That wasn’t any more illuminating than her much shorter pronouncement a moment earlier.
“I’m afraid we are going to need more information,” Newton said.
Artemis waved that off. “It really is quite simple. A young lady needs a bit of practice being more astute in the ways of Society, more bold in advocating for herself. I’ve been helping her understand the intricacies of that. While sheislearning a great deal, nothing can take the place of actual practice. And I knew the two of you would be kind to her while she is learning.”
It was an unlooked-for compliment. Newton didn’t consider himself particularly savvy in social matters. And Charlie never received a compliment from her ever.
“You are not doing this as some sort of a joke, are you?” Charlie asked. “I won’t be part of an effort to embarrass some poor soul simply for your entertainment.”
The dramatics dropped away on the instant. A flush of angry color touched Artemis’s cheek. “I know you do not think highly of me, Mr. Jonquil, but I’m not a monster, and I never inflict pain on vulnerable people. Not ever.”
Charlie nodded, though whether he was truly convinced or simply wishing to move on with the undertaking, Newton couldn’t decide.
“We will most certainly help,” Newton said.
“I was hopeful you would,” Artemis said. “My protégé will be down in only a moment.”
Ellie must’ve known about this undertaking as well. She couldn’t live in the same house and not be aware of such a project. Footsteps sounded just outside the door. Newton rose, as did Charlie.
The person who entered wasn’t a stranger, nor a put-upon tragic lady at the mercy of a cruel joke. Ellie herself stepped inside. She was dressed in a lovely pink-and-white striped gown he didn’t think he’d seen her wear before. She looked lovely in it.
Her dress was not the only thing new about her. Something different had been done with her hair. It was somehow both simpler and more elegant than the way she’d worn it before. He liked it very much indeed.
“Ellie.” Artemis waved her inside. “Charlie and Newton have agreed, just as I assured you they would.”
“Are you horribly embarrassed on my behalf?” she asked them.
Charlie’s kind heart showed in that moment. His expression was empathetic without being pitying. “There is nothing to be embarrassed about. You are a dear friend, Ellie. I will gladly help you whenever and however you wish me to.”
Ellie smiled softly. Newton was pleased to see it but wished it were directed at him.
“She hardly needs tutoring in how to navigate in Society,” Charlie said. “She has done perfectly well every time I’ve been in company with her.”
Artemis nodded. “I haven’t been teaching her to function; I’ve been helping her be more herself, moreboldlyherself.”
“I don’t understand.” Newton addressed the remark to both ladies.
Ellie answered. “My family has a tendency to berate me into hiding and keeping silent.” She looked to Charlie. “I don’t think I said a word to you during your visit to Shropshire last year. I was too terrified, not ofyoubut of my family, who made me too afraid to say a thing. The few times I have dared to be myself, I’ve been quite thoroughly scolded. It was far safer to hide myself away.”
How well Newton related to that sentiment. His family was forever pushing him into silence as well.
“First, Ellie, I think we should practice witty conversation,” Artemis said.
“Ellie is already witty,” Newton objected.
Artemis gave him such a melodramatically dry look, they all laughed. Newton did not use to do that so easily. “I didn’t say she needed to practice being witty; she simply needs to allow that wit to shine in conversation. Ladies are too often told they should make themselves seem deeply stupid when talking with... well, withanyone, really. But with practice, being herself will come more naturally.”
Ellie appeared to be enjoying herself, which made participating in the practice all the more appealing. Artemis motioned for her to begin a conversation.
“We have been enjoying very mild weather of late,” she said.
Artemis didn’t object to the commonplace conversation starter.
Charlie assumed a languid posture. He fussed with the cuffs of his jacket, his expression both a bit arrogant and a significant amount urbane. “Excellent weather when one wishes to be seen to advantage, as one always ought.”
It was an absolutely perfect impression of his dandified oldest brother. So bang up to the mark, in fact, that the other three burst into laughter. He raised a brow, another affectation of the earl’s, and they were lost in mirth once more.
Over the course of their witty conversation practice, Charlie amazed the ladies with his remarkable talent for mimicry. Newton had known him too long to not already be acquainted with that side of him. He played roles ranging from Artemis’s infamous brother-in-law to the Prince Regent himself. He had the group in such a constant state of merriment that any nervousness Ellie might have felt would have most certainly melted away.
