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“Then let us shorten our journey, shall we?” said the older woman with relish. “I have not bothered to keep up with the news of the county for an age. Nothing has seemed worthy of my interest—until now. Tell me of young Sir Yarborough,” she demanded. “Sorin says you knew each other as children. What think you of the lad and his mother?”
Again, Eleanor wondered just how much the woman already knew. “I, ah…”
The Dowager Countess chuckled. “I’ve put you on the spot now, but you needn’t worry, my dear. For your sake, I shall for the moment forego polite speech and tell you that my own impression is not a flattering one. The woman is garish and coarse, and her son is no better than a puffed-up fool of a peacock.” She sat back and pursed her lips. “There. Now you may proceed without concern for my delicate sensibilities.”
A laugh borne purely of surprise escaped Eleanor and she clapped her hands over her mouth, horrified.
But Lady Wincanton merely smiled. “I can see I’ve shocked you. I should have perhaps waited a bit longer before so freely offering my opinion, but I cannot help thinking you share it.”
“I would be lying if I said I did not,” Eleanor admitted, surrendering. “He was a horrid little boy who has grown into an equally horrid man. As for his mother…” She relayed the conversation that had caused such an uproar. “I know I should have held my tongue, but the wrongness of it was such that I simply could not remain silent, not even for the sake of peace.”
Lady Wincanton nodded. “I agree. To have done so would have led her to believe you were in agreement with her.”
“And it would have encouraged her to continue in her attempts to sway my cousin to favor her son’s suit,” Eleanor added drily.
“Ah, now we come to it,” said Lady Wincanton, her eyes robin-bright. “I thought there was an ulterior motive behind their wanting to join our party. Their coach could easily have been repaired in time for the journey. So your old enemy has decided to woo you, has he?”
“He thinks only of my purse—and perhaps a bit of revenge for my embarrassing him when we were young.” She didn’t elaborate further. Sorin might understand her reasons for having knocked the brute on his arse, but his mother might not. “It is my hope that in light of our recent disagreement, Lady Yarborough will now reconsider me as a daughter-in-law and persuade him to look elsewhere for a bride.”
“And if she does not?”
Eleanor pressed her lips together briefly. “Then I shall have little choice but to make my feelings on the matter unmistakably clear.” And she would do so in a manner guaranteed to put off any further pursuit.
As though she’d heard the rebellious thought, Lady Wincanton nodded, her expression grim but approving. “You have no fear of making enemies, do you?”
It wasn’t really a question, but Eleanor answered it anyway. “No. I don’t,” she said recklessly. And if she did, she wasn’t about to show it.
“Sorin told me I’d like you even better now that you are grown. He was right.”
Eleanor barely refrained from gaping in astonishment. He told her he thinks me grown? She had no time to ponder the revelation.
“But then, my son has always been a good judge of character,” continued the old woman, seemingly oblivious to her companion’s increasing shock. “Jane was a very nice girl, too, though I vow she was much milder in temperament. A timid soul, she was—almost passive. You, however, are anything but a silent observer. Where Jane took great pains to avoid confrontation, you, I think, would rather lead the charge.”
Oh, dear…
Eleanor’s heart paused in its rhythm as Lady Wincanton lifted her chin high. “I have decided that I like you and that we shall be friends, you and I. As such, you need not worry should the Yarboroughs attempt to discredit you. If they should be so foolish, know that they will find themselves fighting a battle on more than one front.” Her gleaming eyes narrowed even as Eleanor’s widened. “I may be old, but I’m anything but toothless. London is still my bailiwick, and those two vulgar upstarts would be wise not to cross me.”
It was a continuing struggle to hide her surprise. Lady Wincanton was nothing like she remembered. But then, she’d only been a slip of a girl the last time they’d spoken at length—if a mere ten minute conversation could be considered as such. “Th-thank you, madam,” Eleanor finally stammered. “Your confidence is most appreciated.”
“As I said, I have decided that I like you. Now, I think it is time for some refreshment. Let us see what awaits us inside this hamper.”
As Sorin’s mother rummaged through the contents of the basket, El
eanor breathed a quiet sigh of relief. She had passed some sort of test, apparently. It felt good knowing she wasn’t alone in her disapproval of the Yarboroughs. By contrast, Rowena had been unhappy with her outspokenness and would no doubt have a few choice words for her tonight. She’d do her best to smooth things over, but that wouldn’t extend to making an apology to Lady Yarborough. She’d sooner cut out her own tongue than kowtow to that woman!
The two of them chatted over lemonade and an assortment of carefully packed delicacies, passing the time in as pleasant a manner as could be had whilst being jostled about in the confines of a carriage. Surprisingly, Eleanor discovered they had much in common. The more they talked, the more she genuinely liked Lady Wincanton. Even so, she was careful not to reveal too much of herself, and she especially avoided talking about her relationship with Sorin.
After a while, they fell into a companionable silence, and Lady Wincanton’s head began to nod.
Now she had time to contemplate all that had been said. He thinks of me as grown… A thrill of gleeful triumph ran through her. That thought led to another, less innocent one. If he’s willing to alter his view of me from child to adult, might he be willing to alter it further? She’d meant only to use Sorin’s situation to help her dissuade Yarborough, but she had to consider the opportunity presented.
He wanted her help to find a wife. How could she help him unless she knew what sort of woman he sought? If she herself could manage to fit that description… I might not have to leave Somerset after all. Again, she wondered at the wisdom of even contemplating a union with him. They were good friends, but marriage? Could it work?
Far sooner than expected, a bright ray of amber light peeked through the swaying curtains, its angle telling her that the time had indeed passed swiftly. The coach slowed, and Eleanor looked out to see the small, bustling village of Hindon. Eventually, they rolled to a stop in the twilit courtyard of the Ellington Arms coaching inn.
As she disembarked from the carriage, she caught Caroline’s eye. She looked positively miserable. Lady Yarborough took her son’s arm and without a word to her traveling party, began walking.
“Did I not tell you? A fine place!” boomed Yarborough, gesturing about with his other hand as though he were the proud proprietor himself.
