"Then our plan is simple," Elizabeth said. "We stay together, remember where we have been and keep Harriet fresh in case speed matters at the end."
"It will matter," Harriet said with confidence. "Lady Hortensia would not have mentioned it otherwise."
Amelia had said very little. She sat with her hands folded in her lap, looking around the room as the others spoke. At last she took a breath. "I know we are meant to be discussing tomorrow, but there is something I should like to say before the week ends."
The room quieted.
"When I arrived, I believed every lady here was a rival and selected gentleman prizes to be won. My mother had told me this house party was my final opportunity to make a good marriage, and I thought only of distinguishing myself before someone else did." She looked down briefly before continuing. "I do not think I understood how unhappy that had made me until I stopped."
Elizabeth watched her gather courage.
"I behaved badly on the first day, and yet none of you cast me out. You listened to me, helped me and allowed me to remain part of the team when I had given you little reason to trust me. I came to Chaffley Hall hoping to leave with a husband. I did not expect to leave with friends."
Mrs Cartwright reached across and took her hand. Amelia's voice trembled, but she smiled as she looked around the room. "I am very glad we found one another."
Harriet was beside her almost before the final word had been spoken, wrapping both arms around her with such force that Amelia gave a startled laugh.
"Oh, Amelia."
Elizabeth crossed to Amelia and rested a hand upon her shoulder. "You are one of us. That was settled some time ago."
"And tomorrow we shall win together," Harriet said with such fierce confidence that Elizabeth thought they just might.
By the time the last of the ladies had departed, the room bore all the signs of their occupation. Empty cups crowded the dressing table, crumbs had found their way onto the coverlet and Miss Lacey had left behind a page upon which she had begun sketching Harriet racing to victory.
Jane picked it up and smiled. "She has made her look very determined."
"Harriet would say it is an exact likeness."
Elizabeth gathered the cups while Jane shook the crumbs from the coverlet. For a little while they spoke only of the morning and whether their simple plan would prove of any use once Lady Hortensia revealed the rules. It was Jane who allowed the subject to change.
"I am glad Amelia said what she did."
"So am I. She seems a different person from the young lady who arrived here."
"I think perhaps she is only more herself."
Elizabeth considered that as she set the last cup upon the tray. "That may be true of several people in this house."
Jane's smile gave away her meaning before she spoke. "Mr Darcy among them?"
Elizabeth turned towards her. "I was not speaking of Mr Darcy."
"No, but you were thinking of him, dear sister."
"You have become remarkably impertinent since meeting Colonel Fitzwilliam."
"I do not believe Richard is responsible for all of it."
The ease with which she spoke his Christian name did not escape Elizabeth. She sat beside her sister upon the bed and looked at her more closely. Jane's happiness had been evident all week, but tonight it seemed touched by expectation.
"Has he said anything more?"
"Not directly. He asked whether I intended to dance the first with him tomorrow, and then whether Papa would be at the ball."
Elizabeth took her hand. "That sounds rather direct to me."
Jane's colour deepened. "I do not wish to presume. But I think he means to speak to Papa."
