indeed, many times. It has become my favorite location to travel. The duke and I visited when we were young boys the first time, and we fell in love with the lochs and the highlands.”
“And this is the same man who publicly drew another man’s cork in front of hundreds of spectators?” Emma cocked her head.
“The duke is a good man,” Mr. Wallace said and glanced back at Emma, “as is Lord William.”
“Please, Mr. Wallace, I mean no disrespect, but I do not wish to speak of Lord William, not with anyone,” Emma said and held her hands up. “Did he send you here to attempt to convince me to accept his proposal?”
“What proposal?”
Oh, no.
“Do forget that I mentioned anything,” Emma said hurriedly and stepped to the side. “Please do excuse me. I must be going.”
“My sincerest apologies,” Mr. Wallace called out as she left the apothecary, but she did not turn back to respond.
The bell on the door chimed as she stepped outside, and as she was about to step onto the street, someone approached her from the side, startling her. She gasped as she glanced up. It was the same young man she had seen outside the establishment before she entered. Luckily, he was alone.
For now.
Emma was certainly not in the mood to speak to the man and lowered her gaze. “Pardon me.”
“Lady Emma, do you have a moment or two to spare?” the young man asked.
“I do apologize,” Emma forced a smile and brushed passed the man. “I must be going.”
“Wait!” the man called out, and was beside her once more, even faster than she had anticipated.
“What is it you want?” Emma inquired with a tired sigh. “I am in a hurry.”
“What I wish will not take long,” he answered, a smirk forming on his arrogant face.
“I am most certainly not in a mood for cryptic words and phrases,” Emma sighed once more, “especially not from a man with whom I am not acquainted.”
“I see. I would like to be acquainted, as you and Lord William were. Is that the path to your underskirt?” the man asked.
Emma’s jaw dropped in shock at his vulgar words and she shook her head in disgust. “You should not believe the things you hear.”
“But it is true. You and Lord William, at the Duchess of Waltham’s manor? Perhaps you can show me what Lord William speaks of so willingly,” the man said and grabbed Emma’s arm.
Fear skittled along her spine, so she strengthened her resolve. She would not be bullied in such a way.
“You will unhand me, or I will be forced to scream,” Emma hissed. “Would you enjoy being made a spectacle of, in front of the entire town?”
“My lady is the one who is the spectacle,” he hissed in return. “I will merely be adding you to my list of conquests—or shall I say, you will be adding me to your long list?”
Anger rose inside Emma as she raised her
