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“If he’s going to refuse you doing something charitable and gives you enjoyment, then he’s not worth it,” Marion said defiantly. “You can always say no to it.”
“But if I say no, Father’s debts won’t be wiped. The servants will lose their jobs, we’ll lose the house, and everyone will be homeless.”
That had been becoming more and more of a reality lately, and Eleanor was all too aware of it. She didn’t like it, and her father had shown no sign of trying to wipe out his debts by doing the right thing. They had virtually no money now, and she had no prospects. No one would take her without a dowry, and Eleanor had come to accept that. This sounded too good to be true.
“So, you’re stuck.”
“Very stuck.” The throbbing in her temple wasn’t as bad as before, so Eleanor lowered her hands, tugging her fingers through a tangle. “I don’t know what to think anymore, Marion. It’s like my choices have been taken away.”
“You have a choice.” Marion put a hand over her friend’s. “But it’s not something you want to make, isn’t it?”
“No, I don’t. I don’t want to marry to make my father’s money magically reappear only for him to gamble it all away again. I want to marry for love. Father knows that.” Eleanor huffed. “But as I get older, I know that’s going to be pointless. Nobody wants to marry someone too old.”
“You’re not old at all.”
Eleanor squeezed her friend’s hand. “Thank you for your compliment, but you know I am compared to other women. Women my age are married and with several children by now.”
Eleanor should have been married at twenty, at the very latest, and should have at least two children, maybe three. But things hadn’t worked out like that. Eleanor hadn’t complained about it before, although she had moments when she wished she could find a man who could love her for her instead of what she could give him financially. That was not going to happen anytime soon, and Eleanor had come to accept it. Now it was being thrust at her, a marriage of convenience with a lot of strings attached.
Something wasn’t quite right, but she couldn’t put her finger on it.
“You did have your mother to look after.” Marion pointed out. “And after Matthew Leyton, I’m not surprised you wanted to back away from men. Maybe it’s time to take advantage and have a bit of happiness.”
“Huh!” Eleanor snorted. “I’m being traded for money. How is that happiness?”
“It’s not the Earl himself doing the trade, is it? Maybe he’s just incredibly shy.”
“Or incredibly ugly and needs a friend to find a bride who’s got nothing to lose.”
Marion sighed then gave Eleanor one of her sweet, comforting smiles. “I know you, Eleanor. You can turn it into happiness, no matter what. It’s what you’re good at.”
Eleanor hoped that was the case, because she was not feeling so confident about it right now. She had said nothing less for love, something that wasn’t the done thing. It was all about connections, about who knew whom and who had the most money. If love was there, it was a remarkable feat.
There was another reason she hadn’t chosen a husband years ago. She didn’t want to be treated like a stranger by her own spouse.
Eleanor reached into her pocket and withdrew the letter Parsons had given her as Eleanor stepped out into the garden. She hadn’t opened it, simply staring at it before she shoved it into the pocket she had sewn into her dress. Knowing her luck, it was bad news, and Eleanor could do without more bad news right now.
“I’ve also got a letter.”
“Oh?” Marion put aside her sewing. “Who from? Not Leyton?”
“I hope not. I won’t know until I open it up.”
It took a few moments. Eleanor wasn’t sure if she was ready to look at it if it was from Leyton. His flowery words on paper were worse than out loud, and it just made him look crazed. Eleanor had called him a madman before for his actions. She hadn’t realized how close to the mark she had been.
Turning the envelope over, Eleanor opened it. The writing inside was the same as the writing for the address; sharp, spiky. It was like they weren’t sure what to say and it was coming out awkwardly. Eleanor scanned the lines and then saw the name at the bottom. One her father had told her before.
Chapter Ten
“It’s from my intended husband.”
“Really?” Marion’s eyebrows almost disappeared into her hairline. “That was quick. You only got told about him this morning.”
“It appears that Father and his benefactor have had this in plan for a while.” Eleanor scowled. “I wonder if they might have kept this from me until the moment I’m about to walk down the aisle.”
“At least you’re finding out now.” Marion looked over her shoulder. “Nathan Reynolds, Earl of Brixton. Nathan’s a nice name.”
“I suppose.” Eleanor sighed. “He is an Earl. At least he might be able to provide for me if he’s willing to take me on without a dowry.”
