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“I would not want to keep you for the whole night,” George said, “with so many gentlemen seeking a dance with you.”
There weren’t that many, really. Liliane did not spend as much time among thetonas a lady of her status ought to, but her father couldn’t possibly know that. She had not told him and had no intention of revealing the truth of everything that happened while he was away from home and managing his businesses and affairs.
Still, Liliane said nothing as her father took Lady Henrietta’s hand and led her back among the dancers, just as the next song began. Liliane caught the sight of Eleanor coming towards her. It seemed she had left her husband with a couple of gentlemen, clustered together and laughing brazenly.
With a gentle smile, Eleanor held out her hands and took Liliane’s in hers. “Why don’t we sneak away for a little while?” she asked.
“That sounds nice.”
The ladies slipped away from the joy of the dancers and into the nearby corridor. They linked arms and walked aimlessly through the unfamiliar halls. This property was a recent purchase by Eleanor’s new husband. It was beautiful and decadent, but for some reason, it made Liliane long for the days of her girlhood, when she and Eleanor had played in much simpler, more familiar halls and rooms.
“It has been wonderful to have you here,” Eleanor said. “It is like—just like before I married. As if we’ve lost no time at all.”
“It really has been. Even if you cannot stay, I am glad that you came to visit us.”
“To visityoumostly,” Eleanor replied, smiling slyly, “but don’t tell the other ladies.”
Liliane smiled. “I will not.”
“I will try to return as quickly as I can,” Eleanor continued. “It pains me to be parted from you, but being such a new wife, I fear that I have…so many duties to attend to.”
“I know. I cannot expect you to change your whole life to—to stay here just because I want you to,” Liliane said.
Eleanor pressed her lips together and fell quiet for a long moment, looking as though she were searching for some way to refute that argument. “How are things at home?” she asked instead.
Liliane shrugged. “They are the same as they always are, Ellie.”
Eleanor furrowed her brow. “And your father?”
“Departs in a few days’ time,” Liliane said.
“Lily—”
“Don’t,” Liliane interrupted. “Please. I know what you’re going to say, and I cannot tell him. I just cannot.”
“I know, I know,” Eleanor replied. “But I also—I mean, how do you know she isn’t simply making idle threats? The way Lady Henrietta treats you is just—just disgraceful! I really feel as though you must do something. I’ve kept silent for your sake, but…Lily, if you….”
“I know, and I am sorry for putting such a burden on you.”
“You’ve never been and never will be a burden to anyone,” Eleanor said. “Least of all to me.”
They halted and stood alone together in the empty corridor. Liliane could scarcely bear to look at her friend. She knew she had found only sympathy and understanding, but she still felt vaguely ashamed when Eleanor looked at her with such earnest sympathy.
“I am dreading my father’s absence,” Liliane said softly, “but I shall manage. I have for years now.”
“You should not have tomanagein your own home.”
“I know that, too.”
Eleanor clasped her friend’s hands in hers. “Then, you must marry and leave Kent. The Season is approaching. That will be your opportunity to finally be free.”
Liliane shook her head sadly. “That will not be possible if my stepmother has any say. It is clear that she is determined to see me a spinster.”
Or worse.
“She will not be able to,” Eleanor insisted fiercely. “If she takes Jane and Paulina to any social occasions, she’ll have to explain your absence, and Henrietta can only claim that you’re ill so many times before people begin to gossip.”
Liliane bit her lip. She didn’twantanyone to gossip about her or her family. She just wanted everything to be like it had been so long ago—when her stepmother had loved her, and it had seemed like they really could be a peaceful, happy family.
