AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Four months? That explains why I didn’t know about you sooner. I was delayed at my estate up until last month.”
She didn’t know how to respond to that, so she settled for smiling at him.
“What do you enjoy doing in London?” His Grace asked.
Nothing so far.Of course, she couldn’t say that. She might be new to this kind of life, but she knew what kind of response was appropriate and what wasn’t appropriate. Since she had to come up with something, she offered, “I’ve been to a tea party with theLadies of Grace.”
His eyes lit up. “That’s a very prestigious social group. I’m impressed. I heard they have rigid rules for membership.”
She bit her lower lip. Did she say she was a member? She was sure she hadn’t. So what in her statement had led him to conclude that?
“There is another social group for ladies. I think it’s calledEnduring Friendships.” He shook his head in the same dismissive fashion her father had used when the seamstress had offered to make her a red gown. “That’s a group for ladies rejected byLadies of Grace. It would be humiliating to be associated with them.”
It was a good thing Eleanor had no interest in this particular gentleman, for if she had, she would be disappointed in his comment. If the ladies in the groups were friends, what did it matter how prestigious each group was?
“Have you been to the theatre?” His Grace asked.
“Yes.” Now that was something she could maintain a conversation about. “I saw the play, and I thought it was amusing. Did you see it?”
He shot her a teasing look. “I did not. Don’t spoil it for me. I plan to see that next week.”
Well, in that case, she didn’t even have that little bit to help the conversation along. She didn’t know what to say. This whole thing of socializing was far more difficult than she’d expected it to be when she left the country. It didn’t help that the ladies around her were able to converse with their dance partners as if they’d always known them.
Her gaze happened to go to Mr. Tumilson. To her surprise, he was looking at her. She shouldn’t be surprised, she supposed. Her father had hired him to make sure nothing bad happened to her. He couldn’t do that if he didn’t take the time to pay attention to her. But it did make her feel uneasy. It was bad enough to be socially inept, but she really didn’t want someone noticing it. She looked away from him and hoped he would look elsewhere. After a few seconds, she glanced back in his direction and was relieved to see he was paying attention to something Mr. Jasper was saying.
The dance finally came to an end, and she said she enjoyed the dance, though she really hadn’t. Come to think of it, she didn’t enjoy any of the dances she’d had. She was sure her inability to participate in the conversation played a big factor in that.
“What did you think of the Duke of Winnett?” her father asked when he came up to her. Before she could respond, he added, “I know he’s quite a bit older than you. It might be best to put your attention on someone younger.” He escorted her to the side of the room. “I had to agree to let him have two dances with you. He’s someone I’ve known for a long time. It would have been rude to tell him no when he made the request.”
“Why would he want to dance with me?” She doubted he’d taken one look at her and fell in love. She wasn’t a simpleton. She knew she wasn’t as attractive as the other ladies in the room.
“I think he was curious about you,” her father said. “His interest in you was merely an inquisitive one. He’s a confirmed bachelor. He’s never been married.”
“Isn’t that odd considering he has a title?”
He shrugged. “Not all gentlemen are inclined to marry and have children. Some don’t mind if their nearest male relative inherits the title instead. Take me, for instance. I have no problem with my cousin taking my title. After your mother’s death, I couldn’t see marrying another lady. The love I shared with her is one you only get once in a lifetime.”
She didn’t hide her surprise. Her father so rarely ever spoke of his feelings for her mother. She had no idea he loved her so well.
“Your Grace,” a gentleman greeted as he approached.
“My dear, this is the Duke of Augustine,” her father introduced. “I thought it might ease some of your nerves if not every gentleman you dance with this evening is a potential suitor. His Grace is already betrothed. Their fathers arranged the match years ago. Her name is Lady Carol, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” the gentleman replied.
Eleanor noticed an underlying tension in the Duke of Augustine’s reply and realized the match wasn’t something he wanted. Either he resented having a marriage arranged for him or he didn’t want to marry Lady Carol.
“I met His Grace at White’s,” her father told her. “He’s an excellent chess player. I’m still confounded on how he managed to outwit me on that last game.”
His Grace relaxed. “A gentleman never reveals his secrets.”
Her father’s eyebrows rose in curiosity. “You won’t give me a hint?”
“I’m afraid not.”
“A shame. I’m not sure I can figure out how you did it.”
Though His Grace apologized, she suspected he enjoyed keeping her father in suspense.
“Well, my dear, enjoy this dance,” her father told her.
She accepted the Duke of Augustine’s arm and went with him to the spot where other couples were waiting to dance. She felt the weight of someone’s eyes on her and glanced over in the spot where Mr. Tumilson had been standing. He was still there, and his gaze was on her.
Had he been watching her the entire time? Probably. It was his job. How bored he must be. Nothing unfortunate had happened to her so far. It was just as she’d told her father. She was in no danger. Maybe after this evening, Mr. Tumilson could tell her father the same, and her father could let the matter go.
