Eleanor went red. “That’s not fair, Louisa.”
“Yes, let’s not make accusations, dearest,” Charles added, glancing uncomfortably between his daughters. “This has taken Eleanor by surprise, I see. Perhaps I ought to have mentioned something earlier, but what’s done is done. And itisdone, Eleanor. Lord Henry is our partner now. My partner,” he corrected. “And you’ll be glad, when you have some handsome young man in your sights, to have the diminished responsibility. I want you to havefun, darling. I want you to settle down, like Louisa has done. And now, let’s say no more about it. You’ll soon be married and settled, and that will be that.”
He sat back in his seat, removing his hand from Eleanor’s. First Jonathan, then Louisa returned to their plates, shoulders hunched, forks clicking against porcelain.
Eleanor sat where she was, stunned. This was the first major business decision her father had made without her input in a long time.
What’s done is done.
Lord Henry was their partner now, and it couldn’t be undone. He was in, and Eleanor was to be phased out, slowly but surely.
What am I going to do?She thought wildly, feeling sick.What on earth will I do?
Chapter Twelve
“And you’re sure about the blue waistcoat, Edward?” Henry asked anxiously. “It’s not too gaudy?”
The valet blinked, probably taken aback by his master suddenly displaying such an interest in the clothes he wore.
“Well, I don’t think so, your lordship,” Edward managed at last. “The gold thread is very subtle, and the blue isn’ttoobright.”
Henry smoothed out the rich brocade of the waistcoat and sighed. He felt like a fool fluttering over such fripperies, but today was an important day.
The partnership between the Fairfaxes and himself was finalized, of course, but there was another document – an irrelevant one, really – which he would sign in front of all the shareholders and management as a symbol of their new partnership.
Of course, Eleanor Fairfax would be there.
To Henry’s absolute horror, his heart really did seem to skip a beat when he thought of her, a phrase he’d assumed only existed between the pages of a novel.
Try as he might, he hadn’t been able to speak to Eleanor after dinner at the ball, mostly due to the Redfords monopolizing him, and the simple fact that he couldn’t find her. Neither had William found his mysterious, blue-dressed, locket less lady.
Add that to the losses Alexander had racked up at the card tables, the night had been a disaster for all, except possibly the Dowager, who fondly imagined that her two eldest sons would soon be marrying the ladies she had picked out for them.
The Redfords had left a calling card for Henry at the Dunleigh family home, and Henry allowed himself a moment of relief that they did not know where he lived. It was clear that they were intending to pursue him, which was going to make the rest of the Season more tedious than he had expected.
There was a tap on the door, and both men flinched.
“Go and see who that is, Edward,” Henry ordered, unable to banish the uneasy image of the three Redfords on the doorstep, beaming.
He needn’t have worried. Alexander stepped inside, smothering a yawn.
“Oh, it’s you. Morning. I have to go out soon, you know. Business,” Henry added. “We can’t all laze around all day like gentlemen of leisure, you know. That will be all, Edward, thank you.”
The valet bowed, barely able to conceal his curiosity, and shuffled away to the kitchen. Alexander rolled his eyes. “What a comedian you are, Henry. I won’t be long. Goodness, you look fine.”
Henry tried not to show how pleased he was at the compliment.
“As I say, it’s just business. With the Fairfaxes,” he added, glancing over at his brother.
Alexander coloured. “Actually, that’s sort of related to why I’m here. I’m here to apologise, Henry.”
Now thatwasa surprise.
“Apologise? Whatever for?”
Alexander snorted. “What do you think? I made some rather unkind jokes yesterday morning. About William and Lady Victoria, and… and about you and Miss Fairfax.”
Henry swallowed. “Oh, yes. I remember. I… I wasn’t angry at you.”
