“Your daughter is very lovely, Lady Tompkins.” Elliot smiled, bowing towards the Lady and her daughter, Emilia. The Countess gave a tight-lipped smile and curtsied, as did Emilia. “Ah… yes. Thank you, my Lord.” Lady Tompkins replied, then steered Emilia away, mentioning the Duke Dorset. Elliot sighed. He corrected her on his title, “It is Danvers.” He reflected on his difficulties finding a wife due to social prejudice. Even polite women were discouraged from associating with him. He understood their mothers’ concerns, as his social standing was precarious. He observed the ballroom, feeling lonely despite the crowd. He had lost his family at 17 and now at 24, lacked companionship. He questioned the value of his title and wealth without someone to share them with, wishing he’d followed his father into mining. He considered leaving early.