More important matters like spending time with his mistress, of course,Ellen thought, but she knew better not to say it out loud. Her brother could do no wrong in her mother’s eyes.
“Not one more word from you. Are we clear?” her mother said.
“Yes, Mama.”
“We will have to get you some more oils to smoothen your skin. And gowns! I heard from Lady Jomes that a new design will be out shortly. We must make sure to hurry to the seamstress to get you fitted before anyone else catches wind of this.”
“Yes, Mama.”
“Oh my! I need to rest now. I have a headache from all that music and the dreadful gossip from tonight.”
You thrive on gossip, Mother,Ellen wanted to say. But she said nothing and stared out of the coach with a defeated expression, wondering when this all would end. She knew that she would do her duty, she had to. But she also wanted to be many other things than just a wife to a high-standing lord.
Oh, if only Mama would listen to me for a change,she thought. She watched her mother fall asleep, and she thought about what the Earl of Ridlington had said before she left the gardens.
Life is better enjoyed when you have explored your own passions.If she could truly do that, then she would be truly happy.
But, since she was born, Ellen had strived to be the perfect daughter, to meet her mother’s standards. It was simply how she was raised. She could not bring shame to her family by living her own life. She imagined a world where she was as bold as Marjorie, but she knew that doing that would cause a major scandal that would break her Mama’s heart.
But these were mere wishes. They weren’t meant to be.
ChapterThree
“Ilost you during the ball, Gerard. Pray, tell me where you went off to?”
“I doubt that, Grandmother. You were everywhere,” Gerard replied, looking out of the coach. They were headed back to Ridlington Manor, and once again, the Dowager Countess would not leave him to his thoughts.
“I wonder if any of the young ladies caught your eye tonight?” his grandmother asked.
Gerard sighed. He could hear the hope in her voice and was sad to quash it. “Only momentarily. And that was when Lady Ashley would not stop stomping on my toes as we danced.”
“Oh, you poor dear. I did hear she had terrible coordination.”
Gerard shrugged. He did not mention that she had been a distraction from his earlier encounter with Ellen Bamber. It was easy to discover who she was. She had amused him, and he thought her innocence touching. He shouldn’t have kissed her, but the thought of the kiss itself caused a hardening in his nether regions. She had been so agreeable in his arms despite the burning passion he knew she had simmering just under her eyes. She would make an excellent student in bed. There was so much he could teach her. If she hadn’t shoved him away when she did, Gerard knew he would have ruined her a little further.
“What did you think of the Diamond of the Season? Lady Ellen?” his grandmother asked, startling him out of his thoughts.
Gerard avoided her eyes, afraid that she would know if she looked at him. The young maiden did not deserve to have her innocence called into question that way. His grandmother was much too perceptive for him to give anything away.
“I think that the Queen made a good choice, as always,” he replied offhandedly.
“Hmm.”
“What is it, Grandmother?”
“It’s just that she did not get any dances tonight.”
“Is that so?” Gerard asked, equally surprised. The Diamond of the Season usually had her pick of eligible bachelors.
“Yes. I fear her overprotective brother kept glowering at all the eligible young men who approached her. And knowing his reputation with a gun, is it any surprise they would? She looked so worried. I only hope she’s fine.”
“I am sure she is. She shall have no lack of callers and suitors by tomorrow.”
“Oh, dear! I hope so.”
“Your concern is touching,” Gerard said, teasing her.
“Only because you did not dance with her. I only realized just now that you were never introduced. I wonder how I missed that, but you were hardly ever around.”
