“I am aware that I did not, Miss Fairley, but I did not want you to be unnecessarily embarrassed.”
She held his gaze for a long moment, clearly considering what he had said and what that meant.
“Your kindness is unsurpassed, Lord Yeatman. I think…” She frowned and then looked away. “There is more to your action than you can know and, for that, I am deeply appreciative.”
Not understanding what she meant, but choosing not to question her at that moment, given all that had just taken place, Frederick simply smiled and then returned his attention to the dinner. His smile began to fade away as he let himself consider what had just happened. What had caused the footman to stumble in that way? Miss Fairley had done nothing, for she had not moved nor gestured nor done anything to startle thefootman – so why had the plate fallen from his hand in such a way? It was all very strange indeed.
Chapter Nine
Emma swung her leg idly as she sat in the drawing room, her gaze on the window and the last few wisps of the day’s light that made its way through it. It had been a sennight since the dinner party and still, through all that time, she had not forgotten about the incident, nor about Lord Yeatman. He had been exceptionally kind to her in speaking to the rest of the guests as he had done, taking the blame for something that absolutely had not been his fault. That had been an act of kindness far beyond anything she had ever experienced and, whilst she had been to a few occasions since then – though still remaining with her wallflower friends – Emma had not been able to forget about him.
A soft smile lifted the corners of her mouth as she thought about Lord Yeatman’s declaration that the spillage had been entirely his own doing. He had been very fervent in his explanation, and she was sure that most of the guests had believed him, even if shehadcaught Lady Pleasance looking at her with a slightly lifted eyebrow, though she had smiled when Emma had caught her gaze. That was something at least.
“Emma?” Lady Follet came into the room, disturbing Emma’s peace and giving her a disgruntled look which Emmaimmediately understood to indicate that she did not want to see her sitting so casually. “Are you quite prepared? Why ever are you sitting so?”
“I am ready for the soiree, yes,” Emma said quickly, rising to her feet and smoothing one hand down her skirt. “I have been waiting for my sister to be ready and–”
“I do hope that you have not wrinkled your gown.” With a sniff, Lady Follet beckoned for Emma to follow her. “Your sister is waiting at the door and your father is already in the carriage!”
“No one came to fetch me,” Emma protested weakly, as her mother shooed her out of the room. “If I had known–”
“Do hurry up,” her mother interrupted, firmly. “Now, you know what my expectations are for you this evening, do you not?”
Emma frowned.
“Are they not the same as every other time you have spoken to me?” she asked, her tone dropping a little. “You expect me to stand with my friends. With the other wallflowers.”
Lady Follet ushered her up into the carriage and Emma sat down opposite her sister and beside her father, leaving Lady Follet to take the opposite seat. Lord Follet rapped on the roof and the carriage began to move away and, though Emma thought the conversation was at an end, Lady Follet reached across to catch her hand and her attention.
“We are aware of what the other wallflowers have been doing,” she said, with more severity in her voice than Emma had expected. “For whatever reason, you have decided to join them and we find that to be most displeasing.”
Emma’s eyebrows shot towards her hairline.
“I have been doing nothing wrong, Mama. I am only walking with my friends and conversing with them as I please. Just because society demands that we stay at the back of the room does not mean that this is what wemustdo.”
Lady Follet released Emma’s hand.
“But it is safer for you, there,” she protested, as though she were seeking to help Emma. “Your father and I do not like it. It is–”
“I am aware of that, Mama,” Emma said clearly, aware that she ought not to be interrupting her mother but finding her heart beginning to quicken with a mixture of upset and a stirring of anger. “I am sure that there are many in society who do not much like to see those that they have designated as wallflowers doing what they believe wallflowers ought not to do.” She glanced at her father but he, much to her relief, had his eyes closed and appeared to either be dozing or paying very little attention to what Emma had to say. “My friends and I do not like simply standing at the back of the room, watching what is going on. We have decided, of late, to simply walk and talk together during whatever occasion we have attended. That is not something I intend to give up.”
Her mother clicked her tongue and shook her head before looking at her husband. Seeing Lord Follet’s closed eyes and clear lack of interest in what was being said, Lady Follet’s shoulders slumped, and Emma looked out of the window quickly, trying not to let a slightly triumphant smile spread across her face. It was not as though everything was going well, despite her attempts to step into society with the other wallflowers. It was not as though gentlemen and ladies turned to greet them, that many were eager to become acquainted with them or dance with them. Most continued to glance at them, then look away again, and some had even turned their backs. It was not the same for every wallflower, however. One or two of Emma’s friends had enjoyed a little more success, though Emma herself was not one of them.
Though Lord Yeatman has not ignored me,she thought to herself, finding herself smiling at the thought.I do wonder if I will see him this evening.
“My mother has showna little displeasure in our acting like this.” Emma sighed and took Miss Simmons’ offered arm as they began to make their way around the ballroom. “She has not said it outright, but I think she should like to order me to remain in the shadows.”
“I am still a little unsure of why you have been determined as a wallflower,” her friend replied, quietly. “For most of us, there is a clear reason – albeit an unfair one in most cases – but for you, there can be nothing said really.”
“Might I interrupt?”
Emma turned her head in surprise, only to see Lord Yeatman step a little closer, a broad smile on his face.
“Forgive me for the interruption, but I thought it right for me to greet you both this evening. It is my pleasure to see you again, Miss Simmons, Miss Fairley. Are you finding the ball pleasant entertainment?”
Miss Simmons sighed and shook her head as Lord Yeatman’s smile grew sympathetic.
“It is rather dull only watching rather than participating, Lord Yeatman, though I must say that it is certainly better to walk and converse and smile at those around us instead of hiding away in the shadows.”
