“That might be your experience, Lord Richard,” he said stiffly, “but it’s not mine. I do hope you find yourself on better terms with your older brother soon. I can’t say I’m acquainted with him.”
“He’s a baronet in Scotland,” Lord Richard said dreamily. “And I know yours, naturally. The Duke of Dunleigh. Quite a title to hold.”
“And quite a responsibility,” Henry shot back. “Not one I envy. It was good to meet you, Lord Richard. Do excuse us.”
They beat a retreat before Lord Richard could say anything in reply, but when Henry glanced back over his shoulder, the man was still standing there, twirling his empty brandy glass between his fingers, watching them.
Chapter Eleven
He was only being polite. That’s the best I can hope for. He was polite, or else he was mocking me. Laughing at me behind my back.
But no matter how firmly Eleanor Fairfax told herself that Lord Henry could not be trusted – dissolute second sons of dukes and baronets rarely could – the words simply refused to sink in.
He’d complimented her drawings. He said that he intended to implement them, if he had a say in the business.
That was probably just a ruse to get me on board with his investment,she thought sourly.
The ball last night had left her tired and drained, but work would not wait, so she was at the office again. Her father was next door, reviewing the ledgers. It had been something of a surprise when he announced that he would review them. The ledgers had been Eleanor’s task for quite some time now, and he’d never felt the need to check them over before.
He's just being thorough,she told herself, despite the sinking feeling of unease growing in the pit of her stomach. She turned back to her newest drawing. It was a simple design. A sunflower bloomed on the page, greenery and ivy twisting around the stem. The sunflower’s face was turned a little away, as if seeking out the sun.
It would look beautiful on smooth white porcelain. Eleanor had even considered some black-and-white designs, to save money on coloured inks and therefore making their pottery affordable for more people. And a different glazing could be used, perhaps a…
She broke off the thought, not entirely sure what had startled her. Sitting up in her seat, Eleanor strained her ears. She’d heard a noise, something out of place here in the office. Something…
Thump.
It was the sound of a body hitting the floor in the office next door. In her father’s office.
Even before Eleanor’s brain had weighed up the situation and made a guess as to what might have happened, her feet hadgotten her to the door. She raced out into the hallway, banging into her father’s office.
He had fallen from his chair, curled up into a fetal position. One arm was outstretched, the ledger having fallen with him and landed on its face, thick pages spread out.
Eleanor gave a strangled cry, landing on her knees beside her father.
“Oh, Papa, Papa! Somebody, please fetch help! Get a doctor! Adoctor!”
There was commotion outside, and somebody gasped and began to run. Eleanor wasn’t sure who, only that they were running for help and a doctor would soon come. She snatched a silver-bladed letter-opener from the desk and held it up in front of her father’s face, hands shaking. After what seemed like an eternity, breath misted on the silver surface, and Eleanor nearly sobbed with relief.
He was breathing. He was alive.
“Papa, can you hear me?”
Charles Fairfax’s face was bone white, rapidly turning grey, and his limbs were floppy and weak. His skin was hot to the touch, and when Eleanor felt his pulse, it was faint. She swallowed hard, twisting around to shout down the hallway.
“Hurry! Please, hurry!”
***
“I wish you wouldn’t fuss so, Eleanor,” Charles muttered.
“I’m only fussing as much as is necessary, Papa,” Eleanor said firmly. “The doctor said you must take it easy. No stress, no exertion, no shocking news. I intend to make sure that you follow his instructions.”
Charles smiled weakly, feeling for his daughter’s hand.
“You’re terribly good to me, Eleanor. That’s why I’m so desperate to see you settled and happy.”
“Oh, Papa. Not this again. Iamsettled and happy.”
