"And what is it you think you would like about it?" Eleanor asked.
Lily thought about that.
"The candles," she said first. "And the dresses. I have always wanted a beautiful gown like the ladies wear."
"That is also what I wanted when I was a girl! They are truly beautiful, though they are very heavy, too."
"And the music," she added. "If there is any. I love listening to the music, especially when the adults are talking and I do not understand them."
"There may well be music there."
"And I enjoy seeing everything," Lily said. "Not just hearing about it."
Eleanor watched her for a moment. Lily’s gaze had dropped slightly now, as though she was no longer entirely certain she ought to have said it at all. Eleanor turned slightly in her seat, enough that she was no longer looking only at her reflection.
"I apologize," she said gently. "I did not mean to take your place."
Lily looked up at her, just briefly.
"It is alright. I know that it is not the sort of place that I should be. My brother does not trust me enough."
"Then why does he usually take you?"
"Because he does not trust me to be alone here, either. He does not trust me at all."
Eleanor hoped that was not true, for if it was then she would not know what to do about it. There was nothing at all wrong with the way Lily was; if anything, she was a shining example of what a girl ought to have been. She was certain that Lily was confused and nothing more, but she also did not want to say as such in case she was wrong about it.
"Would you like me to ask your brother about this?"
Lily did not respond immediately, though Eleanor could see that she was already more hopeful.
"Would you really?" she said.
"Of course. It is for the best that we all understand one another, and I would prefer that you are happy as you know."
Lily nodded once, as though that was enough.
"Not tonight," she added quickly. "I know it is not tonight."
"No," Eleanor said. "Not tonight, as we shall be occupied, but another time."
Lily seemed satisfied with that. She moved a little closer now, her earlier hesitation fading, her attention returning to the process of Eleanor’s preparation.
"You look different," she said.
"In what way?"
"More…" Lily paused, searching for the word. "Important."
Eleanor allowed a faint smile.
"That is the intention."
Lily nodded, accepting that without question.
"I think you will do it properly," she said.
"Do what properly?"