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“And you, my dear.” The Dowager Countess smiled. “I am delighted to finally meet you.”
She seemed nice enough. There had been other whispers that Lady Brixton was a very prim and proper woman, that she didn’t have much of a sense of humour. Eleanor could very well believe that, but she wanted to put that aside. She didn’t want to get on the wrong foot with her future mother-in-law.
Remembering Marion, Eleanor made the introductions. How could she have forgotten her friend was there as well?
“This is my friend and chaperone, Marion Laurie. I hope it’s appropriate for her to be here.”
“Of course.” Lady Brixton barely blinked. “But I assure you, my son will not be inappropriate with you. He’s an army officer and they treat everyone with the utmost respect, especially women.”
Eleanor frowned. “He’s an army officer?”
“Yes. He’s currently on leave from the front line in France. He’s only been back a day.” Lady Brixton frowned. “Did you not know that about my son?”
“I... I’ve been out of society a while,” Eleanor murmured. “Things can slip my mind.”
How had she not known that the Earl of Brixton was an officer in the British Army? That hadn’t been mentioned in his letter at all. Surely, that would have been something any man would happily declare. But he didn’t. He was either ashamed of it or he hadn’t sent the letter. Eleanor couldn’t see an Earl being ashamed for fighting for King and country.
“I see.” Lady Brixton seemed to accept that excuse. She nodded and turned away. “Come on through. My son is on the back terrace.”
Eleanor glanced at Marion, who fell into step beside her. She wasn’t entirely sure what was going on anymore. Had Lord Brixton sent the letter? Or had his friend? If it was the friend, why hadn’t he mentioned Lord Brixton’s time in the army, or that he was still a serving officer? That would definitely be something anyone would mention.
Something was off.
Lady Brixton led them onto the terrace. Eleanor followed, and cast her eye at the man standing by the small round table on the terrace. Then she stopped short.
It was the man from outside the orphanage. Clear as day, he was standing there wearing a smart suit that looked brand new, his dark hair cut short and his jaw clean-shaven. In the daylight, he looked very handsome. Very fine to look at. And from the way he was holding himself, there didn’t seem to be any indication that he was shy or awkward.
Then Eleanor remembered what Lady Brixton had said. Her son had been in London on leave only a day, but she had encountered Lord Brixton outside the orphanage two weeks ago. Had he lied to his mother? Or was Eleanor mistaken that it was the same man? It had been dark, so it might have been a trick of the light, but Eleanor listened to her gut. This was the same man.
Wasn’t it?
“Lady Eleanor?”
Lady Brixton was looking at her strangely. So was Marion, who gave Eleanor a sharp nudge.
“Eleanor?”
“What? Oh.” Eleanor shook herself and managed a smile. “I’m fine. Really.”
The Dowager Countess’ expression said she didn’t quite believe her, but she nodded and turned to walk towards her son. Lord Brixton was now approaching them, giving Eleanor a cordial smile. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to make Eleanor’s heart skipped a few beats. He really was handsome.
“Lady Eleanor.” He took her hand and bowed over it for a moment before straightening up again. “Captain Reynolds. Pleasure to meet you.”
“I…” Then Eleanor frowned. “I thought you were the Earl of Brixton.”
“He is.” Lady Brixton rolled her eyes as she approached the table. “My son prefers to use his military title instead of the title he inherited from his father.”
“It’s a bone of contention with Mother that I won’t be addressed as ‘my Lord’ all day.” Her son’s mouth twitched in another smile that made Eleanor stare at his mouth. “Captain sounds a lot better, don’t you think?”
He was right. Captain Reynolds sounded much better than Lord Brixton. It suited him. He looked every bit the soldier. Eleanor had a lot of respect for soldiers, especially with what they were currently doing against Napoleon.
If he wanted to be addressed as Captain Reynolds, Eleanor would address him as such. It was up to him, after all. And it was his title.
“Excuse me a moment.” Captain Reynolds stepped past her, heading towards the door. “I just need to have a word with Mason about lunch.”
He disappeared inside the house, Eleanor staring after him. That was not what she had been expecting. She had thought the Earl of Brixton would be someone who wasn’t confident of his looks or his personality and had a social awkwardness around him. She hadn’t been expecting...Captain Reynolds. He was as far from awkward as you could get.
This didn’t line up with what Eleanor had in her mind. Or what she had seen before.
