“No, it is not,” Miss Bentley agreed. “But I am not the first, and I won’t be the last person to lose a loved one. The way we learn to deal with grief is what helps shape us into the people we are.”
“Well said,” Charles praised.
Roswell stifled a groan as he listened to Miss Bentley prattle on. What did she know about unrelenting grief that gnaws at you until it threatens to take every ounce of joy out of your life? She couldn’t possibly understand that kind of pain, something he dealt with every day.
A silence descended over the group, but it ended when Thorne stepped in and announced dinner was ready.
3
As a footman placeda bowl of soup in front of her, Ellie snuck a glance at Lord Bideford. He had a commanding presence about him that she found rather unnerving. She had taken an immediate liking to Emma and Charles, but Lord Bideford was different. He was a handsome man with his dark, unruly hair, sharp cheekbones, and long nose, but those features seemed permanently fixed in irritation. It was evident that this was not a man to trifle with.
Charles was perhaps not as handsome as his brother, but he was quite pleasant in his own way. He had blond hair, and he wore the look of one who listened closely and pondered deeply.
Ellie picked up her spoon and started eating her soup. Dinner was turning out to be rather a quiet affair, but she didn’t mind the silence. She never had. It gave her a chance to collect her thoughts, and she couldn’t help but wonder how her mother was faring. She worried how Lord Worthington would react when he discovered she had left the estate.
Harriet’s voice broke the silence. “I must admit that you have changed so much since I last saw you, Ellie,” she commented. “You have grown from a lanky child to a beautiful young woman.”
Ellie put her spoon down before she responded. “That is kind of you to say.”
“I do hope you will play the pianoforte for us,” Harriet said.
“I would be honored to.”
Harriet smiled in approval. “Do you play any other instruments?”
“I play the guitar and harp.”
“I am pleased to hear that,” Harriet commented. “Do you speak any languages?”
Ellie nodded. “I speak multiple languages, and I am well-versed in a variety of topics,” she revealed. “I assure you that I am not lacking in that regard.”
“You will have to excuse my mother,” Emma said. “She can be rather nosy at times, especially when it comes to rooting out accomplishments.”
“I am doing no such thing,” Harriet declared. “I am merely ensuring that Ellie is prepared for Society.”
“I assure you that I am,” Ellie replied.
Harriet leaned to the side as a footman removed her bowl. “We will go shopping tomorrow and get you fitted for some gowns.”
“I do apologize for the inconvenience,” Ellie said.
“Nonsense,” Harriet declared. “I look for every opportunity to go shopping.”
Charles chuckled. “It’s true.”
Harriet exchanged an amused look with her son before saying, “In fact, your mother and I used to go shopping whenever she was in Town for the Season.”
Ellie smiled. “I do recall my mother mentioning that.”
“Your mother dressed in the height of fashion,” Harriet said. “I always envied her sense of style.”
“As do I,” Ellie admitted. “She still manages to dress fashionably, despite our reduced circumstances.”
Harriet gave her a look of compassion. “I was terribly saddened to hear about the difficulties you and your mother have endured.”
“Thank you,” Ellie acknowledged. “I am most grateful that you were willing to open up your home to me for this Season.”
“It is the least we could do,” Harriet said with a wave of her hand. “We are all pleased that you are with us. Aren’t we?”
