Chapter Three

Mr Harrington it transpired was an old acquaintance of Eleanor’s eldest brother Frederick. The two had met while staying with a mutual friend in town one summer, and though they had not maintained correspondence, Mr Harrington was hopeful that they might once more enjoy one anothers company erelong. Eleanor, knowing her brother’s disposition, and having been informed of Mr Harrington’s income by Mrs Jenkins, could not help but doubt the likelihood of such a reunion but, anxious not to insult her friends guest, she merely smiled upon him and remained silent.

The dance ended and the pair parted, Eleanor hastily excusing herself to find her cousin, lest she should be engaged in conversation about her brother once more. She spent some minutes in searching the room for Lillian but to no avail, she was just giving up all hope when she happened upon Thomas. He bestowed on her a most affectionate smile and taking her arm steered her to a less crowded portion of the room.

‘My sister is dancing, dear cousin, and is likely to remain so for some time. Will you not stand up with me?’

She acquiesced and allowed him to lead her amongst the other couples. It was with some discomposure that she found herself only two couples away from Mr Harrington who was now dancing with a young lady introduced to her earlier in the evening as Miss Drake.

Mr Harrington was soon pushed from her mind by her cousin’s lively and comfortable conversation, they talked of everything �" the room, the couples, the dancing, the ladies finery, the men’s gallantry. Thomas put an element of humour and affectionate mockery into everything and Eleanor found herself laughing more easily than she had in a very long time. The dance was soon over and they retired to a quiet corner to sit a while.

Presently Eleanor observed Lillian approaching, accompanied by a tall man, very stately and fine in appearance. Thomas, who was at the time engaged in conversation with an elderly friend of his fathers, did not seem to notice the arrival, and in any case it was to Eleanor that Lilly addressed herself.

‘Cousin,’ she said with a mischievous smile, ‘allow me to introduce a friend of your uncle’s, this is Captain Furling.’

Eleanor stared in astonishment at the man before her. Surely this gentleman, so finely turned out, could not be the same fellow who had bowed so hastily to her in the entrance to her uncle’s house! Recollecting herself to the present she returned his now gentile bow and attempted to compose her countenance. Something about his stately presence was unsettling her most abominably.

The Captain for his part seemed unaffected by his new acquaintance, and having apologised for the disorderliness of their first meeting, turned to the now disengaged Thomas and shook his hand most heartily. The two were soon deep in conversation about Furling’s latest adventure and the two women were quite forgotten.

Lillian, taking her cousins arm, lead her quietly away, waiting until they were out of earshot before turning to Eleanor.

‘And so, what is your verdict on the famous Captain, cousin? You seemed quite discomposed when first I introduced you!’

‘Yes, and what a wicked thing to do for you knew I must be so! To think,’ she added blushing, ‘how I stood there just staring at him! Oh tell me cousin, did I look very stupid?’

‘Very stupid indeed,’ replied the other with relish. And then, a teasing smile creeping over her features, ‘and so much the better for otherwise I fear he would have fallen in love with you directly, you look so like that enchanting ocean that he loves tonight. With your hair just so in waves, and your dress the colour of a storm capped sea.’

‘Oh you mustn’t tease me so Lilly, I shall never be able to face him again!’

Her cousin only laughed and replied that she mustn’t be so easy to tease if she disliked being so, and they continued in such a way for some time, until the arrival of Mrs Jenkins with fresh news and gossip gleaned from her guests, brought about a new turn in conversation.