“He does care for me, he admitted as much, but that is a far cry from love,” Elinor said.
“If that is the case, it makes me wonder why you care so much,” Sophia remarked. “Do you love him?”
Elinor’s mouth dropped open, feigning outrage. “No.”
Sophia gave her a pointed look. “The truth, please.”
With a sigh, Elinor confessed, “Yes.”
“Then we need to get your husband to fall in love with you,” Sophia declared with determination.
“I don’t think a gown is going to help with that,” Elinor said doubtfully.
Sophia laid the gown onto the bed before approaching the dressing table. She removed Elinor’s cap from her head and picked up the brush. “It couldn’t hurt. Besides, you are going to take advantage of your incomparable beauty.”
“Sophia…”
Her lady’s maid spoke over her. “You should laugh at everything he says, as if he were the world’s most clever man,” she said.
Elinor rolled her eyes. “That sounds nothing like me.”
“You are right,” Sophia conceded, placing down the brush. “I propose a new plan. You are going to wear trousers in front of him. That will show off your curves.”
“No, I am going to use my mind to win him over,” Elinor asserted.
“That could take much longer,” Sophia said as she twisted Elinor’s hair in a chignon. “I like my plan better.”
Once Sophia had pinned up her hair, Elinor shifted in her seat to face her lady’s maid. “I need to tell him the truth.”
Sophia looked bemused. “About what?”
With a sheepish look, Elinor replied, “How I wasn’t truly trying to help him secure a wife because I wanted to inherit the horse farm.”
“I don’t think that is a wise idea.”
“Regardless, I can’t start this marriage with secrets,” Elinor said firmly. “It is the right thing to do.”
Sophia didn’t look convinced. “Is it?”
“Yes,” Elinor replied, her voice resolute.
“Why don’t we work on getting him to fall in love with you first?” Sophia pressed. “Then he might not care when you tell him the truth.”
Elinor rose from her seat. “I have to do it today.”
Sophia glanced around the room. “I quite liked this place. It is a shame that your husband will kick us out of here.”
“Do not be so dramatic,” Elinor said.
The door opened and Aunt Cecilia stepped into the room. “Now that you are married, do you want a tray to be brought to your room?”
“No, I will eat breakfast with Alden,” Elinor responded.
Her aunt beamed. “I was hoping you would say that. I was just informed by Bryon that Mr. Dandridge is in the dining room.”
“Wonderful,” Elinor said. “This is the perfect time to tell him the truth.”
“The truth?” her aunt repeated.
