Page 64 of Emma & Edmund

It was even less of a possibility that he was impeccably dressed for the party, from the perfectly pressed vest to his shoes that shined even in the limited light.

There was no time to decide if it truly was a trick of the mind, not when William had very well noticed her jaw on the floor. Not as he turned to look at whatever she could be looking so horrified at.

"No!" She could barely croak out, the single word tripping through her throat and over her tongue, effectively destroying her attempt at stopping this man of society from witnessing the otherworldly being now in their presence, stepping into the light spilling from the house.

"Ah! Who is this fellow?"

"What?" Emma couldn't stop herself from saying out loud, eyes darting between the still beaming Edmund now at the landing, still not having said a word but unmistakably him, and the curious - but not at all shocked - William Tate.

"Don’t tell me this is the famous Lord Lockhart," William sounded so hopeful, looking at the massive figure like the grand event just began. Emma wasn't certain what was happening, or why William didn't even seem to acknowledge Edmund's otherness. Shescreamedthe first time she saw him, for God's sake.

"I...I..." Emma stammered.

"Indeed, I am," Edmund finally spoke, meeting Emma's worried eyes with nothing but serenity, his voice both a comfort and a brand-new source of anxiety for Emma. If somehow William Tate had the worst vision at night, rendering him blind to Edmund's form, the unique rumble of his tone had to tip off the gentleman. But still, he did nothing but smile expectantly at Emma.

"Well Emma, do you plan to introduce us? It seems as if you know each other, somehow."

"Oh." The very last thing Emma wanted to do was introduce the two of them. She wanted to grab Edmund by the arm and drag him back into the safety of the woods. "I suppose I..."

"The girl seems a bit overwhelmed," William turned from her, facing Edmund fully before bowing his head politely, "William Tate, at your service sir."

"It's a pleasure," Edmund answered smoothly, offering a hand to shake, "welcome to my home."

"We've been around for a while now. Are you better?"

Emma couldn't look away from Edmund's face, thinking she had finally lost her mind. He looked just as she had left him before, with hardly a trace of humanity in his physical form, and yet, William acted as if he was any other man at the party.

"For the evening at least."

"Well let's not keep you all to ourselves, now. You've been the talk of the town; everyone will want to finally meet our gracious host. Miss Emma, we'll continue our talk later?"

"Al...all right," Emma could hardly remember what it was they were even talking about. "Lord Lockhart, can I speak with you for a moment?"

"Now, now Miss Thompson," William scolded, moving to return to the house. "Under all our noses, you have gotten to know the Lord of Belmont. Allow the same for the rest of his guests. Don't think you'll escape telling me the story, of course." William turned a merry face to Edmund, even as his words were laced with an unknown threat. "Let's finally introduce you to society."

With a flourish of his coattail, William waltzed ahead, loudly preparing the already lushed crowd for the arrival of a brand-new distraction.

Part of Emma was offended that the very man who had invited her to the balcony only minutes before abandoned her side without a second thought, but she was far too distracted by her current companion. Despite her answer-demanding glare, Edmund, without a word, offered her his arm.

"What in the world are you doing here?" Emma hissed, taking his offer all the same. She didn't have much time. With William preceding them, a wave of curious socialites was approaching with or without her permission.

"Trust me," he whispered back, folding a huge, gloved hand over hers on his elbow, dragging her on unwilling feet to the open French doors.

"You're going to get killed! Leave now while you can, I'll say you were suddenly sick again-"

"Everything is going to be all right," Edmund broke through again, his voice turning to a familiar purr in her ear. "I'll explain everything."

"Now is not the time for that tone," Emma pushed an elbow into Edmund's gut, only to have him laugh as if it were nothing more than a tickle, "Edmund, this is-"

"Lord Edmund Lockhart!"

Whatever Emma had planned, whatever hope she had in keeping Edmund from the party, completely crumbled as a cheer erupted. With it, crumbled any slim grasp Emma could say she had on reality.

It was one thing to accept that, somewhere in the woods, there lived a reclusive non-man who just so happened to be gentry. Bridging that truth with the fact the same woodland being was currently enveloped by a crowd that would shun a hair out of place was just a little too ridiculous.

"Lord Lockhart! Where have you-"

"Are you well-"

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