He has put up with her mother’s antics
He seems to like her
Elinor’s eyes blurred, or she could have written ten more reasons why she should love Preston Knowles. A tear smudged the word “love” at the top. Before she could stop them, a dozen tears marred the page. Liking a man who was good and kind was one thing; loving him was something else entirely. But perhaps fondness could evolve into more.
Chapter 14
Since guests were arriving at different times the following day, Sophia had arranged a buffet luncheon to be served throughout the afternoon.
Michael entered the small parlor as Lady Daphne Collington exited. “Good afternoon, Lady Collington.”
“Kerburghe, I am glad to see you have made a recovery.”
He wasn’t sure what to say. “Thank you, my lady. I am honored by your concern.”
She nodded, as if his honor was to be expected. “I must go and find my friend, Virginia. She and I have much to talk about.”
He bowed and watched her go.
Sophia sat at a small desk in the corner and stood as he entered. Several papers were spread across the desk and a quill and ink sat out.
He could see why Daniel was so taken with the young American. She was lovely. Her dark hair fell around her shoulders in dark ringlets. Her skin was nothing like that of an Englishwoman. Her mother’s Italian heritage gave Sophia creamy olive complexion.
“Shall I come back at a more convenient time, Lady Marlton?”
Without a proper curtsy, Sophia rushed across the room, took Michael’s hands, and kissed his cheek. “My aunt interrupted my letter-writing to my brother, Anthony. Why are you so formal? I hope to always be ‘Sophia’ to our closest friends.”
He smiled. “I thought under the circumstances, I should resort to formality.”
Sophia’s smile wavered. She maneuvered him over to the couch and sat. “What circumstances, Michael? Is everything all right?”
“I am afraid I have imposed on our friendship and brought my family along with me. I meant to write to make the request but my timing was poor, and I think my note shall not arrive for another day or two.”
Her face brightened and she clapped her hands. “Your mother is here?”
“And my two young brothers.” He should have left the boys home, but he had promised them they would attend and couldn’t bear to go back on his word. Selfishly, he wanted to spend time with them and not miss out on time with Elinor in the country.
She stood. “Wonderful. I cannot wait to meet them, Michael. Have you informed the butler?”
Michael stood as she did. “Rooms have already been arranged. Your staff is quite efficient.”
“Excellent. Have you had something to eat?”
“I arranged to meet my mother and brothers in thirty minutes. They are settling in. Is Anthony in London? I thought he had returned to America,” he asked.
Joy bloomed on her face. “He arrived in London a few days ago and joined my mother at my uncle’s estate in Sussex. I hope they will all join us here in a few days.”
“I look forward to seeing your family again. I will let you get back to your letter.”
“Never mind that. Come and sit with me a while. My aunt and I were just talking about you.”
How odd to imagine Lady Collington speaking of him. “Really?”
“Indeed. She was saying how happy she is that the crown has recognized your sacrifice.”
The notoriety of his exploits as a soldier had been bad enough. Now all of London knew his situation, and it was extremely uncomfortable. “I appreciate her notice, Sophia.”
“You know my Aunt Daphne is a particular friend of Lady Malmsbury’s. She and Virginia Burkenstock have been friends a very long time.”
“I was not aware of that.” His stomach did a flip.
“Oh, yes.”
“What are you up to, Sophia?”
“Nothing.” Her cheeks pinked, and she smoothed her skirts. It was a good thing Sophia didn’t take up gambling. She had more tells than anyone he’d ever seen. Her every thought was written across her pretty face.
“Something.”
Cocking her head, she sat up straighter. “She just might tell her friend you would be an excellent choice for her daughter.”
The butterflies in his stomach turned into snakes. “I do not think that is necessary.”
She waved her hand. “My aunt always arrives a day early so she can ensure the best room, in spite of the fact that she has her own suite of rooms here at Marlton. She and I have had hours to talk, and you came up a few times. She’s been impressed with the way you have handled things over the last few months. I am sure her endorsement will help sway Lady Malmsbury in your favor, or have no effect at all. There is no harm in it.”
There was no hope for that, but no point in saying so. “I suppose not. I’ll let you get back to your letter. I have to find my room and meet my family for the meal.”
“Cook has put together a marvelous spread of food. Enjoy.”
He bowed and left the room. He closed the door and turned to face Elinor’s clear blue eyes. “Elinor, you’ve arrived.”
She curtsied. “I have, your grace.”
He bowed out of habit. His heart leapt into his throat, and it took him several swallows to find his voice. “I hope the journey was pleasant.”
“The roads were dry.” It did not light her eyes, but her smile was polite.
His palms were damp, and sweat trickled down his back. Nerves? He had traveled the continent and faced death for his country a dozen or more times, but this small blonde bundle of woman caused his stomach to churn and his tongue to tie. He laughed at himself.
“You find something funny, your grace?” She stared at him.
He bowed again. “I find it funny that I cannot speak to you without making an ass of myself. Forgive me, my lady. I shall endeavor to be more gracious in the future.”
After a quick curtsy, she held up her hands and shrugged. “I am sure I have no idea what you are talking about.”
He should walk away, but he wanted another moment in the dim corridor with her. He’d ruined everything, and this was all he could expect. “My family accompanied me for the house party.”
She transformed from wary to delighted in an instant. She smiled and looked around the hallway as if they were going to appear at any second. “The boys are here?”
At least something he did brought her joy. “They are, and they are quite anxious to see you again.”
She immediately straightened and forced her face into a calm smile of mild interest. “I look forward to it as well, your grace.”
“I wish you would not use my title, Elinor.”
She narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth.
From behind them, Mother bellowed her name.
She turned and, noting Mother wasn’t in sight of them, she turned back. She leaned in close to him. “I do not wish this house party to be uncomfortable for either of us.”
“Nor do I, Elinor.” He refused to use the formal address and emphasized her name.
She frowned, curtsied, and rushed toward the sound of her mother’s voice.
* * * *
By the time Elinor descended from her room, other guests had arrived. Dory had traveled with Elinor and her mother, Dory’s mother having refused the invitation. She claimed her schedule was already full. However, they all knew Lady Flammel had never approved of the “American who had married above her station.”
Elinor cringed at what Dory must have endured to attend the house party.
Dory played the pianoforte in the conservatory. The strains filtered through the hall, and Elinor walked in that direction. The room was empty save for Dory and Thomas Wheel, who skulked in the shadows. In the dim lighting, she made him out by the light reflecting in his eyes. His focus on Dory and the music was so intense, he did not notice Elinor’s arrival.
She d
rifted toward Dory, who was still playing with wild abandon.
Dory’s eyes were closed, and the candelabra on the instrument created a glimmer in her hair and on her skin. Enraptured by the music, she swayed from side to side.
A poet could make a fine rhyme of such an expression. Elinor glanced at Thomas watching from the back of the room. Was he such a poet? As quiet as her approach, she was only halfway across the room when Dory’s eyes popped open and she stopped playing.
“Don’t stop. It was so beautiful.” Elinor rushed forward.
“Handel.” Dory looked at the keys and sighed.
Elinor smiled. “Yes. Something about water, isn’t it?”
“Water Music,” Dory said. “I am impressed you remembered.”
“You drilled music into me for years. Something had to stick in my dunderheaded mind.”
Dory shook her head and smiled. “You can save the simple talk for the masses, Elinor. I know better.” She stood and trailed her hand along the keys. “Shall we join the others? They must be in the parlor by now.”
Elinor nodded and the two of them walked arm-in-arm toward the door. Just before exiting, Elinor called to the corner of the room, “Would you like to escort us in, Mr. Wheel?”
Thomas moved out of the shadows and away from the wall.
Dory’s eyes grew wide and she blushed, which was unusual. Clearly, the gentleman hadn’t made his presence known to her whilst she played.
“It would be my honor, ladies.” He moved to join them.
Each took an arm, and the three strolled into the front parlor where the party gathered.
Thomas brought the two ladies over to their hostess and bowed deeply before leaving them.
Elinor watched him cross to the other side of the room before turning back to her friends. “Mr. Wheel seems quite taken with you, Dory.”
Dory straightened, scoffing. “Nonsense, he just likes music. I assure you, that is his only interest in me.”
Elinor and Sophia exchanged glances.
Elinor wasn’t so sure. “If you say so, Dory.”
* * * *
Middleton sat next to Elinor at dinner, while Michael had been seated across the table and several places to the left.
The room was blistering and while the conversation was lively, Elinor couldn’t seem to follow what was being said. Her dress pulled and pinched with perspiration.
Middleton spoke of the weather, riding, and plans to go for a ride the following day.
Her gaze wandered toward Michael.
He was engrossed in whatever his brother, Everett, told their host about life at school. It was unusual for boys of Everett and Sheldon’s age to join an adult party for dinner. Sophia’s American sensibilities differed, and she insisted the boys were quite old enough for such a gathering.
Elinor smiled down the table at Michael’s youngest brother, Sheldon. He sat across from Daniel’s sister, Cecelia, and gazed longingly at her. Obviously, he was enamored with the slightly older woman. The young lady spoke to her dinner partner, oblivious to the adoration from the other side of the table.
Sheldon looked down the table and spotted Elinor watching him. He colored deep red, then smiled brightly and waved.
“Lady Elinor,” Middleton said.
“Yes, your grace?”
He lowered his voice for her ears only. “Might I have a few moments of your time tomorrow afternoon?”
She had to stifle a sigh. If he was going to propose, what would she say? “I believe we shall have a picnic on the lawn tomorrow, your grace. You shall certainly see me.”
He smiled and leaned forward. His warm scent followed. “I thought to have a private moment.”
In spite of the fact that it meant more complications, she liked his company and could think of no reason to deny him. Damn. “I see. Then I shall meet you in the gazebo before the gathering. Will that suit, your grace?”
“That would be delightful.” He smiled brightly while nodding.
When the last course was served, Elinor was grateful. She put down her fork and breathed a sigh of relief. The heat was beyond bearable. “Would you excuse me, your grace?”
He rose as she did. “Are you unwell, Lady Elinor?”
“Not at all,” she assured him. “It’s just that I am quite warm. I shall return shortly.”
“Shall I accompany you?”
She touched his sleeve, hoping the gesture would keep him in place. “No. I just need a moment for…” She trailed off, leaving him to believe nature called.
The heat of the day still lingered in the garden, but a breeze blew and it was extremely pleasant to be alone and quiet. She knew she should return to the table. The gentlemen would adjourn to the library soon, and the ladies would begin to wonder where she was. But as she stood with her eyes closed, the breeze against her skin was so delicious that she couldn’t force herself to return to that heat-box.
“You look like a goddess standing there.”
Her eyes snapped open. “Michael.”
“I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
“No. I had thought I was alone. I should go.” She stepped back.
He closed the distance between them and rested one hand on her shoulder. “I wish you would stay a moment. We have had little time to talk since the orangery, and what conversation we did have did not go as I’d planned.”
Being near him made her want to cry but it also made her want to fall into his arms and never leave. It was ridiculous. “Do we need to talk?”
“I think we do.”
She wasn’t sure what to say, but she wouldn’t cower like a school girl when the topic became intimate. Silence and miscommunication had gotten them to this point. “Are you still suffering from head pain?”
Wide-eyed, he cocked his head. “I do not know.”
“You do not?”
A slow grin spread across his face. “It seems to only be an issue when I become intimate as we were in the orangery.”
“Then you have not…”
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. His kiss was warm on the crown of her head. “I have no desire to be in such a state with anyone but you, Elinor.”
Her entire body quivered from his touch. Taking a deep breath, she inhaled a mixture of spices and Michael. She longed to drown in the aroma. Her body and brain battled. She pulled away “I thought all men find their pleasure where they can.”
“Not all men, Elinor.” He caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers.
It was time to get to the heart of things between them. “I do not trust you.”
“I know.” He looked at the ground.
“You broke my heart.”
“I am sorry.”
“That’s not good enough.” Her chest ached with wanting him and knowing she should walk away and never look back.
He touched her chin and met her gaze. “I know it’s not, and I shall endeavor to prove to you that I will never hurt you again.”
A tear slipped from her eye and she dashed it away. “I do not know if that’s possible, Michael.”
“I have to try.” The pain on his face and in his voice hurt her.
He suffered as much as she did. She feared if she spoke she might cry. After a quick nod, she went to rejoin the ladies in the parlor for cake.
* * * *
Dressing for a proposal that she had no intention of accepting turned out to be quite a difficult task. By the time Elinor finally left her room and crossed the lawn, she was hopeful that Middleton had given up.
His strong handsome figure, standing in the middle of the gazebo, quashed the happy thought. He looked out over the pond. Preston Knowles was a year older than Michael, but looked younger. The sun cast shadows against his skin and strong jaw. Preston had an ease about him. There was no pall hanging over his head. He was always smiling and chatting, a moment from hearing a good story.
Her heart clenched at all Mic
hael had endured in the service, and the toll it had taken on him.
Elinor stopped several yards from the gazebo and considered running back and locking herself in her room for the rest of the house party. She could claim an illness, and only Dory and Sophia would know the truth. Mother would be a problem, but she could handle her.
Mulling over her options, Elinor looked up and found Middleton watching her. “I wonder if you will come the rest of the way since you have made it this far,” he called out.
She had no choice but to meet his gaze and complete the journey to the gazebo. “I am sorry.”
“Whatever for?” He offered his arm and led her to the side facing the pond.
“I hesitated.”
His smile was warm and kind. “It is not a crime.”
“Hmm.” At the edge of the structure, she dropped his arm and put a few feet between them.
He moved behind her, only inches separating his mouth from her ear. “May I know what you are thinking?”
The grounds at Marlton were stunning, but her mind was occupied with more serious matters. “That my mother would disagree with you.”
“About hesitation?”
“Yes. She would say that when one goes, one should go with determination.”
Middleton touched the loose strands of hair around her neck.
She turned sharply, and he backed up a step, as she hoped he would.
“And does the Countess of Malmsbury always arrive in such a state?”
Elinor laughed. “Almost never.”
He grinned and made way for her to precede him to the bench.
“You have a way of always putting me at ease, your grace.” She sat.
“I would be honored if you would call me ‘Preston.’ Or ‘Pres,’ if you prefer.”
“That is very kind.”
Middleton paced, and it was the first time she had seen him looking troubled. He clasped his hands behind his back and faced her. “I realize that you have interests elsewhere, Elinor. I cannot say that I am happy about that, but I understand, and there is nothing to be done. I would like to offer for your hand, but will not do so until I have your assurance that this is something you also wish. I do not want you to marry me because your parents forced the match. I am sure they would if I brought my contract directly to them. I am fond of you, and I believe you perhaps like me to some degree. While this is no indication of a grand passion, I think it is a good start and bodes well for a comfortable and happy life together.
Foolish Bride Page 14