“No, no, that is not what I mean in the least!” Lord Wellbridge exclaimed, laughing, and shaking his head. “It was only as a general warning to the young lady. I do not know Lord Yeatman very well at all, as I have said.”
“I think him a very considerate and amiable gentleman.” With a slight lift of her chin, Emma looked at Lord Wellbridge steadily, seeing him shrug. “But thank you for your… warning. My mother and father have said much the same to both my sister and me previously.”
“Though we have nothing to worry about when it comes to you, of course,” Martha said, with a laugh that made LordWellbridge beam at her with obvious delight. “Thank you, Lord Wellbridge. You aremostconsiderate.”
Emma picked up her teacup and said nothing more, taking a delicate sip and then setting it back down again. Her sister could have the most marvelous time making all sorts of remarks and conversation with Lord Wellbridge but Emma, for her part, would remain silent and consider all that had just taken place, wondering just what it was that Lord Yeatman wanted to speak with her about tomorrow.
Chapter Twelve
Icannot quite believe I am waiting for a young lady to walk in the Park with me.
Frederick let himself smile as he shook his head lightly. The desire to see Miss Fairley again, to speak a little more at length with her, had come about shortly after their discussion in the ballroom, and her agreement that he might seek to assist her in some way. The more he had considered it, the more pleasant a situation it appeared to be. Even though he had nothing further to say on the matter of her supposed clumsiness, even though there was no sudden change of which he had to speak, Frederick had found his desire for her company growing steadily. Thus, he had decided – much to his surprise – to take the trouble to call upon her and ask her to walk with him for, that way, he had decided, he would be able to be in her company and able to make free conversation, without any concern that they would be overheard.Thatwas what he wanted. He wanted to be able to talk to the lady simply so that he might know her better and, though he did not fully understand his reasons for it, it was enough of a desire to push him forward into action. Thus, he had called upon her, the arrangement hadbeen made and now he was standing at the entrance to the Park, waiting for her arrival.
“Good afternoon.”
Frederick turned around, his eyes narrowing as he caught the way a grin was edging up across Lord Gibson’s lips.
“Lord Gibson. Good afternoon.”
“Good afternoon,” his friend said again, one eyebrow lifting. “Might I ask if you are doing anything… in particular?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that you are standing by the entrance to the Park and looking as though you are expecting someone.”
Frederick chuckled, shaking one finger in Lord Gibson’s direction.
“Ah yes, you have found me out. I am waiting for Miss Fairley.”
Lord Gibson’s smile immediately fell away.
“Miss Fairley? The one who–”
“Yes, the one who spilled that tray of drinks,” Frederick confirmed, quickly. “But I do not think that it was her doing. However, I am simply walking with her through the Park, that is all.”
“Because you would like to spend more time in her company?”
Frederick considered this and, with a shrug, nodded.
“Yes, I suppose so. I should like to spend more time in her company.” Choosing not to say anything about her clumsiness and his own considerations in that regard, Frederick smiled as his friend’s eyes widened. “Why should you be as surprised as that?”
“Because you are not often inclined towards pursuing a friendship so quickly,” came the reply. “You are considered, you are cautious, and you are hesitant – and yet now I see youintending to go out walking with a young lady you cannot have known for more than a few weeks?”
Frederick considered this, tilting his head a little.
“I suppose that is true.”
“Then what is your explanation?”
With a shrug, Frederick turned away from his friend, hearing a carriage approaching.
“I have no explanation other than that I should simply like to be in Miss Fairley’s company for a time, that is all.”
Lord Gibson put one hand on Frederick’s shoulder.
“Well, do be cautious,” he said, as Frederick watched first Lady Follet and then Miss Fairley descend from the carriage, soon followed by her sister. “You may find yourself flat on the ground or terribly winded depending on what accident she brings about!”
Frederick scowled and went to tell Lord Gibson that he had no expectation of such a thing, only for his friend to laugh and then turn away, leaving him to stand alone and wait for Miss Fairley to come closer. Evidently, Miss Fairley’s mother and sister had come together to accompany her, though Frederick hoped that they would stay back from them so that he and Miss Fairley might speak in private.
