Chapter 4

"Stop fidgeting, dear," Aunt Helen mildly chided later that evening. "Do not ruin all Ashley's efforts. You look stunning."

Eleanor sighed and stopped touching her bodice. "But isn't this a little too low?" she asked. "It's all well and good when you're moderately sized and can fit everything into your dress, but I'm a tad bigger and feel exposed. Why could I not wear the chemisette with the dress?"

"Because it would ruin the effect of your dress," her aunt replied. "Tell her, Grant. This is for her own good."

"Listen to Aunt Helen," said Grant absentmindedly. "She knows what she's talking about."

Eleanor huffed and planted her chin on her hand as she looked outside the darkening sky. One could tell it was spring because the evening sky took longer to succumb to the night. Summer would hold on to its light even longer, unwilling to give a fair share to the evening. Considering autumn and winter monopolized many hours of the day, summer had every right to take as much as she could.

Unlike the tranquility of the countryside, London streets were busy with carriages, horses, and people all heading somewhere. The smells of animal droppings, rotting food, unwashed bodies, and urine wafted to her nose over the scent of her perfume. She wrinkled her nose. Eleanor didn't think she'd ever grow accustomed to the stench and wondered how others managed to ignore it. Perhaps she needed to add a little perfume to a handkerchief and keep it near her nose.

"We're nearly there," her brother commented.

Eleanor glanced at him. Grant hadn't been himself that day. He was distracted and had changed his evening attire three times before settling with his current ensemble. He also appeared expectant.

"That's good," their aunt replied. "I'm interested to watch this play. I wonder if they will make it, erm, lusty."

"Isn't that what Shakespeare wanted?" Granted asked. "A comedy with a touch of lust? It keeps people interested. People either want a tragedy so they can forget about their own troubles for a little while or a comedy to do the same thing. One must always pander to the masses."

"I suppose a little naughtiness is acceptable as long as it's in good fun," said Aunt Helen. "It's one of your favorite plays, isn't it, Eleanor dear?"

"I like that it has a whimsical edge," Eleanor replied. "Faeries and all that."

She also often wished she was as beautiful as she imagined the faerie queen, Titania, would be. Eleanor was more of a pixie with her freckles and less delicate appearance, but they somewhat belonged to the same family, so she wasn't far off. The thought made her laugh inwardly. She was always never far off, be it from beauty or being accepted into the upper echelons of society. However, never far off was worse than being unattractive or a social pariah. At least these people knew there was no chance of improvement, whereas Eleanor felt she had to constantly work to achieve something that was always out of her reach. It was maddening. She would rather enjoy spinsterhood than stress about suitors and husbands.

They arrived at the Theater Royal several minutes later, waiting their turn as others ahead of them alighted from their carriages. Eleanor looked out the window and admired various women and their gowns. They looked elegant and beautiful and knew it, while Eleanor fussed over her appearance because she wasn't confident she looked as lovely as her aunt claimed. It wasn't her. She preferred simple muslin gowns without embellishments and usually had them made on the larger side so she could easily bend, roll, cross her legs, and move around.

"Our turn," her brother said, interrupting her thoughts.

Eleanor's belly clenched painfully. It was time to put on a show for the benefit of others. She would only feel comfortable once she was seated and watching the play. Then, no one would look at her. If only she could just be herself, she wouldn't feel nervous or worried about what others thought about her. Their opinions wouldn't matter because she was happy with herself. Instead, she was forced to be everything but herself just to secure a husband and be accepted by society.

Her aunt stepped out first and warned them about a suspicious-looking puddle near the carriage. Eleanor followed and dodged the puddle with a nimble leap to safety. A familiar form caught her attention, but her brother beat her to identifying the woman.

"That's Miss Huxley, isn't it?" he said.

Eleanor glanced at him. He appeared excited and sounded pleased. This wasn't the first time she had noticed his behavior whenever her best friend was around, but she always brushed it away. Julia and Grant had known each other for as long as she had been friends with Eleanor—it was expected to have some affection toward each other. However, something had shifted in the last few weeks.

"We should go and greet her, shouldn't we?" he said. "Perhaps we can sit together."

Eleanor was going to suggest that, but he beat her to it. "Are you renting the same box?" she asked. "It seems she's with her aunt and cousin."

She waited for Grant to look at her, but his eyes never left Julia. It was strange.

"We have more than enough space," Grant assured her. "We should let them know before they settle into their seats. I can quickly catch up to them."

Grant didn't bother to hear what Eleanor or their aunt had to say; he merely walked ahead until he reached Julia.

"What on earth?" said Aunt Helen. "Tell me you also think his behavior is strange?"

"Undoubtedly," Eleanor replied.

Her aunt nodded. "I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed," she said. "We might as well follow him, but we will walk like ladies. We will not hurry."

They approached the little group, greeting everyone before entering their box. Eleanor and Julia hung back for a little conversation before reaching their box. The Theater Royal was filling up quickly, so Eleanor was glad her brother was wise enough to keep renting their box.

"Your brother is friendlier than usual," Julia remarked.

Eleanor nodded. "I noticed."

"He's always friendly, but this was a little different," Julia continued. "Should I be worried? Do you think he will deliver some terrible news, so he is merely being nice?"

"I doubt it," Eleanor told her. "I do not see how he would have terrible news. I think he's in a good mood—better than usual."

Eleanor didn't entirely believe that, but since she didn't know what was influencing her brother's behavior, she would just accept her reasoning.

"You could be right," said Julia. She glanced at Eleanor as they weaved their way through the crowd. "You look beautiful this evening. I have always loved you in something sparkly. You're dripping in silk and diamonds."

Julia wasn't exaggerating. Aunt Helen had selected a dress Eleanor had never worn before, and with good reason. The white silk creation not only had a low bodice but was covered in the lightest blue embroidery that shimmered whenever it caught the light. The effect was intensified by the diamonds around her neck and in her hair. The only items that were not embellished were her elbow-length gloves and white shoes.

"It's too much," Eleanor complained. "I begged for something plain, but Aunt Helen wouldn't hear of it."

"I'm glad she put you in something that accentuates your beauty," said Julia. "You're always hiding behind drab clothing."

"Plain clothing," Eleanor corrected. "I prefer simple things."

"You prefer to hide," Julia countered. "I do not understand why you cannot see yourself as I do."

Eleanor merely sighed and shook her head. They usually had this conversation at least once a month, if not more. It was normal for friends to see the best in each other, but that didn't change the fact that others didn't feel the same. If she was so beautiful, she wouldn't feel so out of place or like a wallflower in social settings.

"Our company has entered the box," she said.

"How very Eleanor-esque of you," said Julia, chuckling lightly. "Changing the subject when you refuse to acknowledge something. It's rather amusing."

Eleanor pursed her lips. "I'm glad I could amuse you."

"Oh, come now," said Julia, bumping shoulders with her. "You know what I mean. I would never laugh at you, but your behavior can sometimes be amusing."

Eleanor said nothing as they joined their company and took their seats. She was eager for the play to begin so she could forget everyone around her and focus on the story.

"You look lovely this evening, Miss Huxley," she heard her brother comment.

"Thank you, Lord Egerton," Julia replied. "You are handsome as usual. Your dark blue suit complements your coloring well."

Eleanor couldn't agree more. Grant had inherited their mother's golden hair and blue eyes and looked lovely in most shades of blue.

Grant smiled and looked away quickly. Despite the low light in the box, Eleanor noticed the spots of color on her brother's cheeks. He was flustered!

"The curtains have lifted," Aunt Helen said. "I hope this is an enjoyable play. I didn't like the last one I watched here. I cannot recall the name, but it was just terrible."

"I'm sure this one will be better," Eleanor assured her. "I have a good feeling about it."

They fell quiet as the play began, with Egeus bringing his rebellious daughter before the duke. Eleanor could somewhat identify with Hermia's refusal to bend to her father's will and marry Demetrius. They both wanted freedom to do what their hearts desired. Hermia wanted to be with Lysander because she loved him, and Eleanor wanted to be left alone to live her life as she wished.

"How cruel," Eleanor whispered. "Death or a convent—what options are those? What a ridiculous Athenian law."

"Each to their own," Julia replied.

"Does that law apply to men as well?" said Eleanor. "I highly doubt it. Hermia refuses to marry Demetrius, so she must be punished severely—does that sound normal to you? Does her father not love her?"

"Yes, it does sound normal," said Julia. "I heard about a young woman who was bound hand and foot to force her to marry some old man. Her parents were more concerned about their image than their daughter's happiness. What more could have happened during Shakespeare's time if such a thing can happen now?"

Eleanor scowled. "It's disgusting."

Grant leaned closer to them. "Forgive me if I'm wrong, sister dear, but you've read this play multiple times. Why do you speak as though you are seeing it for the first time?"

"I am seeing it for the first time," Eleanor pointed out. "I've never watched the play, but I have read it. Watching it is very different. It brings the story alive."

Grant chuckled and pulled away. "I suppose a play wouldn't be complete without your commentary."

Eleanor rolled her eyes playfully and focused on the play. She undoubtedly had a habit of giving little bits of knowledge and her opinion during every play, but it was her way of absorbing everything into her mind.

The scene changed when the four lovers—Hermia with Lysander and Helena with Demetrius—ran away into the lush Athenian forest. The stage was transformed to give the feeling of a balmy summer's night. Eleanor inwardly applauded the setting's creators' ability to foreshadow the passions and tempers that would soon arise in the forest. She could only imagine how much had been spent to make everything look luxurious, wild, and somewhat lustful. Eleanor was especially looking forward to seeing Titania. In the play, she had come across as a faerie overfilled with femininity and power.

"Here is my favorite character," Grant commented when the mischievous Puck appeared.

"Of course you would like him," said Eleanor. "He caused the chaos."

Grant shrugged his shoulders with a chuckle. "A little chaos doesn't hurt."

"A little chaos?" Eleanor repeated. "He squeezes the juice of a magical plant into everyone's eyes and causes mayhem."

"Yes, but Oberon told him to do it," said Grant.

"But Puck muddled the two Athenian men and caused a rift between Hermia and Helena," Eleanor countered.

"Which would not have happened if they hadn't disturbed the faerie king's peace," Grant argued. "Let's not forget that Oberon poured the juice into his wife's eyes."

"And Puck magically transformed one of the tradesman's heads into an ass," said Eleanor, poking the armrest of her chair as she spoke. "Titania fell in love with Bottom—a man with the head of an ass. She was enamored with a half-beast, half-man being."

Grant chuckled, making her laugh. Eleanor loved these little discussions with her brother. They usually turned into harmless arguments, but she enjoyed them.

"Would you both remain quiet enough for the rest of us to enjoy the play?" Aunt Helen asked. "Give us a moment to catch up to what you know, or we'll be lost."

"Sorry, Aunt Helen," Eleanor and Grant said simultaneously.

Eleanor poked a playful tongue out at her brother and looked away, only for him to tug one of her curls. She gasped and snapped around to him, waving her fist at him.

"Eleanor," her aunt warned. "A little more decorum, please."

"Yes, Aunt," Eleanor replied and looked away, but not before sending her brother a look full of promise to get even.

It was all done in jest, but that didn't mean she wouldn't get a little revenge, like adding salt to his tea or hiding his bespoke deck of cards. It was harmless sibling bickering that usually ended with tea, biscuits, and much laughter.

Half an hour later, the curtains closed, giving the audience time to stretch their legs and have some refreshments. Eleanor and Julia decided they wanted something to drink and left together to look for the refreshment table. A line was formed for the refreshment table that put them somewhere in the middle. Eleanor stepped out to calculate how many people were in front of them and noted the time it took for each person to get their drink and walk off.

"Three minutes," she said. "Give or take."

"Three minutes until what?" Julia asked.

"Until we reach the front," she replied. "Perhaps four when you consider that some appear to be undecided about what they want to drink, and others are talking so much that they will likely delay at the front."

"Dare I ask how you came to that conclusion?" said Julia. "You're always calculating and creating hypothetical situations."

"I just like observing patterns," said Eleanor. "I'd like to get to the front before they raise the curtains again. Perhaps we should have been faster while leaving our box."

"We had dozens of people in front of us," Julia pointed out. "Unless you intended to push them out of the way, I doubt this result could have been any different. Knowing you, hurting someone just to get ahead is the furthest thing from your mind. I, on the other hand, would not have been so worried if I elbowed a few people here and there."

"And you would get away with it," said Eleanor. "Pretty people always do."

Julia laughed. "If I didn't know you so well, I would think you were fishing for a compliment," she said. "You are pretty, beautiful even. Have you not noticed how many people have looked at you this evening?"

"Do you mean they looked at a fish out of water?"

"A mermaid at best because you're undoubtedly uncomfortable," said Julia. "However, that doesn't mean...Oh, what's the point of arguing about this? You never listen to me, but I will say one thing: If I were a man, I would be in love with you."

Eleanor's eyes widened. "I cannot believe you said that out loud," she whispered. "People will look at us oddly."

She looked ahead and to the side and found several people staring at them. However, they were far enough away not to have heard, but the women before them appeared to be listening rather intently.

"Did you not say that pretty people get away with everything?" Julia pointed out with a smile. "Why would anyone choose to think the worst now?"

Eleanor shook her head. "You are impossible at times," she complained.

"Yes, yes, and you put up with me so well," said Julia. "That is why you're my best friend, the one I love the most in the whole world."

Julia placed her chestnut head on Eleanor's shoulder, although she had to bend at the knees because their height difference was significant. Eleanor was a respectable five foot, but Julia was five foot five with a svelte body and excellent bone structure.

Finally, they reached the front and chose glasses of chilled bubbly champagne. All the beverages were served on crushed ice, which ensured the perfect temperature for a warm evening.

"Can you believe it was winter just a month ago?" Julia asked. "This evening is too warm to be the beginning of spring."

They turned away from the table and encountered two similar-looking men staring at them with amusement and interest. The older man, the one Eleanor first noticed, looked handsome, with his black hair streaked with gray and beautiful deep blue eyes. His brother—at least, she assumed they were brothers—was a somewhat younger version of him, but the older man had an air about him that made her notice him more. That had never happened before.