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“Blake gave Demeter a dagger,” Eleanor reminded her as they strolled up the long garden path toward the stone fountain. Thick puffy clouds dominated the sky today, forcing the sun to compete for attention but the warmth could still be felt even through her parasol. They both stopped by the fountain, an elegant stone piece based on Perseus and Andromeda, and Eleanor shifted her parasol back to enjoy the gentle spray drifting from the fountain touching her face.
Cassie shrugged. “I suppose it’s as good a present as any. You shall certainly enjoy fixing it no doubt.”
“I shall,” Eleanor agreed, unable to keep her smile from expanding.
Cassie folded her parasol and eased down onto the stone plinth. “Papa seems happy indeed with your choice, as does Anton.”
“And you?” Eleanor asked, her breath held. Of all her family, Cassie’s approval meant the most.
“Of course I adore him! We all do. But, I have to admit, I did not think you even liked him.” Her sister peered up at her. “What changed?”
Sinking down beside her sister and propping her parasol up against the edge of the fountain, Eleanor sighed. “It is hard to say. But he is not the man I thought he was.”
“Love is a most befuddling thing, is it not? It sneaks up on one when one least expects it.”
Eleanor nodded. “I did not think I would ever fall in love. It seemed much more of a you or Chastity thing.”
“And now all of us will be wed and have love in their lives.”
Eleanor made a face. “Apart from Aunt Sarah. She still refuses to court the idea of wedding Mr. Wilde and I know he adores her.”
“She feels like she is betraying Uncle Simon by loving again.”
“I do not know how we shall persuade her otherwise.” Eleanor pursed her lips. “Aunt Sarah is hardly feebleminded and prone to persuasion.”
“Perhaps we can try our hand at matchmaking once you are wed?”
“Matchmaking?” Eleanor shook her head with a laugh. “Do you not think we have enough to manage what with our investigations?”
“Pfft, we can manage it well enough. Besides, I think it’s time we try to find more women for the society. With Chastity becoming a mother, we could do with more aid.”
“You might become one before long.”
“Luke and I are being careful,” Cassie confided. “We are enjoying a little time for ourselves for now.”
“Understandable.”
Cassie nudged her with an elbow. “But you and Oliver...it might not be long before you have children.”
Eleanor blinked a few times. The image of Oliver holding their child made her heart warm. It wasn’t something she’d ever allowed herself to imagine before. “Perhaps,” she agreed.
“Over my dead body!”
Eleanor leapt to her feet and spun in the direction of the declaration. Oliver’s mother stalked toward them down the path, hatless and with her hair free from its usual elegantly tight chignon. She did not even appear to be wearing gloves.
“I beg your pardon?” Cassie said, stepping directly between Oliver’s mother and Eleanor.
The woman stopped a few feet from them both and stabbed a finger in Eleanor’s direction. “You will not be having children with my son, nor shall you be wedding him. I forbid it!” She made a sound in the back of her throat. “To imagine, sullying the blood of the Hart men with your...your...” She waved a hand at Eleanor.
“I do not think you have the power to forbid anything.” Cassie lifted her chin and stepped closer to the woman. “And you certainly cannot come here and say such things about Eleanor. She is a duke’s daughter.”
“An illegitimate duke’s daughter,” Lady Ashford spat. “Why do you wish to bring ruin to my household, young lady? Are you so intent on ensuring my line—the title—is ruined?”
Eleanor lowered her head, her cheeks blazing. It was not the worst she’d heard, and she was certain she would hear more after her marriage to Oliver. To be brought down from her giddy love-sick state with such a sharp bump had her flailing for a response.
“Of course my stupid, disobedient son would choose such a woman,” Lady Ashford continued. “He does it to pain me. He is determined to be a thoroughly awful person, to hurt me as much as he can.”
Eleanor snapped her head up and stepped sharply around Cassie, giving her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. It was all well and good to have the woman spitting the usual insults at her, but Oliver did not deserve any of this.
