Alden put the book down onto the table and looked at Elinor with a solemn look. “Can I tell you a secret?”
“Always,” Elinor replied, her curiosity piqued.
“I studied Latin at university because I wanted to eventually become a barrister,” Alden shared.
Elinor cocked her head. “And now?”
Alden grinned. “As you can see, I am not a barrister,” he replied. “I applied to Lincoln’s Inn and got accepted.”
“Then what happened?”
“I studied with barristers and shared many meals with them,” Alden said. “But I wasn’t passionate about it. It didn’t make me happy.”
Elinor took a step closer to him. “What does make you happy?”
Alden winced, looking away briefly before meeting her gaze again. “I want to be a landowner in England.”
“Why does it have to be in England?” Elinor asked. “Why can’t you be happy with owning land in Scotland?”
“Scotland is not my home,” Alden said.
Elinor met his gaze. “It could be,” she argued. “You could get married and start off with a successful horse farm.”
Alden looked at her like she was mad. “I know nothing about horses.”
“But I do,” Elinor asserted. “I could continue to run it and you could?—”
“Do what? Sit around and twiddle my thumbs?” Alden asked, a hint of frustration in his voice.
Elinor forced a smile to her lips. “I can teach you everything I know and then you could eventually run it.”
Alden moved to stand in front of her, his proximity making her heart race. “What will you do then?”
“I am rather resourceful,” Elinor responded. “I could find something else to do. You wouldn’t need to worry about me.”
“But I do worry about you, Elinor,” Alden said softly.
Elinor bit her lower lip, her emotions a tangled mess. “You shouldn’t since you are going to marry Maisie,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Alden brought his hand up and gently tucked a piece of errant hair behind her ear. “Is there a reason why you don’t think I should marry Miss Cowen?”
Yes.
She had many reasons, but she couldn’t seem to find the strength to say one. Not when he was standing this close to her.
He leaned closer. “Do you want to know what I think?”
She nodded, her eyes dropping to his lips.
“I think you might be jealous that I am showing interest in Miss Cowen,” Alden whispered.
Elinor’s eyes snapped up. “Jealous?” she repeated, hervoice incredulous. “Why would I be jealous? I am the farthest thing from being jealous.”
Alden looked amused. “Your actions tell me otherwise.”
“No. If anything, I am happy for you,” Elinor said with a defiant tilt of her chin. “I hope you and Miss Cowen have a horde of children.”
“Is that so?” Alden asked.
