“That would be wonderful.”
“Tomorrow?” Lord Yeatman looked at Lady Follet. “Would tomorrow afternoon suit?”
“But of course!” Lady Follet exclaimed before Emma could answer. “Tomorrow afternoon would suit very well. I can take Emma in the carriage and will make sure to stay a distance away though she will still be properly chaperoned.”
Lord Yeatman smiled.
“But of course. I am looking forward to enjoying that ice with you, Miss Fairley.”
Wishing she could express just how happy she was about their expected outing, Emma offered him a smile and then let out a small, contented sigh.
“As am I, Lord Yeatman. It cannot come soon enough.”
Chapter Sixteen
Frederick walked, arm in arm with Miss Fairley, finding himself filled with nothing but delight. The way that she had accepted his offer of courtship without hesitation had thrilled him entirely and now, as he looked down at her, taking in her copper curls, the gentleness of her hazel eyes, and the light smile on her soft lips, he found his heart swelling with a tender affection.
It was all quite wonderful.
“That ice was delicious.” Miss Fairley let out a small sigh of happiness and then smiled at him as they walked together along the London street, taking in the carriages that went by and nodding to one or two others who walked past them. “I very much enjoyed our conversation also.”
Frederick smiled at her.
“It was nice to talk about things other than your current difficulties,” he agreed, as her cheeks warmed just a little, though her eyes still held fast to his. “I was delighted to hear of your love for poetry and riding. Mayhap one day, we might go for a ride together?”
“I should like that.”
With a nod, Frederick looked back at the road ahead, finding his heart beating rather quickly at the thought of being out for a ride with Miss Fairley. He could already imagine her her eyes flashing with laughter and excitement, her cheeks flushed by the wind, her curls dancing in the breeze.
“Oh, look.” Miss Fairley’s voice softened. “There is Lord Wellbridge, talking with Lord and Lady Pleasance. He was very considerate yesterday, was he not?”
Frederick cleared his throat, finding his stomach tightening just a little at the sight of the gentleman. While Lord Wellbridgehadbeen considerate at yesterday’s meeting, he had begun to wonder at a couple of things that Lord Wellbridge had said. It had not been any sort of truly troubling thing, but only a word or two that had made Frederick’s ears prick up. Thereafter, he had found himself considering them and wondering at them, though he had set that all aside for his time with Miss Fairley.
“Lord Yeatman?”
Frederick looked at her, realizing that she was waiting for him to respond.
“Forgive me, I was lost in my own thoughts,” he said, smiling quickly to reassure her. “Yes, he wasveryconsiderate. Though I was sorry to see that your sister appeared to be a little disappointed in his departure.”
Miss Fairley sighed heavily.
“Yes, that is quite true. Martha has been captivated by Lord Wellbridge for some time, though he appears to be interested in her company also. That being said, as I may have said already, he has not yet offered to court her.” Her expression darkened a little, her eyes pulling from his, her lips flattening. “That is something which she is struggling with, I fear.”
“And you think that she ought to consider someone else?”
Looking up at him, Miss Fairley hesitated, then shook her head.
“I do not know. It is hard for me to say, for my sister and I are not dear friends and thus, we have never spoken of such things. That being said,” she continued, “even though we have not spoken of it, I personally do not like that Lord Wellbridge does not make any further steps in continuing with an intimacy with my sister. If he wishes to court her, then he should take steps to do that. Otherwise, she will continue to pine for him and hope that such a thing will soon take place, and thus might miss the opportunity to findanotheramiable gentleman to court her.”
Frederick’s heart softened all the more as he listened to Miss Fairley. She was speaking with great sympathy and understanding for her sister, even though she was not close to her.
“That must be difficult for your sister.”
“I think that it is.” Miss Fairley sighed again. “She does not speak very kindly to me at times, but I am doing my best to believe that it comes from a place of both disappointment and hope: disappointment that Lord Wellbridge has not yet come to court her but also hope that he soon will do so.”
“I understand.” Frederick was about to continue to say more, wanting to ask another question or two, only for Lord Wellbridge to turn, see them, and immediately hurry towards them. On seeing them, Lord and Lady Pleasance came to join them also – something which Frederick was profoundly grateful for. After yesterday’s conversation and visit, he found himself a little uncertain about Lord Wellbridge and his motivations.
“Good afternoon!” Lord Wellbridge beamed and inclined his head, looking first at Miss Fairley and then glancing at Frederick. “How very fortunate to meet you both this afternoon. I presume that you are out walking together? Ah, yes, I can see your mother a little distance away, Miss Fairley.” He gave no opportunity for either Frederick or Miss Fairley to speak, continuing without hesitation. “It is a fine day for a walk, is itnot? I thought to come out for a brief stroll, hoping that I should find excellent company. And see now, I have done so!”
