His Not So Sensible Miss (A Gentleman's Guide to Once Upon a Time - Book 3) (15 page)

Emily closed her book and set it on her
nightstand. This wasn’t a surprise actually. She had expected to be
forced to attend functions much sooner. At least she should be
grateful for the time she had been given. Now, how to proceed? No
doubt Dillon would be there. She would just have to learn to ignore
him, give him the cut direct, if necessary. Of course, she knew she
couldn’t, but it was a nice thought. On the bright side, in all
likelihood Taylor, Marius, Martin and Noah would be in attendance.
She could spend her time with Phoebe, Sabrina and Janine. Or
perhaps not. They were friends of Dillon. Drat, the man ruined
everything for her.

Somehow she must persevere. She
wouldn’t let him ruin these functions for her. She had already
granted him too much power over her actions and emotions. It needed
to stop and she would make it stop tonight. With one step at a
time, she would overcome her hurt and longing and just maybe
another gentleman would catch her interest and she his. It was a
plan. A weak plan, but a plan nonetheless. Oh, if only he was not
set on courting Claresta it would be so much easier.

* * *

Dillon didn’t know why he’d agreed to
attend this event except only to appease his mother. He would have
his one dance with Claresta, which insured peace for at least
another twenty-four hours, and then he would see if Noah was
interested in adjourning to Whites. Since his mother had made it
known what she expected from Dillon this season, mamas had become
more diligent in placing their daughters in his path. Of course
only those mothers who were married to an earl, marquis, viscount
or baron bothered. His mother had made it abundantly clear that she
expected someone of elevated status. The woman was an
embarrassment. At least it helped keep half the young ladies away,
but there were still too many wishing an introduction. It didn’t
matter that he wasn’t titled because he was heir to an impressive
fortune.. In fact, if he were correct in his information, a number
of the young ladies and the mamas pursuing him were in desperate
need of a financial boost. The situation was entirely too
uncomfortable for Dillon and if he could avoid it altogether, he
would. But first, he must do his duty and then he’d be free to
escape once more.

“
I wonder how Her Grace
managed it?” Noah muttered.

Dillon turned his eyes to the top of
the stairs where the duke and his family had just been announced.
Beside Claresta stood Emily in a gown of shimmering, rose silk. His
breath caught and for a moment his heart stopped before pounding
more forcefully anew. He had seen her dressed in gowns for visiting
and in her riding habit. Always she had looked lovely. Tonight,
however, she was absolutely breathtaking. Her hair had been
arranged away from her face and curled softly around her scalp. The
rose coloring brought out the pink glow of her skin, making her
appear almost blushed. Such a blush could lead a man to imagine all
sorts of things that could put such a blush to the lady’s skin. Her
lips were full and a deeper rose, begging to be kissed, by
him.

Never had he seen her this exposed
either. As with her riding habit, all of her day dresses covered
her bodice, shoulders and a good deal of her neck. This gown,
however, left her neck and shoulders bare, capping at the upper
arm. The cut was daring, at least from what he had seen Emily wear
previously. The bodice barely covered the swell of her bosom. While
he enjoyed the sight tremendously, he wasn’t sure he wanted others
to see her as exposed. It didn’t matter that she was dressed as all
other women in the room and a bit more modestly, she still revealed
too much in such a public venue.

The gown was gathered with a ribbon
under her breasts and fell airily to the floor. Only a hint of her
shape could be seen as the fabric moved against her body as she
descended the stairs. The moment she set foot into the ballroom,
all plans of leaving for Whites vanished. Dillon would remain as
long as Emily was here, and tonight he would use every means
available to get her alone.

* * *

Emily descended the stairs, praying she
didn’t fall because she wasn’t used to wearing heels. How did she
let Her Grace talk her into this? Surely she should have been able
to come up with an excuse. Her resolve to enjoy the evening flew
from her mind the minute the spied the assembled crowd below. As
the duke and his party were announced, most everyone turned in
their direction. She had no more business attending this ball than
the chambermaid. Why didn’t anyone understand that? Why didn’t her
guardian understand? She could feel a number of eyes on her. Some
of the people she recognized from musicals and luncheons. No doubt
they understood that she shouldn’t be here either. She could feel
one particular person watching her and fought to keep from looking
in his direction. She had found him in the crowd while they waited
to be announced. Noah stood beside him, as did the rest of his
friends. It was going to be a very long and difficult evening and
one she was sure to regret.

“
I would suggest you
approach Lady Claresta soon or she won’t have a dance left for
you,” Marius suggested.

Dillon turned to look at him oddly. Did
they actually believe it was Claresta he was courting? Did Marius
think he would give up that easily? His good friend chuckled and
turned his head. Even though he and Marius hadn’t spoken of Emily
since that night, he didn’t doubt Marius knew exactly what he was
up to.

Noah, however, also suspected the truth
for just that day he had came to visit, inquiring about his
intentions toward Emily and Claresta. Dillon had to be honest and
say he wasn’t sure any longer. Until he had a chance to actually
speak with Emily he could make no plans. Unfortunately, Emily
avoided him at every chance. Noah had seemed to accept his word and
turned their conversation to another topic.

“
I think I’ll join you,”
Noah stated. “I would like to speak with Emily and perhaps acquire
a dance of my own.”

Dillon followed, knowing he would
politely ask for a dance from Claresta, which would please his
mother. Yet, he had every intention of securing a waltz with
Emily.

* * *

A crowd of gentlemen were already
forming around the ladies . However, given their position and
respect in society, the young bucks parted like the Red Sea as the
two gentlemen approached.

Dillon was relieved that a waltz had
not been taken, though a number of other dances had been claimed
and he was about to put his name next to the supper dance when
Emily interrupted him.

“
I do not waltz, Mr.
Chambers.”

Dillon couldn’t help but look at her in
surprise. “Surely you jest. Everyone waltz’s.”

“
I am quite serious,” she
assured him.

“
Perhaps you have not
learned. I would be happy to teach you.” He smiled down at her. He
could envision teaching Emily to waltz, the missteps, which he
would catch her in, her body against his. Yes, the situation was
very promising indeed.

“
Oh, Emily has had three
dance masters and she is well versed in all the current dances,”
the duchess interrupted.

“
Three instructors?” Dillon
inquired.

“
Oh, it is not what you’re
thinking,” her Grace quickly explained. “I had hoped to present
Emily when she was seventeen and engaged a dance master, but she
didn’t have a season. His Grace again thought to convince her to
enter society when she was twenty and hired another dance master to
help her brush up. The last instance was when Claresta was
preparing for her debut. Emily joined in those lessons. I can
assure you Emily is most graceful.”

Dillon looked back at Emily, who
appeared to be mortified at the discussion about her and her
dancing skills. She looked equally irritated. “If you are so
graceful, which I never doubted for a moment, then you are in
agreement that there is nothing inappropriate about the
waltz?”

“
If one has been given
permission,” Emily explained.

He had not even considered that silly
rule. Of course Emily had not gone to Almacks, even though she
could have if she wished. This was the first ball she had even
attended. Quickly, he scanned the rest of her card, trying to
determine which dance would benefit him most and chose a country
dance to take place later in the evening.

“
Excuse me, Your Grace, but
might I have Emily for a moment,” Noah asked the older woman.
“Countess Lievin and Lady Cowper are but on the other side of the
room. With your permission, I shall introduce Emily myself and see
if we can’t gain permission as I had hoped for a waltz
myself.”

Dillon turned a glare on his friend.
Why hadn’t he thought of the perfect solution? Then again, Noah had
a title and carried more weight with the Patroness of Almacks, so
it was probably best if Noah took care of this small wrinkle in his
plans. Once the permission was secured, Dillon would claim the
desired dance.

“
Oh, I would be grateful,
Lord Felding. I would go myself but cannot leave Claresta
unattended. You understand.” Noah pulled Emily from the crowed. ““I
am so glad Lord Felding has taken this matter in hand.” Her Grace
announced once the two had moved away

“
He does seem to have a
certain amount of influence over her.” Claresta
observed.

“
It’s not influence. He
simply takes over,” Dillon grumbled as he watched the two get lost
in the crowd before turning back to Claresta. “Have you been given
permission, Lady Claresta.”

“
Yes, I have.” She held her
card out to him.

Dillon took the first waltz listed and
handed it back to her.

Her Grace seemed to grow concerned in
watching the exchange. “Claresta has advised me that you are not in
truth courting her, Mr. Chambers.” The statement was made quietly
so no one would be able to hear.

“
If I could explain,” Dillon
began. He didn’t want to anger Her Grace. Not with so much at
stake.

“
Claresta has explained well
enough. I am simply wondering if you have thought this
through.”

It wasn’t her daughter she was
concerned with but Emily, and she was going to protect her. The
unvoiced statement was very clear.

“
I have thought of little
else. Until Miss Frasier allows me a chance to speak with her, I
cannot do aught else.”

She nodded her head thoughtfully and
turned to her daughter. “Do you think it is wise to allow Mr.
Chambers so much of your time, and even a dance when there is no
courtship involved?”

Oh, Mother,” Claresta smiled brightly,
“it is exactly what I want.”

“
I’m not sure if I
understand.” The woman frowned at her daughter. Dillon wasn’t sure
he did either, but would find out the answer at a later time.
First, he needed to find out what kind of progress Emily had
made.

* * *

Emily did not want to meet the
Patronesses. She didn’t want to be given permission to waltz
because then she would have to participate in that wicked dance
with Dillon. He was the last person she needed to be in physical
contact with. Of course, she could always try and find a way to
fill the card before returning to him, if she was granted
permission that was.

“
Countess, Lady Cowper.”
Noah approached the two influential ladies. “I would be pleased to
present Miss Emily Frasier. She is new to London this season and
the ward of the Duke of Ellings.”

The ladies studied her as she made her
curtsey and Emily knew she had never been scrutinized so closely
before.

“
Lovely,” the countess
murmured. “Who was your family?”

“
My father was a Fellow at
Oxford.”

“
And your mother?” Lady
Cowper asked.

“
She was the daughter of
Vicar Hastings,” Emily obediently answered. The two women probably
wondered what had gotten into Noah to introduce her to
them.

“
A humble background I see,”
Countess Lievin commented.

“
Yes,” Emily
returned.

“
You are the ward of Duke
Ellings and your father was a gentleman. Why haven’t you been
presented to us before?” Lady Cowper asked.

“
I didn’t believe it was
appropriate, my lady.”

“
We would be better off if
more young ladies were graced with your humble attitude, Miss
Frasier. You are polite, respectful and lovely. I hold vicars in
high esteem and do not doubt that such an influence would only
enhance the moral character of a young lady such as yourself. I
dare say society needs stronger morals these days.” She sighed.
“Miss Frasier, I expect you to be in attendance on Wednesday
next.”

It was not a question, but a command
Emily would not disobey. “Thank you. I would be honored,” she
murmured. At least she didn’t have to waltz until that night. One
never waltzed until being granted permission at Almacks.

“
Thank you for welcoming
Miss Frasier into the assembly,” Noah began. “May I but request one
favor?”

The Countess looked down her nose at
him, knowing what he would presume upon them now. “You wish
permission for the young lady to waltz this evening.”