Check up on Emily (>10% RELATION)

The preparations for the ball had finally begun to slow.

Most of the servants had moved on to the final details, leaving the corridors of Kingsmere Hall calmer than they had been all afternoon.

You found Emily near one of the smaller sitting rooms, carefully arranging a few remaining decorations before the evening began.

She looked up when she noticed you.

"Mr. Thomas."

A smile immediately appeared on her face.

"I was beginning to wonder whether I would see you before the ball."

"I couldn't let the evening begin without wishing you well."

Emily looked down with a small laugh.

"That sounds rather important. Is anything going to happen at the ball that I don’t know about?"

"Maybe… what do you think?", you shrugged.

She shook her head, though her smile remained.

"You always seem to know exactly what to say."

"Is that a good thing?"

"I haven't decided yet."

The answer came with a playful glance that made you smile.

For a moment, the two of you simply stood there, enjoying the quiet.

"It feels strange," Emily admitted.

"The ball?"

She nodded.

"I spend so much time preparing these things for other people. The food. The rooms. The clothes. But at the balls, everyone expects us to also enjoy the evening."

"You don't think you will?"

"I think I will try."

She looked towards the ballroom.

"It is just strange being surrounded by so many people who seem so certain of themselves."

"You don't seem uncertain."

Emily smiled faintly.

"You’re just saying that."

There was a brief pause.

Then her expression hardened.

You watched her carefully.

"Some people mistake being polite for an invitation."

Emily looked away.

Her voice was quieter.

"There are moments where I wish I could be more like people who say exactly what they want. And yet..."

She looked back at you.

"It’s just so hard to reject Mr. Blackwood when he tries to lure me into going somewhere quiet with him."

"You shouldn't have to."

Emily's expression warmed.

"And that is why I appreciate speaking with you. Because you never make me feel as though I have to be something else.", she remarked. She stopped the sentence very abruptly, as if she said something she shouldn’t have.

The words sat between you for a moment.

A little more personal than either of you had intended or expected.

Emily smiled nervously.

"You know, when I first arrived at Kingsmere, I thought everyone here would feel impossibly distant. All the titles and manners."

She looked at you.

"You make it feel less intimidating."

You smiled.

She laughed mockingly.

"Though perhaps I shouldn't encourage your confidence too much."

"Why not?"

"Because I suspect you already have enough."

Her teasing tone made the words feel lighter.

The distant sound of music being rehearsed drifted through the hall.

Emily glanced towards the ballroom.

"I should probably finish helping before the guests arrive."

"Of course."

She took a step away, then turned back.

"Mr. Thomas?"

"Yes?"

"When everyone begins dancing tonight..."

She hesitated, a faint smile appearing.

"If you happen to find yourself looking for a familiar face..."

"I hope you will come and find me."

"I think I would enjoy having someone there who makes the evening feel a little less overwhelming."

With that, Emily returned to her preparations.

But the smile she left you with remained long after she had gone.