“Ido not knowwhyyou agreed to dance with Lord Wellbridge!”
Emma rolled her eyes as she, Martha, and their mother all sat quietly in the drawing room, waiting for Lord Wellbridge to call. He had written a short note earlier that day stating his intention to come to visit and, of course, Martha had done nothing but express hope and delight ever since.
“It was not as though I could have refused, to do so would have been unforgivably rude.”
“Yes, you could have refused him, and you ought to have done!” Martha railed, pinpricks of color in her cheeks. “It was foolishness to see a wallflower dancing with a gentleman.”
“You ought to have refused him,” Lady Follet agreed, quietly. “Though it all went well, at least. That is a good thing.”
“By that, you mean that Emma did not fall to her knees or trip over someone else,” Martha stated, a little coldly. “It cannot happen again, Emma. If Lord Wellbridge asks, then youmustrefuse him.”
Emma lifted her chin.
“Why must I?”
Martha’s eyes flared.
“Because–”
A slight rap at the door had them all straightening with Martha’s face holding an expression of anticipation rather than frustration. Lady Follet called for the butler to enter and though he did come in at once, he was followed by none other than Lord Yeatman, rather than the expected Lord Wellbridge.
Emma quickly got to her feet, finding her face growing warm as he smiled directly at her. She could not help but smile back at him, her happiness growing with every moment. Suddenly, all that her sister had said about Lord Wellbridge – and all that she had been about to say – disappeared from Emma’s thoughts completely.
“Lord Yeatman.” Lady Follet curtsied as Emma and Martha did the same. “Good afternoon. Please, do join us.”
“Thank you.” Lord Yeatman took the proffered seat and then smiled again at Emma. “Good afternoon, Miss Fairley. Might I say that you are looking exceptionally lovely this afternoon?”
Her heart beat a little more quickly and though she could tell she was blushing, she did not look away.
“I thank you. I–”
“Lord Wellbridge, my Lady.”
The butler, who had been told to permit Lord Wellbridge entry the very moment he arrived, interrupted Emma’s conversation and again, she rose to her feet and forced a smile as Lord Wellbridge came into the room. She curtsied, he bowed and greeted them all, though she caught the way his gaze lingered on Lord Yeatman.
“Again, it seems, we have come to call on the same young ladies, Lord Yeatman!” Lord Wellbridge exclaimed, coming to sit down as Lady Follet clicked her fingers to the butler, who quickly disappeared to have the tea tray brought in. “Forgivemy intrusion. I do hope that I have not interrupted your conversation or the like?”
Lord Yeatman tilted his head, though his gaze slid to Emma.
“We were only just beginning a conversation,” he said, with a smile. “It is nothing that cannot be continued.”
“Indeed, indeed,” Lord Wellbridge beamed, looking around at them all. “I have come to say just how wonderful the ball was last evening. I very much enjoyed dancing with you both.”
“It was awonderfuldance,” Martha sighed, as Emma kept her smile pinned to her features, wondering when she would be able to speak to Lord Yeatman again. “I do look forward to another dance, should you be so willing?”
Lord Wellbridge chuckled.
“I am certain I shall be, Miss Fairley,” he agreed, as the tea trays were brought in. “There was nothing remarkable about either dance now, was there?” His gaze went to Emma who started in surprise, realizing that he was speaking about her dance with him and how nothing of concern had happened. “That was something of a relief.”
Emma looked away, grateful when Martha got to her feet to serve the tea. Whether unwittingly or not, Lord Wellbridge had embarrassed her, and she did not want to acknowledge it in front of the others.
“Miss Fairley?”
She looked up, seeing Lord Yeatman’s eyes searching hers.
“I am quite all right,” she said softly, hoping that her sister’s serving of the tea would keep them from hearing her. “I am well.” Knowing that he understood and that he was concerned for her, she smiled as warmly as she could. “It is good to see you.”
“I have just come from speaking with your father.”
