Page 17 of The Ungainly Wallflower
“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 LordPleasance’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 wereyoupleased?”
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 thetonis 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 littletoocautious 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.
