“Mama.” Trying to keep the calmness in her voice, Emma shook her head. “There is no need for such a rush. There will be dinner first and thereafter –”
“Nonsense.” Her mother grasped her hand firmly, and Emma had no other choice but to hurry into the house. “There is much that can be done before dinner. You want to look your very best for Lord Thornbridge, do you not?”
Emma blinked.
“Yes, Mama, I do. But –”
“Then there is no need to be concerned,” Lady Stanbury exclaimed. “Come now. Up to your room and no further protests. Your cousin will take tea in the drawing room, and you and I shall join her in a short while. We must make certain that your gown fits you perfectly, and that your hair is washed and brushed well in advance of this evening.”
Emma hid her sigh behind a smile as she followed her mother. Lady Stanbury meant well, but to Emma’s mind, there was no great urgency, given that there were a good many hours before even the dinner gong would sound! Her mother disagreed, however, and there was no choice but for Emma to do as was required of her.
“You will be the most beautiful young lady in all of London this evening,” her mother declared. “Many gentlemen will look at you, I am sure, but your beauty will be for Lord Thornbridge’s eyes alone.”
“Yes Mama,” Emma agreed quietly.
In truth, looking her very best for Lord Thornbridge could be no bad thing. After this afternoon’s awkwardness, she would do all that she could to make certain that their acquaintance remained as comfortable as before and mayhap, if she looked well, there would be no need for any strained conversation. Perhaps they would dance and smile and laugh as they had done before, and the afternoon’s strangeness would be forgotten.
All the same, I am not certain that I shalleverbe able to get that picture from my mind,she told herself, walking into her bedchamber. Perhaps one day Lord Thornbridge would tell her what had happened, and what he had been doing. But for the moment, Emma knew it was in her best interests to remain silent about what she had witnessed.
Lord Thornbridge would tell her in his own good time.
* * *
“You have enjoyeda close acquaintance with Lord Thornbridge these last few weeks.”
Emma smiled to herself, recalling the nearness of his most recent embrace. Yes, it had happened during their dance at the last ball, but he had pulled her closer to him than he ought, and she had lingered. It had been most exciting, for these last few weeks there had only been the occasional brush of fingers and smiles which spoke of hope and promise. Her desire to stay close to him was increasing evermore, and all that was going on in her heart was both a little curious and perhaps even strangely disconcerting. But given that Lord Thornbridge had made it clear that he was deepening their acquaintance, Emma allowed herself to feel everything her heart wished.
There will be courtship,she reminded herself, recalling what she and Lord Thornbridge had spoken of.Courtship and, thereafter, perhaps betrothal.
“Emma?”
Blinking, she smiled at her mother.
“Yes, Lord Thornbridge and I are continuing our acquaintance, Mama. I have hopes for the future also.”
“And what is it that you hope for?” Her mother smiled, as Emma laughed. “Courtship? Betrothal?”
“Perhaps.”
“Then you shall be the envy of all of London! Lord Thornbridge is a most excellent gentleman.”
“I certainly would agree with that description of him.” Emma smiled, her heart lifting gently as she thought of the man who had become somewhat dearer to her of late. “We have spoken of courtship, Mama. In a short time, Lord Thornbridge will make clear his intentions to Father.”
Her mother clapped her hands together.
“How wonderful! I shall not say a word until Lord Thornbridge speaks to your father, however – no matter how difficult it may be!” Her mother laughed and then took Emma’s hand, pressing it lightly. “Enjoy this evening. You must put on your best smile, for Lord Thornbridge must still see the best of you.”
“Thank you, Mama.”
Her mother said something about going to speak with another acquaintance, and Emma watched her depart, only for her cousin to take her arm.
“You do lookquitebeautiful this evening.” Diane smiled, but her eyes then widened. “That is not to say that you do notalwayslook beautiful, but more that your mother’s insistence on particular ministrations has done a most effective job of highlighting your –”
“Diane.” Laughing, Emma put one hand on her cousin’s arm. “I am not at all insulted. I know exactly what you mean, and I am grateful for the compliment. I will admit to you that my mother has done a very exceptional job, although I was loath to admit it at the time, however!”
She smiled at her cousin – now Lady Fullerton - feeling a bond growing slowly between them. They had not been closely acquainted for many years, and the truth was that Emma did not know her cousin particularly well. That being said, she was grateful for the opportunity to spend time with her for, whilst she had made some friends last Season, they had all managed to find husbands while she had not. Such a thing did not trouble her, however, for she had promised herself that she would only enjoy the Season without making any particular endeavors to find a suitable match. Diane had come to London at the request of Lady Stanbury, aware that Lord Fullerton was disinclined towards society and company as a whole. Thus, Diane had come to town and now acted as her chaperone at times, even though she was only a year or so older than Emma herself.
“Look, there he is.”
