The Secret Book Society

Lavinia feels invisible at a spring ball until William Wright, an aspiring solicitor, approaches her for a dance. Lavinia declines the dance but agrees to walk with Wright. Wright compliments Lavinia’s red hair, likening it to a flame. She confesses her social anxiety, her grandmother’s confinement, and her own habit of writing poetry.

Wright compares Lavinia’s fortitude to Jane Eyre and mentions reading the Brontë sisters. He explains his goal to become a solicitor to help women who face wrongful commitments to psychiatric hospitals. He kisses Lavinia’s hand and leaves. In the carriage home, Lavinia’s mother dismisses Wright as odd, but Lavinia holds onto their conversation.

At afternoon tea, Rose Wharton notices Lady Duxbury’s distress over a letter. Conversation turns to invitations for Lady Meddleson’s event, and Rose realizes that she has not received one. To ease the mood, Lavinia lightly parodies Lady Meddleson. Lady Duxbury invites everyone to Rosewood Cottage for an overnight stay.

Rose accepts, weighing the toll of her secret pregnancy. Lady Duxbury hints that Eleanor might secure Rose an invitation to Lady Meddleson’s event through reading, a coded suggestion related to her diary. Eleanor recognizes the cue.