AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Twenty-Two
The next afternoon, Eleanor yawned as she turned the page of the book. She might have been better off coming up with her own ending than reading this one. The story didn’t go at all like she’d wanted. She had spent a whole four hundred pages investing into the lives of the main characters, and now the author was killing all but one of them off. What was the point in reading a book if the ending was so morbid?
She glanced at Byron who was still asleep. She didn’t know how he could sleep in a swaying carriage that hit the occasional bump in the road. He hadn’t opened his eyes since they left the inn that morning. She had tried to drift off to sleep a couple of times in this carriage since leaving London, but she kept jerking awake.
She let out a sigh and decided to quit reading the book. She really didn’t feel like reading over the last conversation the two main characters were going to have with each other before one of them died. It had been depressing enough to read about the deaths of the other characters. She shut the book and set it on her lap. She only had one book left, and she wasn’t sure if she should start it today or wait until tomorrow. What if that was as awful as this one?
The carriage made a turn on the path that allowed her to see if someone had been following them. She didn’t see anyone. For as far as she could tell, she, Byron, and the coachman were the only people out here. Did that mean the Duke of Winnett wasn’t following them? Maybe there was no need for all of the precautions Byron was taking. But even if there was no threat, she couldn’t blame him for being careful. He was used to taking his job seriously.
She thought back to the conversation they’d had last night. It had been refreshing to see a new side to him. He was always so serious. She wouldn’t have guessed he had enjoyed playing as a child. As he’d spoken about playing hide and seek with his sister, there had been a hint of mischief in his voice. Even now, it made her grin. Perhaps a marriage with him might include some fun. She, for one, wouldn’t mind some more fun in her life. Growing up, everyone was so serious around her. Coming to London hadn’t changed that. Her father was obsessed with his social standing. Most people were also serious about everything. It was difficult to find people who wanted to enjoy the companionship of others without societal expectations getting in the way.
Byron moved his head, and her attention went back to him. If she was right, he was beginning to wake up. He seemed to start moving around a bit before his eyes finally opened. She placed the book into her valise. Good. She was looking forward to talking with him again.
He glanced her way before scanning the carriage.
“Everything is the same as it was when you fell asleep,” she said. “The book, however, was awful. I would have been better off coming up with my own ending. I wasted most of the day hoping it would get better, but it never did.”
He straightened up in the seat and checked his pocket watch. “Maybe the next one will be better. In the future, you can write your own stories then read them. That way you’ll get the ending you want. Unfortunately, there’s no way you’re going to write anything in this carriage.”
“A more expensive carriage wouldn’t be much better. It’s impossible to write anything when you’re swaying from side to side.”
He thought over her comment. “I suppose it is. You’ll have to settle for thinking up stories if you get tired of reading. If any of those ideas are good, you can write them down when we get back to London.”
She tapped the edge of the seat as she contemplated asking the next question. She didn’t know why she hesitated to ask it. She needed to know what her life was going to be like when she returned to London. How was this marriage going to change things? She cleared her throat. “What can I expect when we return to London?”
His eyebrows furrowed. “I’m not sure I understand the question.”
“What will my life be like?”
“Oh, you’re wondering if things will be like they were with your father.”
She nodded.
“I’m afraid not,” he replied. “You saw where I live. You saw the condition of my residence. That isn’t going to change. I might have a job, but it’s just enough to keep a roof over my head and put food on the table. Your father has denied me your dowry, which is to be expected given my status. Unfortunately for you, that means I can’t use your dowry to see to your comfort. All of the fancy dresses, the balls, and elaborate dinner parties are over. I’m not sure I can prepare you for what it’s really going to be like, but your lot in life isn’t going to be as nice as what you’re used to.”
Yes, she had gathered that much already since she was there when her father said he would give Byron no money after the marriage. “I meant what will my social obligations be after we marry? Who can I talk to? Where can I go?”
He paused for a long moment before saying, “I would avoid any association with unruly people. You want to be around people who are sincere and kind. Of course, you want to avoid unsavory places where all forms of criminal activity are likely to occur. Regardless of station, a lady is always better off sticking with respectable places doing respectable things. Bad company, after all, corrupts good habits.”
Yes, she already realized that, too. Her marriage to Byron wasn’t going to change any of those things, but certainly, this marriage was going to change something besides her financial standing.
“What kind of activities will I be able to do once I marry you?” she asked.
“We already discussed writing stories. You can do that if you wish.”
“Is there anything else I’m permitted to do?”
“Eleanor, I don’t intend for this marriage to be a prison. You are free to engage in whatever interests you. You don’t have to write stories if you don’t want to. I only suggested it because it’s something you said you enjoyed doing when you were a child. Do the things that interest you.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. Was it really going to be that simple? She wasn’t going to have to abide by a set of rules others laid out for her?
“Unfortunately,” Byron continued, “I doubt you’ll be a member ofLadies of Grace. That group caters to the wealthy. You might have to give up those friendships you wanted. For that, I’m sorry.”
Yes, she had gathered as much. She would miss the new friends she’d made, but she did like Byron’s sister. Perhaps they might be friends. His sister wasn’t part of an exclusive group. “You have no need to be sorry,” she assured him. “I was the one who went to your residence without a chaperone. If anything, I should apologize to you. It’s because of me that you’re forced into this marriage. I hope there wasn’t some lady I prevented you from marrying.”
“No,” he softly said. “There wasn’t anyone else. Before I met you, I had no romantic interest in anyone.”
She didn’t hide her relief. “Good. I’d hate to find out I ruined your life.”
