“Please, sit down.” Lord Follet sat down opposite, before gesturing to the table where the whisky sat. “Should you like something to drink?”
Glancing at the window where the sunshine streamed through, Frederick shook his head.
“A little too early for me, Lord Follet. Let me get straight to the point, if I may. I have come to speak to you in the hope that I might court your daughter.”
Lord Follet’s eyes widened.
“I see.”
“It may come as something of a surprise, I am sure, but I will not be put off from this,” Frederick said, firmly. “We have not been acquainted for long, but I have a consideration for her which I believe will grow into something all the more wonderful. That is the reason I wish to court her.”
Lord Follet ran one hand over his chin though, much to Frederick’s surprise, he did not appear to be overly delighted with this suggestion.
“That is a good thing to hear, Lord Yeatman,” he said, slowly. “I am always eager to make certain that any gentleman who shows an interest in my daughters does so with the right intentions.”
“Which, I assure you, I have,” Frederick said, quickly. “My intentions are not simply to court and then break things off once I have enjoyed a little more of her company! My sights are set solely on the future and in that regard, I will court Miss Fairley – should I be granted permission – with the view to betrothal and marriage.”
“I see,” Lord Follet said again, though a slight frown flickered about his forehead, confusing Frederick with the gentleman’s lack of delight. “I shall have to speak to my daughter about this, you understand. It will have to be her decision.”
Frederick frowned.
“I am well able to accept whatever answer she gives me. There is no need for you to concern yourself, Lord Follet. I will not demand that she accept me.”
Lord Follet’s smile was a little tight.
“It is not that, Lord Yeatman,” he said, speaking with great consideration as though every word had to be chosen carefully. “You may not be aware of this, but my daughter has other gentlemen who are interested in her company. I would not want to presume on her behalf.”
Frederick’s chest tightened.
“I… I was not aware of that.” Searching his mind for who these other gentlemen might be, Frederick found himself struggling to come up with even one single name. “Then I shall, of course, leave you to speak with Miss Fairley. I do hope that her answer will be a positive one, however.” Getting to his feet, he shook Lord Follet’s hand. “I admire Miss Fairley a great deal, Lord Follet. Ever since we sat together at Lord Pleasance’s dinner, I have found myself quite captivated with her. Thank you again for your time in listening to my request.” He released Lord Follet’s hand. “Good evening.” A slightly strangled sound came from Lord Follet’s mouth, causing Frederick to pause. Lord Follet’s eyes had rounded, and he did not appear to be able to speak, though he was shaking his head and blinking rapidly. “Are you quite all right?” Frederick turned back from the door. “Lord Follet?”
“You…” Lord Follet shook his head and then coughed. “Forgive me, Lord Yeatman. Am I to understand that you are eager to court my younger daughter, MissEmmaFairley?”
Frederick nodded slowly, realizing now that Lord Follet had thought him to be interested in the elder daughter.
“Yes, Lord Follet. Forgive me if I had not made that clear. I have been spending a good deal of time with your younger daughter and I would, therefore, be eager to court her.”
Lord Follet stared at him and then, much to Frederick’s surprise, began to laugh. He laughed so hard that he began to wheeze, and Frederick worried he would have to soon ring the bell and call for some assistance. Eventually, however,the gentleman managed to contain himself and, to Frederick’s astonishment, slapped one hand on Frederick’s shoulder.
“My dear sir, if you had said from the beginning that it was Emma you wished to pursue, I should have taken you by the hands and danced a jig!” Lord Follet exclaimed, a clear delight in his expression. “Yes, of course, you may court her.”
Frederick swallowed hard, finding his frustrations beginning to rise given how differently this gentleman treated his two daughters.
“I thank you,” he managed to say, though he was not able to force a smile. “That is very much appreciated.”
“Of course, you are aware that she can often cause you embarrassment?” Lord Follet asked, dropping his hand from Frederick’s shoulder. “You will have seen it by now.”
His back stiffened and it took all of Frederick’s strength not to respond with a sharpness which would cut through Lord Follet’s smile.
“I have not seen anything which concerns me,” he said, firmly. “Thank you again, Lord Follet. If I may, I shall take my leave and go in search of your daughter.”
“But of course!” Lord Follet seemed almost jubilant now, accompanying Frederick to the door and opening it for him as though he were ushering out a very special guest. “I ought to be the one thankingyou, Lord Yeatman! You have truly made my heart happy.”
Frederick murmured something incomprehensible and quickly took his leave, finding himself caught between relief and frustration. Lord Follet had not stated that he would have to ask his daughter about her opinion on the matter before accepting him, as he had done for his elder daughter. Instead, he had practically thrown Miss Fairley into Frederick’s arms, and had she been present, Frederick was quite certain that was what would have happened.
It does not matter,he told himself firmly, making his way to the drawing room.All that matters is that I have Lord Follet’s agreement. Now all I need is Miss Fairley’s acceptance.
Chapter Fifteen
