“Anything you wish to share?” her aunt asked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.
Elinor shook her head. “No, it was just nonsensical stuff.”
“Those are the best kind of thoughts,” her aunt teased with a smile. “I haven’t seen your uncle all day. With any luck, he will give up and pack his trunks.”
“I do not think he will go so easily,” Elinor remarked, her tone tinged with worry.
Her aunt frowned. “That is what I am worried about, as well,” she said.
As if their words had summoned her uncle, he stepped into the room with Constable Gregor, who wore a solemn expression.
Her uncle closed the distance between them and said, “Let us speak privately about an urgent matter.”
Aunt Cecilia stepped between them. “What urgent matter, my lord?” she asked. “And why is Constable Gregor here?”
His eyes flashed with annoyance. “It is none of your business, Woman. This is between Elinor and me.”
Not wishing to cause a scene, Elinor spoke up. “We can speak in the drawing room,” she said.
Her uncle took a step back and gestured towards the doorway. As she turned to leave, she caught Alden’s eyes and she saw the questions deep within. She tilted her chin, encouraging him to join them. Whatever her uncle had to say to her, he could do so in front of Alden.
Elinor headed towards the drawing room and came to a stop in the center of the room. Alden stepped into the room and approached her. “What is going on?” he asked in a hushed voice.
She shrugged. “I don’t know, but my uncle said he needed to speak to me about an urgent matter.”
“On Christmas?” Alden asked, his brow furrowing.
Her uncle stepped into the room and narrowed his eyes at Alden. “You may leave, Mr. Dandridge. This does not concern you.”
Elinor took a step closer to him. “I want him to stay.”
Looking displeased, her uncle said, “Suit yourself.”
Her aunt entered the room, her eyes immediately meeting Constable Gregor’s gaze. “How is your family?” she asked.
The constable looked deucedly uncomfortable, shuffling his feet. “Aye, they’re weel,” he responded, his voice a low rumble.
Turning towards Lord Inglewood, her aunt’s tone hardened. “Now, what is this all about, my lord?”
With a flourish, Lord Inglewood reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out two pieces of paper. “I have two doctors that have confirmed that my niece, Lady Elinor, is suffering from hysteria. Constable Gregor is here to ensure she is transported to an asylum.”
Elinor reared back, disbelief etched across her face. “I beg your pardon?”
Aunt Cecilia moved to stand by Elinor, her expressionfierce. “This is ludicrous. Elinor wasn’t even seen by a doctor. How could they make that determination?”
“She refused to marry the Duke of Mardale, which calls into question her sanity,” her uncle said with a smug grin. “Unless she has since changed her mind?”
Elinor’s mouth dropped. “You truly cannot be in earnest? You would force me to go to an asylum if I do not marry the duke.”
Her uncle slipped the papers back into his jacket, his eyes cold. “Not me, but the doctors would,” he contended. “Come with me and do try to avoid causing a scene.”
Alden moved to stand in front of her, shielding her from her uncle. “Lady Elinor is not going anywhere with you. She is not mad.”
“It is not up to you to decide, is it?” Lord Inglewood asked, his voice dripping with contempt. “As the closest male relation to her, it is my right to ensure she is not a danger to herself or others.”
Aunt Cecilia turned her attention towards the constable, her voice pleading. “Gregor, please say that you are not going along with this.”
The constable shrugged, his expression regretful. “Aye, I’m afraid I have nae choice.”
