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Ellen paused for a moment.
“I believe I recognise Lord Geoffrey Stiles, but the other two are foreign to me.” Her eyes roved over to the hearth and saw two gentlemen standing there, looking as if they were discussing some very serious business.
“Now, that one is exactly what a young man should be,” she breathed. He was tall, with a confident bearing. His dark brown hair was styled in the latest fashion, shorter on the sides, with his curls grown out longer on the top and brushed to the side.
He had pronounced cheekbones and a straight, solid jaw. His eyes flickered to hers and quickly moved away. She hung her head, feeling the heat rising in her cheeks.
“That is the sort of man Papa should have been looking for. Pray tell, do you know who he is?” Ellen asked, pointing to the man standing on the right.
Golda’s face bloomed with an amused smile. She touched her arm, leaning close to her ear. “That, my dear sister, is Lord Simon Grant.”
Ellen’s jaw nearly fell to the floor, so great was her shock and embarrassment. “No, it cannot be!” she whispered harshly, thinking her sister was playing a trick on her.
Golda shook her head, laughing as she took another sip of champagne.
“You are too prejudiced for your own good, Ellen. Perhaps you will be less apt to judge people by their past actions in future.”
Her sister walked away, heading over to join her husband again. Ellen turned away from those gathered, taking several deep breaths to calm her wildly beating heart. She was overcome with mortification. She frowned slightly, confused by her feelings.
Lord Simon had made her life a living hell throughout her childhood, and he was not to be trusted, no matter how handsome the Fates had deemed to make him. Besides, charm and good looks were deceiving, were they not? Her resolve faltered.
After a few moments, she turned back around, lifted her chin, and walked over to her parents. Her mother gave a relieved sigh.
“There you are. We have been waiting dinner on you,” she said, a slightly scolding tone in her voice. “Shall I announce dinner?” she asked, looking over at Ellen’s father.
He shook his head. “Not just yet. Allow me to retrieve Lord Simon, and we will let you two get reacquainted for a few moments.” He winked and walked away while Ellen’s mother kept a firm grasp on her arm.Does she think I will run away?
Ahh, no. She would not run, for she was no coward. However, her heart beat wildly as she looked over at Lord Simon once more. Her mother patted her hand. “Are you quite well, dear? You look a little pale.”
Ellen nodded, trying to smile. “I am fine, Mama. It is a little warm in here, that is all.”
“Well, it is to be expected with all of us packed in here. You know I wanted to keep the guest list to a minimum, but your father wanted to make a show of welcome for Lord Simon to celebrate his homecoming.”
Ellen said nothing to this, her heart beating more and more rapidly as the seconds passed. She would have been more comfortable if Lord Simon had been homely. But his good looks only proved to set her ill at ease. She had been very wrong about him, but thankfully Golda had been the only one to hear her sentiments.
A few moments later, she heard her father’s voice behind her, laughing as he brought her soon-to-be husband over. She turned around slowly, keeping her eyes on the floor until the last moment. He was even more disarming close-up. His blonde curls had turned dark brown, and all but a few of his freckles had disappeared.
However, despite what she had stated to Golda, they did not mar his appearance. His vibrant green eyes were what drew her now, intelligent and piercing. She cocked her head to the side. She had the distinct feeling he was laughing at her, his eyes dancing with mischief. There was the old Simon she knew.
Chapter 5
Simon smirked as Lord Semple reintroduced him and Ellen. By the look on her face, she was surprised by him. Did she realise that he had overheard every word she had said? Or was he just different from what she had expected? Pride swelled in his chest. He had changed drastically since he had last seen her, but then again, so had she.
She was so beautiful it nearly took his breath away.Nearly. She was still as lovely as he remembered, but little had changed regarding her character. Still proud and arrogant and still apt to look down on others, no doubt.
“Ellen, may I reintroduce Lord Simon? Simon, my daughter.” Lord Semple smiled and stepped back.
Simon bowed, and she gave a delayed curtsey as if coming to her senses. “How do you do, Lady Ellen? It has been a long time.”
Lady Ellen baulked for a moment. “Ahh, yes. Yes, it has,” she said softly.
Simon flashed her a winning smile. “The years have been kind to you, if I may say so.”
This seemed to fluster her even more, but there was no time for her to give a rebuttal, for her father turned and nodded to Lady Semple. She cleared her throat and raised her voice, announcing that they should all go through to dinner.
“Lord Simon, would you be so good as to escort my daughter into the dining room?” Lord Semple asked.
Simon nodded. “It would be my pleasure, sir.”
