Corran William Lennox had spent the better part of two days lost in painful thought concerning the interview he'd had with Sir Edward. Thank the Lord his dear father still retained excellent health. Thank heaven he was allowed a few years to settle these terrifying prospects in his mind and grow accustomed to the bulk of inheritance that would lay on his shoulders. Those were the thoughts that he clung to.
Lost in thought soon became unbearably restless; against his first impulse, he decided to attend his good friend Brooke's evening dance. He could put the heavy troubles away for a time, enjoy himself and come back to them later. He sent along a note of his acceptance of Mr. Brooke's invitation, apologizing for the lateness.
To put off the constantly reappearing worries of late, Corran wore his brightest colors that evening: deep blue with a striped green and light-blue vest, a bright blue cap, and an orange blossom in his lapel. He looked a little eccentric, he supposed, but the colors made his mood a little lighter. He laughed at the expression on Pearl's face as he passed her on his way to the stables.
He could see, hear, and smell the activity, excitement and gaiety before he reached the little farm manor. How he enjoyed leaving behind the cold stuffiness of his social circle for the warm gentleness of country folk and their assemblies. He had undoubtedly been born into the wrong social class.
Mr. Brooke overflowed with joyful grins and words upon his arrival. Corran smiled gratefully at his friend's earnest attentions. Brooke offered introductions without even being asked, and Corran was grateful for that as well. He had never quite grasped the art of introductions with strangers.
Mr. Brooke knew exactly whom Mr. Lennox should meet; she stood, stiff and straining on one side of the lawn, in quiet conversation with friends. Mr. Brooke thought it the greatest thing in the world that his two favorite party guests should meet. Corran recognized, even before they formally met, the book girl he'd passed on the road to town that morning's ride, the girl who'd immediately struck him and stuck in his mind. Her cold formality could not fool him; her hand was soft and obliging of its own accord as he bent over it. It seemed she could not be frigid if she wanted to; her own intrinsic warmth betrayed her, and Corran recognized it immediately. Clever Mr. Brooke quickly ushered Corran away to make more new acquaintances, and Cecil was left to reflect on first impressions.
For Corran's part, he could not help but cement one eye, one ear, and one area of his thoughts to the book girl for the rest of the evening. Every significant movement, reaction and conversation he caught and turned over and over in his mind. It wasn't terribly difficult. Standing on the opposite side of the lawn, conversing with a group of new (and eager) acquaintances, he could easily pick out her voice, and especially her laughter. Every other word began with laughter. He wished at times to know what was so damned funny that she should laugh so profusely. He began to pass off the Miss Moore as a member of the ridiculous order of females, of the giddy, featherbrained character. What other conclusion could one draw from a woman who laughed all together too often? And especially at social gatherings?
The nerve, Ceci thought, her thoughts seething. Brazen arrogance of the man to show up at poor Mr. Brooke's private party just to revel in the natural adoration of decent country folk. It's disgusting, the appalling vanity of this order of society weasels. She had not even the will power to plaster a smile to her face as he bent over her hand. She received his politeness with an icy nod. Poor Mr. Brooke stood beside the two of them, grinning like a fool. If she had an invisible boot or a pitchfork, she'd send this Mr. Lennox on his way, away from her. The minute he turned his back, she scowled. Marguerite, who had never seen her cousin in such an attitude before, was taken aback. Marie only looked confused. Christopher only looked at Marguerite.
When Ceci turned back to her company of friends, she almost laughed at the curious looks on their faces. She forgot her anger and annoyance for the moment, and that suddenly put her at ease.
"Well, let me tell you who would match our Mr. Corran William Lennox best of our humble little party, since he seems to be so desperate for feminine adoration. I believe Sophia Mills would make him the perfect mate."
Maria let out a hearty gaffah. "Miss Sophia Mills? She has a brain the size of a bird's!"
Marguerite, in all her self-righteous dignity, looked shocked.
"Yes, and so I said, perfect; for she has the beauty with no brains. You know gentlemen, especially of Mr. Lennox's character, prefer a woman that complements his looks. They're always loathe to bother with a woman who might challenge him or provide an alternate opinion. Men can never get on well with a woman who possesses a strong mind."
"But you know, Ceci," Maria objected, "gentlemen, especially those like our new friend Mr. Lennox must have a wife who is good in society, one who will speak very little, but speak it well and will always be persuaded to agree with him, so that he can always get his way."
"And so?" Ceci asked, raising an eyebrow in amusement, "who would fit that description? Beautiful, brainless, agreeable and a society belle?"
"Susanna Greggs." Maria replied with a smirk.
Ceci laughed with abandon. "Susanna? Oh, Maria, you are cruel. She's such a timid girl! Mr. Lennox would bully the poor thing till she'd be too afraid to open her mouth!"
Maria considered, and nodded.
"If not Sophia Mills and most definitely not Miss Greggs, then the woman is--"
At this point in the conversation, Ceci was interrupted by Samuel Redford, William Redford and Corran Lennox.
"Have you met this fellow?" Sam said to Ceci, gesturing behind him at Mr. Lennox.
Ceci nodded without expression. Oh, why in heaven's name would they bring him over here once more?
"A dandy chap, he is," William said.
Oh yes, thought Ceci, let's spread our words like true country cretins, that he might have more to deepen his self-importance.
"I'm sure," replied Ceci, clasping her hands together with self-contained fury.
"Did I hear Miss Greggs mentioned just now?" Sam said. The whole of the countryside knew (very well indeed) his devotion for Susanna Greggs.
Maria stifled a smirk. "Yes, actually. We were just discussing--"
Will interrupted. "Well, we all know who among us's taken a fancy to her!" Ceci suspected he said this before his cousin had a chance to enumerate the young woman's many charms, as he had a habit of doing.
Ceci laughed at the surprised and annoyed expression on Sam's face, but her laugh died away quickly when she caught Mr. Lennox's intent glance. Her clasped hands tightened again. "Mr. Redford," She said, addressing Samuel. "How would you act if Susanna quite suddenly refused to attend church?"
"How do you mean?" Sam asked, looking confused.
"If she expressed an averse opinion of the Anglican Church and stated an intent to enter a different Christian denomination?" Ceci kept an eye on Mr. Lennox's looks and movements.
"Leave the Anglican Church?" Sam said, aghast. "What? You mean, if she wanted to become... Catholic?"
"Yes, perhaps, Catholic. Or of the Lutheran persuasion. Tell me, what would you do?"
"Well," Sam said, looking upset, "I would refuse to marry her, I suppose. No wife of mine will be a Catholic... or one of the John Calvin, Martin Luther tribe."
"No?" Ceci said, feigning surprise.
"She--she hasn't spoken of such an idea to you, has she?" Sam said, leaning forward in frightened, hushed tones.
"No, not to me she hasn't. I just wonder, Mr. Redford, why you would refuse to marry a woman you obviously admire, simply because she believed or expressed something contrary to your own persuasion?" Ceci let a tiny grin touch her eyes, for Corran's expression at her side was one of surprise, and... could it be? Indignation?
"Miss Moore, erm, with respect," (Sam was ever the gentleman) "What woman has the just right to make decisions adverse to her man's?"
Ceci raised an eyebrow. She always knew this to be Samuel's standpoint, as most men of her acquaintance, but to hear it spoken aloud peaked her annoyance. "And so, Mr. Redford, you prefer a woman to be timid, quiet and agreeable?"
"Well..." Samuel stopped for a moment and looked slightly unbalanced.
"Good. I'll tell Susanna you said so." Cecil nodded politely to Mr. Lennox and left them, making her way stiffly across the lawn.
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