“Yes, I like being consideredkind. Now, have you your dance card?”
Eleanor lifted her wrist by way of answer. The dance cards were neat little things, generally attached to a lady’s wrist by a ribbon, and over the course of the night, gentlemen would add their names after they requested to dance. Some particularly fortune ladies might arrive at a party with their dance card already half full.
Eleanor was not, naturally, one of those ladies. Shecoulddance but didn’t particularly enjoy it.
“Well, time for the finishing touches,” Aunt Florence chirped, tweaking a curl into place. Louisa and that husband of hers will behere soon, I don’t doubt. My poor old brother is probably setting himself up in the study, prepared to ignore everyone all night.”
Lucky Papa,Eleanor thought, with a half-smile. She didn’t much relish the idea of sitting with her older sister and brother-in-law all night, and it would be impossible to follow her aunt around – Aunt Florence would dart from person to person with incredible speed, adored by one and all. It was rather impressive, truly.
Aunt Florence moved over to a jewelry box and took out a neat little necklace made of pink coral beads. She strung it around Eleanor’s neck. The coral complemented the soft blue of the gown perfectly, giving the already elaborate dress a whimsical twist. In short, it was beautiful.
“Another gift, my dear,” Aunt Florence said softly, and Eleanor gasped.
“Oh, Aunt, I couldn’t!”
“Of course you would. My mother gave me this necklace – with the matching bracelet and earrings, which I’ll get out in a minute – with the intention that I would one day pass it down to my daughters, as her mother had to her. Of course, I have no daughters, so naturally it will go to my dear niece.”
Eleanor flushed. “Thank you, Aunt. Thank you. It’s… it’s so beautiful.”
“Yes, it is,” Aunt Florence said wistfully. “And I always felt beautiful when I wore it. Now, enough of this nonsense, and let’s go on downstairs. I have guests to greet, and you, my dear, need to choose a spot where you can observe the eligible gentlemen coming in."
Eleanor groaned. "Oh,Aunt."
"I'm deadly serious. Everyone is who is anyone will be here tonight, and many of them are suitable gentlemen, all looking for a bride. In fact, the Willenshire brothers will be here tonight, too. William, the oldest, is aduke, and I daresay they’re all up to their ears in wealth now that their father is dead.”
Willenshire. That name seemed familiar to Eleanor. She shivered.
“Is… is one of the Willenshire brothers called Henry?”
“Yes, the second one, Lord Henry Willenshire.” Aunt Florence shot her a knowing look. “Are you acquainted with him?”
Eleanor managed to smile smoothly. “Not in the slightest.”
“Hmph,” Aunt Florence didn’t seem to believe her exactly, but at the very least, she didn’t press the issue. She continued dabbing a little rosewater behind her ears, allowing Eleanor time to collect her thoughts.
Of course that wretched man would be here. He’d probably corner her poor father and talk business until the sun came up. Eleanor tweaked her gown, suddenly bad-tempered.
What did it matter, though? Aunt Florence’s huge townhouse was going to be packed to the rafters with people. Marcia was going to be there, so what did it matter if some annoying young gentleman with handsome eyes might be there, too?
Thus fortified, Eleanor managed to smooth her face back into a pleasant expression by the time her aunt turned round again.
She was smiling, expecting perhaps another compliment, but Aunt Florence’s smile dropped off her face.
“Aunt?” Eleanor ventured, smile fading. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing, nothing, I… you just looked so very much like your mother for a moment there,” Aunt Florence rallied, smiling weakly. “I know some women don’t much like their in-laws, but I always considered myself lucky. Your mother was my closest friend when we were young. I was thrilled when she married my brother, and I’ve always considered them the epitome of a well-matched couple. When she died, I… we… oh, you don’t want to hear this. You were grown-up enough to miss your mother just as hard, if not harder, than the rest of us. But you do look like her, my dear. I hope she’d be happy to see what your father and I have made of you.”
Aunt Florence reached out, her large fingers skimming Eleanor’s cheek, whisper-light, and then the touch was gone.
Then the old Aunt Florence was back, all business-like manners and a wide smile, and she was already sweeping out of the room, leaving Eleanor to scuttle along behind her.
***
The ballroom and dining hall downstairs were decked out fabulously. Aunt Florence had found endless garlands of greenery, dotted with flowers, and sprawled them everywhere. The place glittered with countless candles, and footmen swept here and there with trays of fine champagne and delicate wines. There was punch, naturally, and a little refreshment table for the guests to amuse themselves with before dinner.
Already, guests were arriving in droves, with Aunt Florence standing by the door to greet them. Eleanor was left alone to wander around as she liked. Louisa was sitting on a chaise longue in the corner, with Jonathan beside her. Eleanor couldn’t see her father, and guessed that Aunt Florence was right about him retiring to the study.
She was just about to consider getting herself a cup of punch – it was strong, and she’d need to be careful, but she wanted to dosomething– when she heard her name called.
