Unsure of what else to say, Elinor settled on, “I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry, as well,” Mr. Dandridge said. “I shouldn’t have brought it up, but Christmas is not a big deal in our family. Not like it was in yours.”
Elinor fingered the strings of the cloak that was tied around her neck. “My mother thought Christmas was the time for family.”
“And what of your family?” he asked. “Do you not want to spend time with them for Christmas?”
She frowned. “I was disowned by most of my family after I refused to marry the person my uncle selected for me.”
Mr. Dandridge gave her a look that could only be construed as sympathy. “That must have been rather difficult for you.”
“It was, but I don’t regret my choice,” Elinor said firmly. “I knew the risks when I ran from the chapel.”
“I think you are brave.”
Elinor huffed. “Brave?” she repeated. “That is not what my family considered me. Selfish. Stupid. Inconsiderate. Those are the words that they used.”
“Well, they would be wrong.”
“Thank you, but I made my bed and now I must lie in it,” Elinor said.
Mr. Dandridge smirked. “I hope it is a rather comfortable bed,” he quipped.
Elinor grinned. “It is,” she replied. “There is no other place that I would rather be.”
“Then you made the right choice,” Mr. Dandridge said. “I am only glad that you still have your aunt, Mrs. Hardy, to keep you company.”
“I am rather fortunate,” Elinor admitted.
Mr. Dandridge cleared his throat as he shifted in his seat. “Have you considered what you will do once I take over the ownership of the horse farm?”
No.
Because that won’t happen.
But she couldn’t tell Mr. Dandridge that. “Not yet,” she replied. There. At least that much was true.
Mr. Dandridge held her gaze as he replied, “You could always marry me.”
Elinor’s brow shot up. “I beg your pardon?”
With a glance at Sophia, Mr. Dandridge continued. “I need to marry someone, and we get along nicely. It could be the perfect solution for both of us.”
“You are offering me a marriage of convenience?” she asked in disbelief.
“I am, but it would be beneficial to both of us,” Mr. Dandridge said. “After all, when I sell the horse farm?—”
“What?!” Elinor asked, cutting him off.
Mr. Dandridge bobbed his head. “I intend to take the funds of the horse farm and buy land in England.”
“But your Great-aunt Edith loves this horse farm,” Elinor argued.
“Yes, but once I inherit it, I can do whatever I wish with it, including sell it,” Mr. Dandridge said.
Elinor felt her back grow rigid. “Have you told your Great-aunt Edith this?”
“No, but?—”
