Ellen shrugged. She had really just met this woman. She wasn’t sure she was ready to divulge all her innermost thoughts to her. She forced a light laugh.
“It seems to me this conversation has veered into far too complicated corners. Why don’t you tell me about where you are from? And your family – do you have sisters or brothers who have accompanied you to Town?”
With that Lady Constance went off on a rambling description of her family and their home. It didn’t require a great deal of Ellen’s attention to follow along with what she was saying, so she allowed her gaze to wander about.
With a start, she recognized Lord Richmond and Mr. Northcott across the park. They appeared to be deep in conversation. While she was watching, they were approached by another man, who appeared far lesstonnishthan they were. Her curiosity was piqued, but they were too far away for her to do anything except observe. She also, for reasons she couldn’t explain even to herself, didn’t want Lady Constance to notice the men’s exchange, so she tried to subtly change the direction of their journey. Or perhaps she could explain it. Constance was a talker, a busybody. And she had already pointed out Hugh in far too uncomfortable a manner just that morning. She certainly didn’t want her to return to the topic.
But what was Hugh doing speaking with Gilbert Northcott? How was it possible that two of the men on her list were speaking that very morning? Of course, it was entirely possible that they knew each other in the small world that was theton. But she was highly uncomfortable nonetheless.
“And that is how we ended up with both a commoner and a foreign prince within the family.”
Ellen blinked. She had not been paying the least bit of attention at the end, as her attention had been so firmly ensnared by what Hugh and his acquaintances might be up to. Heat flushed through her, and she hoped she didn’t cause hurt feelings to her new friend.
She smiled weakly. “You must miss them,” she finally thought to say, thinking that might be a safe, neutral expression.
The other lady shook her head. “As I mentioned, we aren’t particularly close, so I’d rather receive periodic, exciting letters from them than to have to share a house with them. And I will admit that I am relieved that I haven’t had to share my Season with either of them.”
Ellen laughed, relieved that this time it was neither forced nor fake. “I was thinking the same thing, that I don’t want to share my Season. I thought that made me dreadful. I’m relieved to know I’m not the only one.” She paused then, in thought. “I must say, though, there might be certain advantages to sharing. I was nervous as we descended those stairs into the ballroom with what felt like all eyes trained upon me. If I was there with my sisters, it could be reasoned that the attention was divided.”
“But do you really want the attention divided? Can you imagine how absolutely dreadful it would be if your sister was considered more popular than you? My sisters are beautiful. I’m sure they garnered immense amounts of attention. I would have felt quite overshadowed, I can assure you.”
Ellen wrinkled her nose. It was hard for her to think of her sisters in this light. But the other woman probably wasn’t wrong. It would have been completely different with either of her sisters in attendance. Some parts would have been lovely, and others might have been dreadful. She shrugged. It mattered little. Theodora was already married, and Amelia was still considered too young. And if Ellen had her way, she too would be well ensconced in a new life before her younger sister made her own curtsey to Society.
“Very well, then, how about Viscount Adelaide?”
Ellen started at the sudden turn of the topic. “I haven’t yet met him, but he strikes me as being a rather indolent fellow. I’m not sure if he’d be a good match for me. And eventually being Countess of Everleigh sounds dreadfully responsible.”
“Well, he’s highly eligible,” Lady Constance countered with laughter in her tone. “You are proving quite firmly that you need to give some thought to what you’re wishing for in your husband.”
Ellen was still unprepared to discuss the matter, so she turned it on her new friend.
“What are you looking for, then?”
“Well, as you know, I have no intention of wedding this Season. But when I do start to consider it, I will expect my husband to be wealthy, titled, handsome, popular, and influential.”
Ellen burst into laughter, thinking Lady Constance was surely exaggerating, but when she only stared at Ellen in question, she brought her laughter under control and sobered quickly.
“That is quite an extensive list of requirements. Perhaps you ought to consider Lord Adelaide for yourself.”
“Perhaps I will. It seems to me he isn’t on the Marriage Mart, despite his attendance at most Society entertainments. It is possible that when I am ready, he might be as well.”
“I think a quieter existence might be more to my taste,” Ellen excused and then hoped to turn the subject. “Are you promised to the theatre this week?”
“Have you a box?” Lady Constance demanded.
Ellen smiled. “It was my mother’s indulgence for the Season. She said it was the thing she enjoyed the most when my sister Theodora had her Season, and her only regret was that they had to await invitations from others. Mama was determined that this year she could be on the side of extending the invitations, rather than awaiting the receipt. And now she can go whenever she wishes.”
“That sounds lovely. Your mother at least is bright enough to learn from her experiences.”
“You should join us sometime. I don’t think we actually have anyone planned to join us when we go this week. If you’d like to join us, I’m sure it would be fine.”
“You had best check with your mother first,” Lady Constance countered but seemed delighted by the invitation.
Ellen was burning to turn and check on Hugh and his associates but still wasn’t comfortable allowing her companion to notice. Finally, they were hailed by some other young women they had met the night before, and the chatter quickly overtook any discomfort Ellen had been feeling.
Chapter Four
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