“Isobel is not desperate.”
“Yet,” her aunt pointed out. “The son of an earl is sniffing around this village and any one of these girls might gladly marry him.”
Elinor frowned, crossing her arms. “Mr. Dandridge is not sniffing around.”
Her aunt leaned forward and patted her cheek. “Of course not,” she replied. “That is because you are enamored with him.”
She rolled her eyes. “Not this again,” she muttered as she continued down the hall.
As she descended the stairs, she saw Mr. Dandridge was standing in the entry hall, his hands clasped behind his back, looking deucedly handsome.
“Good morning,” Alden greeted.
Elinor came to a stop in front of him, a smile playing on her lips. “Good morning,” she said. “I do hope your cottage is still to your liking.”
Alden nodded. “Yes, I have not encountered a single massive spider since I arrived.”
“Just wait,” Elinor teased.
“I would prefer not to,” Alden responded. “Besides, your servants do a commendable job of scouring the cottage looking for any spiders.”
Elinor felt her smile grow. “That is good to hear. I want you to be comfortable at the cottage.”
Alden offered his arm. “Shall we adjourn to the dining room?”
With a glance over her shoulder, she said, “My aunt was right behind me, but I do not see her now.”
“Perhaps she will meet us in the dining room,” he suggested.
As he led her towards the dining room, Elinor asked, “Are you looking forward to meeting Miss Fraser today?”
“I am,” Alden replied. “And who knows, she might be the next Mrs. Dandridge.”
“Yes, wouldn’t that be wonderful,” Elinor muttered. The thought of Alden marrying anyone seemed to bother her. But she couldn’t say as to why that was. She had no designs on him.
Alden eyed her curiously. “Unless you are interested in the position?”
Elinor huffed. “I already told you?—”
“I know, but I am not going to stop asking,” Alden said, interrupting her. “I think we would be good together. Don’t you?”
“Marriage is so much more than being good together,” Elinor remarked. “What of love?”
Alden’s expression shifted, humor replaced by somethingmore solemn. “What of it?” he asked. “You speak of it as if it is the glue to hold a relationship together. But I believe it is more of mutual toleration.”
“Mutual toleration? That is romantic,” Elinor mocked.
Alden stopped and gently turned her to face him. “For a brief time, my parents fancied themselves in love, yet it led them to nothing but resentment. They prefer the company of others now.”
“Not all marriages are like that,” Elinor contended.
His eyes grew guarded. “Why?” he scoffed. “Because of your parents’ example? They died too young. If they had lived longer, they would have grown to despise one another.”
Elinor’s eyes grew wide, disbelief washing over her. How could Alden say something so cruel to her? “That is awful of you to say,” she admonished.
“It is the truth,” he replied, his tone unwavering.
“No, it isyourtruth, and you are wrong about my parents,” Elinor stated. “They loved each other until their last breaths.”
