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“I’ve some wonderful news to share,” she said, a bit breathless. “But first, Charles bade me extend to you an invitation to dine with us tomorrow night.”
“I should be much obliged, of course.” Good. Another opportunity.
“Excellent.”
“What news?” prompted Eleanor.
Rowena turned to her with a smug gleam in her eye. “Lady Yarborough has just announced that she and her son will be coming to London for the Season.”
“Yes, I’m aware—he told me himself just a short while ago,” Eleanor explained.
She looked none too pleased about it, Sorin noted with satisfaction.
“Yes, but my news is that we are to be a party for the journey,” continued Rowena. “Their carriage suffered an incident while bringing her son up from London. As such, I’ve offered her a seat in ours. I did not think you’d mind.”
“Not at all,” Eleanor answered at once. “I have Caroline to keep me company. Why should you not also have a friend along?”
“I knew you would be agreeable,” said Rowena, beaming. She turned again to Sorin. “Sir Yarborough will, of course, ride out front with you and Charles. If it looks to rain, they will both likely need to beg a seat in your carriage.”
Sorin could feel his jaw tightening. He forced himself to relax. “It would be my pleasure, and I’m sure my mother won’t mind the company.”
Rowena’s cheeks pinked. “Lady Wincanton is, of course, welcome to join us in the ladies’ carriage any time she desires.”
“I’m sure she will be delighted to join you at intervals,” he said, hoping to ease her embarrassment over what he knew to be an unintentional omission. Despite his mother’s interest in Eleanor, he very much doubted she would wish to join an already full carriage. The presence of both Lady Yarborough and Miss Caroline would be too a strong deterrent. His mother demanded a certain level of decorum—and while dignity could be found in nearly every societal rank, it was most definitely lacking in both of those ladies. Even so, if it did rain, she would likely still prefer their company to that of the menfolk.
In an unexpected show of support, Eleanor spoke up. “I think it a most sensible arrangement, considering the condition of the roads and the recent predations of highwaymen along the route. Sir Yarborough was fortunate to have survived his carriage’s mishap and to have been close to a town when it happened. He was even more blessed not to have fallen prey to thieves while seeking assistance. The larger our party, the safer we shall all be.”
Sorin found it difficult to hide his surprise and disgruntlement over her seeming concern for her supposed enemy. “Indeed. Most sensible. I shall relay the news to my mother so that preparations may be made.” Preparations for battle. Across the yard, he saw Charles talking to none other than Lady Yarborough and her odious offspring. Eleanor had no doubt noticed as well, but he could read nothing in her face. Damn and blast! It was time to strike a blow.
Chapter Seven
Eleanor’s face ached with the effort it took not to scowl. While she’d been strolling slowly to stretch the time with Sorin, Yarborough had gone straight to Charles! No doubt the blackguard was hoping his presence during the journey to London would endear him to her family and give him an edge over other suitors.
Mingled with vexation was a burning desire to know what Sorin had been about to say before they’d been interrupted. His strange hesitation and awkwardness had vanished the instant Rowena had appeared. It was all very curious.
“Might I prevail upon you for a moment, Rowena?” she heard Sorin ask, jerking her attention back to the present.
“Of course,” answered Rowena.
“I will be going to Rundell & Bridge’s in a fortnight or so to commission a special birthday gift for my mother. I would very much like to take Ellie—and you, if your schedules permit—along to assist with making a selection. I know you ladies have likely made your plans far in advance and I don’t wish to interfere. It would require only an hour or two of your time.”
“I’m sure we can find the time,” said Rowena. “Come, Eleanor. We’ll be late for luncheon if we don’t leave now, and we needs must disentangle Charles.” She dipped a curtsy, which he returned with a short bow. “Don’t forget to come to Holbrook for dinner tomorrow. I’m having Cook prepare your favorite.”
“I look forward to it,” he replied, a smile in his hazel eyes. “Until then, I bid you both good day.”
“That was a bit…irregular,” murmured Rowena as he disappeared into the crowd.
“Oh? How so?”
There was a long pause, during which two pink spots appeared on Rowena’s cheeks. “Eleanor, I don’t know how to say this delicately.”
Puzzled, she frowned. “You need never mince words with me.”
“Very well, I shall speak plainly. We are going to London soon. While there, you must not allow yourself to be as familiar with Lord Wincanton as you’ve been here—at least not in public—lest others make certain…assumptions about your relationship that are untrue. We know him as a sort of extended family member, but others don’t.”
Eleanor’s scalp prickled with shock. “If I’ve behaved inappropriately, then I can only apologize and ask you to tell me in what way I have erred.”
“You have not,” assured Rowena. “I just wish you to be mindful of appearances, that is all. I don’t want the two of you becoming the subject of malicious gossip. He has suffered enough for one lifetime.”
