(Pictured above: Emmeline's gown)

Before she left for the Wilbourn Estate, Emmeline gave her father his luncheon, enjoying the time they had together.            

"Now Papa, I will not hear any bad reports from Hollbrook. She is doing us a huge favor by looking after you."

"She won't have anything negative to say. I promise you, I will be the best patient there ever was. Don't you worry about me. Go meet a handsome stranger and allow him to whisk you about the dance floor."

"Oh Papa you're beginning to sound like Susanna. I shall have a perfectly adequate time and return home to you Saturday morning."

"I look forward to the stories you will tell me. Now go have fun, my child."  Emmeline hugs Gideon tightly before taking her leave.  Emeline placed her things in the curricle and began the journey the Wilbourn Estate.

~

Daniel looked at his daughter who finally settled down to sleep. Matilda hadn't left his side since arriving at Mooreland Park. The pair had arrived about a week prior and his poor daughter was a wreck. He took her from the only home she had ever known and brought her to a place she had only heard about in stories. It was quite a daunting manor compared to the townhome she had grown up in. Her mother never cared much for the country and thought it best their daughter was exposed to the great culture of London. It was one promise he tried to keep for his Cecelia.

He looked down at the paper he was reading once more and tried to focus on getting the estate in order before the ball the next night. It would be nice to get away from the posh circles of town, of this Daniel was certain. Matilda needed space to just simply be a child. Soon enough London would be calling her back for her coming out, and Daniel refused to think about that. Matilda, he was certain, would be a heartbreaker. But for now she was his sweet little girl, asleep on the couch in his study. Daniel took a cursory glance around the room. He didn't even have real discernable memories in this place. His father preferred town so they were rarely here. That would change, Daniel knew. Already he felt more at ease here. There was a certain level of calm that overtook him as soon as he passed through the small hamlet of Abbotshire. The town was quite simple, but it was enough for him. He wouldn't admit this to anyone but he was rather excited about the ball, getting to meet the people he hoped would one day become his peers.

Daniel finished his work for the day and gently lifted Matilda from the sofa and carried her to her new chamber. It was technically the room designed for his wife, but he didn't want Matilda to feel separated from him during the transition. He also hoped that when he eventually married again that he and his new wife wouldn't need the separate chamber. It wasn't that he and Cecelia were mortal enemies. The epitome of a well-bred woman: his late wife was the soft-spoken, simple wife one man could always have hoped for. She just wasn't right for him. He didn't know who was but he was ready to find her.

~

Emmeline arrived at the Wilbourn's estate right before dusk.  From what Lydia had told her, she wasn't the only person staying there, and because she was local Lady Margaret placed her in one of the empty servant's rooms. Lydia was quick to come and visit when she realized her friend had arrived.

"Oh Emmeline I hope you're not upset about this." Lydia says, taking a seat on the bed as Emmeline unpacks her things. "Mama figured since you're from the area you would understand why we can't have gentry sharing rooms. I offered for you to stay with me but she said that it wouldn't look well on the family."

"It's fine Lydia. I am here at your mother's monetary offers. Until the ball tomorrow night I am merely part of the hired help."

"But you're not! You are a dear friend to the family who just happens to know a great deal about medicine. I swear Mama just doesn't want people to know how much she fears sickness."

"Lydia, I am the daughter of a shopkeeper. You and I are dear friends but you know you are much higher in station than I. Most of the time it doesn't matter but for the next 48 hours it does. Once the ball is over then we can go back to the norm. Is your mother awake? I have something I prepared for her."

"She is, but wait to give it to her until after supper. You are going to eat with us aren't you?"

"I was never given specific instructions but I would assume I would be. Lydia please do not worry yourself about me. Your family has been so kind to me."

"Okay, but please tell me if Mama ever makes you feel uncomfortable. You are a dear friend regardless of station."

"I know that sweetie. Now let's go to dinner, I am quite famished."

~

After supper Emmeline accompanied Lady Margaret up to her chamber in order to assist with her medical needs.

"I won't be needing you for the rest of the night Gemma. Please tell the chef to prepare a full luncheon for tomorrow. My husband is to arrive around noon and he will be hungry."

"Yes ma'am." The maid curtsies before leaving the room.

"Now my dear, what do you have for me?" Lady Margaret asks, turning her attention to the young woman.

"A new tea that shouldn't taste nearly as vile, as well as a sleeping aid to help with your nerves tonight."

"It's not an opiate is it?"

"No ma'am, it's completely safe. My mother used to give it to me when I had night terrors. I had completely forgotten about it until this week." She removes a vial from her bag. "It should help you stay asleep despite the aches as well."

"Thank you dear."

"You have made great progress since the last time I saw you. I suppose we shall be taking a walk in the garden soon?"

"I suppose so. You're a good girl Emmeline. Strong willed but kind."

"Thank you ma'am. Is there anything else you need from me tonight?"

"No, you may retire to your room. I must ask you to eat separately tomorrow. My husband would have a field day if he knew a simple shop girl was dining with him."

"Of course ma'am. I shall see you tomorrow evening."

"Yes of course, it will be a wonderful night."

~

Emmeline returned to her chamber and removed the ruby red dress from her small trunk. She hung it on the front of the wardrobe for fear it would wrinkle. She plaited her hair before going to sleep, anxious for the adventure that awaited her.

The house was a flurry of activity as everyone prepared for the night. Emmeline kept to herself as best she could. Lady Margaret had asked her to go up to her chamber about a half hour before it was set to begin so she could have a quick check up before she attended to her guests. Lydia was busy herself getting ready so Emmeline had a rather quiet morning. Around 3 she had a bath and tediously arranged her hair in a bun that still allowed for a few ringlets to frame her face. She slipped into her ruby red dress, one of Lydia's old ones. It was simpler than what was considered appropriate for the night's festivities but it suited Emmeline perfectly.

Emmeline made her way into the ballroom through a servants wing. Within moments of arriving she spotted Lydia next to her mother, strategically standing close to the door for when the Earl of Weslyan arrived. Being unattached from any family made her a bit of an outcast so she weaved her way over to Lady Margaret.

"Good evening Sir Thomas, Lady Margaret, Lydia. Your home looks stunning this evening. I am sure this ball will be the talk of the town."

"Thank you Miss. Sommers, Lydia's gown suits you quite well, better than it did Lydia."

"Right, you're Gideon's daughter. I remember when you were just a little sprite. You've grown into quite the young woman." Sir Thomas says, eyeing her up and down.

"Thank you Sir."

"Let's go find Susanna shall we?" Lydia interjects quickly. "I think I heard her mother's voice earlier." She grabs Emmeline's hand and the two quickly lose themselves in the crowd.

"I'm sorry about Father. He has a meandering eye as you well know. I didn't think he would ever say something so blunt in front of my mother."

"Don't worry about it. Everyone is so concerned about seeing the Earl anyway. He should be arriving soon shouldn't he?"

"One would hope. Mother is about to have a heart attack." It had grown rather late in the evening and the Earl still had yet to arrive. It was far past the accepted time to be fashionably late. No matter everyone still tried to be in merry spirits. Emmeline was even asked to dance by a few men who knew her.

~

A good way through the evening there was a bit of a stir. A young man had entered and went around the room and was looking for someone, but no one knew who. Emmeline watched as he went from group to group, seemingly always dissatisfied with their answers. He passed her briefly and she felt so sorry for the poor page she had to stop him.

"Sir is there someone I can help you find?" she asked, "I know most of the people in this ballroom or at least of the hostess who can help you find them."

"Thank you miss, I was sent to find the town's apothecary but upon arriving at the shop I was told they were here. I haven't been able to find him anywhere and my employer is becoming desperate." He replies quickly.

"I am she, I can be of service as soon as I grab my bag."

"No offense miss, but I was expecting a man." He says shyly.

"And I thought I was going to meet the Earl tonight, looks like both of us were in for a surprise. Come on, if your employer is as desperate as you say he is there isn't any time to lose." Emmeline takes the lad's hand and leads him down a servants' hallway back to her quarters, not caring as to what people were thinking. "Wait here." She tells him as she goes into her room to collect the bag of medicines she always carries and her cloak.

"Where is your curricle?" She asks, approaching the stables.

"I don't know miss, there were so many there I'm not sure I'd be able to find it."

"Do you know how to get back to your employer's house from here?" She asks as she saddles two horses.

"No miss."

"Well then how did you get here?"

"I came from town and followed the lights of the other carriages."

"You're lucky I know these parts well. What house do you work for?" Emmeline mounts one of the horses as the page does the same.

"Mooreland Park." Emmeline's mind instantly went to the estate that had for so long been deserted. It was the Earl himself who was ill.

"Well come on lad, we don't want to waste any more time."