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She took a step back and laughed. “I can see,” she replied. What is it you are working on?”
Simon leaned down and took up the book. He brought it up and then slapped it against his palm. “Oh, well. It is nothing, really. A book on music theory—”
Ellen raised her eyes in disbelief. “Music theory? I did not know you were interested in music,” she said.
Simon gave a nervous shrug. “Well, I am not. That is, not in becoming a musician. I wanted to study up on some terms so that we might more easily converse upon the subject.” He looked down at the book and gave another short laugh. “Silly, I suppose.”
Ellen was touched by his thoughtfulness. “No, not silly at all,” she replied. Looking around the room, she sighed contentedly. She motioned to the window seat. “May I sit down?”
Simon moved out of the way. “Oh, of course. Please do,” he said.
She sat down, and he followed suit. Their hips brushed against each other, but she did not move away from him. “What is it that you are interested in, Simon? I am a terrible wife, for I know I should know these things.”
Simon shook his head. “You are far from being a terrible wife, Ellen,” he said and then paused before answering her question.
“I am much the same as when we were children. I love riding and hunting. But I suppose I am much interested in the tenant properties and how I might improve the land usage around the estate. I want to be sure our tenants are taken care of in the most generous and efficient way possible.”
Ellen nodded. “You are quite the philanthropist.”
Simon’s face fell a little. “Have you ever been to London?” he asked.
“Of course. Several times for the Season,” she replied.
He sighed heavily. “Well, you will know the state of depravity the poor live in.”
Ellen’s heart was struck by a prick of guilt. “I am afraid I have not seen it first-hand. But I have heard of the deplorable conditions.”
“It is worse than you can ever imagine. When I would go to visit London during the summer holiday, I would walk the streets sometimes, and ride through other parts of town. Beggars on every corner, children scrounging for a piece of bread. I vowed that I would do whatever I could to help ease some of that suffering.”
Ellen remained silent for a time, studying his profile. His brow was furrowed, no doubt in remembrance of the abject poverty he had witnessed. Ellen’s parents would never have dreamed of allowing her or her sisters to step foot in the bad areas of London. She let out a breath. “It is very commendable of you to want to help others.”
“Well, what is the use of being born to privilege if one does not use a little of what is had to give to others?” Simon said this as if it were apparent to everyone in the world that that is what they should be doing.
Ellen shook her head. “You are a wonder, Simon Grant,” she whispered.
For a moment, she thought he would lean in and kiss her. Her heart began to thunder in her chest, and she waited as he leaned closer. When his lips were suspended just a millimetre above hers, he suddenly pulled away as his father came in.
“Ahh, there you two are,” he said. “Your mother and I are headed out for dinner this evening. We shall be home late, I presume. It looks as if you two will have the house to yourselves.” Her father-in-law’s eyes sparkled.
She looked away, blushing furiously, no doubt. Simon stood, “Ahh, no. We will be out this evening as well. Everett has invited us over, along with a few of his other friends from around the neighbourhood, for an evening of cards.”
His father hung his head in somewhat of a disappointed bent. “Ahh, shame. Well, no matter. We shall see you in the morning then.” He smiled and waved at her, and she lifted a hand in farewell. She stood when he was gone and worried the cuff at her wrist.
“I should go upstairs and get ready for the party,” Ellen said. She was about to pass by him when he reached for her, stopping her with a hand on her arm.
“Thank you, Ellen. It was nice—talking with you, I mean.”
She smiled up at him and nodded once. “Yes, it was.”
***
Later that evening, Ellen and Simon entered Lord Carlisle’s home, having been invited over for an evening of games and food with a few of his friends. The party was to consist of a younger group of adults, some married and some single. It would be a good opportunity for her to get to know some of Simon’s friends a little better.
Lord Carlisle met them in the foyer. “Hello, friends! Thank you for agreeing to come a little early.”
“It was our pleasure,” Ellen said. “Is there anything we can do to help set up the card tables?”
“The tables are set, but I do need a bit of help getting the chess sets moved into the drawing room. Simon, would you mind?”
