"Now Papa, I will be back later tonight. Reverend Ellis should be here soon. Lord Hargrave was kind enough to send a page along if anything happens I can be back within a half an hour."

"As I said the first time you told me, my dear, that was far too kind of him. I do not want you to worry about me at all tonight.  Have a grand adventure. I will be in good spirits knowing you are in such pleasant company. Let your worries rest easy for the night and enjoy yourself. It has made me so happy to see you so happy these past few months." Emmeline hugs her father tightly, wiping a small tear from her eye.

"Thank you Papa." She kisses his cheek and exits the room. She retrieves the bag with her dress and the small bit of makeup she owned. She tucked the ribbons she found for Matilda into her bag.  She checked to make sure she had the medicine she needed to give Lord Hargrave. Satisfied that she had everything, she takes her leave.

~

"I do not believe they shall even notice your sling. Although maybe you should have allowed Matilda decorate it as she wished to."

"Because that would not draw any more attention to it. "Daniel rolls his eyes, "I do not think she has slept the past four days."

"She is simply excited for the ball, and who could blame her? I think this could be the finest bunch of people I will ever meet."

"You aren't helping her excitement Charles, filling her head with stories of the fairies at the ball."

"Miss. Somers planted the idea in her head, I simply went with it. Besides, this ball is in my honor, is it not? To welcome me to the neighborhood since your welcome was cut short due to Matilda's illness. We are going to be the prized peacocks tonight, and I am ready to prance." Charles struts around Daniel's study.

"I do not know why you went into the Navy when you could've thrived as aristocrat."

"But the ladies do not swoon over aristocrats." Charles collapses on the couch dramatically, "All I have to do is mention that I have tales from sea and I have at least five ladies hanging on my every word." 

Daniel rolls his eyes.

"One of these days Charles, a young lady is going to see through all of your flair and that is when you'll be in trouble."

"I do not think I am the one to worry about. Your heart, dear brother, is plain as day to see. It's right there on that bandaged sleeve of yours."

"If I were worried about where my heart's place was, you would be the last to person on earth to hear about it. Now enough talk of love. We need to get you looking like a presentable gentleman."

A light knock is heard at the door.

"Enter." Charles says in an exaggeratedly deep voice. Emmeline quietly slips in.

"Miss. Somers, how lovely to see you. I did not realize the ball was starting so early." Charles waggles his eyebrows.

"Shhh, I do not want Matilda to know I am here yet." she whispers. "If she finds out, I won't have time to check on my patient." She sets her bag down, "Speaking of, how are you feeling Lord Hargrave? Have the exercises been helping?"

"Very much so, and my leg no longer feels any pain, so I will be ready to dance tonight."

"Is there any tenderness when you touch your shoulder?"

"Some, but not as much as before."

"Have you gained anymore movement during the exercises?"

"A little bit each time."

"Good, I did bring you some more willow's bark for the pain. You can dance tonight but do not use it as an excuse to join the London Ballet. Your leg is still healing."

"Yes doctor."

As if fate knew, Matilda barges through the door.

"Miss. Emmy!" She shouts and runs into her arms. Charles smirks. "Why aren't you in your dress? You said it was blue." She says, suddenly serious.

"It is, but I had to help your father in my work clothes. You came just in time for I had just finished up."

"Can we get ready now? I have a surprise for you in my room." Emmeline looks at Daniel.

"Yes Matilda, you and Miss. Somers can go get ready. Remember your manners my dear and let Miss. Somers get dressed as well. I will come down to get you when it is time."

"Thank you Papa." Matilda drags a confused Emmeline out the door.

~

Emmeline is eventually able to get a squirmy Matilda into her dress.

"I brought some ribbons for your hair. I thought I could weave them into a braid like a fairy crown around your head." Matilda nods eagerly.

"May I have makeup too?"

"I suppose a little rouge and lip coloring wouldn't hurt, but not too much. Your Papa doesn't want you growing up too fast." Emmeline applies a little bit of makeup to the young girl's face, but not enough to cause alarm from Daniel. When she was done, Matilda did a small turn.

"You look beautiful, my friend." Emmeline says with a smile.

"Now it's your turn." Matilda demands. Emmeline went behind the dressing screen and took out her dress. It was a dark blue taffeta gown with a silver pattern on the skirt. It always reminded her of stars on a clear night. 

When she came out from behind the screen, Matilda was standing with small bag in her hands.

"This is for you." She shoves the bag into Emmeline's hands.

"Matilda, you didn't have to get me anything my dear, I am just excited to go to a ball with you."

"Yes I did. Mr. Gideon said that sometimes it's not just the sick people that need something nice. Sometimes it's the people that are looking after the sick that need niceness more because they are always taking care of people. And you take care of everybody."

"When did he tell you that?"

"When you were helping my papa. When I went to your shop. Now open it!"

Emmeline reaches into the bag and pulls out a small silver hair comb. She holds back a tear.

"Is that why you asked about my dress, sweetheart."

"Yeah! I wanted to make sure it would match! Now put it on!" 

Emmeline quickly pulls her hair into a low bun and sticks the comb at the center. She puts on her rouge and lipstick quickly. 

Someone knocks at the door.

"I hope you are both decent." Charles shouts before entering. "Matilda you look absolutely marvelous." He picks her up and spins her around.

"Miss. Somers you look absolutely stunning. Now ladies, my brother, the vain man that he is, is running late and wanted me to retrieve Matilda. Miss. Somers you're a free bird. Some guests have already arrived. My only request is that you save at least one dance for me."

"Of course."

"Shall we?" He asks, giving Matilda his arm. She takes it excitedly. Emmeline follows behind them before finding a back staircase to the ballroom.

~

Daniel checked his pocket once more for the special gift he picked out for Miss. Somers. He straightened his cravat and smoothed down his coat and left.

~

Hello lovely people! I hope you are staying happy and healthy during this time. I know writing this has helped me.

I hope y'all enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Another chapter should be up within the next few days, next week at the latest. It's a big chapter and I want to do it justice.

Love, 

Mary