“Well done, my love biscuit,” Anette teased.
Love biscuit? Emilia turned her questioning gaze towards Fredrick, but he just shrugged it off. First a pet peacock and now an unusual token of affection. She was beginning to wonder if the wealthy had too much time on their hands.
As the footmen came around and collected their bowls, Fredrick turned towards her and asked, “Have you started to receive any invitations to social events?”
“Not yet,” Emilia replied.
Reaching for her glass, Anette said, “I wouldn’t give it much heed. Once you have had your ball, everyone will be vying for your attention.”
Emilia watched as a footman placed a tray full of venison onto the center of the table. Fredrick rose and started serving the meat to them.
Once Fredrick returned to his seat, Emilia picked up her fork and knife and shared, “Between the planning of the boarding school and the ball, I intend to be rather busy for the next few days.”
“What boarding school?” Anette asked.
“My father had planned on opening a boarding school in the rookeries to honor my mother but it was delayed by his death,” Emilia replied. “I intend to move forward with the project.”
Anette exchanged a concerned look with Lord Roswell. “Do you think that is wise?” she asked. “It is a noble feat, but you have just entered high Society. I worry that people might think less of you for embarking on such an undertaking.”
Emilia bobbed her head. “I would rather do what my conscience dictates than earn the approval of theton.”
Fredrick surprised her by saying, “I think it is a grand idea.”
“You do?” Emilia asked.
“Just think of how you will impact those girls’ lives that attend your boarding school,” Fredrick replied. “It is admirable and should deserve our praise.”
Emilia sat up straighter in her seat, feeling touched that Fredrick was so approving of her idea.
Anette waved her fork in front of her. “My apologies. I do not wish to be a naysayer. Of course I shall support this endeavor.”
“Thank you,” Emilia responded. “Right now, we are working on hiring more teachers. Until then, I will be teaching the girls embroidery.”
“I take back my support,” Anette said. “You can’t be in earnest. I understand that you want your boarding school to succeed, but you can’t go back to being a teacher.”
Lord Roswell leaned closer to his wife. “You aren’t being very supportive, my dear.”
“I just want Emilia to understand that there will be consequences to her actions. Genteel women do not go into the rookeries, for any reason,” Anette stated.
“I do believe you visited the rookeries once,” Lord Roswell remarked.
Anette rolled her eyes. “That was through no fault of my own. I was abducted.”
With wide eyes, Emilia asked, “You were abducted?”
“Yes, but it was ages ago,” Anette said dismissively. “I was able to free myself and save the day. End of story.”
Lord Roswell chuckled. “I recall the events rather differently.”
“Regardless, we are focusing on Miss Sutherland now,” Anette stated. “I am just afraid for her reputation once thetonfinds out.”
“Thetonis always going to find a way to criticize others. Why not let Emilia make a contribution to Society, however small?” Fredrick asked.
Anette put her hands up in defeat. “I can see that I am outnumbered and Imightbe wrong.”
“That must have been very difficult for you to admit,” Lord Roswell teased.
“It doesn’t happen very often,” Anette bantered back.
