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Foolish, traitorous heart. Eleanor scowled at herself and forcefully pried off the back of the clock, sending the metal skipping across the room and landing on the carpet with a dull thud. She peered into the clock’s workings and ignored the furious pounding in her chest. He wasn’t here to see her, he couldn’t be. He’d sworn to stay away from her.
Yet Oliver stood in the hallway, separated from her by a mere wall. Now why had she not decided to work in the boot room instead? At least then she would not even be aware of his presence.
Despite herself, she stilled and listened. He asked the butler for Demeter.
“See?” she whispered to herself. He wasn’t here for her.
“Most urgently,” she heard Oliver say.
Her heart gave another jolt at the tension in his voice. Why did he need her sister with such urgency? Setting down the clock, she eyed it for a few moments then straightened her shoulders and stepped into the entrance hall with as much grace as a woman in her ugliest gown and dirt upon her apron could.
“My lord, unfortunately—” the butler started but paused when he spied Eleanor.
“Oliver?”
“Eleanor.” He hastened forward. “Where’s Demeter?”
“She’s not here.” Eleanor looked up at him and spied a red welt upon his cheek. “What happened?”
“Where is she?” he asked again.
“She’s in Hampshire visiting with our uncle. She wanted to collect some jewelry for her wedding day but she’ll be returning today.”
“Good Lord.”
“Oliver?” she asked.
He took her arm and led her into the hallway. Warmth wrapped about her, and she shook her head at herself. A few days apart and with one mere touch he had her practically dissolving at the knees. But whatever the matter was, it was more important than her inability to breathe properly around him. He looked truly terrified.
“Someone intends to harm Demeter.”
“Harm her?”
Oliver nodded. “I was at Jacksons and...” He shook his head. “Anyway, a man there was employed to meet Demeter on her way home with the intent of getting her alone. He intended to ruin her.”
Eleanor sucked in a breath. “By whom?”
“I do not know—hedidn’t know. It was arranged via letter.”
“Who was this man?” she demanded. “Is that what this is about?” She touched his cheek and he flinched. “Did you fight him?”
“Yes,” Oliver said, “but, listen, I fear whoever put these plans into place will not be dissuaded. There are plenty of other unscrupulous men willing to harm a woman’s reputation for money and the man gloated the act would go ahead without him.”
Swallowing around the lump in her throat, she put a hand to her rolling stomach and glanced at the grandfather clock in the hall. “Demeter is due home by five.”
“Four hours,” he muttered.
“I believe I know who is behind this. I tried to visit her but she wasn’t there.” She huffed out a breath. “I should have stood outside her house for the rest of the day.”
“You can hardly blame yourself.”
Eleanor met Oliver’s gaze. “Do you know of the man’s plans for Demeter?”
“Just that he was going to ruin her.” He made a disgusted sound in the back of his throat. “He was to receive another letter soon. I’m not certain he even knew he was to act today.”
“And you truly think someone else will take his place?”
Oliver fixed her with a stare. “Do you want to take that risk?”
