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“I love them. They’re my sisters, after all.”
“And you don’t end up doing anything for yourself because you’re looking out for them.”
“That’s not true!”
“Really? What did you do last that was just for you and not your sisters?”
Ellie found herself floundering. She couldn’t remember the last time she had done something just for her. Not since her father had gotten sick. Her shoulders slumped.
“It’s not that easy, my lord. My father’s unwell, and our mother died after Regina had her first Season. Someone has to watch out for Regina and Dorothea, and someone has to keep the family together.”
“So, you take it upon yourself to do it all the time?”
“I don’t take it upon myself!”
“But you’re looking after everyone, including your father, and you don’t think about yourself. That’s about right, isn’t it?”
Ellie thought about protesting, but she couldn’t. North was right, and she didn’t like it. She pressed her lips tightly together.
“You’re rather presumptuous about my life, aren’t you, my lord? You barely know me.”
“Do I need to know you for years to see what’s in front of me? I was merely stating the truth.” North paused. “Look, I apologise for speaking out of turn, but it is what I’ve understood from what you’ve just told me.”
“I see.”
Ellie didn’t know what to say after that. Mostly because she was at a loss at what to say, and also because the door opened suddenly, and Cliveton-Smythe came in with a glass of lemonade. He smiled and handed her the glass.
“There you are, Lady Eleanora. And the cook says don’t hesitate to let him know if you want some more. He can accommodate you at dinner.”
“Thank you.” Ellie sipped at her drink. It did taste quite nice. She stepped away, unable to look at North. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to join my sisters. I’ll see if Regina is willing to play for you after dinner.”
“Excellent! I’d be delighted if she did.”
Ellie scurried away, feeling like a coward. Halfway across the room, her legs gave way, and Ellie stumbled, lemonade sloshing over her hand as she managed to catch herself before she ended up on her knees.
“Ellie!” Dorothea hurried to her. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. I just caught my foot on the rug.”
“What rug? There isn’t a rug here.”
Ellie glared at her sister. “Just humour me, Dorothea,” she hissed. “I tripped. That’s it.”
She didn’t turn around, but she didn’t need to. She could feel North’s eyes on her back. And the fluttering in her belly started again.
This was going to be a difficult evening; she was sure of it.
#
Derrick stood at the back of the room as Lady Regina played on the harpsichord. She had started out a little rusty, but then she had gotten into the music, and it was beautiful. Her fingers were like magic, and everyone was enraptured.
It meant he could look at everyone without anyone noticing. Which Derrick was making the most of, watching Lady Eleanora across the room. She was sitting with her sister by the window, back straight and head high with her hands clasped in her lap as she focused on the younger woman. She looked calm and poised.
When he had agreed to have dinner with his old headmaster, Derrick hadn’t expected to bump into her, nor had he expected her to be the daughter of another pupil. He had suspected that she was a lady with the way she behaved. She was graceful… for the most part, not including when she nearly fell flat on her face before dinner. It had taken a while for her to stop blushing.
Derrick had struggled to take his attention away from her all through dinner. He had ended up being seated next to her, but Lady Eleanora had barely acknowledged him. It was as if she was embarrassed to talk to him after what they said.
She seemed to be more interested in Randall, who was sitting across from them beside Lady Regina. Randall was a charming man who could have anyone eating out of his hand if he so wanted. That seemed to be the case with the three sisters, who were giggling over everything he said. Lady Regina was doing it the most.
