Page 8 of The Best-Laid Plans

To her surprise, Miss Lancaster hooked her arm through Ellie’s. “Do allow me to go with you.”

Lillian looked surprised. Mother could not have appeared more ecstatic.

“If I am not mistaken,” Ellie said, “you do not overly care for Mr. Jonquil.”

“No, but I am terribly fond of the theatre, and we are about to be treated to quite a performance.”

Again, Ellie barely managed to hold back her amusement. If Mother’s gaze had not been unwaveringly focused on the gentlemen ahead of them, she would have scolded Ellie to no end.

“I only wish I didn’t have to be one of the performers,” Ellie said.

“Stick close to me. I’ll do what I can to extricate you.”

It was, quite possibly, the most generous and welcome offer she had received in years. “Thank you, Miss Lancaster.”

“Call me Artemis,” she said. “We cannot be allies if we aren’t friends.”

“I would be honored to be either one.”

“Why not both?” So many of the fashionable and sought-after young ladies in Society were rumored to be quite above their company, looking down their noses at those who did not claim the standing and wealth they did. Artemis was proving quite the opposite.

They were soon standing before Mr. Hughes and Mr. Jonquil. Bows and curtsies and words of delighted welcome were exchanged, the more effusive of it coming from Mother and Lillian.

“A delight to see you again, Miss Lancaster.” Mr. Jonquil’s greeting was not impolite, but neither did it seem entirely sincere. They neither of them seemed overly fond of the other, yet there was no real animosity apparent.

“Of course it is.” She shrugged a shoulder, then turned with cool confidence to the other gentleman. “You have had my deepest empathy these past days, Mr. Hughes.”

“Why is that?” He spoke as quietly as he had the day before, not in a tone of true bashfulness but as someone who was simply more contemplative and reserved.

“One cannot be subjected to Mr. Jonquil’s company without suffering greatly in the enduring of it.”

Mr. Hughes did not appear to take her entirely seriously. Mr. Jonquil looked as though he very much wished to object to Artemis’s declaration but didn’t care to make a scene.

Mother opened her mouth, no doubt wishing to direct the conversation, but Artemis spoke too quickly.

“Miss Ellie and I have been enjoying a very convivial conversation, but I have learned that she has not yet been engaged for the next set.”

Like a magpie in pursuit of the next shiny treasure, Mother seized the moment. “Lillian is not yet engaged either. Mr. Hughes, would you be so good as to fill the gap?”

If he was overly shocked at the breach of etiquette—gentlemen were seldom pressed so directly—he did not indicate as much. He simply dipped his head without the slightest change to his expression. Ellie hadn’t the first idea whether he was humorless or stern. Perhaps both. She didn’t dislike him; she simply didn’t know what to make of him.

“And, Mr. Jonquil,” Mother pressed forward. “Elfrida is unlikely to secure a partner if you do not show her a degree of compassion.” She had secured Lillian a partner without actually insulting her. Ellie never did seem to warrant consideration.

“I doubt she could be here long without being quite in demand.” Mr. Jonquil turned to Ellie. “Might I secure your company for the next set before someone else swoops in and snatches you away?”

Though she did not intend to cooperate enough with her parents’ dictates to actually try ensnaring Mr. Jonquil, she was deeply grateful to him for that moment of kindness. He had salvaged her dignity and had done so without drawing undue attention.

Ample time remained before the next set would begin for all the parties involved to spend a little more time interacting with others. The gentlemen, no doubt, planned on doing precisely that. But Lillian kept close to Mr. Hughes’s side, not so subtly reaching for his arm and all but forcing him to offer it to her. She smiled up at him, not in pleasure but in something far more like victory.

“I cannot imagine you do not remember that look,” Ellie said quietly to Mr. Jonquil.

“It haunts my dreams.” His tone was teasing, but his words were sincere. “I will drop a word of warning into my friend’s ear, assuming he is able to eventually slip free.”

She offered him an apologetic glance. “I hope he will not think too poorly of my family. I also hope he will take your warning seriously.”

“His is a compassionate nature and a remarkable intellect,” Mr. Jonquil said. “He’ll be wise in both regards.”

Ellie remained in the grouping, knowing her mother would allow nothing else. As dictated by her family, she kept very quiet. As dictated by her own integrity, she kept a physical distance from the gentleman they meant for her to pursue.

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