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“Not at all,” Simon replied.
“Lady Ellen, you may join Lady Genevieve in the drawing room if you like? She was setting out new decks of cards at the tables.”
Ellen gave Simon a cursory glance. She did not like the idea of having to converse with Lady Genevieve for any amount of time. However, she was Simon’s friend, so she would make an effort to be friendly.
“Of course,” she replied with a wary smile. Lord Everett pointed in the direction she should go to reach the drawing room before he and Simon headed down the dimly lit hall.
Ellen took a deep breath before she reached the drawing-room doorway. She peered inside and saw Lady Genevieve setting a deck of cards on one of six tables. Ellen smiled at her as she entered. “Good evening, Lady Genevieve.”
Lady Genevieve straightened. She narrowed her eyes at her, looking her up and down. She then looked down her nose at her as if she were beneath her notice. “Ahh, Lady Ellen. I thought I heard Lord Simon’s voice.”
Ellen got the distinct feeling she was disappointed to see her rather than her husband. “My husband is helping Lord Carlisle bring in the chess boards.”
“Ahh,” was her lacklustre reply. She turned her back on Ellen and finished placing the cards on the tables. When she finished, she sauntered over to the small sitting area and grudgingly motioned for Ellen to sit down. Ellen followed her, and the ladies sat at a bit of a face-off. Lady Genevieve folded her hands lightly in her lap.
“Well, I must say, Lady Ellen, that I was quite taken with the gown you wore to the Christmas party at the Grants the other evening. Very fetching,” she said. Ellen could tell that she was anything but impressed. Jealousy seemed to pour off of her as if it were a tangible thing that Ellen could feel.
“Thank you,” Ellen replied. A strained silence passed between them before Lady Genevieve spoke again.
“It seems you are settling into your position as one of the leading ladies of the county. I must say, I was surprised that Lord Simon married so young.”
Ellen raised a brow at this. “What do you mean, Lady Genevieve?”
“Please, do not take offence, Lady Ellen. I only mean that I have known Lord Simon for many years. He always said that he wanted to travel the world before he settled down.” She shrugged and gave a tired sigh. “That is before his father forced his hand. There was a very amusing phrase he used, what was it?” She paused as if deep in thought. Ellen did not think she ever had any trouble saying exactly what was on her mind. “Oh, yes, to return to the noose. I believe that is how he referred to it.” She gave a wicked smirk.
Ellen’s heart sank, for she was unsure what Lady Genevieve was speaking about. Had Simon been referring to his duties as the next earl or to their marriage? When she glanced back at Lady Genevieve’s face, her meaning was clear. Was she blaming Ellen for the fact that Simon would not be able to follow his dream unfettered?
Surely, if Simon had wanted to travel the world as badly as Lady Genevieve let on, he would not have let his father dictate to him about their marriage. It was not as if Lady Genevieve was speaking untruth, but her words stung all the more.
Perhaps it would be best to give her a bit of her own medicine. “I, too, have always dreamed of travelling. It is fortunate that Lord Simon has a wife that would enjoy such pursuits.”
Lady Genevieve gave a mocking laugh and stood, walking over to the hearth. “No man wants to be saddled with a woman when he goes on his adventures. From what I have seen and heard, they prefer to sow their wild oats in private,” she said, dancing her eyebrows. “Or at least inrelativeprivate.”
Anger rose in Ellen, and she had to pause for a few moments to ensure she did not say something she would regret. She would not lower herself to Lady Genevieve’s level.
“Perhaps you do not know him as well as I do,” Ellen said. Lady Genevieve glared at her but had no time to say anything else, for the gentleman appeared. They each carried a chessboard, oblivious to the tension in the atmosphere. Ellen breathed a sigh of relief and stood, following Simon over to the tables.
“Is everything well?” Simon asked, glancing over his shoulder to where Lady Genevieve had pulled Lord Carlisle aside. Ellen sighed. She was no doubt telling stories about her.
“Yes, of course,” she said. She did not want to say anything to ruin the evening. However, she knew this would not be the last time she faced off with Lady Genevieve.
Chapter 26
Simon allowed Ellen to enter the house ahead of him. A biting cold had settled over the countryside, and he wondered if snow would soon begin to fall. They were laughing as they hurried into the house, but they quieted as they entered the foyer.
“Forgive us, Espey. We did not mean to make you stay awake so late and wait for us. You should have gone to bed hours ago,” Simon said, feeling sorry for the man. He had been dozing by the door when Simon had opened it, and he stood to attention, groggy-eyed and swaying with exhaustion as they came in.
“Not at all, my lord,” Espey said, taking on his usually formal tone. “May I take your coats?”
Simon handed his gloves and hat to the butler and then helped Ellen off with her coat. She took off her fur-lined hat and gloves as they started up the stairs. “I cannot think of a time I have laughed so much. That was a wonderful party,” she said.
He offered her his arm as they walked up the stairs, and she took it. It felt so natural to have her on his arm, and his chest swelled with pride. “I am glad it was an enjoyable evening for you,” he agreed. It was wonderful to see that she could mix easily with his friends. And they all seemed to like her as well. Who could not love Ellen?
When they came to the second floor, they quieted their voices, as they did not want to wake his parents in the rooms further down the hall. He walked her to her bedroom, and even though it was three in the morning, he did not want to part ways.
However, he knew that they needed their rest for the day ahead. It was going to be a long day of visiting needy families in the village, and they both needed their rest. He leaned against the wall near her door. “Well, it was a lovely evening. Thank you for making it so enjoyable,” he said.
She leaned against the door, giving a contented sigh. “Thank you, as well,” she said. She did not seem to want to go inside, either. However, he could see that she was shivering from being in the draughty hall.
