“Know that Lady Eloise accepted Mother’s invitation to the Christmas Ball.”
Robert’s eyes widened as his throat closed. “She what?”
Michael now tilted his head at his brother. “Did you not know that one of the envelopes sent with the box was an invitation?”
Robert shook his head. “No. I thought it was a note from Mother.”
“Well, in essence, it was that—”
“But Eloise accepted?”
“She did. Apparently she told Saunders to take that message directly to Ashton House, not to the emporium. Gave him a guinea to do so.”
His little mouse. His determined, courageous, indomitable mouse.Robert turned to look at the front of the school, pleased at how well the renovations had progressed. Despite the neglect of the previous owners, the house had remained sound in its foundation and walls, which were currently scaffolded as workers replaced or repaired the creamy white stucco—which gave off a pinkish hue in the setting sun. The elegant neo-classical lines and symmetry of the house helped confirm its place as an anchor for the local community, including the tenants still on the massive expanse of farmland surrounding the house. There were two vacant tenancies, and he hoped some of the boys would take an interest in farming. Hard work, but no harder than what they had already experienced in their short lives.
This had all been Eloise’s idea—he desperately wanted her to see it.
“I have to find a way to bring her here.”
“I do not recommend eloping.”
Robert remained silent. Michael’s words were personal and sincere—a failed elopement had almost broken the man.
“Perhaps if he knew she would be at Ashton Park for the Christmas Ball?”
“He might forbid her to come.”
“Do you think she would listen? After this fiasco? Since her ‘terse’ words were not directed at you?”
Robert knew for a fact they were not. The words of her note, however, were searing.
I will respond again once the mindless madness that this has set upon me passes. I am retreating to my room for a few days, as any direct contact with my aunt will result in words and actions I know I will regret many years from now. It is perhaps fortunate that I also have no contact with my father at the moment. It means he will remain alive.
His mouse had been caged, but they had taunted her, confined her one too many times. She was about to break free.
Christmas, for Robert Ashton, could not come soon enough.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Friday, 23 December 1825
Ashton Park, near the River Kennet
Nine in the evening
At precisely nineo’clock, Lady Eloise Surrey stepped into the receiving line at the Kennet Christmas Ball and heard her name announced by the herald as she greeted the primary hosts for the evening, Thomas and Rose Ashton, the Marquess and Marchioness of Newbury. While the ball was being held by the duke and duchess, all thetonknew that Emalyn Ashton had limited movement on her left side and impaired speech. That the Kennets even dared hold the ball at all had astonished Society, and Eloise—mostly via Adrienne—had heard the cruel remarks made about Emalyn “daring to show herself” in her condition, much less after the summer of scandals that had wreaked havoc on the family. Yet no one—with the possible exceptions of the Makendon clan—dared miss the event of the winter season. Too much gossip was to be had, and everyone wanted to witness it.
Ah, the vagaries of London Society.
Eloise considered those cutting remarks as she made her way through the crowd, skirting the dance floor and heading for the “duchess’s corner,” a spot on the far side of the ballroom where Emalyn currently “held court” from a large, intricately carved, and lavishly cushioned throne. Her children, Lady Elizabeth and Lord Michael, stood near her side, allowing people to greet their mother but not linger too long. Her position provided Emalyn with a view of the entire room, but Eloise suspected its proximity to a well-disguised servants’ entrance also provided for a rapid escape, should the need arise.
The duke, on the other hand, was nowhere to be seen. Nor his second son.
Eloise curtsied before the duchess, who motioned her closer. She grasped Eloise’s hand in her right with surprising strength. A few of Emalyn’s words were slurred but overall her speech was much clearer than Eloise had been led to believe. Eloise grinned as she realized the duchess was not quite the invalid her detractors wanted her to be.
“Lady Eloise, my dear, I am glad you are here.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. I am grateful and honored by the invitation.”
