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She rose to her feet. As she hoped, the other two stood up. Good. The conversation was at an end. Now the duchess could go home, and her father could go back to his den. More importantly, the argument was over. Releasing her breath, she offered them both a smile and headed out of the room.
***
The day before the ball, Eleanor was sorting through her wardrobe. Just what kind of color and gown attracted a gentleman who was looking for a wife? She’d overheard some ladies mention how they wanted someone handsome, rich, and high in the peerage. Her requirements weren’t that strict. All she wanted was a kind gentleman she could enjoy talking to. Yes, she wanted to be attracted to him, but there were plenty of attractive gentlemen in London to choose from. What she most needed was someone who didn’t give her that same unsettling feeling the Duke of Winnett did.
A knock came at her door. She stopped rummaging through her armoire and went to answer it.
“You have two visitors, Lady Eleanor,” the maid said. “Viscountess Powell and Mrs. Duff would like to see you. Should I tell them you’ll see them or ask for them to come back later?”
Viscountess Powell? That was Heather! “I’ll see them.”
She hurried down the hall. If she recalled right, Mrs. Duff was Byron’s sister. She had wondered if she was still going to meet his sister. She hadn’t seen Byron since that day she saw him following the Duke of Winnett. Her father had spoken with him twice since that day. She didn’t know why it bothered her that Byron hadn’t bothered to ask to speak with her. Her father had told her that the meetings had been brief and inconsequential. So it shouldn’t matter to her if Byron wanted to see her or not. And yet, it did. She couldn’t explain why, but she missed talking with him. It was ironic she should want to talk to him when one considered how much he used to annoy her.
She reached the drawing room just as the butler was bringing in the tea and crumpets.
Heather waved for her to sit in the chair. “I can’t believe the same gentleman who is courting you happens to be my sister-in-law’s brother. I thought Mr. Tumilson was familiar, but I couldn’t figure out why.”
Byron’s sister smiled as the butler left the room. “Byron stays busy with his job. He’s always running off to do something. I’ve only managed to get him to attend a dinner party once. Unfortunately, that didn’t turn out well.”
“Why?” Heather asked before she picked up her cup and drank from it.
“Charles didn’t like him when he first met him,” Byron’s sister said. “To be fair to Charles, the feeling was mutual. My brother didn’t like him, either. But they resolved their differences and like each other now.” Her gaze went to Eleanor. “I’m Eris, by the way. I’m here because Byron thought we’d make good friends. He said he originally wanted you to come to my townhouse but then thought I should come here instead. He didn’t explain why, though. It would have been fine with me if you came to my townhouse.”
Eleanor figured it was best not to tell her about her father. It wouldn’t matter if the lady knew the details anyway. Instead, she said, “I’m Eleanor.” Then she bit into a crumpet.
“You two might be more than friends if your brother gets his way,” Heather told Eris. “He fancies Eleanor.”
Eris’ eyes widened in surprise. “He does?”
Heather nodded. “He’s an attentive suitor. He watches her whenever they’re in the same room, and he makes sure he has two dances with her at the balls. Everyone else inLadies of Gracenoticed it, too. I’ve never seen any lady make a gentleman vie for her attention the way she does. I feel a bit sorry for him.” Heather glanced her way. “It’s not up to me to tell you who to marry, but I do hope you’ll put the poor man out of his misery and choose him. You two make a good couple.”
Heather wouldn’t be saying that if she knew he was a Runner. Heather, like the other members of the group, assumed he was wealthy. She glanced at Eris. Eris wasn’t going to say anything about his financial standing, was she?
“Byron keeps a lot of things private,” Eris said. “He doesn’t tell me much about what he does.”
“But he did want you to meet her,” Heather pointed out. “I think it’s a sign he’s about to propose.”
“Yes, it could be.” Eris’ gaze went to Eleanor. “He’s never asked me to meet a lady before. That must mean you’re someone special.”
“Considering how private he is, I’d say so.” Heather tapped the bottom of her cup for a moment then asked Eleanor, “I don’t suppose you’d tell us your answer if he were to propose?”
Eleanor’s face grew hot. Oh dear. Just how should she answer that question? She couldn’t marry him. He was a Runner. Her father would never approve.
She shook that thought off. What was she thinking? He wasn’t interested in her that way. He was only pretending to be interested in her. It was part of the job he had been hired to do. Apparently, not even Eris knew Byron was working for her father. Byron really did keep a lot of secrets.
Heather giggled. “It’s a yes, Eris. She wants to marry him. She’s just too shy to come out and say it since he hasn’t proposed yet.”
At this point, Eleanor wished she could run out of the room. She was sure everyone atLadies of Gracewould assume the same. Well, they were all in for a shock when they realized she was going to marry someone else instead.
“There’s no need to embarrass her,” Eris told Heather. “Let’s talk about something else.”
“All right.” Heather turned back to Eleanor. “I love your new gowns and jewelry. The ones you had before were fine, but these are just lovely. Where did you get them?”
Silently thanking Eris for the change in topic, Eleanor began to answer the question.
