Eleanor’s expression softened at the sight of her.
"You may come in."
Lily pushed the door open a little further, then slipped inside, closing it carefully behind her. She lingered near it for a moment, her gaze moving around the room before settling on Eleanor.
"You are getting ready," she said.
"I am."
"For the dinner?"
"Yes. I am rather nervous about it though, I must admit."
Lily took a few small steps forward, still not entirely certain of her place in the room. It was rather unlike the outspoken little girl that Eleanor had seen her be before.
"Is it very important?"
"I would say so, yes. It is my first outing as your brother’s wife, and so I am expected to make an excellent impression."
"You will do that."
Lily moved a little closer, her attention shifting to the mirror, to the quiet activity of the maid working behind Eleanor.
"Will it be long?"
"Long enough," Eleanor replied. "Why do you ask?"
Lily hesitated.
"I am not usually left alone. My brother likes me to always be with him, just in case something happens."
Eleanor did not quite know what to say to that. It was, after all, perfectly normal for a brother to be protective over his young sister. Eleanor could not help but wonder, however, if this was indeed as other siblings were with one another.
"Will there be many people?" Lily asked before Eleanor could say anything.
"Some."
"I would like that. I do not like it when there are too many people, but some are alright."
"That is a reasonable way to feel. I am much the same, I must admit."
"You? But you do not seem to be like that."
"No, but that is only because I have learned to hide it. That is very important when you are a lady."
"Why?"
"Because it is part of what is required of me. I must appear to be a perfect lady, so that people think I will make a good wife for your brother."
Lily shifted her weight slightly. Eleanor wished that she would say something, because as it was she was forced to reckon with the question of whether or not she was a good wife for Julian. There was no changing it, of course, but that did not make it easier. If anything, it only concerned her more. They were married, and if she brought shame upon him, then there was nothing that could be done about it. They were bound to one another whether they liked it or not.
"I would like to have gone," Lily said at last.
Eleanor glanced at her, catching the uncertainty in the way the words were said.
"To a dinner like this?"
"Yes."