It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single person in possession of great abundance, must be in want of a companion. No matter one's understanding of society, and despite all personal grievances on the subject, it is simply the way of things. Elsbeth knew this, and yet she considered herself rather more practical than the average, simpering, and rather pedestrian member of society. She was, after all, of a most keen mind, and therefore thought herself rather unsuited to marriage. In fact, the entire affair seemed most disagreeable to her temperament and most singular sense of independence. While her father agreed, of course, Mrs. Warwick, her mother, was as thoroughly hypnotized by the idea as one could be. And tragically so, Elsbeth thought, for she rather considered the relationship between her parents to be quite frought - no doubt due to this tiresome, yet foundational incompatibility.

The rain streamed down Lady Pemberbrook's pleading countenence as she beheld Elsbeth with widened eyes. While she looked no more a lady than Elsbeth herself, dress sodden and muddy, there was no denying the magnificence revealed by the clinging fabric of her shirt. She looked thoroughly unfit to hold her head above anyone, let alone Elsbeth. She seemed unlikely to remark upon it. "It is beneath my station, and glaringly so to admit it, but I must confess my complete and utter infatuation with you. I had not anticipated ever resigning myself to the life of a wife, and yet I must concede that I have found myself yearning for it as of late." "And now I am to cry out how ardently and completely I share in your feelings? To you who have made so clear your utter disdain and regret for my family and disposition both? I would sooner resign myself to spinsterhood, fortune be damned, than admit to loving such a woman as you!" "Surely you are not so ungrateful?"

It was a remarkably peaceful ball, as balls go, especially those with Elsbeth's family in attendance. So many children and still nary a scrap of sense between them, save of course for Elsbeth and her youngest brother. It seemed that even marriage had yet to solve that predicament for her older cousins, and so she retained little hope for the rest of them. It had not truly suited any of them well, by her estimations, but perhaps her boundless hesitation would prove her much the wiser, and much the happier. For all her mother's fawning, Elsbeth could not detect a hint of love between them all, and certainly nothing that could compare to her own feelings. "The eve of our own wedding and yet your mind seems as far away from my own as ever." "I'm merely considering if your incessant sourness will yet return, and what I shall do in the event that it does." "Would that it could, Lady Pemberbrook. Unfortunately for you, I've found myself to be in a most agreeable mood as of late. The wonders of love, I suppose."