Chapter 8

Lord Pleasance shook Frederick’s hand firmly.

“Thank you again for the introduction to the younger Miss Fairley this afternoon, my friend.”

“But of course,” Frederick replied with a smile as Lady Pleasance nodded in agreement. “I am glad that she is able to attend now, with her family.”

“As am I. I did not even know that she existed!” Lady Pleasance said as she glanced at her husband. “It was rather odd that she was not introduced, and that her parents did not make mention of her.”

Lord Pleasance’s expression grew dark for a moment.

“I have been considering that, my dear, and it seems to me that her parents were quite contented to leave her presence unknown, which I do not like.”

Frederick winced, his thoughts much in agreement.

“Yes, I would agree that this was what they intended to do. You may not know this, but the younger Miss Fairley has been pushed into being a wallflower.” Keeping his voice low, he glanced around the room, not wanting any of the other guests to overhear him. “I will not go into details, but needless to say, she is rather distressed that such a thing has taken place. I believe that this incident upset her further.”

“Then I am all the more grateful to you for your introduction to the lady,” Lady Pleasance exclaimed, though she closed her eyes for a moment and thereafter, kept her voice a little lower. “How dreadful that one’s parents would deliberately ignore one. I cannot imagine the pain.”

“There does not seem to be any reason for her to be a wallflower,” Lord Pleasance remarked, rubbing one hand over his chin. “Unless there is some scandal which we are unaware of?”

Frederick shook his head.

“I do not think that there is.” Remembering the deep pain which had evidenced itself both in her eyes and in her expression, which had caught at him, he frowned. “She stated that she had done nothing wrong.”

“Many a young lady could say that, though I am only playing the devil’s advocate with my statements,” Lady Pleasance said, quietly. “I am much more inclined to believe the lady’s words, given how much she has endured.”

Smiling briefly, Frederick spread out his hands on either side.

“I am sure that we would have heard of a scandal, had there been something significant. What she said to me – speaking rather truthfully, I might add – was that her parents had decided that she was to be a wallflower. That does not speak of scandal.”

“It might not be a scandal, but it might be something significant,” Lady Pleasance said, frowning, “and it might explain why she has been ignored by her parents. Though,” she continued, looking at her husband, “now that I have said it, I am sure that something would have been said before now. I am not one inclined towards listening to gossip, though it comes to me regardless! I am sure that I would have heard something by now.”

Frederick nodded quickly.

“I shall discover the truth,” he found himself saying. “I did say to Miss Fairley that I would look forward to continuing our conversation this evening.”

“I should like to be her ally,” Lady Pleasance said, reaching out one hand to catch Frederick so that he could not leave without hearing her. “The questions and suggestions I have spoken just now are only intended to challenge our thinking, though I do very much hope that there is nothing untoward there.”

“I quite understand and, of course, should she give me permission, then I shall be glad to tell you,” Frederick promised. “But I shall go and find the lady now and take my opportunity to speak with her.”

“Capital.” Lord Pleasance smiled, only to pause as his wife leaned closer, murmuring something in his ear. That smile grew as Frederick watched, seeing his friend nod and then reach to pat his wife’s hand. “An excellent suggestion,” he said, softly, before looking back to Frederick. “Do not let us hold you back, my friend. Go. Speak with Miss Fairley and let us hope that you soon find the truth.”

“Oh.”Frederick blinked, then smiled to himself as he stood behind his chair at the dining table, realizing now what Lady Pleasance had whispered into the ear of Lord Pleasance. He was to be seated beside Miss Fairley and that, he was sure, had not been the intention when he had first set foot into Lord Pleasance’s house. His smile grew as Miss Fairley glanced at him, though her expression was still rather reserved.

“Good evening, Miss Fairley,” he said, seeing her glance at him again. “How excellent it is to be seated with you this evening.” Her eyebrows lifted. “I do mean it,” he said, waiting until everyone had gathered at the table before assisting her with her chair as she sat, and then taking his seat himself. “You have told me quite plainly that you are a wallflower, Miss Fairley, but that does not mean that I shall treat you as one.”

Her eyes flared.

“You do not know me, Lord Yeatman.”

“And yet I think it quite unfair for society to treat young ladies in a particular fashion simply because they have been told that they must stay at the side of the room for some inexplicable or unknowable reason.”

“Goodness, Lord Yeatman,” came the reply, as the soup was served. “There are very few gentlemen who would speak in such a way. I think that you will find yourself in the minority there.”

“But did you not tell me that you are doing what you can to force society to recognize you?” The conversation flowed around them without anyone making any sort of attempt to speak to Miss Fairley. That was to their advantage, he considered, for no other guest would be inclined to listen to their conversation or seek to interrupt it – though it was not something that Miss Fairley herself would appreciate, he was sure. She nodded, turning her attention to the soup though she continued to glance at him. “Have you had any sort of success in that?”

Miss Fairley looked at him again.

“We have only just begun, though from our first endeavors, it has not been at all positive.” Her eyes darted away again, her shoulders rounding a little. “Most looked at us with disgust or astonishment and no one looked at all pleased.”

“But were you pleased?”

This time when she looked at him, there was a small smile on her lips which pushed up either side – but only a little.

“I found myself pleased that we were doing something, yes,” she agreed, still speaking quietly. “It was Miss Bosworth’s influence, for she was the one who stated that she did not want to do as society expected. It was because of her that we stepped out as we did.”

“I am sure that your confidence will grow, the more that you do so,” Frederick replied, finding himself warming to the lady a good deal. “It must seem very difficult at the present moment, but there will be those in society who will be interested in your company, I am sure. Myself included.”

Miss Fairley’s smile grew.

“You are very kind, Lord Yeatman, though I confess I must wonder why?”

“Why?”

She nodded.

“Why is it that you show such kindness? Every other member of the ton is determined to ignore wallflowers and yet, you do not.”

Frederick considered, finding a slight flush of heat creeping up his neck and into his face. What was he to say? That, for whatever reason, she had caught his attention and the situation she found herself in had filled him with sympathy?

“It is because of our chance meeting, Miss Fairley, that is all,” he said, realizing that this was not a very clear answer to her question. “As I have told you, I am not one who is inclined towards company very often. I am very careful as to my friends and acquaintances, though I believe that I have been a little too cautious of late! After our meeting, I found myself wondering about wallflowers and what it was that placed them there… and realizing what had happened to you, as regards this very dinner, I found myself desirous to show you a little kindness, Miss Fairley, that is all.”

Wondering if he had said too much, given the way her cheeks flushed, Frederick turned his attention to his soup and began to eat, realizing too late that almost every other guest had finished their first course and that he had not even brought a spoonful to his mouth. He ate in silence and Miss Fairley said nothing, setting her spoon down and then placing her hands in her lap, waiting for the other guests to be finished.

The soup plates were removed, the second course was served and still, Miss Fairley said nothing. Frederick’s heart began to beat a little more quickly, his face now rather hot as he fought to know what he ought to say next. Miss Fairley had not asked him any more questions, nor had she responded to his statement, and now there was a growing tension and awkwardness that he could not seem to fight free from. Swallowing hard, he pressed his lips together and glanced at her again, only to see her catch his eye.

“That is appreciated, Lord Yeatman.” Miss Fairley finally smiled, though her hazel eyes swirled with something that he could not quite make out. “It is very difficult being a wallflower when one has done nothing to deserve such censure. To have – oh!”

At the very moment she spoke, the footman who was serving the second course to her, seemed to sway or stumble, for the plate half-fell, half-dropped onto the table, and sent the cutlery rattling. The meat that the host had carved and then placed onto Miss Fairley’s plate sent its juices splattering across the table and then onto the table, making every other guest turn to look at Miss Fairley.

“Oh, I am so dreadfully sorry!” Before Frederick knew what he was doing, he had risen to his feet and then handed Miss Fairley his napkin. “I should not have gesticulated so wildly! My deepest apologies.” Lifting his gaze, he looked at every other guest in turn, catching the way that Lord and Lady Follet frowned in the direction of their daughter. “I am terribly sorry, Lord Pleasance. I did not mean to interrupt nor cause this dreadful situation.”

“It is quite all right.”

Lord Pleasance gave him a nod and Frederick, hoping that his friend could understand that there was something more to this situation, nodded back before taking his seat. The footman was deeply apologetic also, but Lord Pleasance not only reassured him but then spoke to Miss Fairley, who smiled and assured him that she was quite all right. The dinner resumed, the conversation began to flow again and Frederick, letting out a slow breath of relief that he had managed to take the attention away from Miss Fairley, picked up his cutlery to begin the second course.

“You did not have to do that for me, Lord Yeatman.”

Frederick looked at her.

“I am aware that I did not, Miss Fairley, but I did not want you to be unnecessarily embarrassed.”

She held his gaze for a long moment, clearly considering what he had said and what that meant.

“Your kindness is unsurpassed, Lord Yeatman. I think…” She frowned and then looked away. “There is more to your action than you can know and, for that, I am deeply appreciative.”

Not understanding what she meant, but choosing not to question her at that moment, given all that had just taken place, Frederick simply smiled and then returned his attention to the dinner. His smile began to fade away as he let himself consider what had just happened. What had caused the footman to stumble in that way? Miss Fairley had done nothing, for she had not moved nor gestured nor done anything to startle the footman – so why had the plate fallen from his hand in such a way? It was all very strange indeed.