“The Duke of Wellington himself was turned away from these doors once for tardiness.”
“The war hero?” Elizabeth’s bad mood was slowly being pushed to the back of her mind.
Talbot nodded gravely. “That very one. Speaking of war heroes, I don’t see your Corporal in attendance tonight.”
“He wrote to tell me he had some urgent matters to attend to at his estate.”
“You gave him permission to write to you?”
Elizabeth looked at Talbot’s face for the first time.
“Should I not have done that? Lady Burnham said -”
“No, that is quite right,” Talbot hastened to explain. “I was simply surprised at the progress of your courtship. Do go on, where is this estate of his?”
“Wexcombe, in Wiltshire, he said. I don’t know much about the area.”
“It’s a lovely county, Wiltshire, I’ve purchased some fine horses there. Perhaps you’ll see for yourself soon enough.”
“Perhaps,” Elizabeth smiled conspiratorially.
“I’m sorry to report that they do not possess an establishment as exclusive as Almack’s.”
“There is no ballroom to turn away tardy dukes?”
“You jest, but I hope you’re aware what a privilege it is to be here.”
Elizabeth drew her brows together. “Do you think it’s a privilege simply because they are so strict about who they allow in?”
“Precisely.”
“What if that’s the only thing that elevates it over other ballrooms?”
“It is.”
Elizabeth shook her head in disbelief.
“You don’t think that’s important enough?” Talbot asked. “I distinctly remember a conversation during whichsomeonecomplained that people do not appreciate the beauties of Vauxhall due to having seen them too many times. And now you criticise exclusivity and the value it affords things?”
“It’s not the same thing,” she exclaimed.
“How so?”
“No one is being denied entry into Vauxhall or being made to feel unworthy of it.”
“Except for those who cannot afford a ticket,” he said victoriously.
“It’s still not the same.”
“So you say, but you haven’t managed to convince me.”
Elizabeth looked away from his face and didn’t reply. She felt agitated and a little angry with herself for her inability to better express and defend her thoughts against his logic.
“A few days ago, I had a thought,” she started saying.
“What a novel concept,” he mocked, but it didn’t seem malicious, so Elizabeth didn’t let him discourage her.
“I thought about how some people can only consider themselves clever if they make others feel stupid. Some can feel rich only if they make others feel poor. I don’t think that's good or impressive. And I don’t idolise a place only for turning people who are not me away from its doors.”
