“But beyond that,” Hugh went on, “I can tell you for a fact that the women with whom Elinor, and I might remind you Mrs. Partlowe, have chosen to associate with, are of the very best you will find in London society. They care for one another rather than compete with one another, they never hesitate to aid someone in need, and they have been courageous enough to find an unconventional way to bring wisdom, entertainment, and hope to others in England. My sister being among them.” He tilted his head in inquiry. “You praise Miss Barbara Asheley for independence of mind, yet you condemn Miss Elinor Asheley for the same. They express that independence in different ways, yet their marriage state is the same. I question the scale on which these rulings have been made.”

Joan’s face was turning an uncomfortable shade of red, and others in the room were now averting their gaze, though none moved from their places.

It seemed that Hugh would be able to make whatever sermon he wished without interruption or contradiction.

How mysterious were the twists of fate.

Hugh turned then to look at Elinor, and his expression somehow softened, yet became more determined.

She couldn’t have looked away even if she had tried.

She didn’t try.

Didn’t want to.

“And in my admittedly limited experience,” he murmured, his voice lowering, “Elinor could not associate with a more worthy circle of women, and she is well worthy of them in every respect. Miss Ellen would do well to emulate any of her sisters, including Elinor.”

Lord, he could have asked her to marry him in that moment, and she would have accepted, fully and freely.

Somehow, he must have known that, seen that. If not that, specifically, then at least that her heart had entirely blossomed for his picking. His smile told her he knew something had changed, and that he was quite pleased by whatever he saw.

She smiled at him in return, her heart warming and sending a beacon towards him that would have drawn her close had she any power to move.

“Beyond all of that,” Hugh murmured, his eyes darkening in a tempting manner, his smile forming adorable creases at the corners of his eyes, “one of the Spinsters has married my cousin, Captain Sterling. I have grown to respect and admire Georgiana, Mrs. Ramsay, and her position in my family has only improved us, I can assure you. My cousin is a most fortunate man, and a wise one.”

Joan fidgeted in her seat, Elinor could see it out of the corner of her eye, but she dared not look away from Hugh.

Hugh, who was stealing her breath and her ability to think.

Hugh, who had sent the most pleasant jolts of heat into the tips of her fingers and the arches of her feet.

Hugh, who made her lips tingle in anticipation of… something…