Alden ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. “You are so naive in the ways of the world. Why would I expect you to understand?”
Elinor took a step closer to him, her chin tilted. “I’m sorry that your parents were terrible examples, but that doesn’t give you the right to try to malign my parents’ memory,” she said. “And as for being naive, I freely admit that I am. I have lived a life that most people would dream of.”
“Well, I hope that you can join us in the real world someday,” Alden stated with a slight bow.
“You are a muttonhead,” Elinor said.
He grinned. “A muttonhead?” he asked. “Does your aunt know that you use such foul language?”
“In this case, I think she would encourage me to do so,” Elinor responded.
“Elinor…” he sighed, his grin fading. “I don’t want to fight with you. We will just have to agree to disagree on this subject.”
She took a step back. “I think that is fair, but I still won’t marry you.”
“You do realize that I am a son of an earl.”
“Is that supposed to impress me?” she challenged.
“No, but it should persuade you, at least a little,” Alden responded with a smug smile. “And imagine our children. They would be so attractive that they would outshine all other infants.”
Elinor laughed. “Aren’t all babies a blessing?”
“Are they?” Alden asked. “I would think no one would willingly want an ugly baby.”
“Now you are just spouting nonsense,” Elinor said. “Let us enjoy breakfast before we must leave to call on Miss Fraser.”
Chapter Nine
Alden sat in the coach across from Elinor and her lady’s maid. The rhythmic clatter of wheels on the cobblestone road accompanied them as they made their way to call upon Miss Fraser.
He fervently hoped that this visit would go more smoothly than his previous encounter with Mrs. MacBain. He shuddered at the thought of all her children. He wasn’t ready to be a father. Not that he was opposed to children. He simply wanted to raise them differently than he had been.
His parents had always treated him with a certain cold indifference, never expecting much from him. No matter his accomplishments, he doubted he would ever earn their approval. But that didn’t stop him from trying. He had a plan to become one of the largest landowners in England, hoping that such an achievement would finally make them proud.
The coach hit a rut in the road, causing it to jolt to the side. Elinor reached out to steady herself, her gloved fingers gripping the edge of the seat. He took a moment to briefly admire her. Her dark hair was piled elegantly atop her head, with two long tendrils framing her face. Not only was she beautiful, but that beauty touched the depths of her soul,reaching every inch of her heart and how she perceived the world.
Elinor was an anomaly to him. She was fiercely independent, yet she spoke of love as if it were a tangible, attainable thing.
“Is everything all right?” Elinor asked, breaking through his thoughts.
Realizing that he had been caught staring, Alden smiled. “I do apologize, but I was woolgathering.”
“A terrible habit to have,” Elinor teased, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
He glanced at the window, feeling the need to steer the conversation. “Will you tell me more about Miss Fraser?”
Elinor adjusted the blanket around her waist. “Gladly,” she replied. “Isobel is a pleasant young woman who was raised to be a lady. Her father is Laird Ewan Fraser of Glenfinnan and she holds herself with the epitome of grace.”
“May I ask why she isn’t married?” Alden asked.
She gave him an exasperated look. “That is rather an insensitive question. There could be a myriad of reasons why she is not married, but I am not privy to any of them.”
“Is something wrong with her?” Alden pressed, unable to help himself.
“Just because a woman is not married, that does not mean something is wrong with her,” Elinor said, her tone sharp. “Do you think something is wrong with me?”
Alden shook his head. “No, but you are not married by choice.”
