Chapter 12

Icannot quite believe I am waiting for a young lady to walk in the Park with me.

Frederick let himself smile as he shook his head lightly. The desire to see Miss Fairley again, to speak a little more at length with her, had come about shortly after their discussion in the ballroom, and her agreement that he might seek to assist her in some way. The more he had considered it, the more pleasant a situation it appeared to be. Even though he had nothing further to say on the matter of her supposed clumsiness, even though there was no sudden change of which he had to speak, Frederick had found his desire for her company growing steadily. Thus, he had decided – much to his surprise – to take the trouble to call upon her and ask her to walk with him for, that way, he had decided, he would be able to be in her company and able to make free conversation, without any concern that they would be overheard. That was what he wanted. He wanted to be able to talk to the lady simply so that he might know her better and, though he did not fully understand his reasons for it, it was enough of a desire to push him forward into action. Thus, he had called upon her, the arrangement had been made and now he was standing at the entrance to the Park, waiting for her arrival.

“Good afternoon.”

Frederick turned around, his eyes narrowing as he caught the way a grin was edging up across Lord Gibson’s lips.

“Lord Gibson. Good afternoon.”

“Good afternoon,” his friend said again, one eyebrow lifting. “Might I ask if you are doing anything… in particular?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that you are standing by the entrance to the Park and looking as though you are expecting someone.”

Frederick chuckled, shaking one finger in Lord Gibson’s direction.

“Ah yes, you have found me out. I am waiting for Miss Fairley.”

Lord Gibson’s smile immediately fell away.

“Miss Fairley? The one who–”

“Yes, the one who spilled that tray of drinks,” Frederick confirmed, quickly. “But I do not think that it was her doing. However, I am simply walking with her through the Park, that is all.”

“Because you would like to spend more time in her company?”

Frederick considered this and, with a shrug, nodded.

“Yes, I suppose so. I should like to spend more time in her company.” Choosing not to say anything about her clumsiness and his own considerations in that regard, Frederick smiled as his friend’s eyes widened. “Why should you be as surprised as that?”

“Because you are not often inclined towards pursuing a friendship so quickly,” came the reply. “You are considered, you are cautious, and you are hesitant – and yet now I see you intending to go out walking with a young lady you cannot have known for more than a few weeks?”

Frederick considered this, tilting his head a little.

“I suppose that is true.”

“Then what is your explanation?”

With a shrug, Frederick turned away from his friend, hearing a carriage approaching.

“I have no explanation other than that I should simply like to be in Miss Fairley’s company for a time, that is all.”

Lord Gibson put one hand on Frederick’s shoulder.

“Well, do be cautious,” he said, as Frederick watched first Lady Follet and then Miss Fairley descend from the carriage, soon followed by her sister. “You may find yourself flat on the ground or terribly winded depending on what accident she brings about!”

Frederick scowled and went to tell Lord Gibson that he had no expectation of such a thing, only for his friend to laugh and then turn away, leaving him to stand alone and wait for Miss Fairley to come closer. Evidently, Miss Fairley’s mother and sister had come together to accompany her, though Frederick hoped that they would stay back from them so that he and Miss Fairley might speak in private.

“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 a very fine 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.

“It is a very fine day,” one of the other young ladies said, though Frederick could not quite recall her name. “Though I am a little surprised to see you without a parasol, Miss Fairley!”

Frederick looked quickly at Miss Emma Fairley, but she did not react in the least. It was then that he realized that the young lady had been speaking to the elder Miss Fairley, for she responded with a laugh and gave some response – but Frederick could not take his eyes from Miss Emma Fairley instead. She had not even flinched, had not even lifted her gaze to see if she was being spoken to. Instead, as a wallflower, she was well used to being ignored and, much to his sorrow, obviously expected it. How much he despised seeing the way that the ton ignored her! It was not as though she had been involved in any sort of scandal and ought, therefore, to be given the cut direct! She had done nothing worthy of their disapproval. His chest filled with a tight, hot anger, and Frederick let out a slow breath in an attempt to keep his features settled in this otherwise calm expression.

“Perhaps we should take our leave, Miss Fairley?” he suggested, turning a little more towards her, keeping his voice low. “What say you?”

The look of relief she gave him was more of an answer than she could have expressed with words. With a nod, Frederick began to turn away, murmuring a word of excuse, only for someone to speak his name.

“Lord Yeatman?”

Frederick turned back.

“Yes, Lady Sophia?” he asked, seeing the young lady’s eyes flick to Miss Fairley and then back towards him.

“You are leaving us?” she asked, her eyes still darting from him to Miss Fairley and then back again. “So soon?”

“Yes.” Seeing no reason not to be honest, Frederick smiled and lifted his chin. “I am enjoying my walk with Miss Fairley and though the conversation and company have been very enjoyable, I would much prefer to continue it. Do excuse us.”

“It is time for us to depart also,” Lady Pleasance added, throwing a quick smile at Frederick. “Do excuse us.”

Lady Sophia cleared her throat as most of the others in the group began to take their leave also, forcing Frederick’s attention back towards her.

“But are you not one of the wealthiest Viscounts in England?” she asked her question so astonishing Frederick that his eyes rounded and his whole body tensed. “Why, then, would you walk with a wallflower?”

The shock of that question sent a cold flurry rushing over Frederick’s frame and he shuddered violently, his mind whirring with all manner of thoughts. He could not quite believe that the lady had the audacity to ask such a thing, and his only relief was that so many of the gentlemen and ladies had already taken their leave - not many were left to hear her question. Lady Sophia, in her arrogance, merely lifted an eyebrow and offered him a tight smile.

Frederick’s heart exploded with anger, and he took a step closer.

“Lady Sophia, it is no one’s business who I walk with, nor should I expect anyone to comment on what I choose to do and who I choose to spend time with. I–”

What sounded like a stifled scream caught his attention and Frederick whirled around, hurrying forward only to see Miss Fairley picking herself up from the ground. He rushed to her, aiding her as she stood up straight, only to see tears begin to drip onto her cheeks.

“I am so ashamed,” she whispered, her eyes closing as she leaned into him. “Forgive me, Lord Yeatman. I have embarrassed you.”