Her gaze drifted down the length of the table and she reminisced about the enjoyable meals shared with the girls back at the boarding school. Their infectious excitement had been rather enjoyable, making her look forward to each and every meal with them.
How she hated to be alone.
Her eyes roamed over the lavishly decorated dining room until they landed on the two liveried footmen who were stationed there. They were both tall, but one had a lean frame, while the other appeared more stocky. They couldn’t have been much older than she was, she thought.
The stocky footman’s eyes met hers briefly before he quickly averted his gaze.
Before she knew what she was about, she asked, “What is your name?”
He seemed taken back by her question but he answered respectfully, “My name is David, Miss.”
“Hello, David,” she acknowledged. “How long have you worked here?”
“Three years,” he replied promptly.
Sensing that David was somewhat ill at ease, Emilia shifted her attention to the lanky footman. “What is your name?”
The lanky footman straightened up, responding, “Matthew, Miss.”
“And how long have you worked here?”
“Two years,” he replied.
“Do you both enjoy working here?” she questioned.
The footmen responded in perfect unison, “Yes, Miss.”
Emilia didn’t have any expectations when conversing with the footmen; perhaps she simply desired a brief respite from her own thoughts.
Was this to be her life? She was surrounded by servants, but she had never felt more alone. This wasn’t the life she had envisioned, merely waiting to be entertained. She craved something more, a chance to forge her own path, which was something that Fredrick had constantly encouraged her to pursue.
Fredrick.
An image of him came to her mind and she allowed herself to dwell on it. She never felt alone when she was with him. Just being in his presence lifted her spirits up and she couldn’t help but wonder if she held a special place in his heart. He had an uncanny ability to read her in a way that no one had before, making him unlike anyone she had ever known.
She had developed these pesky feelings for him; feelings that would never be reciprocated. She may be an heiress, but he was an earl. Even if he ever decided to marry, despite his insistenceon remaining unwed, it would never be to someone that courted scandal wherever she went.
Dalby stepped into the dining room and informed her, “Miss Clarissa Livingston is in the drawing room, Miss.”
“Thank you,” Emilia said as she rose. “Has the coach been brought around?”
“It has, and there are four footmen that will accompany you, per your request,” Dalby replied. “Will there be anything else?”
“Not at this time,” Emilia responded.
As the butler left the dining room, she took a deep breath as she tried to prepare herself. She had convinced Clarissa to accompany her on a visit to the boarding school today, even though she anticipated her half-sister’s snippety remarks. Emilia hoped that by seeing the girls and comprehending their dire circumstances, Clarissa’s heart might soften and she would become more empathetic.
Emilia made her way towards the drawing room and saw Clarissa was sitting on the settee. Her half-sister was adorned in a fancy gown, complete with an ornate hat embellished with peacock feathers. She looked as if she were headed to a social event with thetonrather than to the rookeries.
Clarissa’s critical gaze immediately settled upon Emilia, who was wearing a modest green gown. Disapproval radiated from her half-sister’s expression.
Feeling a need to explain, Emilia shared, “It is the simplest gown that I own.”
Clarissa merely nodded and remarked, “Yes, quite simple.”
“I didn’t wish for the girls to be uncomfortable around me by wearing one of the gowns that Lady Roswell loaned me,” Emilia explained.
“I am not concerned by that, but I do hope that the girls will keep their grubby fingers off of my gown. It is far too fine to be dirtied,” Clarissa said haughtily.