“He asked about our estate?” Father didn’t sound pleased with the topic of conversation.
“Among other things.”
Mother and Father looked at each other, wearing nearly identical expressions of dismay.
“Forgive my confusion,” Ellie said, “but I am not certain why that is of such concern.” Discussions of homes and estates were common amongtonishpeople.
“Our estate, our home, our situation are lowly compared to the Hugheses’. We can claim nothing that comes close to what they can. Their family holdings outshine ours in every conceivable way.”
Mother twisted her hands around each other, her eyes darting about the way they did when she was thinking frantically. “Did he seem dismissive... or disgusted?”
Ellie shook her head. “He gave no indication of disapproval.” And yet, she found herself wondering.
He was paying her attention as both a favor to her, which he likely did out of a sense of gentlemanly kindness, and as a means of being instrumental in his own matrimonial escape. That did not mean he approved of her or looked upon her circumstances with anything but a kind and quiet indifference. Surely, she had not misread him so entirely. She did not think he was a talented actor. Indeed, he was so circumspect and withdrawn that he was far more likely to make an awkward mull of any pretended feelings. Then again, he was doing precisely that and at her bidding.
She didn’t entirely know what to believe. That was, she supposed, the danger one courted when undertaking a ruse such as this. How easy it would be to allow herself to believe things that were not true simply because it was easier to do so.
Wasit all an act? Perhaps her forwardness caused him consternation that he simply kept hidden. Perhaps he did not object to enacting the charade for his own sake but actually found her humble circumstances a bit lowering.
No. She did not believe that. There was too much sincerity in him. They were pretending that tenderness was growing between them, but his kindness to her was not a ruse. She felt confident she could think of him as a friend.
In the midst of her mental wanderings, her path finally crossed with Artemis’s.
“At last we’ve found each other,” Artemis said. “I saw you a few times but never could seem to reach you before you moved along. Why did you not come and greet me?”
“My parents feared that would be overly forward of me,” she said. Mother and Father were listening quite intently. She would let them hear the answer to their earlier objections.
“Overly forward?” Artemis repeated the words on something of a laugh. “We are dear friends, Ellie. There is nothing overly forward about greetings between friends.”
A little bubble of pride expanded in her chest. She had not been wrong about Artemis’s friendship. She did not think she was wrong about Newton’s either. A person needed such boosts of confidence now and then.
Artemis remained for a few minutes, talking amiably with her. Mother and Father stood in near-silent awe, a blessing by anyone’s estimation. The respite was more than welcome.
By the time Artemis was pulled away by a Society acquaintance, Ellie had her doubts entirely sorted and herself firmly in hand. She was once more committed to saving herself from an unwanted match with Charlie, Lillian from forcing an unwelcome match on Newton, and Newton from being pushed into pursuing Artemis.
The set came to its conclusion, and Newton returned with Lillian. He thanked her, as was customary, then bowed to her parents.
Having undertaken the usual niceties, Newton turned to Ellie. “Your dances have not all been claimed while I was gone, have they?” He was either very good at this ruse, or he did, in fact, have some fondness for her.
“I have not been asked for a single set. Neither have I seen any indication that there’s any interest beyond your offer earlier.” She allowed a mischievous smile. “Are you certain you still wish to dance with me? You might be seen as having incredibly poor taste.”
Though Newton smiled, her parents most certainly did not. They would far rather have preferred she be more like Lillian, whom Ellie wasn’t sure was capable of independent thought. Lillian kept that part of herself locked away so firmly that even family was not privy to it.
Ellie could not live her life that way. She knew she couldn’t. Newton bowed once more. “I am quite certain I still wish to dance with you. If you are permitted.” He turned to her parents for the permission she was required to obtain. They both nodded but with some degree of reluctance. She felt certain it was their confusion over the difference in Newton’s manner of asking her compared to the way in which he had invited Lillian. He was doing a fine job of showing that he was not inclined toward Lillian at all.
Ellie set her hand in the crook of his arm, and he led her out for the set. It was a country dance she was quite familiar with. The movements would bring them together many times. She would have an opportunity to chat with him and enjoy his company for the length of the dance.
The first time they were brought together, he asked, “Is something the matter? You seem pensive.”
“I’m afraid I have endured something of a scolding.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. From your sister or your parents?” He seemed genuinely compassionate.
“Both, truth be told. Lillian concluded hers before we left home. My parents continued on the same topic at our arrival.”
They were separated for a time as the dance continued. His expression was unreadable. He did not seem unhappy or disapproving, but neither did he appear curious or interested. She had found, though, his expression was often neutral. When they came back together once more, he spoke first. “On what topic did they scold you? I’ve been trying to think of a reason for them to be disapproving, and I can think of nothing.”
She smiled unabashedly. “I am afraid my family can think of ample reason for lecturing me. I know how young ladies are meant to behave, and I too often do not.”
