“It is the lesser of two evils, I suppose. My father has suggested a potential match with a cousin of his who is almost of an age with my father himself! If I do not do as he has asked this Season, then that is what will be waiting for me… either that or spinsterhood, forced upon me by my parents.” Tears burned behind her eyes, and she dropped her shoulders heavily. “So, it seems as though I shall be a wallflower for this Season at least. Though I am most grateful for your welcome,” she finished, managing to look at them both again. “Thank you, Miss Simmons, Lady Frederica.”
“But of course.” Lady Frederica smiled and lifted her shoulders in a half shrug. “You are not alone here, at least. That is something which is a little encouragement, I hope.”
“It is.” Emma forced a smile and tried to push aside the heavy sadness which clung to her soul. “With you both, I am sure that I will not find the Season lonely, at least, and that is a good thing indeed.”
Chapter Four
Frederick Marsham, Viscount Yeatman, cleared his throat, lifted his chin, and walked into the ballroom. He did not like the fact that there was a tight tension within his stomach, but it was the first time he had set foot into any sort of social occasion since his arrival in London. It was not that he feared not knowing anyone present, but more that he did not want to be swamped by acquaintances all wishing to speak with him. He preferred to look around the room, amble around it slowly, and thereafter, begin conversations with friends or acquaintances. Having too many people to deal with at once only brought on a headache.
Clasping his hands behind his back, he nodded to one or two people and then turned sharply, making his way to the edge of the room rather than making for the center, where so many others would be. Those within theton, on the whole, sought to keep company with as many others as possible, and would seek to be seen and to be noticed by others, whereas Frederick was quite the opposite. Large crowds did not interest him.
“You are not going to hide away already, are you?” Frederick turned sharply, wondering at the interruption, only to see Lord Pleasance grinning at him. “Lord Gibson pointed you outthe moment you stepped into the room,” his old friend said, reaching out to shake Frederick’s hand as Frederick beamed in delight at seeing him. “We are both very well aware of your dislike of large crowds, however, so when he stated that you would be hiding, you cannot imagine our mirth when we saw you attempt to do precisely that!”
“I am not hiding,” Frederick laughed, rolling his eyes. “But I am not seeking out company yet, that is all.”
Lord Pleasance chuckled.
“Still a little cautious, are we?”
“Not cautious but careful, yes,” Frederick agreed, quietly, shrugging lightly. “There are too many rogues and charlatans and I only have one reputation.”
“Very true.” Tilting his head, Lord Pleasance studied Frederick for a moment. “What if we were to invite you to dinner? My wife hopes to throw a society dinner very soon, and I can assure you that it will be only the very best of people invited.”
“I should be honored!” Frederick exclaimed, having no desire for his friend to think thathewould be shunned just because of Frederick’s cautiousness. “There is nothing that would prevent me from attending, I assure you.”
“Wonderful.” Lord Pleasance gestured back to where Lord Gibson was standing. “Now, do you wish to come and talk with us? Or are you to walk around the room a little more first?”
“I should like to walk, I think, but I will come back to you.” Frederick smiled, his friend nodding in clear understanding of what it was that Frederick desired to do. “Thank you, Lord Pleasance.”
“But of course.”
Frederick turned and continued to walk at the edge of the room, taking slow steps and taking everything in. There were young ladies gathered together, with mothers and chaperonesstanding nearby. He saw gentlemen glancing towards certain groups of ladies, then talking together and laughing – though some of the looks on their faces were not at all pleasant, which made Frederick frown. Thereafter, there were other gentlemen and ladies talking together, walking towards the center of the ballroom where they were about to dance.
Dance?Frederick considered for a moment, his steps so slow that he was barely ambling along.Should I like to dance this Season? It has been some time since I have done that, and I must wonder if I remember how to do it!
“Excuse me, sir!”
Frederick blinked rapidly, turning his head from where he had looked back at the dance floor and finding himself looking into the face of a young lady who was now a few steps back from him.
“I beg your pardon?”
“You almost walked into us,” said a second lady, her face set into a disgruntled expression.
Frederick frowned and then stepped back, lifting his hands in defense.
“I am so sorry. I did not realize.”
The two ladies stood together, and Frederick took them in, seeing how they glanced at each other and then frowned. Evidently, he had done them some great wrong, though he did not fully understand how. He had simply been distracted for a few moments.
“We are aware that we are hidden in the shadows, but we are still able to be seen, are we not?” The first lady spoke, looking at him with a slight tilt to her chin, her hazel eyes searching his face. “Wallflowers are still worthy of respect, sir.”
In that one moment, Frederick realized exactly what the problem was. He had walked into two young ladies, both of whom were wallflowers and, therefore, generally ignored bysociety. In doing as he had done, he had added pain to their already difficult situation.
“I am truly sorry,” he said, putting one hand to his heart. “I was distracted by watching the dancing.”
Again, the two ladies glanced at each other, though one of them shrugged lightly as though to say she did not think that there was anything more that they needed to say. The other, the second, gave a slight sniff.
“Very well,” she said, gesturing back to the dance floor. “Let us not keep you, sir.”
