"Then what is it a question of?"
He did not answer immediately. Eleanor held his gaze, not challenging, but not retreating either.
"She wishes to show me the gardens," she continued, more gently now. "She can teach me the names of the flowers, if you like. That way, she will be learning."
"That is not a sufficient lesson."
"It may be," she said. "If the purpose of your rule is to ensure her well-being rather than to maintain it for its own sake."
Lily stepped closer to him, her voice quieter now, though no less determined.
"Please," she said.
Lord Harrowby looked down at her, then back at Eleanor. There was a moment when he hesitated. Eleanor did not press it, she simply waited. At last, he nodded his head slightly.
"You may remain," he said to Lily. "For a short while. You will return within the hour."
"I will," she replied, already turning away.
She caught Eleanor’s hand without hesitation.
"You must come," she said. "There is a place you have not seen."
Eleanor allowed herself to be drawn forward, though she paused just long enough to glance back.
"Thank you," she said.
It was not entirely clear what she meant by it. Lord Harrowby did not respond at once. He watched them for a moment, as though wondering just what had happened. Eleanor needed to do the same, for it was not like her to encourage children to break rules, and yet she had done so without hesitation.
It was, she decided, an attempt to win a challenge against him and nothing more.
"Do not go too far," he said at last.
Lily did not turn back.
"We will not, Brother."
Eleanor met his gaze once more, just for a second, something thoughtful passing through her expression before she allowed herself to be led away. Lord Harrowby remained where he was, watching until they disappeared. Only then did he turn back toward the house.
By the time Eleanor returned herself, it had begun to stir properly. Voices carried more easily through the corridors, doors stood open, and the quiet stillness of the morning was long gone. It was easier to step back into it than she had expected.
Eleanor entered the drawing room with the same composed ease she had the evening before, though there was lesseffort required. The earlier hours in the garden had steadied something in her, though she did not examine it too closely.
"Eleanor?"
She turned at once, her expression softening.
"Anne."
Lady Anne Carlisle crossed the room quickly, her manner calm as ever. She had hardly seen her friend the night before, and that had only been made worse when she left the party early.
"You disappeared rather suddenly last night," Anne said.
"I did not think I would be missed."
"You were, especially by me," Anne sighed. "Was it the company, or the setting?"
"Neither," Eleanor replied. "Or both, depending on how charitable one wishes to be."