Artemis nodded quite solemnly. “My ancient namesake had a band of huntresses, and they were absolutely everything young ladies ought to be permitted to be: fierce, strong, capable, and entirely in control of their own destinies. We mean to emulate them in every way possible.”
“Including the part where they murder people who sneak into their ranks unwelcome?” Ellie asked.
“Especially that part,” Artemis said with a grin.
Ellie did not actually think they meant to murder anyone. But their fearless leader clearly found the comparison entertaining.
“Miss Phelps is Gillian,” Artemis said. “And Miss Mullins is Daria.”
“Ellie,” she said to them both.
They walked on, reaching the Gravel Walk at last. The tree-strewn path was far from empty. Strolling about with these three fashionable young ladies made her far more the center of attention than she was accustomed to being.
Lillian would be in a fury if she could see her younger sister meandering along the shaded walk, being looked at with admiration while she herself had been denied the opportunity. When Lillian was denied the things she wished for, she could have something of a temper. Ellie didn’t wish for Mr. Hughes to be cornered into a match that would render him at the mercy of an unpredictable and, at times, unpleasant disposition. He was personable, kind, and so quiet. What a mismatch that would be.
“Now, our difficulty is attempting to spot the two gentlemen we are hoping to see,” Gillian said.
Daria had an easy answer for that. “We simply pay attention to which direction every lady’s eye turns. That would undoubtedly lead us to Mr. Jonquil, and Mr. Hughes will most certainly be with him. Easy as can be.”
Though Artemis appeared a bit annoyed at the rationale, she did not argue with the strategy. Mere moments later, it proved ingenious. Heads were indeed turning as Mr. Jonquil ambled along. Ellie had met only one of his older brothers—the earl—when he had come to the little neighborhood for Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster’s wedding. He was very fine looking as well. She could only imagine the effects of seven such attractive gentlemen all gathered together.
Mr. Hughes was perhaps not as stunningly handsome, but he was quite pleasant in his own way. Quiet, subdued, with the look of one who listened closely and pondered deeply. He was less stately than many gentlemen of the ton. He was also less overwhelming. That would make their ruse far easier to manage.
The two gentlemen greeted all four of them with the appropriate bows and words of welcome.
“I see the Huntresses have re-formed here in Bath.” Mr. Hughes looked to Charlie and explained. “Miss Lancaster and her cohorts are quite famous in Town.”
“Infamous?” Charlie spoke the incorrect echo with a look of feigned innocence.
Artemis did not rise to the bait but simply stood and waited.
Charlie turned his attention to Ellie. “Have you been conscripted, Miss Ellie?”
“I have joined the brigade willingly,” she said. “Unlike Mr. Hughes, who was most certainly conscripted.”
Newton smiled a little, more than he usually did but less obviously than most people. “My participation is entirely willing as well.”
“And are you terrified?” She allowed her enjoyment of their slightly absurd conversation to show, something she never permitted. Something her mother never permitted.
“On the contrary,” he said. “I find myself increasingly delighted.”
Ellie enjoyed being able to speak so openly and genuinely with someone without having to hide behind the facade her mother had invented for her. During the time she spent with Newton, she would be permitted the freedom to be herself in a way she seldom was.
The group continued on, Daria walking beside Charlie, Artemis and Gillian forming a second grouping, and Ellie and Newton walking side-by-side.
“If we are to make our scheme believable,” Newton said, “we would be well advised to learn a little about each other.”
“I agree,” Ellie said.
“What would you like to know about me?” he asked.
Ellie didn’t have a ready answer. Young ladies were not permitted to be so forward as that. Mother’s warning echoed in her ears, but she pushed it aside. Worrying about disobeying Mother on that matter seemed rather ridiculous when she was disobeying in a much larger way.
“Allow me to begin,” Newton said. “It may be easier that way.”
Ellie nodded her agreement. They passed under a particularly large tree, its expansive branches creating a pattern of dappled light on everything beneath it.
“How old are you?” Newton asked.
Ellie found she could almost laugh. It was such basic information, yet they didn’t know that about each other. “I am nearly nineteen.”
“I am recently turned twenty-one,” he said. “I have also recently finished my time in Cambridge.”
“I am afraid I cannot claim an alma mater,” Ellie said. “I did attempt to slip past the gates of Oxford and gain entry, but it seems my dress and bonnet gave me away. I was tossed out quite unceremoniously.”
Far from being horrified at her ridiculousness, Newton laughed. The laughter did her a world of good. Comments such as the one she had just made had earned her any number of punishments and lectures from her parents. He, however, seemed to appreciate her.
“And what do you mean to do now that you have finished your time at University?” Ellie asked.
“That depends entirely upon whom you ask.”
“Do you always answer questions with riddles?”
He smiled, again that barely discernible smile. “The sad result of not enough practice, I suppose.”
“I have noticed your tendency to keep your peace,” she said.
A little hesitation entered his expression. “Do you consider such to be a failing?”
She adjusted her arm, set in the crook of his, so she walked a touch closer. “Not a failing at all.”
He did not speak again for several long moments, but it was not an uncomfortable silence nor an offended one. Though nothing about him changed outwardly, Ellie felt certain he was more relaxed, more at ease.
“What are these varying views on your post-University pursuits?” she asked.
“My father is determined that I will be a gentleman of leisure, whiling away my life with overtly gentlemanly pursuits and living off the wealth he has so carefully guarded and accumulated.”
There was one opinion from one parent. “And according to your mother?”
“I will marry a young lady of tremendous standing in Society—at the moment, she is in agreement with my father’s choice of Miss Lancaster—and then proceed to those very gentlemanly pursuits.”