The carriage bearing her aunt turned down the drive. It was a large coach, pulled by two matching black horses. It made its way toward them, the coachman pulling it to a stop.
One of the footmen stepped forward, opening the door for her aunt, while Lord Lutterhall and Diana waited. Her aunt emerged from the coach, dressed in a rust-colored travelling suit. She wore a smart hat, which was tilted to the side.
She looked very much like her brother—the older they got, the more similar they looked. They had the same shade of chestnut-colored hair, the same stern pucker to their lips, and matching frown lines creasing their brows. Her father stepped forward, offering her a hand down.
“Clarabelle,” he said warmly. “Thank you for coming on such short notice.”
“I come when I am needed, brother,” she announced stoutly.
She turned toward Diana, her eyes studying her closely. “I hear that you’ve got a suitor.”
“I do.” Despite herself, Diana was proud to say so.
“Well, I would like to meet him, as soon as possible,” her aunt said, though it was more of an order. “Now, bring me to see poor, dear Eleonora.” Aunt Clarabelle only had sons, and doted upon Eleonora.
They all entered the house. The family went to Eleonora’s bed chamber. Aunt Clarabelle gushed over Eleonora, who looked surprised and bewildered. She was seated in her armchair by the window, wrapped in a blanket. Her hair had been combed neatly.
“Eleonora, love. Do you remember me? Your Auntie Clarabelle?” she asked, as if Eleonora had taken leave of all of her senses.
Eleonora smiled serenely. She remained seated in her armchair. “Of course, Aunt Clarabelle. How could I ever forget you?” she replied, sounding very much like her old self.
Aunt Clarabelle beamed, taking both of Eleonora’s hands in her own. “Of course! Of course not!”
Diana glanced over at her father, who stood beside her by the door. He was smiling from ear to ear. She turned her gaze back toward her aunt and her sister.
“We’ll have you out in society again in no time,” Aunt Clarabelle was saying. “Now that you’re all healed.” She put her hand to Eleonora’s temple, examining the scar there. “You can barely even see it.”
* * *
An invitation from Lord Lutterhall arrived at Cambolton House. It said that his sister, Lady Bolger, had arrived for a visit, and Elijah was invited to dine with them that evening to make her acquaintance.
Elijah was fully able to read between the lines. Lady Bolger was there to keep an eye on both him and Diana. He had the feeling that she would report back to Lord Lutterhall. Although, he felt that it was progress. It meant that Lord Lutterhall wanted to keep him around.
When Elijah arrived at Lutterhall Manor, he was shown into the parlor. Diana sat there, with an older lady. Diana stood, crossing the room. She held out her hand, which he took. As he bowed, he realized that she was passing him a folded piece of paper. With a quick sleight of hand, he slipped it into his sleeve. Her eyes were on his, telling him to keep it to himself.
“Lord Cambolton,” she murmured, half-turning to the lady, who sat watching every move that they made. “This is my aunt, the Marchioness of Bolger.”
“My Lady,” he said, bowing to her. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
She sniffed, looking at him stiffly. She was dressed in a midnight blue silk gown that nearly matched the parlor. Elijah wondered if she always coordinated her outfits with her surroundings. “And yours, My Lord.”
Elijah glanced at Diana, who was unsmiling. Something was wrong, but he couldn’t ask. He was desperate to know what ailed her, but he had to stick to convention.
“How was your journey, Lady Bolger?” he asked, instead.
“As well as can be expected,” she replied. “When the family needs me, I come as soon as I can.” She studied him closely. “My brother believes that an experienced chaperone is required.”
“I see,” he said. What else could he say? He considered assuring her that there was nothing to worry about, but decided against it. Actions were better than words when proving oneself worthy of trust.
“Not to fear,” she assured him. “I will be of no consequence. You may both speak freely in my presence.”
Elijah glanced over at Diana. He was wondering what the contents were of the note Diana had passed him. A warning of some kind, no doubt. She was staring down at the floor with a bemused expression. Elijah could have cut the tension with a knife.
“Well,” he said, pretending as though all was as usual. “Lady Albany comes tomorrow to assist me with the plans for the ball at Cambolton. I was wondering, Diana, if you would like to join us?” He glanced over at Lady Bolger. “You are most welcome to come too, Lady Bolger.”
“I do know a thing or two about throwing a ball,” she said, nodding. “You will certainly need my opinion and expertise. I throw several balls a year, you know.”
“It would be much appreciated,” Elijah said, beaming at her. Lady Bolger seemed pleased. He felt himself relax. He had met several ladies like her when he had been living on the Continent. The trick was to keep them happy, so they wouldn’t have a reason to dislike him.
* * *
The only thing that Diana needed was to speak with Elijah. He had to be warned about her aunt, who would be inclined to speak ill of him toward her father. Naturally, Aunt Clarabelle was taking her role as chaperone as seriously as if they were both prisoners and she were their jailer.
Her father seemed pleased. He was far more relaxed than he had been the last time Elijah had been over to dine with them. She supposed that that was a relief. Now, perhaps, he would be more amenable to Elijah’s presence.
Dinner that evening was roasted pheasant, with root vegetables. Diana barely registered what she was eating. She was noticing every interaction between her father and her aunt. She could feel the two of them assessing every move that Elijah made.
“How are your planned improvements on your father’s business interests going, Lord Cambolton?” her father asked. He and Aunt Clarabelle shared a look, and Diana tried to discern its meaning. Her Aunt’s gaze went to Elijah, who seemed not to have noticed.
“It goes well, My Lord,” he said as he neatly sliced his meat. “Thank you for asking. The next time I’m in London, I will be touring new facilities. It’s my goal to expand our businesses, taking off where my father left off.”
“That’s very good. I presume that you’ll be out of the countryside for a long time, then,” her father said.
“Not that long, My Lord. Only a week or so,” Elijah assured him. He smiled with ease. “I wouldn’t want to be so long away from Lady Diana.”
In her mind, Diana applauded him. “You won’t go anywhere until after the ball?” she asked. She didn’t want him to go anywhere. Not when she would be there, in the countryside.
“I couldn’t possibly,” he declared. “I imagine that preparations for the ball will take up much of my time.” He placed a bite into his mouth, chewing and swallowing. His eyes never left hers.
“And you will need my opinion, will you not?” Diana asked.
“Of course I will.”
When Diana looked, her father’s smile had fallen. She wondered what he could possibly have against her union with Elijah. Surely, he wasn’t still upset over his status as a Viscount? And he had brought Aunt Clarabelle all of the way here, which only meant that he hoped that she would find a whiff of scandal.
“How kind of you,” she said, turning her gaze back toward Elijah. She was curious to see Cambolton House. It had been at least ten years since she had seen it. She had been a child, then. She would be seeing it now as its future mistress.
“It is very admirable of you, Lord Cambolton,” Aunt Clarabelle said. “It shows great condescension toward the lady that you are courting.”
Diana wondered if her aunt actually meant that. Aunt Clarabelle could always be relied upon for one thing, and that was to always find something wan
ting in Diana.
Diana knew that her father loved her. He meant well, when he tried to find her a gentleman to marry. He wanted her to be well-provided for. But Aunt Clarabelle didn’t care for her at all. She could, potentially, ruin all of Diana’s plans.
She listened to the clink of cutlery against the plates. She kept her own eyes on her food. A few days prior, she had been so full of hope for the future. Now, it seemed like she was embroiled in a battle to get what she wanted.
* * *
During dinner, Elijah was able to pretend that he was fixing his napkin on his lap, then slipped the note from his sleeve, reading it quickly.
Please do your utmost to impress Lady Bolger. She can make things impossible for us. However, if she is impressed, she has the pull with my father that will get him to change his mind.
Once done, he slipped it into the pocket of his jacket. When he glanced up, he caught Diana’s eye and nodded.
Message received.
He saw her visibly relax. She had a worried look in her eyes, and her shoulders were clearly tensed. When dinner was finished, they all retired to the parlor.
Elijah took a seat beside Lady Bolger. He was going to make her his ally.
“Lady Bolger,” he remarked. “Forgive me, for I have lived abroad since I was ten years old. Where is the Bolger estate located?”
“It is in the North-West of the country,” she replied. “By the sea.”
“Oh! That must be lovely.” In his mind, he saw a great stone castle, standing on the cliffs, where the sea tossed and turned below. He was thinking of a castle he had seen while travelling in Italy.
“It is. My own home overlooks the sea. I am able to go for a walk by it whenever I like.”
“I am sure that is very peaceful.”
“Indeed.”
Elijah glanced over to where Diana was speaking with her father. They were speaking in hushed tones. He couldn’t hear them. Concern was in Diana’s eyes. He wondered what was going on.
“If everyone is in agreement,” Lord Lutterhall announced as he stood up. “I was going to see if Lady Eleonora might be prevailed upon to join us for a few moments.”
“Oh! Do!” Lady Bolger said, clapping her hands. “She is much missed.”
Elijah felt a twinge of fear.
What if what happened the other day happens again?
That would certainly look bad in front of Lady Bolger and Lord Lutterhall. While Diana was able to believe him, Elijah wasn’t sure that they would. His gaze met Diana’s. She was worried, as well.
Lord Lutterhall bowed, then turned to go. Diana went with him. The butler and Lady Bolger remained. She was studying Elijah closely, her lips pursed and her eyes squinted.
“Lady Eleonora has always been such a dear,” she said thoughtfully. “I believed for certain that she would have been married by now. Such a tragedy, what happened to her…” She shook her head, sniffing. “But now that I see her so well, I am sure that we will have her back to her usual engagements before long.”
Elijah could only nod. He didn’t think it wise, given his only interaction with Lady Eleonora. She was clearly unwell. However, he knew that eventually, Lady Bolger would learn this on her own.
“However, Lady Diana is a fine young lady, and she will make you an excellent wife. My dear brother was very worried when she turned down five marriage proposals.”
“It takes great courage to say when something isn’t right,” he commented.
“Yes.” She was pursing her lips again, studying him with squinted eyes. “I must warn you, Lord Cambolton. If I do not like what I see, I must tell my brother the truth. It is nothing against you. We merely hoped that Diana would wed the Duke of Domnall.”
“I imagine that I am a disappointment, then.”
“That remains to be seen. For, unlike my brother, I can see the advantage of being married to a gentleman who you have some sort of affection for.”
“Oh?” He raised an eyebrow. He didn’t dare hope.
“My own husband, the Marquess of Bolger, has been my constant companion and ally since we were wed twenty years ago.”
Lord Lutterhall and Diana re-entered, with Lady Eleonora supported between the two of them. She sat down on one of the settees, where she remained for the entirety of the evening. Her aunt went over to see if she needed anything.
Elijah relaxed. Lady Eleonora glanced over at him. Her eyes were brown and large, like a doe’s. She blinked at him, then frowned, as though trying to place him. He sat very still, frightened that he would spook her.
But she turned her eyes toward her aunt, who was offering her tea and cakes. She spoke in a soft voice. Diana came to sit down beside him. He smiled at her.
“So far so good,” she whispered to him.
“I was nervous, too.” He reached up, touching her arm, where neither father nor aunt could see. Diana’s eyes softened. He quickly dropped his hand into his lap.
“Lord Cambolton,” Lady Bolger called out. “Do you play cards, by any chance?”
“I do,” he replied. A game of bridge was arranged. Diana left his side, to go and sit beside her sister. Elijah sat, facing the two of them, while he played against Lord Lutterhall and Lady Bolger.
Both sisters had the same auburn hair. They spoke in soft tones, neither of them paying much attention to the game. Every time that Diana glanced over, Elijah caught her eyes, feeling each look, like a warm flame inside of him.
By the end of the evening, Lady Bolger was beaming at Elijah. She was already making plans for the ball at Cambolton, and proclaiming that it would be a success.
Chapter 16
Diana sat and watched the company gathered in the parlor. Eleonora was sitting hunched over, as though warding off an attack. She was wrapped in a soft shawl. The card game had ended, and the party had gathered on the settee and in the armchairs.
Aunt Clarabelle spoke to Eleonora, trying to get her to agree to a glass of wine, or a cup of tea, as if that would fix what was broken inside of her.
She glanced over at her father, who sat in an armchair, a glass of brandy in hand. He was staring at the floor, his mind clearly somewhere else.
“Well,” Elijah said, standing up. “I thank you for your hospitality, Lord Lutterhall. But it is getting late, and I must return home.”
“Thank you for coming,” the Earl replied.
“Is it all right if I see him out?” Diana asked, suddenly hoping that they might have a word.
“I will chaperone you,” Aunt Clarabelle said, getting up. Eleonora watched from where she sat, blinking. Diana wondered what was going on in her sister’s mind. It seemed like a sea after a storm—filled with flotsam and still roiling from the high winds.
Diana placed her hand on Elijah’s arm, and the two of them walked ahead of Aunt Clarabelle, who was a rustle of voluminous skirts behind them.
“Did I do well?” he asked her in a low voice, his breath warm against her cheek. The sensation caused lust to rise within her. She could smell the scent of his skin, masculine and spicy. It was familiar to her, now. She wished that she could wrap herself up in his scent.
“Exceedingly,” she replied. Despite her worries about her aunt’s opinion, Diana felt that she and Elijah were more united than ever.
“How is Lady Eleonora faring?” he asked. Diana had made sure that the two of them hadn’t come into contact. Just in case Eleonora was still in confusion over who he was.
“She’s well. Just confused, I think,” she replied. “She gets tired very quickly these days.”
“Do you doubt me?” he asked, low enough so that only she heard.
“No. In my heart, I didn’t doubt you, not ever.” She raised her eyes to his. She could feel her heart, beating in her chest. The way that he looked at her was with such love.
He was everything that she had been waiting for. It was well worth turning down five gentlemen, if doing so meant that she was available for him.
“I will see you tomorrow,” she
said as they arrived at the front door. The butler opened it, standing aside to let Elijah pass out into the warm summer evening. The sky overhead was purple, and the sound of the frogs was loud.
“Yes. I look forward to showing you Cambolton House,” he said, his pride evident.
She smiled back at him. “I look forward to seeing it, as well.”
“Good.”
She watched, from the door, as he walked down the steps. The groom handed him the reins for his horse, and he climbed up into the saddle. Before he rode off, he looked back at her. Seeing her, he smiled, raising his hand in farewell.
Sinfully Bound To The Enigmatic Viscount (Steamy Historical Regency Romance) Page 10