Page 20 of The Best-Laid Plans

“Gentlemen do not wish to connect themselves to overly forward ladies. Or their families.”

Ellie had heard this argument before. For once, she did not shrug and keep her peace. “Ido not wish to connect myself to any gentleman who insists I pretend to be bacon-brained so he can feel reassured of his own intelligence.”

“You are going to be the ruin of this family, Elfrida. Mark my words.”

Lillian only ever used Ellie’s full name when she was truly upset with her. Ellie would do well to tread lightly that evening.

Mother and Father joined them a moment later, dressed in their finest and appearing both nervous and excited. They had a claim on Society, at least in Bath. But that claim was minor compared to most. The one time her parents had gone to London, hoping to secure an advantageous match for Ellie’s oldest sister, they had discovered just how comparatively low their rung on the ladder really was.

Ellie loved hearing Artemis and Daria and Gillian talk about their adventures in Town. She longed to join them, longed to claim the invitation Artemis had already extended. But the chances of her parents taking her there were nonexistent.

“We had best be on our way,” Father said.

“Of course,” Mother answered.

They were soon settled in the carriage. Ellie kept her excitement hidden. She could hold back her thoughts and feelings and the things she wanted to say until she saw Newton. He would be happy to hear her and see her. He wouldn’t tell her to behave or tuck herself behind an ill-fitting role. He wouldn’t look at her with the disapproval that her own family did. She was looking forward to his company.

Her eyes scanned the expansive ballroom the moment they stepped inside. Finding a particular person in the swirling crowd would be difficult. She hoped luck would prove kind. It did.

“I see Miss Lancaster,” Ellie said. “I mean to go bid her good evening.”

“Do allow her to come to you,” Mother whispered anxiously. “You will appear overly bold if you approach someone of her standing.”

“We are known to be friends, Mother. No one will think anything untoward in my approaching her.”

“Spending time with her has made you forget yourself.” Father didn’t often speak scoldingly. He did then. “She is sister-in-law and ward to the Duke of Kielder. Her siblings include a duchess and a countess. Her brother is married to an exceptionally close family friend of the Earl of Lampton. Though Miss Lancaster has shown you kindness, no doubt owing to our having once been neighbors, you are not her equal. To pretend otherwise is the height of folly.”

She wanted to insist he was wrong. But he wasn’t entirely. She wasn’t Artemis’s equal, but that didn’t mean she would be unwelcome. Difficult experience had taught her not to argue with her parents on these matters. She behaved in the ways they insisted she behave. She kept her peace when she wanted nothing more than to defend herself.

She remained at her parents’ side, waiting for her friend to see her and come over. She hated the thought of needing to be rescued. Lillian might’ve been content to play the part of the helpless damsel incapable of doing anything for herself, but that was Ellie’s idea of absolute torture. They slowly made a circuit of the ballroom, Mother and Father greeting people they knew, addressing with great deference those they wished they knew better. All the while, Ellie watched Artemis and Daria, who had now found each other. At one point, she caught a glimpse of Gillian but was not able to catch her eye either. What a misery this would be if she spent the entire evening silently crushed by the weight of her family’s disapproval, watching from a distance as her newfound friends enjoyed the freedom she was not afforded. If only they could simply go to London now.

As she and her parents began their second turn about the room, a voice broke into the silence enveloping Ellie.

“A pleasure to see you again, Mr. Napper, Mrs. Napper.” That the greeting came from Newton himself was a most welcome and wonderful surprise. Ellie looked over at him just as he looked to her. Manners dictated that he greet her older sister first, which he did, employing a pleasant but impersonal tone. Then, with the tiniest hint of a smile, he gave Ellie his full attention. “Miss Ellie. I had hoped you would be here this evening.”

“Lillian was hopingyouwould be here.” One would never accuse Mother of being a master in the art of subtlety.

“I do not wish to be overly hasty,” Newton said. “But I am certain Miss Ellie’s dances are nearly all claimed. I wish to secure my turn to stand up with her for a set, if she has one remaining.” Then, being the gentleman he was, he looked to Lillian. “And you too, of course.”

Mother appeared confused for the length of a breath. “Of course. Of course they will dance with you. You simply must begin with Lillian. She is quite an adept dancer.”

Newton hesitated for only the briefest moment. It was enough, Ellie hoped, to at least make her parents wonder if his attachment to Lillian was forming as quickly and fully as they wanted to believe. That was, after all, the point of their efforts.

Lillian accepted Newton’s invitation for the very next set. The bubble of jealousy that expanded around Ellie’s heart caught her unawares. She wasn’t consumed by it, and she didn’t intend to sulk. But she was a little sad. She’d missed him and had been looking forward to his company. As too often happened, Lillian stood between her and happiness.

“The Hugheses are a fine family,” Father said. “An association with them is quite a fine thing. For Ellie to have gained something of a friendship with Miss Lancaster and Mr. Jonquil, as well as the Mullins siblings and Miss Phelps, is quite a feather in our cap. And for Mr. Hughes to continually return to spend time with our daughters is encouraging.”

Our daughters.That was not at all the view of it Ellie wanted her parents to have. But at least they were not interpreting Newton’s presence as particular interest in Lillian.

“You did not tell me how things transpired while you were promenading yesterday.” Mother looked to Ellie with concern and anticipation in her gaze.

“I had assumed Lillian would give you a full report.” Indeed, it seemed odd that she hadn’t.

“She was quiet after returning. That has me concerned that things did not go well with her efforts in Mr. Newton’s direction.”

That was truer than Mother likely realized. Ellie, however, was not going to admit as much. She was scolded for being overly forward and speaking too much, but the repercussions of admitting that she was personally undermining her sister’s chances would likely instigate a punishment more severe than she had yet experienced. “Mr. Newton seemed in good spirits throughout. He asked questions of both of us: where we had traveled, what our home was like, what our future plans were.”

Mother looked at her father with an expression of concern.

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