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Eleanor felt scandalized by such a rebuke. She wondered what she had missed when she had allowed herself to tune out their conversation. It seemed that whatever the two ladies had been discussing had not cast Eleanor in a very kind light, and perhaps she should have stayed connected to the conversation. “I know that His Grace is a good man,” Eleanor replied meekly, unsure of how else to answer the Dowager Duchess.
She looked at Eleanor critically. “I care a great deal about my grandson, as well as the future progeny in our family line. I do hope that you take your responsibilities as the Duchess of Lawson very seriously.”
“Of course, I do,” Eleanor responded at once. She might have missed what had brought them to this point, but she would not allow the Dowager Duchess or Rosalin to persist in this mode of admonishment. “I respect Henry and his family. I will do my best to bring honor to this house.”
“See that you do,” the Dowager Duchess replied condescendingly as she sipped her tea.
“The best way to move forward would be to make amends with His Grace,” Rosalin said, glancing carefully at the Dowager Duchess first and then focusing her blue eyes on Eleanor. “You must try to meet him halfway.”
“Thank you for your…” Eleanor stopped herself before saying the word “intrusion”. She felt as though these two ladies were almost taking delight in belittling her and instructing her in the ways of married life, and she’d had enough of it. “… guidance,” she concluded at length. “I will try to remember your helpful instructions moving forward.” Without bidding either of the women adieu, Eleanor stalked from the room, and Sir Whiskers slunk languidly along behind her.
As she exited the drawing room and turned toward the staircase, Eleanor contemplated going down the hall to Henry’s study, but then the thought of the room made her stomach turn.
I’ll wait. I’ll seek Henry out when the time is right and when he isn’t hiding in that awful study.
