“I was first acquainted with Miss Emma Fairley,” Lord Yeatman said, a smile in his voice as Emma caught his eye, aware of the sudden flare of warmth in her chest as she returnedhis smile with one of her own. “Thereafter, it was through Lord Pleasance’s dinner that we all became acquainted, was it not?”
Lady Follet nodded, though her eyes sharpened as she looked at Emma, perhaps having never understood that Emma had been previously acquainted with the gentleman.
“Yes, that is quite so. The dinner was marvelous, was it not?”
Lord Yeatman chuckled again.
“I suppose it was, though I will say that my mishap at the dining table did make for a little embarrassment!”
“Oh, but I am sure that it has all been forgotten!” Lady Follet laughed as Emma did her best not to roll her eyes and picked up her tea instead. “We shall have to enjoy another dinner with you, Lord Yeatman, to prove that nothing untoward will happen should you sit to dine with company again.”
Lord Yeatman laughed at this, though his gaze went quickly back to Emma, leaving her suddenly a little breathless. There was no space for quiet conversation here, no opportunity for them to speak privately at length so why, then, had he come to call?
“I wonder, Miss Fairley, if you should like to take a walk with me in the park tomorrow?”
Emma blinked, her silent question suddenly answered as Lord Yeatman smiled at her, his blue eyes alight with what appeared to be hope.
“Lord Yeatman, I–”
“I presume you are speaking to my elder daughter?” Lady Follet interrupted Emma before she could finish speaking and instantly, Emma’s face flamed as she dropped her head, unable to look at anyone else in the room. “MissMarthaFairley?”
There was a slight pause, only for Lord Yeatman to clear his throat.
“No, Lady Follet, though I mean no slight nor disrespect. I was, in fact, speaking to your younger daughter, Miss Emma.”
Carefully, Emma peeked at her mother from under her lashes, seeing her mother’s eyes flared wide for a moment, her mouth forming a perfect circle.
“Miss Fairley?” Lord Yeatman continued when Lady Follet did not respond. “What say you? Tomorrow? Or the day after that if you are already engaged in another activity tomorrow.”
Emma swallowed and then nodded, a sudden buzzing in her ears, her heart thumping furiously.
“I am not engaged in any activity tomorrow, Lord Yeatman.”
He grinned at her.
“Then should you like to walk with me? Perhaps in St James’ Park? I always find Hyde Park a little too busy.”
Remembering what he had confessed to her about being a little overwhelmed by too many gentlemen and ladies in one space, Emma managed to smile.
“Yes, of course. St James’ Park.”
“Excellent.” Lord Yeatman nodded and then rose to his feet. “I shall not take up any more of your time. I look forward to tomorrow, Miss Fairley. Good afternoon.”
Emma barely had time to get to her feet before Lord Yeatman had taken his leave of them all. Even her mother appeared astonished, though Martha remained exactly where she was, sipping her tea and not looking at anyone save for Lord Wellbridge. Emma, seeing this, smiled softly to herself, and then sat back down, her happiness near to overflowing. Her sister was quite taken with Lord Wellbridge and now, it seemed, she might finally have a gentleman who was a little taken with her! But,she thought to herself, as her mother and Lord Wellbridge took their seats again,he might very well have asked to walk with me simply because he has something more he wishes to say as regards my present situation.Her smile faded.There might not be any genuine interest there whatsoever.
“Do you know, I have not seen Lord Yeatman in many a year!” Lord Wellbridge interrupted Emma’s thoughts, making them all turn their attention to him. “He is a very wealthy Viscount, by all accounts.”
“Wealthy?”
Lady Follet’s eyes widened, and Emma groaned inwardly, already able to decipher what it was that she was thinking.
“Are not all titled gentlemen wealthy?” Martha interjected, her smile a little terse as she shot a look towards Emma which Emma did not at all understand. “Though some more than others, of course!”
“Of course,” Lord Wellbridge chuckled, waving a hand. “Though for a Viscount, Lord Yeatman carries more wealth than some Earls! Though, Miss Fairley,” he continued, looking towards Emma as his expression became serious. “Even though you have accepted the offer of walking with him tomorrow, I should encourage you to make certain of his character.”
Emma’s eyebrows lifted as Lady Follet snatched in a breath.
“You mean to say that there is something indecent about him?” Lady Follet asked, in a half-whisper. “Should I have stepped in? Ought I now to prevent this–”
