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“And you?” he finally asked. “Your opinions regarding matrimony are certainly known to me, but I don’t suppose you’ve shared them with Mother?”
She shot him a wry, sidelong look. “I would have declined her offer of assistance, but I feared she would persist in spite of my objections and I did not wish her to feel slighted. Nor did I wish her to tell my cousin that I’m being uncooperative. Privately, I will tell you that I dread the idea of her playing matchmaker. Of all my acquaintances—excepting you and Rowena, of course—she is the most likely to influence his decisions. If she indicates her approval of a particular gentleman, Charles will surely insist that I seriously consider him.”
Just what the bloody hell is Mother playing at? He must dissuade her from any further benevolent interference as quickly as possible before her “master plan” misfired. It rankled, but he knew he had no right to be so possessive of Eleanor. She was nothing of his to prevent her from meeting other men, and he was nothing to her but a friend. And that was how he must behave now or else risk exposure.
“Well, as my mother is not a person to be persuaded once she’s made up her mind, I’m afraid you’ll have to endure her meddling.” He clamped down hard on his reluctance and forced himself to continue in a cheerful tone. “She but seeks to assist you in much the same manner as you’ve agreed to assist me,” he reminded her, watching her closely. “You may of course choose to decline any offers that come your way, but I cannot so easily avoid the marital noose. I’m expected to bring home a bride, and shall therefore need all the help you can give me in order to make the right choice.”
“Well,” she said, again averting her gaze. “I can certainly be your eyes and ears and help to determine the true character of your considerations, just as you will doubtless do for me. I want you to know that I’m very grateful to have you as an ally in this matter. I only hope I prove equally worthy of your trust and confidence.”
Was it possible to feel any worse than this? Here they were, arm in arm, walking in the bright sunshine—discussing marrying people other than each other. His spirits had not been this low since he’d first fled England’s shores. He led her over to the shady plot where her family had staked a claim.
“Eleanor! Do come and sit beside me,” said Caroline, patting the blanket beside her. “Penwaithe has gone to fetch me some lemonade,” she announced without preamble, a smug little smile forming on her mouth.
Sorin’s head began to pound. Lemonade. What he needed was a stiff brandy. A large one. Eleanor obligingly sat where she was directed, and he waited to see if she would offer him the place beside her as she usually did. She quite markedly did not. So he sat next to Rowena.
“You’ve made progress in gaining his attention, then,” said Eleanor to her friend. “I congratulate you. I understand he’s difficult to approach and that he does not often deign to converse with people with whom he is unfamiliar.”
“Well, he has deigned to do so with me,” replied Caroline, sticking her nose in the air. The effect was completely ruined by the unabashed grin under it. “He happened into the library while I was there, and—”
“You were in the library?” interrupted Eleanor, her brows rising.
“Yes, and you needn’t make it sound as though I mistook it for the ladies’ respite room,” snapped Caroline. “I went to look for some poems recommended by another friend, but got distracted by a book concerning Greek myths. I was looking at it when Lord Penwaithe entered. He immediately took notice and then proceeded to converse with me on the subject. He’s a great admirer of all things Greek.”
“How wonderful for you to have found something in common upon which to begin building a rapport,” said Eleanor. “Many married couples have nothing at all in common, a circumstance which I feel causes much disharmony. If I am ever to marry, he must be someone with whom I can feel completely at ease discussing any subject.”
He could take no more. Standing, Sorin bowed. “Ladies, if you will excuse me.”
“You are leaving so soon?” said Eleanor, frowning. “I thought you wished to play at bowls?”
He wondered if her disappointment was personal or just an expression of general politesse. “I did, yes—but I’m afraid I forgot a promise I made earlier.” His mind raced, looking for a likely excuse. “I was to meet with Lord Brampton,” he lied. “I’m woefully late already and must take my leave at once. I wish you all a most pleasant afternoon.” He bowed again and turned before anyone else could object.
Coward! His back prickled as he strode away across the field. How he was to survive this Season was unknown. One thing was certain; Ellie would never find anyone more compatible than himself. If by some miracle she did,
he would be hard pressed not to kill the bastard.
Chapter Fifteen
Solemn green eyes stared back at Eleanor from the reflection. She looked every inch a lady tonight. While the soft rose of the gown was certainly acceptable for an unwed woman, its cut was quite modern and daring. Grateful now for her prudence concerning the parasol at the picnic, she searched the wide span of flesh exposed between shoulders barely covered by tiny, puffed sleeves. Not a freckle in sight.
Everything was just as it ought to be. The diamond necklace Sorin had helped her select glittered above a décolletage flattered by the design of the dress. Matching earrings swayed from her lobes, and her hair rose in an elegant braided twist with curls piled high atop, giving her the appearance of greater height. It was by far the most elegant and attractive she’d ever looked.
And it was all for naught, as the one man who interested her was completely blind to her.
I might as well be wearing a smelly old sack for all he’ll look at me. A fit of ill temper made her slam the jewelry box lid closed with a loud clack!
This whole week had been a right disaster, starting with the picnic where everything had gone wrong with Sorin. Since then, Yarborough had continued to be a bother. He’d sent two more invitations, both of which she’d very politely refused. Then it had come to her attention yesterday that a friend of Rowena’s had heard Lady Yarborough sniping about her “overweening pride” to a group of contemporaries. Add to these things the fact that Caroline, despite her promise to behave herself, was near to the point of open warfare with Marston and that Rowena had begun to feel ill, and one had the perfect recipe for insomnia.
Poor Rowena. She was trying to put on a brave face and keep her condition a secret, but Eleanor knew it wouldn’t be long before Charles found her out. His nerves were already on edge from having to deal with Caroline and patience was in short supply. The instant he learned his wife was again with child, there would be absolute chaos in this house.
To top it all off, tea with Sorin’s mother yesterday had been exceedingly awkward and uncomfortable. The enjoyable event she’d come to anticipate had turned into a stiff, stale discussion devoid of any amusement at all after he had elected to join them. One simply couldn’t talk of certain things in the presence of a man, including Rowena’s being enceinte. He would have been honor-bound to inform Charles.
Eventually, Lady Wincanton had taken the matter in hand and asked her son outright why he’d suddenly decided to intrude. He’d flushed to the roots of his hair and excused himself at once, apologizing profusely for his unwanted presence.
Though she’d felt bad for him, Eleanor couldn’t help also wondering why he’d done it. It wasn’t as if there were any other males present from which she must be protected.
Sighing, she reflected that it didn’t really matter. Her weekly tea appointment with Lady Wincanton would only last until Sorin married. The moment he brought home a bride, there would be no more time for ‘little Ellie’ in their lives. In all honesty, she’d count it a blessing, for it would save her from having to endure further torment.
Tears welled in her eyes. The one thing she hadn’t expected in all of this was how much it hurt to have all of her assumptions regarding Sorin’s perception of her confirmed. Not only was she no closer to her goal of staying in Somerset, but the thought of remaining there and seeing him married to someone else made her positively ill.
