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Married by now. Had Leyton been spurned by Eleanor before? Heavenly had said that Eleanor had never taken any interest in a man, her focus being the orphanage and looking after him.
Eric frowned. “You knew her before?”
“When we were starting out in society.” Leyton narrowed his eyes. “Why do you want to know? You’re not after her affections as well, are you?”
“Of course not. My wife would have a fit if I gave my affections to another woman.” Eric shrugged. “I’m just curious, that’s all.”
Leyton looked at him like he was trying to figure out what Eric’s angle was. Then he squared his shoulders, glancing over his shoulder to give the orphanage a wistful look.
“I love her. Always have.” The sadness in his voice was evident. “But she won’t give in to what we have between us. It got to the point where she humiliated me in public years ago.”
Eric raised his eyebrows. Interesting.
“I think that would say to anyone that she doesn’t want anything to do with you.”
“I know she does. I’ve seen the way she looks at me.” Leyton’s lip curled in a snarl. There was a slightly crazed look in his eye. “That woman is a tease. I’m better now, and I want her as my wife. I won’t settle for anyone less.”
He was better now? Had he been committed to a madhouse? He looked like he couldn’t take rejection at all. Even then, he wouldn’t stop until he got what he wanted. Eric was beginning to see why Eleanor didn’t want anything to do with him. The man gave off the appearance that he was not of stable mind. There was a veneer of calm, but that kept slipping all over the place.
Eleanor had a deranged man following her around. That was going to be difficult to deal with. Or maybe Eric could use it. If he, as the Earl, could kill Leyton, Eleanor would always be indebted to him. And if Leyton got the inclination that Eleanor was wanting to be with him…
Eric had time to play around with people. And those who were unstable were much more fun to play with.
“You really think that’s going to happen this time?” he asked. “From what I’ve heard society, Lady Eleanor is due to get married.”
“What?” Leyton’s eyes widened. “To whom? I’ll rip their heads off if they touch her.”
“Calm yourself. I doubt it’s going to happen. She’s too fiery even for her future husband.”
Although from what Eric had heard about Nathan Reynolds, he didn’t want someone who was superficial and saw only his title. He wanted a genuine person as his wife, if that ever happened. Eleanor was as genuine as they could get. Eric had to admire that about the woman.
“How do you know all this?” Leyton frowned at him. “I thought you didn’t know her.”
“I know of her. You know about everyone if you’re in society. I know her future husband.”As well as I can.Eric grinned. “I tell you what, we both want something. How about working with me on this?”
“Working on what?”
Leyton sounded suspicious, but Eric could see his mind working. He was interested. Eric surmised that a man of unstable mind would do anything to get what he wanted, especially if it was offered up to him. He planned to do just that.
This fish would be so easy to reel in.
* * *
Eleanor felt numb. She stared at the letter in her hand. It was from Sister Cecilia, and it came with bad news.
A child was dead. It had been nearly two months since the young girl had run away, they wondered if Clarice went after her, and now she had turned up that morning. Her body had been taken to the local morgue, and a contact for Sister Cecilia’s had notified her.
Eleanor couldn’t begin to imagine how her friend was feeling. Theresa Fairley was only a child. Barely fourteen. She didn’t deserve to have her life taken so abruptly. Cecilia hadn’t given many details, but it was clear that it was foul play. It only caused them more concern for their most recent run-away Clarice.
What had happened to her? Theresa had to have been tempted away from the orphanage with the promise of a better life. Eleanor was sure there were those who wouldn’t have approved of Theresa talking back. She was fiery and combative, not afraid to put her opinion across – much like Clarice. Eleanor felt cold at the thought.
“Eleanor?”
Eleanor jumped. Her father sitting across the table, was watching her curiously. Eleanor had forgotten she sat at the breakfast table going through the morning letters. She gulped and put the letter aside.
“I’m fine, Father. Really.”
Edward Heavenly sighed. He was looking a little restless, but at least he was sober. True to his word, he hadn’t been out for over a week. He was behaving himself, and Eleanor was grateful for that. It couldn’t undo most of the damage, but her father was here and doing his duty.
