Chapter Seventeen
The Earl of Durrham had opened his London estate to visitors and all of Society had flocked to view the notoriously private lord’s celebrated art collection.
Eleanor, though, was far more interested in his library, and thus it was she found herself alone amongst the vast stacks.
Occasionally, she would hear people pass by and she would hold her breath, but they never entered.
Selecting a book, Eleanor flipped it open but before she could inspect it further, a big body pressed her against the bookshelf. “What are you reading?” Benedict said, his breath brushing along her ear.
Excitement thrummed through her. She hadn’t noticed his entrance at all. “A book.”
Strong arms grasped the bookshelf, caging her. “Is it a naughty book?”
His whispered words shivered over her, stirring the hair at the nape of her neck. Pushing back into him, she smiled to herself as he stifled a groan. “Do you really believe such a book would be in Lord Durrham’s library?”
“Perhaps,” he said. “He has always had a twinkle in his eye.”
She smiled, bending her neck so his lips could trace the cord in her neck. Her gaze lit on the open door. They were partially hidden by the bookcase and the room was absent people, but at any moment they could be interrupted. “We are tempting fate,” she murmured.
He surrounded her completely, holding her against the bookshelf. “It adds a certain thrill, does it not?”
It did. She knew she should be more concerned, but with his body surrounding hers and his lips trailing along her skin, she found she did not much care. “You are wicked, sir.”
“Only because you make me be so.” He licked the hollow behind her ear.
She turned, the shelves digging into her back. “If I make you so, perhaps you should continue. “
Gripping the shelves, he leant closer. “What are you proposing?”
Awareness shivered along her skin as his eyes held hers, the darkened blue mesmerising. How had she looked at him all her life and only now was affected so? “Nothing at all. I am a mere innocent.”
The corner of his mouth kicked up. “That’s a bald face lie if ever I’ve heard one.”
She wanted to lick the smirk off his face.
Approaching voices stopped that thought from becoming action. They both looked to the open doorway and then Benedict pulled away. She immediately felt his loss.
A gaggle of lords and ladies entered the library, chattering amongst themselves and completely unconcerned with Benedict and Eleanor.
“Lady Eleanor, I am pleased to have come across you just now. Lady Colgrove wishes your company and she has sent me to fetch you to her,” Benedict said loudly.
Her lips twitched. As an excuse, it was plausible. “Well, we must not keep her waiting.”
“Come then, Lady Eleanor.” He offered his arm with a flourish.
Still fighting her smile, she took his arm and they strolled from the room. Those who had entered did not even spare them a glance.
“Did Lady C really ask for my company?” she asked as they traversed the halls.
“Lady C always wishes your company, El, there is no need for asking.” Urging her one way and then another, Benedict navigated them through the crowded hallway.
“But did she ask for it?”
“Of course not, but I had to say something.”
“Do you not think they would think it odd they had not seen you in the hall and enter the room?”
“I highly doubt they were paying attention and in any case, we are arrived. Lady C,” he said to his sister-in-law.
Lady C turned from the portrait she was admiring, a broad smile painting her face when she spied them. “Eleanor! I did not know you were to attend today. Come my dear, tell me what has been happening with you lately. It seems an age since we’ve seen you. When was the last time, Benedict?”
“I saw her yesterday.”
She made a face. “That is not what I meant and you know it. When were you last at Colgrove House, Eleanor? You must come for dinner.”
“I should love to attend a dinner, Lady C,” Eleanor said.
“Excellent, excellent, for you and I have something of great importance to discuss. Tell me, can you persuade Benedict to turn his attention to courting this season?”
Everything in her froze. “Pardon?”
Lady C sighed. “He simply refuses to entertain any of this season’s debutantes. Colgrove is quite determined his brother be wed and I’ve never known him to not get his way.”
Benedict’s smile became strained. “I am right here,” he said.
Lady C waved her hand. “You do not listen to me, Benedict, but you always heed Eleanor. I am certain she will be able to persuade you to at least consider a young lady or two. Your brother is quite determined.”
Wretchedness soured Eleanor’s belly. She could not think of what to say, but she had need to say something.
Lady C regarded her with a smile of camaraderie, and in the past, she had teased Benedict along with Lady C about things he did not wish to do, but she could not tease about this.
Not when that morning they had lain entwined together in sunlight, his lips brushing her temple and her hand on his chest. Not when the thought of him doing the same with the woman he married sent a bolt through her heart.
Thankfully, Amanda chose that moment to rush to their side. “Mama! You will not believe what I just heard!”
“Amanda, some decorum, please. Lady Eleanor will think I have raised a heathen.”
“Oh, Lady El already knows that.” Amanda offered Eleanor a quick smile. “Mama, the Earl of Malvern is to wed!” she finished with a flourish.
Catching her eye, Benedict raised a brow, a smirk pulling at his mouth. Giving him an arch look in return, she fought the heat rising to her cheeks. She refused to blush, she absolutely refused.
Lady C sucked in her breath. “How do you know of him?”
“Everyone knows of him, Mama.,” Amanda said. “How can we not, when he is so deliciously wicked?”
“You, my dear girl, are too young to know of him.”
“Mama, please. I am old enough for a season and marriage but not knowledge of the Earl of Malvern?”
“I am not old enough,” Lady C said darkly.
Amanda rolled her eyes. “Mama, did you not hear me? He is causing a scandal because he is to wed!”
“I do not see why that is so scandalous. A man like that would choose some very young lady to bear his heirs and continue right on with his debauchery.”
“That is just it, Mama. The scandal is not so much that he is to wed, but to whom.” She took a dramatic breath. “He is to marry Lady Rocksley!”
Lady C’s brow creased. “Lady Rocksley?”
“El knows who she is.” Benedict said, smirking at her.
Heat rushed to her cheeks. Damn him. It did not matter if he referred to her attending Lady Burfield’s salon—the sister of Lady Rocksley—or having seen Lady Rocksley and the earl in the maze, but either way she would not let him throw her. “I know of her.”
“Yes, how do you know of her, El?” he queried, his eyes dancing.
She would kill him. Absolutely murder him. “I have seen her a time or two,” she said vaguely. “She is the widow of Viscount Rocksley.”
“Oh, yes, of course. I know of her.” Lady C frowned. “She moves in vastly different circles to him. How would they even have met?”
Amanda beamed. “I do not know, but there is much speculation! Is it not delicious? And Catherine Hastings said when they announced the engagement, he led her in a dance and they could not keep their eyes from one another, and she fairly melted. It was all dreadfully romantic.”
“Perhaps it was arranged?” Lady C mused, almost to herself. “But why would it be arranged? She had no fortune to speak of, nor demonstrable fecundity.”
Benedict cleared his throat. “Lady C, perhaps that should not be discussed in mixed company?”
Lady C looked up. “Hmm?” She caught sight of Amanda watching her with great interest, her smile still beaming. She blushed. “Oh dear, that was not very discreet of me, was it? Amanda, you are to forget what you heard.”
Her smile brightened even more. “Of course, Mama.”
“You are the very worst child.”
“Yes, you say it often.”
Lady C lifted a brow at Benedict. “If even the Earl of Malvern can wed, Benedict, then you shall have no excuse.”
Amanda turned the full force of her attention onto her uncle. “Uncle Benedict, why will you not choose someone?” she demanded. “There are many delightful ladies this season.”
Sourness swum in Eleanor’s stomach. She did not like the direction this conversation had taken. Not at all. Keping a benign smile pasted to her face, she attempted to keep her dislike to herself.
“Despite what your father insists, Amanda, I am not interested in marriage.” He sighed. “If I dance with some ladies, will you all cease?”
“Perhaps,” Amanda said archly.
Benedict sighed again. “Pick someone for me and I will dance with her.”
Amanda clasped her hands together. “I shall be delighted!”
The conversation devolved into Amanda assessing each young lady and weighing up her attraction for her uncle.
Eleanor kept a pleasant smile on her face even as her stomach churned.
She had not fooled Benedict, though. He glanced at her and shifted, as if he were uncomfortable, too.
Which he most likely was. After all, discussing your future bride while your current lover stood beside one could not be agreeable.
Of a sudden, Lady C’s gaze sharpened. “Amanda, there is a gentlemen I wish you meet who has just arrived. You can assign a young lady to your uncle after.”
“A gentleman? Who?”
“Come, and I shall introduce you.”
Lady C led a chattering Amanda away.
Eleanor watched them go.
“I am sorry you were uncomfortable,” Benedict said.
She looked at him. His expression was grim. “I was not uncomfortable.”
“Of course you were,” he said. “I know you better than anyone, and I know when you are not enjoying something.” He rubbed his jaw. “I did not mean to tease, and then Lady C and Amanda would not stop.”
“Hmm.”
Annoyance flashed in his eyes. “Does it still sting? That Malvern cannot be your lover?”
Is that what he thought she was upset about? “I do not care about Lord Malvern and Lady Rocksley. I told you that.”
“He was your choice.”
“You are my choice.”
His lips twisted. “Only after you knew he was unavailable.”
She opened her mouth to argue only to snap it shut as Benedict’s brother approached.
“What do you two do over here?” he said as he joined them. The Earl was much like Benedict, and she was certain this is how he would appear when he was the Earl’s age, though the deepening of the lines around his eyes would be from smiling and laughter
Benedict did not smile now. “Nothing,” he said.
The Earl ignored his brother’s flat tone. “Amanda told me she is choosing a lady for you. I expect to see you dance with her, not stay here holed up with Lady Eleanor.” He turned an apologetic smile on Eleanor. “Not that you are not charming, Lady Eleanor, but we must see Benedict wed this season.”
“Of course,” she said. Benedict shot her a look but she kept her smile pleasant and her gaze on the Earl.
He looked between the two of them. “Are you certain I am not interrupting?”
“No,” Benedict said. “I might as well get this over with. Who has Amanda chosen for me?”
The Earl’s eyes brightened. “Excellent. Come with me. Lady Eleanor.” He offered her a sharp bow.
Benedict’s gaze remained on her. “I will join you in a moment. I need a word with El.”
His brother nodded and disappeared into the crowd.
Exhaling, Benedict said, “I do not like it when we argue.”
She sighed. “Nor do I.”
“You know I do not wish to dance with whoever Amanda has chosen for me.” He lowered his voice. “I wish to only ever dance with you.”
She shivered. “Perhaps we might dance later this evening. At Caraney House.”
His eyes flared. “I will happily add that to my dance card.”
A reluctant smile tugged at her. “You should go.”
“Only so I can return.” He bowed.
She watched him as he strode across the dance floor, and then deliberately turned as he led a blushing young lady to the dance floor. She didn’t need to observe him with someone else.
Not when they would very soon have their own private dance.