Francisstarted, “It was only a conversation—” But Vincent threw him such alook, the small man wilted and ducked his gaze.
Edward,his shoulders still bunched with tension, looked away. “I will remembermyself.”
“Good,”Vincent said to him. “Do endeavor to be pleasant for at least anotherhour.”
Elizabethcould not interpret what she had witnessed—rivalry, authority,uncertainty, all of it. The goading, the reprimand—perhaps it wasthat they were only brothers, deeply competitive. But there was morethan that at work here. We decided we would like tocome in from the woods . . .
Francisbowed something that was like an apology and went off to another room.Vincent followed him, and she expected Edward to do likewise.
Instead,he turned to her, his expression chagrined. “My deepest apologies.Tell me you will forgive me and grant me one more dance?”
Sheshould have been frightened of him, after what she had seen. But shetook his hand and stood before she knew what she was about.
“Youlike him,” her father said, as they sat at supper. She was with herparents near the Brannocks. The brothers Wilde were at the far end ofthe table. She didn’t dare steal a glance at Edward, though she wassure he was stealing glances at her.
Elizabethgathered herself as well as she could, folding her hands before her. “Idon’t know that I would use so strong a word,” she replied. “Mr.Wilde is very . . . interesting.”
“Thatis more than you have said about any other man who has ever turned aneye toward you, my sweet girl.” He kissed her hand and smiled knowingly.
Perhapsshe could persuade Edward Wilde to return to whatever woods he had comefrom, and take her with him. This thought was shocking—and pleasant.She wrapped herself up with it.
Whilethe gentlemen smoked and drank their brandy, Mrs. Brannock led theladies to the drawing room. The gossip that followed there wasmercenary. For once, the thoughts of the women were just as stark asthe words they spoke. There were more daughters than availablebachelors in the neighborhood, and the arrival of the Wildes was aboon.
“Butwhat of their family? Does no one know anything of them?”
“Clearly,thefamily made its money in business, this is why no onehas heard of them.”
“Theydo have a rough edge to them, don’t they?”
“Butmoney forgives many faults, doesn’t it?”
Afew stray glances went to Elizabeth, who pretended to be occupiedwith the lace on her sleeve.
“Iwould know more about them before allowing them to claim one of mydaughters.”
“Doesanyone know if they even have this fortunethat everyone speaks of? Taking Lilies Park isn’t a sure sign of it—”
“They’dhave had to prove their credit before taking the estate, surely—”
“I’msure I don’t understand such things—”
“Butthey do seem very fine, don’t they? Ah, to be young again, I might tryto catch one of them for myself!”
Theworry over money was valid, but it had a second function: to raisedoubt and thus put off rivals. Whatever they said, the mothers wouldbe happy to have their daughters married to money. None of them were sofine that they could easily refuse anything upward of three thousand ayear. If the marriage went poorly years hence, whether because of moneyor disposition, they would all say that they knew from the first itwould be so. None would remember the talk of this evening.
Amyleaned close to Elizabeth. “You are thinking very deep thoughts, myfriend.”
“Oh?I’m told that thinking in ladies is unattractive.”
“Usuallyit is, but it makes you appear quite mysterious.I approve.”
“Amy,you’re a bad influence on me.”
“Good!Now, do share.”
Shetook a deep breath. “I am thinking, what a pack of vultures.”
Amyburstout laughing, and the matrons and their daughters turned sharp looks tothem, which caused Elizabeth’s friend to chokeback even more laughter.
Thegentlemen joined the ladies soon enough, and there was music and whist.The younger of the company drifted to an adjacent parlor, talkingaround the fireplace with the illusion of privacy, chaperoned by thecompany in the other room.
“Ithink our introduction to the neighborhood has been a great success,brothers,” said Francis, the merry one, as Elizabeth thought of him.“What say you, ladies?”
“Atriumphant success, I think,” Amy exclaimed. “But you will have to holda ball of your own soon to truly establish yourselves.”
“Ah,of course,” Francis said. “We cannot escape the balls, can we?”
Vincentand Edward showed sour expressions at this, though they made a goodshow of fortitude. The drawing room was not their natural habitat, asEdward had indicated. Francis masked discomfort by being forward.Vincent and Edward did not mask it at all.
“Butnow—I am going to be quite rude,” Amy said. “I hope you will not thinkill of me for it.”
“Howcould anyone ever think ill of you?” Francis said.
“Weknow nothing about you,” she said. “Where are you from? What can youtell us of the Wilde family? If you do not wish to answer directly,perhaps we can play a game of questions. You need only answer yes orno, then.”
“Thereis nothing to tell, really,” Vincent said, eyeing his brothers.
“No,please, a game of questions would be delightful! Are you fromthe north?”
“Ah. . . no,” Vincent said.
“Thesouth, then?”
“No.”
Theyoung lady pursed her lips. “Well then, where are you from?”
“MissWeston,” Edward said. He began to pace. “Do you play the pianoforte?”
Elizabethflinched, startled. “Not very well, I’m afraid.”
Francislaughed. “Then we must hear you play, Miss Weston, for all ladies saythey do not play well, to better display their genteel humility.”
Amystood and gave a brilliant smile. All the gentlemen must swoon. “Mr.Wilde, we are having such a fine conversation, I’m sure no one wishesto leave it even for a moment just to play something.”
Rescue.Elizabeth’s relief was physical.
Francisseemed put out. “Really, I thought this was how it was done. The ladyis asked to play, she demurs that she does not play well, her assembledfriends assure her that she plays very well indeed, and then the ladyis allowed to demonstrate her skill without being accused of unduepride.” He was teasing. His manner was bright, containing no malice atall, but Elizabeth might wish she weren’t the subject of his banter.She was ill equipped to bear it.
“Mr.Wilde, do be still,” Edward
