“Your mother is a good woman,” Anette murmured.
“The best of mothers,” Lord Roswell responded. “But we are here tonight to celebrate Emilia. It is her ball, after all.”
Anette brought a smile to her lips. “You are right, of course,” she said. “Come, I wish to introduce you to someone.”
Fredrick’s voice came from behind her. “Do I not get to congratulate Emilia on a job well done?” he asked.
Emilia turned towards Fredrick, her heart skipping a beat at his presence. “Hello,” she greeted.
“Hello,” he replied, his eyes holding approval as he perused the length of her. “You look lovely this evening.”
She held out the sides of her skirts. “It is the dress,” she said, a modest smile gracing her lips.
“Although the dress is indeed lovely, that is not the reason why everyone is staring at you this evening,” Fredrick responded, a subtle intensity in his gaze.
Emilia felt a blush forming on her cheeks. “You are most kind, my lord.”
Fredrick leaned closer, his tone teasing. “I see that you have finally learned how to take a compliment.”
“I learned from the best,” she replied as she held his gaze.
Anette stepped closer to them, drawing their attention. “Perhaps we should remove ourselves from the dance floor before the next set begins.”
“That is a wonderful idea,” Fredrick said, holding out his arm to Emilia. “Would you care for a glass of lemonade?”
“Yes, please,” Emilia replied as she placed her hand on his sleeve.
As Fredrick led her off the dance floor, Emilia couldn’t escape the scrutiny of the crowd. A blend of critical and curious glances followed her every step. Some of the young women tried to catch Fredrick’s attention, batting their eyelashes and offering coy smiles, but his focus remained on Emilia.
“I wish everyone would stop staring at us,” Emilia whispered.
Fredrick offered her a reassuring smile. “I have learned to just ignore it.”
“How are you able to do so?”
Fredrick’s smile widened. “I do not care as deeply as you do when it comes to what people think of me.”
“That is because you are an heir to a marquessate,” Emilia remarked.
They found a spot near the refreshment table, and Fredrick reached for a glass of lemonade, extending it to Emilia.
“Thank you,” she acknowledged.
Fredrick picked up another glass for himself. “Are you at least enjoying yourself?”
“I am.” Her gaze swept over the elaborately decorated ballroom. “It just seems so unbelievable that this is my life now.”
“You will get used to it,” Fredrick assured her.
“I hope not,” Emilia admitted. “I want to savor every moment, to never let this extraordinary life become ordinary.”
Fredrick took a sip of his drink before saying, “I’m afraid it is a life that I have taken for granted far too often.”
“That is because you were born into it. You know no different, and I could never fault you for that,” Emilia responded.
A movement in the crowd caught Emilia’s attention and she saw Clarissa hastily making her way towards the doors leading to the veranda.
Fredrick followed her gaze. “What do you suppose has Clarissa so upset?”
