“That is a valid point, Miss Hutton,” he said with a considering nod. “It is not as though they are forced to remain where they are, and if they wish to engage with others, they should simply walk over.”
Miss Hutton nodded. “Precisely. Have you ever seen someone ignored or snubbed simply because they wish to join in the conversation? I cannot think of someone who would be that cruel without provocation.”
Marian’s jaw ached as she clenched her teeth, struggling to know what to say first. But it was difficult to form words when George smiled and agreed with the minx. Marian could not believe what they were saying, and she cast her eyes to the others in their circle, hoping someone would speak up, but none of the party appeared affronted.
“It is not as simple as that,” said Marian.
Miss Hutton watched her with wide eyes. “I do not see why not. If you wish to be amongst the rest of the guests, you should simply do so. The only one insisting a wallflower remain on the edges is the wallflower herself.”
“Too true, Miss Hutton,” said George, giving her a broad smile.
“With all due respect, Mr. Finch and Miss Hutton, that is balderdash.” Marian paused, fighting against the impulses pushing her to rush ahead and say things that would embarrass her later. In the recesses of her thoughts, she heard George’s voice prompting her to breathe, and Marian did so, allowing that calm to flow through her and her words, removing the bite from her tone. “Many ladies—and gentlemen, for that matter—skirt the edges of the gathering because they have been taught they are unwanted at such functions. You may not have seen any of the slights, cuts, or uncomfortable conversations that tell a person she is an undesirable companion, but I assure you they happen. Eventually, it becomes safer to stand to one side and hope someone will approach you than risk being hurt again.”
The eyes that turned on her held varying shades of sympathy and pity, and Marian wished her cheeks would not heat beneath their regard, but her words were too personal and telling to be ignored. Curse her wayward tongue! Yet she didn’t wish the words unspoken. If they hadn’t realized there were others who had not their knack for socializing, it was only right they be educated.
“I suppose so.” Miss Hutton’s words indicated agreement, but her tone was all puzzlement, as though that conjecture was wholly inconceivable. And, Marian supposed, to someone who was widely accepted by everyone, it was.
“Mama and I spoke about it at length when we were planning the party, as I did not know what to do for the poor dears.” Miss Hutton’s perfect little eyebrows drew together as she gazed at George, her fan creating a rapid flutter of air. “It is such a puzzle for a hostess, as she wishes for her guests to enjoy themselves, yet there are always those who are determined not to. Mama says I ought not to fret about them so, as their isolation is of their own making, but I cannot help but think there is a better solution for those who stand at the fringes. They seem so unhappy, and it breaks my heart to see them suffering.”
Though Marian’s heart wanted to be uncharitable at that moment, she couldn’t help but see the sincerity in Miss Hutton’s expression and tone. The subject clearly distressed the young lady, though Marian knew it was far more distressing for the guests of whom Miss Hutton spoke.
“I had thought it best not to invite them,” said Miss Hutton as her fan sent up a gale. “Then they would not feel obligated to accept. But Mama did not think that was proper.”
“It was kind of you to put such thought into your invitations,” said George as Mr. Birks and Mr. Gadd echoed those sentiments.
Marian stared at them, and though she had to agree that George was correct in part (as most gave the wallflowers no thought at all), his words were not the ones she had wanted him to say at hearing such a thing. Did he truly not find it appalling that Miss Hutton’s solution was to slight those outcasts in such a blatant manner, even if her intentions were good? Or at least gave a passing nod to goodness.
“Neglecting to invite them is not the answer,” said Lettie, her gaze flicking between Miss Hutton, Mr. Finch, and Marian.
“No, indeed,” said Miss Hutton with a sigh. “I only wish I knew what to do.”
Marian had a few choice words she wished she could offer in response to that, but not a single one would do anything but paint herself as callous or sharp-tongued. Besides, although Marian did not care for Miss Hutton, the young lady was not wholly terrible. She was simply like too many people who thought existence was a uniform thing and viewed the entirety of humanity through the stark lens of their own experience.
Tapping on George’s arm, Marian drew his attention and leaned closer to whisper, “Miss Evelyn enjoys dancing so very much. Might you enlist someone to stand up with her? Someone who would enjoy her conversation and simply hasn’t noticed her?”
“I had planned on doing so myself—”
“No.” Marian softened her tone so the next words were not quite so hard. “Asking her to dance is kind, but—”
Now it was George’s turn to interrupt, for he nodded and finished her statement for her. “But it is not as enjoyable as when her partner is not her brother.”
George considered that a moment and then caught Mr. Birks’ gaze, nodding at the fellow to step away with him. With only a few quick words, Mr. Birks smiled and nodded, then gave the others (and most especially Lettie) a word of farewell before weaving through the crowd in search of Miss Evelyn. Marian only hoped he would hold his tongue and give no hint that George had prompted him to offer the dance.
Coming back to Marian’s side, George added, “I can petition Mr. Orton as well.”
“But do be careful how you go about it. Do not make the gentleman feel obligated to do so. Your sister is no fool and will guess it if he is unwilling,” said Marian. “No one wishes to feel like a charity project.”
“You have such a kind heart, Miss Marian,” he murmured.
“Hush,” she said, sending a scandalized look around the room. “Do not let anyone hear that. My reputation would be ruined.”
George let out a bark of laughter and shook his head. “I fear you are no good at acting, my dear Miss Marian. Everyone knows the truth. But I’d best be on my way if I am to secure Evelyn more dances for the evening.”
And there was that smile of his—the one that belonged to her, for he gave it to no one else. It filled his expression, lightening the whole of him as his eyes danced with tenderness and joy, as though the task she’d given meant the world to him. He bowed to her but stopped at Miss Hutton’s words.
“At the risk of sounding selfish, I would remind you our dance is soon to begin,” she said, a blush coloring her incomparable complexion, and Marian wanted to growl. Must she do everything in such a lovely manner? How was a woman to compete with the living embodiment of beauty?
George swung his gaze to meet the lady in question with an apologetic grimace. “I am terribly sorry that it slipped my thoughts, Miss Hutton. I have been looking forward to it since your parents sent the invitation.”
