Emilia knew her friend had a point. She didn’t want a headmistress like Mrs. Allston. “I would prefer a headmistress who is kind to the girls and the staff.”
“I shall convey your wishes to Mrs. Anderson,” Mr. Rymer said. “I should note that her interview impressed your father, and he was not an easy man to win over.”
“Well, that does give me hope,” Emilia responded.
Mr. Rymer said his goodbyes. He had just departed when Dalby stepped back into the room and announced, “Lady Roswell Westlake has come to call, Miss. Shall I send her in?”
Emilia perked up. “Yes, thank you.”
A moment later, Anette entered the study with a broad smile on her lips. “I have the most wonderful news…” Her voice trailed off when her eyes landed on Lily. “Oh, hello. I didn’t realize you had company.”
Gesturing towards Lily, Emilia said, “Lily is my lady’s maid and my part-time companion.”
“Interesting,” Anette acknowledged. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Lily.”
Lily dropped into a curtsy. “My lady.”
Anette turned her attention back towards Emilia. “As I was saying, I have the most wonderful news. I was able to secure you a spot at the well-attended, highly coveted soiree at Lady Shorne’s townhouse, and it is tonight.”
“How were you able to do that?” Emilia asked.
A mischievous glint came into Anette’s eyes. “How I did it is not important. It is more important that I did do it.”
Emilia was still skeptical. “Do they even want me there?”
“They don’tnotwant you there,” Anette replied. “Frankly, it would make the night much more interesting if you came.”
With a furrowed brow, Emilia asked, “Do you think I am ready to go out in public?”
“You need to be seen in public as often as possible,” Anette replied. “The soiree tonight will be a good start.”
“You don’t intend to tell me how you got the invite for me, do you?”
Anette waved her hand in front of her. “I may have learned some information about Lord Shorne and I used that information to leverage an invitation for you.”
In a hesitant voice, Emilia asked, “Are you referring to blackmail?”
“Perhaps, but that is a harsh way to look at it,” Anette replied. “I like to think that what I did was give Lady Shorne a gentle push in the right direction.”
Emilia didn’t quite know what to think about Anette. Did she dare go to the soiree, knowing she wasn’t truly invited- or wanted- there?
Anette came to sit down next to her. “I can tell you are conflicted about going, but you must go to the soiree. Once you get your foot in the door, you will start receiving invitations to social events on your own,” she said.
“What if I don’t make a good first impression this evening?” Emilia asked.
“That is not an option. You must show up, smile and prove to thetonthat you do belong there,” Anette said. “If you believe it, so will they.”
“And if I get the cut direct?”
“No one will dare give you the cut direct when you enter the soiree on Fredrick’s arm,” Anette said. “To do so would be a great insult to one of the most powerful families in England.”
Emilia started fidgeting with her hands in her lap. “And Lord Chatsworth agreed to this?”
“Not yet, but he will,” Anette rushed to assure her. “Please say that you will come. We shall have such fun.”
She lowered her gaze, grappling with the storm of emotions surging within her. The prospect of stepping into high Society, where every eye would be fixed on her, silently assessing her every move, filled her with terror.
On the other hand, there was Lord Chatsworth, in whom she placed her trust. He wouldn’t abandon her. He would protect her. She was sure of that. For a man she hardly knew, she had immense faith in his character.
