Page 20 of The Ungainly Wallflower
Emma blinked in surprise, a sudden thrill rushing up her spine as she glanced at Miss Simmons, seeing nothing but sheer joy in her friend’s expression.
“You… you wish to dance with us?”
Lord Yeatman nodded.
“Yes, I do. Would you like to step out with me?”
Before Emma could respond, Miss Simmons had practically thrown her dance card to Lord Yeatman, leaving Emma to follow suit. When she handed it to him, the smile on his face sent another rush of delight into her heart and she could not prevent the bright smile which spread across her face as he took it from her. This was the first time that she was to dance with anygentleman in weeks and the thought of being in his arms was a somewhat thrilling one.
her feelings were immediately dampened by the recollection of what had occurred previously when she had danced with other gentlemen. She had tripped and slipped and fallen and knocked into other couples. What if that were to happen again?
“Shall we say the cotillion, Miss Simmons?” Lord Yeatman handed the dance card back to the lady and then looked at Emma. “Do you have any preference, Miss Fairley?”
Emma swallowed tightly, pressing her lips flat for a moment.
“I – I should tell you that the last time I danced with a gentleman, there was something of a commotion thereafter.” Recalling that Lord Gibson was friends with Lord Yeatman, Emma closed her eyes for a moment in embarrassment. “Which you are already aware of, I know.”
“I have no concerns and certainly no fear,” he told her, looking down at her dance card. “The country dance, mayhap? Or the waltz?”
Emma’s eyes shot to his.
“The waltz?” The words came out a little strangled, her heart slamming hard into her chest as he nodded. “You wish to dance the waltz with me?”
“Why should I not?”
Miss Simmons caught her breath and Emma, aware of the heat rippling up her face, managed to nod.
“That would be very kind of you, Lord Yeatman. I do not think that I have had opportunity to step out into the waltz as yet.”
“Then I shall be delighted to take it.” Still smiling, he wrote his initials down on her dance card and then handed it back to her. “I look forward to dancing with you both.” With another nod, he stepped back. “I shall permit you to escape mycompany for a short while, at least. Until later this evening, Miss Simmons, Miss Fairley.”
It was in something of a daze that Emma found herself being led forward, barely able to take in what had happened. Miss Simmons was saying something in hushed and excited tones, but Emma could barely hear her. Lord Yeatman was, she knew, a kind gentleman, but taking the waltz from her seemed to be a little more than a kindness. Was there a flicker of interest there? Or was she reading more into this situation than there really was?
“You must be so very excited!”
Emma blinked furiously, trying to steel herself as she looked to Miss Simmons.
“Excited?”
Her friend nodded eagerly.
“The waltz? The waltz with Lord Yeatman? That is wonderful!”
“Any kind of dance is wonderful,” Emma replied, doing her utmost not to concentrate on the kind of dance he had chosen for her. “To be given any sort of attention is very generous indeed.”
“But thewaltz!” Miss Simmons exclaimed, pulling Emma closer. “That gentleman might have something of a consideration for you, Emma!”
Sensing a flare of hope rising in her heart, Emma quickly dismissed the idea before it could take root.
“No, I do not believe that,” she stated, firmly. “I am not particularly well acquainted with Lord Yeatman as yet, but what Idoknow of him is that he is very generous, considerate, and unwilling to permit society to dictate how he must act. That is all this is. A generous act which is meant only as an encouragement to me.”
Miss Simmons tossed her head, though a smile still lingered on her face.
“I believe it is more than that,” she said, making Emma smile regardless of her attempts to hide that from her friend. “Just think of it! A waltz with a gentleman! How exciting that is going to be.”
“So long as I do not trip and fall,” Emma replied, a little ruefully, “or tread on his toes or knock into another couple.”
“Nothing like that will take place,” Miss Simmons stated without even a second of hesitation. “It is going to be a wonderful dance, I am sure of it.”
