“Thank Goodness indeed,” he said smirking.
Oh! How she wished she could wipe the smile off his handsome face. Ellen had spent the last few days simply drowning in thoughts of him. After seeing London by his side, she realized that she wanted to see more of it, but he had avoided her. He greeted her briefly when they met at balls but sent her a bouquet of flowers and paid for new dresses to be made for her. It maddened her to see that he was teasing her, trying to draw her out, and it was working. She found that she was comforted by the thought of his grandmother warning her to guard her heart, and she thought mournfully how too late that was. He had finally come to request a walk to the park, and it had taken all her strong will to not dance in triumph. She understood that to Society, he was acting like a perfect gentleman, making room for others to pay a visit; it was how the game of courtship worked, and although this was what she wanted, she could not help but feel that maybe this once she had bitten more than she could chew.
“Pray tell, how about your suitors? I told you the plan would work, did not I?”
Ellen nodded thoughtfully. “It’s going quite wonderful, Gerard.”
“Tell me about it.”
“Well, there is Lord Rivermore, who sends me flowers every day. I have received so many flowers that Mama thinks we could open a flower shop soon.”
Gerard laughed. “How does the Duke of Grant feel about that?”
“Oh, Andrew just huffs and goes about in his usual fashion. I do not suppose he’s also impressed by this, but I do think it’s sweet.”
“Did you find my bouquet of daises sweet then?”
“Why, Gerard, are you seeking a compliment?”
Gerard’s eyes twinkled in amusement. “Only feedback on my performance as a suitor, Ellen.”
In truth, Ellen had found his flowers the most thoughtful and reflective of her character. Daises were her favorite. “They were quite pretty, Thank you, Gerard.”
Gerard took her hand and removed her glove. Ellen, shocked, looked back to see if her chaperone had noticed the exchange and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that she had not.
“Do you not like daisies?” asked Gerard. “I would have thought it fitting for your person, but I guess I may have misjudged you. I apologize.”
“No, I loved them. In truth, daisies are my favorite flowers,” replied Ellen. She watched Gerard grin, and it sent a flutter racing through her belly.
“Tell me about the other suitors,” he said.
She giggled and as they kept walking, she prattled on about them “There’s Lord Vashmir who is originally from India, and he’s been my favorite so far. His tales of India and Africa are riveting! He has the maids at his beck and call when he calls on me, and he dresses exquisitely. He brings me vials of perfume from Africa, a mat from India, and he gave Mama jewelry.”
“I know Lord Vashmir. He is quite the gentleman indeed. I would approve but for one thing.”
“What is that, My Lord?”
“I hear that he cuts off a piece of his servants’ ears and eats them with his meals.”
“Gerard!” Ellen exclaimed laughing. “Surely, you jest.”
“I wish I was. Have you ever noticed how his servants’ heads are covered, so that you only see their faces?”
By now, Ellen was growing concerned. “Yes, but I believe that is how he likes them to dress because of where they come from.”
“You are right, of course. But thetonsays it’s because the dear lord is…a cannibal.”
Ellen was fully alarmed. “Are you certain about this, Gerard?” she asked.
Gerard burst out laughing. “I was merely making a jest. You look positively mortified—”
Ellen breathed a sigh of relief. “You should not scare a lady like this, Gerard.”
“I apologize. Now, tell me about the next.”
“Yes, Lord McNaught. What do you know about him?”
“He is a rake of the highest order. I should think he should not be allowed to darken your threshold with his presence.”
