Eugenie nodded sympathetically. “Perhaps that’s for the best.”
Elsbeth managed a small smile. “Come, let me introduce you to my cousin, Lord Bedford.”
As they entered the drawing room, Eugenie came to an abrupt halt. Niles, distracted by her sudden pause, nearly ran into the back of her.
“What is it?” he asked, glancing at her curiously.
Eugenie’s gaze was fixed on a tall, dark-haired man standing near the hearth. Her expression was a mixture of surprise and unease.
“Charles,” Elsbeth said, motioning towards the man. “Allow me to introduce you to Lady Eugenie and Lord Westcott.”
The man’s eyes widened as he stared at Eugenie. “You.”
Elsbeth looked between them in confusion. “Are you two already acquainted?”
Eugenie’s cheeks turned pink as she stammered, “No! Not... not formally.”
Charles pressed his lips together. “We may not have been formally introduced, but we’ve met before.”
Eugenie waved her hand dismissively. “It was merely in passing. Hardly worth mentioning.”
“I recall it rather differently,” Charles said.
“You’re mistaken,” Eugenie said quickly, her voice rising slightly. “Has the dinner bell rung yet? I’m positively famished.”
Niles raised an eyebrow, noting his sister’s uncharacteristic fluster. There was clearly more to this story, and he intended to get to the bottom of it later.
Before anyone could speak further, Lady Isabella and Mr. Stockton entered the room. Lady Isabella smiled warmly. “I was just informed that dinner is ready to be served.”
“Wonderful!” Eugenie exclaimed, spinning on her heel and walking briskly towards the dining room.
Niles exchanged a glance with Elsbeth, who seemed just asintrigued by Eugenie’s odd behavior. He was about to offer his arm to Elsbeth when Lord Bedford stepped forward.
“Allow me to escort you to the dining room,” Lord Bedford said, extending his arm.
She hesitated before placing her hand lightly on his arm. “Thank you, Cousin.”
“Charles,” he corrected gently.
Elsbeth pressed her lips into a thin line, clearly biting back a response. “Of course,” she murmured.
Niles trailed behind them as they made their way to the dining room. He told himself that it didn’t matter that Elsbeth wasn’t on his arm. But it did. He found the situation irksome, though he couldn’t quite say why.
The dining room was bright and warm, the long table set with flickering candles. Niles moved to sit beside Eugenie, directly across from Elsbeth.
Lady Isabella, seated at one end of the table, smiled graciously. “We are so thankful to have everyone with us this evening.”
“Quite right,” Mr. Stockton agreed from the other side of the table, raising his glass in a toast.
“Thank you for inviting us,” Eugenie said politely.
“It is a shame that Margaret was not feeling up to joining us this evening,” Lady Isabella remarked.
“Indeed,” Eugenie replied. Her gaze darted towards Lord Bedford, but she quickly dropped her eyes to her plate as the footmen began placing bowls of soup in front of the guests.
Niles picked up his spoon, hoping to enjoy the meal in relative silence, but that hope was short-lived.
Lady Isabella turned towards Niles with a bright expression. “I understand that you will be partnering with Elsbeth for pheasant shooting.”
