AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Eleanor lifted a finger and signaled to her triplet that she would leave. As she turned around, a cold imperious command halted her actions.
“You, Eleanor, will attend to me while Ester and Lizzy freshen up for dinner. We have something important to discuss.”
Lizzy arched a brow but complied, while Ester sent her a commiserating wriggle of her nose.
“Yes, my lady,” Eleanor replied dutifully and made her way over to the sofa closest to Lady Celdon and sat.
Once her sisters departed, the dowager countess pinned Eleanor with a hawk-like stare.
“You went out today without any sort of chaperone.”
She silently winced. Did their grandaunt have spies in their home? She seemed to know everything despite living in a different townhouse in Russell Square. Eleanor smoothed a hand over the skirt of her gown. “I took a walk to Hyde Park. I did forget to take a servant with me. I am not yet used to being followed wherever I go.”
“You are a bit different from your siblings,” her grandaunt said, shifting on the chaise. “You are not as wild as your other sisters. My man has not been able to unearth any sordid gossip surrounding you. He even mentioned they improperly tease you to be only ‘slightly wicked.’”
This was said with grim disapproval.
“It is just a joke amongst sisters,” she said mildly. “I do not take it to heart, and they do not mean anything by it.”
“You also dress with less flamboyance and boldness than your sisters,” she said as if Ellie had not spoken.
“I…” Eleanor stopped talking, for she truly had no reply to that assessment.
“Yet you are no less beautiful,” she said. “I believe you must marry this season and marry well. It will help cement your family’s position to have a suitable connection. I informed your brother of this, but he thought it suitable to marry a miss with no estimable connection or wealth. His marriage has not benefited the family in any regard.”
Eleanor stiffened her shoulders. “Colin and Hermina love each other. That—”
“Bah!” Lady Celdon snapped. “Lovehas little to do with marriage. Love is not the mooncalf way they look at each other, even in polite company. Disgraceful!” She took a deep breath as if perturbed by her outburst. “As I mentioned last week, I have found a match for you, and he is willing to form an alliance with this family through marriage.”
Eleanor’s belly tightened, and a peculiar sensation rushed through her. “He is in agreement of the match without meeting me?”
Those penetrating eyes pinned her in place. “Yes.”
“I see.”
“I’ve already informed your brother of it. And he approves this match once you are happy with it.”
“I…But I do not know this gentleman.”
“You will get to know him,” Lady Celdon said with a dismissive wave of her hand.
Eleanor gripped the edges of the cushion as her thoughts whirled. Only several days ago, she had sat in this very room with her brother and urged him to follow through with the dowager countess’s plan. They had a very despicable reputation, though they were more notorious in the country. Some of their scandals had reached town and were printed in the newssheet by those who loved to gossip and spread rumors.
Thankfully the ripples were barely felt, for they were hardly popular about town, only having arrived a few months ago for Colin to take his place as the new Earl of Celdon. The dowager countess believed the path to rendering their family respectable was through marriage to powerful and well-reputed families.
Eleanor had vowed to take her new role as a sister to an earl to heart and set a model of example for her siblings. That meant marrying well, taking the comportment lessons seriously, and heeding the advice of the dowager countess. It meant becoming a respectable lady, one her sisters would be proud to emulate. Her grandaunt had been struggling with taming the Fairbanks’s wild tendencies, and her sharp complaints found their marks in Eleanor’s heart several times. “Who is he?” she asked softly.
“A young man who will inherit a barony and needs an heiress. His title and reputation are respectable, and his family is well regarded in society. The match is perfect for the Fairbanks, who need to make as many connections as possible for their family to be accepted in theton.Would you not agree with my assessment, young lady?”
She met her grandaunt’s gaze. “I do. I…I am open to this suit.”
An approving smile curved Lady Celdon’s mouth. “Very well. I will set the wheels in motion. I have accepted an invitation to the Marchioness of Belgrave’s ball. Young Mr. Hayford will be introduced to you then, and you shall dance twice with him, signaling to thetonthe nature of the connection.”
Several minutes later, Eleanor made her way to her room, where she quickly tidied and made her way to the dining room. Most of their family was present, and the conversation was lively as they ate the delectable courses prepared by their brother’s chef.
“Are you well, Ellie?” her mother asked, “You seem unusually quiet.”
“Oh, yes, mama, I am fine,” she replied, spearing a piece of roasted beef with her fork.
