“Good afternoon to you.” Smiling, Frederick bowed and then turning, offered Miss Fairley his arm. “It is a fine day for a walk, is it not?”
Miss Fairley nodded and managed a small, soft smile, but it did not light up her eyes. As Frederick considered her, as he took in the way her copper curls danced at either side of her face he wondered if she was looking a little paler than before.
“It is averyfine day,” Lady Follet replied when neither of the Miss Fairleys spoke. “Now I, and my daughter, will walk behind you and Emma, Lord Yeatman. I hope that is acceptable.”
Frederick nodded.
“But of course. I thank you.” So saying, he turned and began to walk with Miss Fairley, feeling her hand tighten a little on his arm. “Are you quite all right, Miss Fairley?”
She looked up at him. He saw her lips tighten for a moment as though she was considering what to say, only for her to look away again.
“Might I ask why you asked to walk with me, Lord Yeatman?”
A slight frown flickered across his forehead.
“Why?”
Miss Fairley’s eyes turned to him again.
“Yes. Why?”
“Because… because I wanted to.” That sounded rather foolish, but the more Frederick considered his answer, the more he understood it to be the truth. “I wanted to walk with you, Miss Fairley, so I might get to know you a little better. It is very difficult to speak with you when we are at a ball or soiree or some such thing, for there is always something else going on, or someone else eager to interrupt the conversation!”
“I see.”
Hearing the slight lift to her tone, Frederick smiled and caught her eye.
“I thought that you wanted to speak of my current situation,” she told him, as he nodded. “There is something more that you wish to say about that, then?”
Frederick shrugged lightly.
“Well, if there is something that you would like to speak of then, of course, but my true desire is to speak with you and improve our acquaintance.”
“Truly?”
Seeing her a little surprised, Frederick nodded and then reached across to pat her hand with his own.
“But of course. Why would that astonish you?”
“After you came to call, there was a remark made, and since then, my sister…” Trailing off, she shook her head. “It matters not. I should not listen to such things.”
“Very well.” Frederick wanted to press her and demand that she tell him what had been said, but instead, he only smiled and continued to walk. “I assure you, Miss Fairley, my only desire is to be in your company. Though, if anything untoward should happen, you can be assured that I will take every notice of it!”
“I thank you.” Miss Fairley looked up at him and then let out a slow breath which was followed with a smile. “Then what is it that you would like to speak of? What is it that you want to know of me?”
Frederick’s heart swelled at the happiness which was now in her tone, the joy which was running through her expression. Whatever it was that had been troubling her, it appeared to have gone from her very quickly indeed.
“I should like you to tell me anything you wish,” he said, making her laugh softly. “Whatever it is you desire to say, I should be more than glad to listen.”
“Very well.” Miss Fairley tilted her head for a moment and then smiled up at him again, her eyes like stars. “Though so long as you promise to tell me a little more about yourself also.”
He grinned at her.
“Gladly,” he swore and as she looked up into his eyes, the sunshine seemed to grow just a little brighter and Frederick’s heart filled with a happiness which he had never truly known before.
“A very pleasant walk, yes.”
Frederick kept his smile polite, having come across a small group of gentlemen and ladies on their walk. Both Lord Wellbridge and Lord and Lady Pleasance had been standing there and when his friend had beckoned him to join them, Frederick had felt himself obliged to do so. Miss Fairley had dropped her hand from his arm almost at once, however, though she had been willing to join the group. Her sister and mother had also stepped in so that the small group was now a good deal larger than before.
