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“I alone cannot be responsible for our sister-in-law’s state of mind. Hermina is tutoring all of us. And I have been reading the dreadful books she recommended.”
“I have heard her instruct us several times that adults do not skip,especiallyladies. We walk with serene elegance.”
Penny paused in the act of making herself a cup of tea from the trolley that had been sent inside by the housekeeper a few minutes earlier. “Is seventeen adulthood? Why, I never imagined it.”
“Seventeen is when you stop skipping,” Eleanor said firmly. “And yes, you are considered an adult, young lady.”
“Then why am I not able to decide for myself?”
Eleanor had no response to that acerbic retort, and her sister forlornly sighed.
“Any new scandals?” Penny asked, lifting her chin to the paper.
“None worth mentioning.”
“Not even the one that mentioned how ravishing the Fairbanks sisters are?”
Noting the slightly petulant curve to her sister’s mouth, Eleanor smiled. “You will get your chance to attend balls as well and have your fun.”
Penny sighed dramatically. “Yes, but when? I am already seventeen. Most girls my age are out.”
“Well, yes, but as Lady Celdon explains, it would be highly unfashionable for me, Emma, Ester, Lizzy, and Fanny to be out, plus you. Five girls from one household out at the same time seems to be the limit of what is acceptable without rife gossiping.”
Triumph sparkled in Penny’s eyes. “Fanny is recently married and is now a viscountess in her own right. So, a fifthisneeded.”
“And you forget our dear sister Phoebe who is two years older than you,” Eleanor said, setting down the paper with a laugh and wagging a finger at Penny. “So, we do have our fifth.”
The door pushed open, and Ester blasted into the room. “The old dragon is here, and she is not happy. She gave Richard an earful in the hallway about some rumor and then demanded very imperiously for you to be summoned to the smaller drawing room.”
Eleanor stood. “Alone?”
“Yes, but I shall accompany you, of course,” her sister said staunchly.
“You promised to accompany me to the bookstore,” Penny cried.
Eleanor laughed. “I shall be fine with Lady Celdon. Go with Penny. Do remember to take servants and footmen on your outing.”
Hurrying from the room, she made her way to the drawing room, where her mother and grandaunt took tea. Her mother smiled at her entrance, her brown eyes lighting up with pleasure, while Lady Celdon ran her eyes critically over Eleanor’s pale pink morning dress and her hair that tumbled loosely over her shoulders and back.
“I thought you more sensible than your sisters,” Lady Celdon said. “A lady’s hair must always be well-groomed.”
Eleanor sighed and pushed a hand through her hair. Today was a rare day she wanted to scream at the silly infernal rules that seemed to govern ladies’ conduct, even in the comfort of their homes. “I enjoy my hair down like this,” she said mildly, taking the seat opposite the dowager countess.
At her start of surprise, Eleanor hid her smile. “Yes, grandaunt, I do own to a decided character with a mind of her own; I merely do not express it to the degree of my sisters. Please accept that although I understand the goal you have for my family, I am not a sofa cushion to be sat upon as you wish,” she said as politely as possible.
Her mother groaned, but she detected a spark of admiration in her grandaunt’s light blue eyes. Though she harrumphed and thumped her cane once, she did not rebuke Ellie. Her shoulders relaxing a bit, she asked, “You summoned me, Lady Celdon?”
“Yes, we must discuss the success of last night’s endeavor. Did you not think Mr. Hayford exceedingly charming?” the dowager countess asked.
She clasped her hands in her lap. “He was most amiable.”
“And handsome.”
“Yes, he is.”
Her mother frowned. “You do not seem particularly excited by him.”
Eleanor blinked, uncertain what to make of that. “I only met Mr. Hayford last night, mama. I am not certain what excitement I am to feel?”
