“Mother,” she said, interrupting, apparently without concern, the conversation occurring just beyond their little circle. “These kind gentlemen have invited us to promenade along the Gravel Walk with them. May we, please?”
That was not at all an accurate recounting of things.
Charlie quickly salvaged the situation. “It is the hour when most people meander. We would be honored to accompany your daughters, if that is what they wish.”
Perfectly managed, that. He’d offered no insult and no direct contradiction while still making it clear that they had not, in fact, proposed the idea and nor were they the ones who fancied the arrangement. Brilliant. Newton wished he had even half Charlie Jonquil’s social prowess.
“As we would not wish to cast any aspersions on your daughters’ characters,” Charlie continued, “I would request that a maid be provided.”
Lillian objected, leaning a bit toward Newton as she did. “I am certain that is not necessary. You are gentlemen in every sense, and I feel quite safe with both of you.”
“We insist,” Newton said.
For just a moment, Lillian seemed speechless. She finally settled on, “How considerate.”
Through it all, Ellie didn’t say a word. The moment her sister had interrupted, she’d grown quiet. Once her mother had been pulled into the discussion, Ellie’s eyes had dropped to her clasped hands, a shrinking posture not unlike her display at the first ball they’d both attended.
“Allow us a moment to fetch our wraps,” Lillian said.
Apparently, the excursion was moving forward despite Mrs. Napper’s not having actually given her approval. Ellie, Newton, and Charlie were meant to participate, but not one of them had shown any enthusiasm. Lillian was not one to be distracted from her purpose.
“Ellie.” Lillian pushed her sister’s whispered name through clenched teeth. “We need to fetch our wraps.”
“Oh, am I invited on your promenade?” Though she asked the question demurely, there was a hint of cheek in the question.
“Elfrida.” Mrs. Napper’s tone was not the least subtle or gentle.
Even that tiny hint of fire Ellie had shown when addressing her sister disappeared. She rose, eyes still a bit lowered, and slipped from the room.
Newton and Charlie offered their hostess a quick farewell, indicating they would bring the sisters home after the outing.
They made their way to the front vestibule to wait for the young ladies’ return and stood in pointedly awkward silence. Charlie never had objected to Newton’s preference for quiet. The discomfort in that moment grew, rather, out of displeasure over the task forced upon them and, at least on Newton’s part, irritation with Mrs. Napper’s treatment of Ellie.
The sisters returned quickly, their wool wraps around their shoulders and bonnets atop their heads.
“One of the maids has received leave from the housekeeper to accompany us.” Lillian made the declaration with the authority of the mistress of the house rather than the daughter of the estate. One could not argue against her sense of confidence.
“Her name is Molly,” Ellie said. “She has a reliable sense of propriety but isn’t overly meddling. She’ll be just perfect.”
“Ellie, you mustn’t bore the gentlemen with details about the servants, for heaven’s sake.”
A war played out in Ellie’s expression. She clearly wished to rise to her own defense but was reluctant to do so.
“For my part, Miss Ellie,” Newton said, “I have never been bored by any conversation I have had with you.”
Her smile blossomed into a look of gratitude. “What a kind thing to say.”
“I am sincere. You are excellent company.” Newton offered her his arm as they moved toward the door. He was not merely playing a role; he genuinely looked forward to spending the length of the promenade with her.
Lillian eyed him as he passed with her sister. The lady was clearly not pleased. Charlie motioned her through the door. Manners would require him to, at some point, make the expected offering of his arm, but his slight delay would make certain Lillian didn’t simply switch targets.
By the time they reached the Gravel Walk, Charlie had maneuvered a four-wide arrangement, with Ellie between the two of them and Lillian on his other side. With a degree of acumen that was almost shocking, Charlie managed to pay equal attention to both sisters without giving even the tiniest hint of a preference. Newton was far enough removed from Lillian to prevent conversation, which was preferable.
“Miss Lancaster has insisted that I am to be numbered amongst the Huntresses when they descend upon London for the Season.” Ellie grinned up at him. Utter joyfulness emanated from her. “I know you have spent a little time in Town for the social whirl. Are the Huntresses as mischievous in London as they have proven in Bath?”
“More so,” Newton said. “They turn heads, I will say that. And there are three you have not yet met.”
“Truly?” Eagerness grew in her expression. “Three more.” She blinked and shook her head. “But they aren’t actually scandalous?”
