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Chapter Ten
The walk turned out to be much more pleasant than Eleanor had expected. For the first time since coming to London, it felt as if someone was taking the time to really listen to her. Mr. Tumilson might not be as bad as she feared. The talk they’d had in the drawing room gave her hope that someone might finally take her seriously.
“When is the next ball you’ll be taking your daughter to?” Mr. Tumilson asked her father as they passed a tree at Hyde Park.
“I was thinking of going to the one Lord Roderick is hosting in a couple of days,” her father said. “Do you think she’s ready for it?”
“I do. The lessons the duchess gave her has paid off very well. Of course, that’s to be credited to your daughter since she had to do the work.”
Eleanor glanced over at Mr. Tumilson in surprise. She got the impression he didn’t offer compliments lightly.
“In that case, we’ll attend the ball.” Her father looked at her. “He is very particular in who he associates with, so the quality of gentlemen there will be better than if we were to attend Lord Edon’s ball.” To Mr. Tumilson, he added, “Lord Edon is hosting a ball tomorrow.”
“Who’s Lord Edon?” she asked.
“Someone you don’t need to worry about. He’s already married.” He turned his attention back to Mr. Tumilson. “You can’t trust a gentleman who made his reputation in London by lying.”
She wanted to ask him what Lord Edon had lied about, but she figured he wouldn’t tell her.
“To be fair, we are lying,” Mr. Tumilson told her father. “I’m not really your daughter’s suitor.”
“Yes, but our lies are necessary,” her father replied. “We’re making sure no harm comes to my daughter. That’s different than what Lord Edon was doing. He lied for selfish reasons.”
“I think most people’s motives are selfish,” Mr. Tumilson said.
“You think so?”
“It’s natural to look out for our own interests. While I do wish to help you, I need money in order to buy food. My motives in taking this job aren’t completely selfless.”
“That’s different than what Lord Edon did. All he cared about was impressing a bunch of gentlemen. What’s worse is that even after his lies were exposed, most gentlemen esteemed him even more. Sometimes there is no justice in the world.”
Eleanor glanced Mr. Tumilson’s way. Would he ask her father what Lord Edon had lied about? She knew it was none of her business, but the more her father went on about it, the more her interest was piqued.
Unfortunately, Mr. Tumilson only said, “What matters is that justice prevails in our situation.”
Eleanor hid her disappointment, though it was probably good her curiosity hadn’t been satisfied. All the two would have done was gossip. Many times she’d been instructed to keep away from that kind of thing.
Her gaze went to the other people at the park. Every single one of them looked like they were happy. Was she the only person who felt out of place? If she didn’t get to joinLadies of Grace, she wasn’t sure what she’d do.
“Your Grace, I didn’t expect to see you here,” someone called out.
She turned her attention to the gentleman heading in her father’s direction. There had been so many gentlemen her father had introduced her to since coming to London that it was hard to keep track of them all. She was sure she’d danced with this one.
“I don’t usually go for walks,” her father said. “But since my daughter is in her first Season, it’s prudent I chaperone her.” He gestured to Mr. Tumilson. “This is one of her suitors, Mr. Tumilson. Mr. Tumilson and Lady Eleanor, this is the Duke of Winnett.” He turned to her. “I believe you remember him from Mr. Jasper’s ball.”
Now she remembered him. She offered a nod and smiled. “Yes, I remember His Grace.”
“I was happy to make your acquaintance,” the Duke of Winnett told her. “You’re a graceful dancer.”
She thanked him.
“Well, I won’t keep you from your stroll.” His gaze went to her father. “Will you be at White’s later today?”
“I hadn’t planned to go,” her father said.
“You’re not still upset with the way things worked out for Lord Edon, are you?” the duke asked.
“Certainly not. I wouldn’t let something as silly as a vote deter me from going there. What happens or doesn’t happen with Lord Edon has no bearing on me. I’m just surprised so many gentlemen have no qualms about lying.”
