Page 26 of Sin and Serendipity

She made to continue up the path, but her mother’s hand on her arm stayed her.

“I know you too well to believe that,” Mrs. Wrencroft said, her voice gentling. “Come, let’s sit on this bench. I want you to tell me what’s troubling you.”

Ellie sighed, but let her mother lead her from the path to an empty bench nestled beneath the canopy of a giant oak tree and the two sat. Smoothing her skirts over her knees, she considered what she would say. She’d shared none of what had transpired these last several days with her mother, nothing of Robert’s confession or her own confused feelings, and she hadn’t a clue how to begin.

“Ellie?” Mrs. Wrencroft reached over and squeezed her arm. “Tell me what’s troubling you, dearest.”

Ellie sighed again, her gaze falling to her lap. “I don’t know what to do, Mama,” she whispered. “I’m so confused.”

“What about, darling?”

Her eyes closed briefly and then she began to speak, the words pouring from her lips as if relishing their newfound freedom.

“...and two nights ago, Robert told me he loved me.” She swallowed past the knot in her throat. “He—he wants to marry me.”

A small smile touched her mother’s lips. “But this is good news, is it not? Lord Darrington is a good and honorable man. I think he would make you a wonderful husband.”

“Perhaps he would, but…” Ellie’s brow knit as she nibbled her lower lip. “I’m in love with his brother, Mama. At least, I thought I was. Although when we danced the other night, he wasn’t at all what I thought he would be, and now I don’t know what to think.” She broke off with a sigh. “I don’t know what to do.”

Mrs. Wrencroft drew Ellie’s hands in hers and gave them a squeeze. “You do what feels right to you, what will make you happy. That is what matters most, Eleanor: that you are happy.”

“But I don’t want to disappoint you,” Ellie whispered, staring at their entwined hands. “All of my sisters married for love, and I know how much you want the same for me, and I’m afraid—”

“Eleanor, look at me.” Mrs. Wrencroft’s voice broke in, gentle but stern.

Ellie met her mother’s gaze.

“You could never disappoint me. Never.” She emphasized the words with another squeeze of Ellie’s hands. “All I want for you—all I’ve ever wanted for all my daughters—is for you to be happy, no matter what that looks like. Of course I want you to fall in love and marry, but if it doesn’t happen, I will not love you any less. Nor will I think you inferior to your sisters.” She gave her a gentle smile. “I love you, darling. I will always love you, no matter what.”

Ellie gave her mother a wobbly smile, tears welling in her eyes. “I love you, too, Mama.”

As the two ladies embraced, Ellie realized just how desperately she’d wanted to hear her mother say those words, and how worried she’d been over the prospect of disappointing her. It was as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

A moment later, Mrs. Wrencroft pulled away and fixed Ellie with a shrewd look. “For what it’s worth, I do not believe you were ever in love with Mr. Darrington,” she said. “Smitten, perhaps, but not in love.”

Ellie notched her head to one side. “What do you mean?”

“Call it motherly insight,” she said, “but I watched you as you danced with Mr. Darrington, and never once did I think you looked like a girl in love.” She arched her brow. “With his brother, though...well, now, that is a different story entirely.”

“It is?”

“Oh, yes.” Mrs. Wrencroft smiled. “When you’re with the viscount, Eleanor, you light up like a lantern.”

Ellie’s cheeks flushed with equal parts pleasure and embarrassment. “I do?”

She frowned as she considered her mother’s words, and what they meant. Was it true? Did she light up when she was with Robert?

He did make her smile, there was no denying that. And she positively adored making him smile, and watching the way his blue-gray eyes crinkled at the corners when he did.

She enjoyed being with him. And when they were apart, he was never far from her thoughts. Yes, she liked him a great deal—there was no denying that, either.

But did any of it mean she loved him?

She thought she’d loved Freddy, but she wasn’t so certain now. Her mother claimed it was only an infatuation, and Ellie was beginning to think she might be right. Which meant she’d been wrong all this time. How could she trust her judgment, her heart, after that?

“Mama,” she said softly. “May I ask you a question?”

“Of course, dear. What is it?”