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Eleanor didn’t like being someone’s property. It was pathetic, and she didn’t even like the young man. Matthew Leyton was not someone she wanted to be associated with. He was charming, but there was a snake-like quality underneath. There was also something about him that scared her. He had been possessive when he barely knew her, declaring that she was his before they had gotten to know each other. Eleanor wanted to get to know people on her own terms, not be forced into it. Leyton forced her. He accosted her at a ball and tried to get her alone. Eleanor had screamed and fought back, resulting in rescue coming. If she hadn’t, they might have been considered in a compromising position and then she would have been forced to marry him. Thankfully, Eleanor’s open dislike for Leyton and the screaming helped.
But that didn’t stop him. Even after her father had told him to back off, Leyton continued approaching Eleanor. It got to the point Eleanor refused to go out and socialize for fear of bumping into him, which seemed to be every time she stepped outside the house. Leyton was determined to have her in his life, but the message wasn’t getting through that he wasn’t wanted.
Then Eleanor’s mother had died, and Eleanor had the excuse of being in mourning not to receive guests. In that time while she was in mourning and focusing on her father who had turned to the bottle, Leyton had left London. The official line was he was going to visit family in the country as the London smog was getting to him, but rumours were that he had gone mad. He had done something which had scared his family and he had been taken away from London to be put in a sanitorium. Considering what she had experienced with him, Eleanor wouldn’t be surprised if that was the case.
At least he wasn’t bothering her anymore. Unfortunately, while she had been doing her charitable work and making sure her father wasn’t losing their money at the gambling tables, life had passed her by. Now she was considered too old for marriage. Eleanor society People looked down on her and commented how lonely and sad she must be to not be married by now. It was annoying, and Eleanor hated that talk.
She would love to have a husband. Deep down, she would. But no one wanted an old maid. She might just have to put up with it and Eleanor could handle living alone if it was the only option. She didn’t consider herself alone, anyway, when she had her friend Marion and her work with the children. That was enough for her.
If that was the case, why was she thinking herself a liar right now?
Not now. Think about it when you’re not out in the open.
Ducking her head, Eleanor hurried on. She would be home soon, and then she could breathe more safely.
Chapter Six
“My lady?”
Vanity looked up and did a double take. Desiree had come into the morning room, shaking with her head down. She sounded like she was sobbing. Jumping to her feet, Vanity hurried over.
“Desire, what is it?”
“Mr... Mr. Bateman is back again.” Desiree lifted her head, her eyes filled with tears. “I... he…”
Then Desiree whimpered as there came footsteps. Vanity looked over her maid’s shoulder and saw Eric appear in the doorway. He leaned against the doorway and gave her a blank expression. But the dark look in his eyes...made her feel very cold.
Storming past Desiree, Vanity advanced on the man. “What did you do, Eric?” she hissed. “Did you strike Desiree?”
“She looked at me the wrong way.” Eric didn’t even blink or offer an apology. “I knew she was plotting something.”
“Your supposition does not give you the right to strike my maid!”
Eric twitched an eyebrow. No emotion there whatsoever. Vanity swallowed back the hard lump in her throat. Her lover before her husband had been a bad man. He lulled people in by pretending to be charming and lovable, only to turn nasty once he had them ensnared and started physically attacking them. He had done that to Vanity, and it had taken several months before Vanity was brave enough to leave him, the week before their wedding. People had taken one look at her face and then realized she was justified in leaving. Jasper had been ostracized for his actions. Eric had clearly inherited his violent streak.
Why Eric had been left with Jasper Black, a man known for his violence towards women, Vanity had no idea. Her midwife had a lot to answer for, once Vanity could find her. The woman had vanished a short while after she helped Vanity through her delivery. She had to have been mad to think that Jasper was a suitable father.
Stepping away from Eric, Vanity turned to Desiree, her maid sobbing quietly with her head down.
“Go and find Mrs. May, Desiree. She’ll take care of you.”
“Yes, my Lady.”
Desiree bobbed a quick curtsy, hurrying towards the door. She slowed as she reached Eric, but Eric didn’t move. Desiree had to step carefully around him, keeping her gaze averted. Vanity’s heart hurt at the sight. Her maid was normally so strong, and yet one slap from Eric and she had been reduced to a quivering mess. Vanity hated this.
She should have told Eric to shove it and get out. She could suffer the consequences, just. But that didn’t happen because Vanity had let her pride get in the way, and Eric was now in her life, refusing to leave.
Eric stepped into the room and closed the door behind him, leaning back against it. His eyes never left her. Vanity found herself stepping back. He was too much like Jasper, and that was terrifying.
“That was uncalled for, Eric,” Vanity snapped. “I’m doing what you ask. I didn’t say you could attack my servants.”
“They’re going to be my servants, too,” Eric replied smoothly. “I can treat them how I want.”
“You can’t just strike them.” Vanity narrowed her eyes. “Is this how your father taught you to behave with those in servitude? Is it for the same in the nobility? Because if he hadn’t hurt me the way he did, we would’ve been married for thirty-three years.”
Eric’s jaw tightened. “He told me about that. About the lies you said about him.”
“You think I’m a liar? That’s not a surprise. Jasper Black would believe the sky was bright red if he got that into his head. He was never wrong, no matter what.”
