Page 54 of A Most Unwelcome Acquaintance

“And you believe I have created one?”

Caroline laughed. “My dear Miss Eliza, you are determined to make my concern sound severe.”

“I am trying to discover what concerns you.”

“The world is not always charitable.”

“That is true.”

“Small things draw notice. The way a woman enters a room, how much attention she accepts, even the care she gives her appearance.” Caroline’s glance passed over Elizabeth’s gown. “None of these things should matter, but they do.”

Elizabeth examined the dark green muslin she had worn many times without distress. “Have I chosen the wrong color?”

“Not at all. It suits the country.”

Louisa drew her thread through the linen and pulled it tight.

Caroline continued before Elizabeth could answer. “Fashion is less a question of expense than judgment. A simple gown may be elegant, just as an expensive one may expose every fault in the wearer’s taste.”

“I shall remember to distrust anything costly.”

“You make light of me.”

“I am trying to understand whether you invited me for tea or instruction.”

Caroline smiled as though Elizabeth confirmed some private conclusion. “You require very little instruction. That is why I am candid with you. A timid woman would mistake advice for criticism.”

“And a confident one?”

“May recognize its value.”

Elizabeth lifted her cup. “Then confidence appears to be another dangerous freedom encouraged by country society.”

“Only when it prevents reflection.”

Although the answer carried every appearance of concern, Elizabeth began to understand the purpose of the conversation. Caroline had not meant to discuss dress or country manners; she was naming faults so that the warning to come might seem generous, not presumptuous.

“A young woman may think herself open and unaffected while others find her forward,” Caroline said. “She may accept attention as ordinary civility when those around her suppose she encourages it.”

Elizabeth understood then. Caroline had not brought her toward the insult by accident. She chose every graceful turn to make it seem inevitable.

“Whose attention have I accepted that I ought to have refused?” she asked.

“I never said that you had.”

“Then we may dismiss the matter.”

Caroline’s smile tightened. “You are too intelligent not to understand me.”

“And you have enough experience of society to say what you mean when you choose.”

Louisa placed her embroidery in her lap. “Caroline.”

“It is no insult to caution a friend.”

“Are we friends?” Elizabeth asked.

The question stopped her.