There was a brief pause while Sophia took this in. On cue, she blanched, spinning around to find a group of shocked-looking matrons gathered behind them, obviously having listened in. They all had their gazes fixed on Sophia – as luck would have it, it was onlyhertirade they’d heard – and Eleanor would have wagered money that the story would have made it round the ballroom by the end of the night, and to the scandal sheets by the next morning.
It was likely that when Sophia went to say goodbye to Lady Grantham at the end of the night, she’d receive a much cooler response than she got this morning.
Perhaps it was a little cruel to be gleeful, but Eleanor did allow her asmallsmile.
“Good day to you, Miss Redford,” she said sweetly. “I think there are some of Lady Grantham’s friends there, wanting to speak to you. I must return to Lord Henry. I hope you have alovelyevening. I’m sure that you will.”
She turned on her heel and strode away without waiting for a reply.
***
When Eleanor finally made her way back to the quiet corner, she found Lord Henry standing where she’d left him, although Charles was there now, too.
She knew immediately that something was wrong. Charles’ face was grey, haggard and almost livid, and he wobbled ever so slightly on his feet. Lord Henry’s expression was grim, and he had one steadying hand on Charles’ elbow.
“Papa?” Eleanor asked, hurrying toward them. She could hear the note of panic in her voice.
“I didn’t want to bother you, not when you were having fun…” Charles trailed off, pressing his hand to his chest as if it pained him. Eleanor looked to Lord Henry for an explanation.
“I fear that your father is ill,” Lord Henry said quietly. “He had another turn again, like he did this morning. I would suggest calling a doctor…”
“Nonsense!” Charles interrupted peevishly. “A good night’s sleep and I’ll be right as rain.”
Lord Henry pressed his lips together, meeting Eleanor’s eye. “He’s not well, Miss Fairfax. I took the liberty of calling your carriage. It should be here now, so you can get straight in and go home immediately. Mr. Fairfax needs rest, I think.”
“I can see that,” she murmured, the panic spiking again. “Thank you, Lord Henry.”
He stepped back with a nod, letting her take her father’s arm. Halfway across the ballroom, Eleanor glanced over her shoulder to see if he were still there.
He was.
Chapter Nineteen
Percy set down his wineglass with aclack.
“If you don’t stop sulking and tell me what’s going on, I’m going to scream,” he announced, matter-of-factly.
“Nothing is going on,” Henry muttered. “I’m fine.”
“Lies, lies, and more lies. Come on, man. It’s to do with that girl, isn’t it?”
Henry jolted. “I… no, of course not. Girl? What girl?”
Percy rolled his eyes. “Can’t a man demand alittlehonesty from an old friend?”
Henry sighed, shoulders sagging.
“I suppose you mean Eleanor Fairfax.”
“Of course I do. You’re smitten by the girl.”
Henry opened his mouth to issue a rounded denial, but this time, the words didn’t seem to want to come.
Maybe there was a reason for that.
He groaned, slumping back in his chair.
“Fine.Fine. Perhaps I am a smidgen – asmidgen, I tell you – smitten.”
