Lady Elsbeth was undeniably beautiful. Her olive-toned skin gave her an unusual elegance, and her straight nose and high cheekbones added to her striking appearance. Chestnut brown hair framed her face in soft curls, and the rest was swept up neatly. She seemed at ease, laughing lightly at something Aunt Margaret had said, but Niles suspected it was all a ruse.
His gaze lingered a moment too long, and Lady Elsbeth turned her head, catching him staring. He expected a coy smile or a flutter of lashes, but instead, she studied him with an almost detached curiosity.
“Is your tea not to your liking, my lord?” she asked, her voice oddly polite.
“My tea is perfectly fine,” he replied.
She seemed satisfied by his response and returned to her conversation with Eugenie and Aunt Margaret, dismissing him as if he were a mere inconvenience.
It was unexpected. Refreshing, even. But puzzling. Surely she knew he was an earl. Women like her were usually keen on securing such a match. He leaned back in his seat, trying to figure out her true intentions.
Regardless, Lady Elsbeth was not a suitable match for him.Her family’s reputation was in tatters, thanks to her late father’s reckless gambling. Her mother’s marriage to a lowly merchant had only added to their fall from grace. Not that he thought he was better than her, but he had his own family’s reputation to think about. His sister’s future depended on it.
A burst of laughter from Lady Elsbeth broke through his thoughts. The sound was light and genuine, and it struck him unexpectedly. Feeling like an interloper, he decided to join the conversation rather than sit there, stewing in his own thoughts. Clearing his throat, he drew the attention of all three ladies, their expectant gazes turning to him.
“It is a fine day we are having,” Niles said, inwardly cringing the moment the words left his mouth.
Eugenie gave him a bemused look. “It is raining, Brother.”
“Is it?” he asked, feigning ignorance.
Aunt Margaret offered him a sympathetic smile. “How terribly rude of us. We have been ignoring you, Niles. What would you care to discuss?”
Caught off guard, he fumbled for a topic. “I… uh… find that I am curious about Lady Elsbeth.” Why did he say that? He cared little about learning more about Lady Elsbeth.
Lady Elsbeth’s lips pressed into a thin line, her expression one of mild annoyance rather than flattery. “What do you wish to know, my lord?”
Botheration.
What could he ask that wouldn’t make him sound like a complete muttonhead? “Do you ride?”
“I do,” she replied simply.
“That is good,” he muttered. What was wrong with him? He had never had an issue conversing with a beautiful young woman before.
Turning away from him, Lady Elsbeth addressed Eugenie. “Do you ride?”
His sister grew visibly tense. “I haven’t ridden since my accident.”
“I’m sorry,” Lady Elsbeth said, her voice tinged with sincerity. “I didn’t know.”
“No harm done,” Eugenie replied. “I do not speak of it often.”
Without hesitation, Lady Elsbeth leaned forward and placed her hand gently over Eugenie’s. “Then we won’t speak of it.”
“Thank you,” Eugenie said.
Niles observed the exchange with a mixture of admiration and unease. Lady Elsbeth’s concern seemed to be genuine, and that surprised him. She didn’t seem to be playing any game, at least not one that he could discern.
The entrance of a blonde-haired, matronly woman interrupted his thoughts. Her bright smile was directed at Aunt Margaret. “What a pleasant surprise,” she greeted. “I hadn’t expected you until later.”
Aunt Margaret rose and embraced the woman. “We thought it was best to visit before heading to the village for shopping.”
“Well, you are always welcome in our home,” the woman replied, taking a seat beside Lady Elsbeth.
Aunt Margaret gestured towards them. “Allow me to introduce my niece, Lady Eugenie, and my nephew, Lord Westcott.”
The woman smiled graciously. “Welcome, I am Lady Isabella Stockton. I trust that your journey to our quaint village was uneventful.”
