Courage began to overtake Emma’s fear as she caught the determination in Lady Frederica’s eyes, and then watched Miss Simmons let out a slow breath as she closed her eyes. “We will be together. We will always have someone with us.”
“Precisely,” Miss Bosworth stated, smiling.
“And who knows?” Lady Alice shrugged and smiled, though it was a little lackluster. “Mayhap a gentleman will take notice of us!”
Miss Simmons’ eyes widened as Emma’s doubts immediately began to grow.
“But we are wallflowers?” What will they care for that?”
“It is impossible to tell what might happen, is it not?” Lady Alice smiled again and, this time, it held no fear, no hint of doubts. “Not every gentleman will ignore us, I am sure of it. We may even get to dance! But if we stay here, as we are expected to do, we have no hope at all.”
“I – I think I can do it.” Miss Simmons looked at Emma, a smile beginning to catch the edge of her mouth. “I know you have the same fears as me, Miss Fairley, as regards our parents. What do you think?”
Emma tried to steady herself, feeling her whole body tingling with a sudden awareness of what they were about to do – and what no wallflower had ever thought to do before. Her eyes strayed to Miss Bosworth as Lady Frederica had taken her arm, clearly already determined that they were going to step out regardless of what the others decided. She was afraid, she realized. Afraid that this would do a great deal more damage to her reputation – and that the clumsiness which had pursued her before would do so again.
“I will.” Lady Alice moved forward and took Miss Bosworth’s other arm, then looked at Emma and Miss Simmons. “Come, my friends, let us go out together!”
Turning her attention to Miss Simmons, Emma swallowed hard and then nodded, seeing the way her friend’s eyes flared in hope.
“Miss Simmons, I think that I can set aside my concerns and walk with the other wallflowers out to the center of the room, to talk to each other and smile and make our presence known. Will you walk with me?”
Miss Simmons hesitated and then, with a nod, stepped forward and took her arm.
“Yes, I shall.”
Emma’s heart leaped and she turned, watching as Miss Bosworth, Lady Alice and Lady Frederica began to step away from the wall of the ballroom, stepping out into the light and away from the darkness. Despite her worry, despite her fears, Emma followed them, feeling Miss Simmons’ arm tighten on hers just a little, clear evidence that she too was feeling a little uncertain.
“It will be difficult, but we can do it,” she whispered, as Miss Simmons offered a slightly frightened smile. “All we need to do is walk together, stop in the middle of the crowd, and begin to talk, just as anyone else might do.” She looked at Miss Simmonsagain, taking a deep breath, and as she let it out again, smiled. “What could be easier?”
Chapter Six
Frederick sighed to himself as he looked out of the window to the London street. It was full of carriages and progress was rather slow indeed. Frederick rolled his eyes to himself and then let out another sigh, suddenly aware of how filled with ennui he was.
That was an unusual feeling, for him.
He had been in London now for nearly a month and had, of course, continued with his determination to be cautious and careful as regards his friends and acquaintances. He had stayed at the back of the ballroom for the most part, and been slow to join in with conversation. He had enjoyed his evenings at White’s, once whatever social occasion he had joined came to an end, for in that particular establishment, he did not have to worry about a large crush of people or being overwhelmed by those wishing to speak with him. There had been invitations to one or two dinner parties, but the only one he had accepted was Lord Pleasance’s invitation - which dinner was due to occur this evening.
What was he to do until then?
Frederick frowned and ran one hand over his chin. He was, in fact, a little lost for ideas as to how he might fill his time. He normally gave so much of his time and energy to making sure that he was surrounded by only the best company, it did not give him a great deal of time to enjoy society’s offerings.
Am I being too cautious?
Frederick bit the edge of his lip and then turned away from the window. He knew exactly where all those carriages were going – they were on their way to the fashionable hour, and that meant Hyde Park. The Park itself would soon be crawling with gentlemen and ladies, all making their way there so that society might see them present. Frederick desired to stay away from all of that, to hide from it all but, at the same time, he had to consider the fact that he was lacking in anything to do.
“Should I go?”
Murmuring aloud, Frederick tilted his head and wandered back across the room, considering. What else was there for him to do here? He could sit and write a few letters, deal with some business matters and the like, but that did not offer him any real enjoyment, and nothing was particularly pressing. There was the dinner this evening, which he was looking forward to, but that was still many hours away. What else was there for him to do?
Letting out a slow breath, Frederick pushed one hand through his hair, then turned and walked back to the window to look out at the carriages again. The reasons for his caution were well founded, for there were so many gentlemen and ladies not known to him that he feared that his reputation might be affected if he were to become closely acquainted with someone who was of an unsavory disposition. These characters were not always revealed until much later, Frederick understood, having witnessed what had happened to his father. All the same, he considered, the thought of sitting at his desk and choosing – yetagain – not to be in company, was beginning to grow a little wearisome upon his soul.
“Mayhap I should go, even if only for a short while,” he considered aloud, nodding half to himself as though to determine that yes, this was what he would do, despite his uncertainties. “It cannot be as bad as sitting here alone!”
With another nod, Frederick turned on his heel and hurried to the door, wondering if he was presentable enough already or if he needed to change. Calling for his valetandfor the carriage to be brought around, Frederick went to his bedchamber, preparing to make his way to the fashionable hour for the very first time this Season.
“Good afternoon,Lord Yeatman. I did not think that I would find you here!”
Frederick smiled and inclined his head.
