Chapter 2 #2
Lord Harrowby looked down at her, then back at Eleanor. There was a moment when he hesitated. Eleanor did not press it, she simply waited. At last, he nodded his head slightly.
"You may remain," he said to Lily. "For a short while. You will return within the hour."
"I will," she replied, already turning away.
She caught Eleanor’s hand without hesitation.
"You must come," she said. "There is a place you have not seen."
Eleanor allowed herself to be drawn forward, though she paused just long enough to glance back.
"Thank you," she said.
It was not entirely clear what she meant by it. Lord Harrowby did not respond at once. He watched them for a moment, as though wondering just what had happened. Eleanor needed to do the same, for it was not like her to encourage children to break rules, and yet she had done so without hesitation.
It was, she decided, an attempt to win a challenge against him and nothing more.
"Do not go too far," he said at last.
Lily did not turn back.
"We will not, Brother."
Eleanor met his gaze once more, just for a second, something thoughtful passing through her expression before she allowed herself to be led away. Lord Harrowby remained where he was, watching until they disappeared. Only then did he turn back toward the house.
By the time Eleanor returned herself, it had begun to stir properly. Voices carried more easily through the corridors, doors stood open, and the quiet stillness of the morning was long gone. It was easier to step back into it than she had expected.
Eleanor entered the drawing room with the same composed ease she had the evening before, though there was less effort required. The earlier hours in the garden had steadied something in her, though she did not examine it too closely.
"Eleanor?"
She turned at once, her expression softening.
"Anne."
Lady Anne Carlisle crossed the room quickly, her manner calm as ever. She had hardly seen her friend the night before, and that had only been made worse when she left the party early.
"You disappeared rather suddenly last night," Anne said.
"I did not think I would be missed."
"You were, especially by me," Anne sighed. "Was it the company, or the setting?"
"Neither," Eleanor replied. "Or both, depending on how charitable one wishes to be."
Anne studied her for a moment, then tilted her head.
"And yet, you do not look displeased this morning."
"I am not."
"That is good, at least."
"I should hope so," Eleanor said lightly. "It would be a very short stay otherwise."
Anne did not immediately respond. Her attention shifted briefly across the room, then returned.
"You have already made an impression," she said. "It was not only myself that noticed your absence. There were also many people that spoke of your dance."
"That is alarming," Eleanor sighed, remembering the way Lord Harrowby had held her even though she did not want to. "I shall endeavor to be less remarkable."
"That would be a mistake."
Eleanor smiled faintly, though her gaze followed Anne’s without intending to.
Lord Harrowby stood near the far end of the room, engaged in conversation with one of the older gentlemen.
His posture was as composed as ever, his attention seemingly fixed upon the discussion, though there was little in his expression to suggest any real engagement with it.
He had not seen her, or if he had, he had chosen not to acknowledge it.
"That man that you danced with is Lord Harrowby," Anne said quietly, though it was unnecessary.
"I am aware."
"Do you know one another?"
"We have met," Eleanor replied.
Anne glanced at her, a flicker of interest passing through her expression.
"And?"
"And nothing," Eleanor said, too quickly to be entirely convincing. "He remains precisely as I remembered him."
"That is not particularly helpful."
"It is sufficient. It will be, at least."
Anne did not press her further. Before Eleanor could redirect the conversation, however, a subtle shift moved through the room.
Eleanor followed it without thinking, as did Anne.
Lady Rosamund Stratton did not require introduction. There was something in the way she carried herself that ensured she would be observed regardless of circumstance. Her manner was composed, her expression calm, though there was a judgment to it.
She did not hesitate as she crossed the room.
Her attention was fixed, and Lord Harrowby noticed her before she reached him.
The change in him was slight, but unmistakable.
His conversation ended with efficient brevity, his posture remaining unchanged even as his focus shifted fully to her approach.
"Lady Rosamund," he said.
"Lord Harrowby."
There was a familiarity in the way they spoke. Eleanor watched, not with open curiosity, but with the same composed attention she might have given any new arrival. Rosamund curtseyed, a stray auburn ringlet dipping by her large blue eyes.
"I had not expected to find you here so soon," she said.
"I might say the same. Are you well?"
"I am," she answered. "And you?"
"I have been occupied."
"I can see that. You always have been, after all."
Eleanor watched as she regarded the room, as though ensuring that they were being seen together.
"You have chosen an interesting moment," Rosamund continued. "There are many expectations attached to gatherings such as this."
"I am aware."
"And you intend to meet them, I suppose?"
"It would be unwise not to."
She studied him for a moment, something unreadable passing through her expression.
"You have not changed," she said.
"Nor have you."
"That is fortunate," she replied. "It would be inconvenient to become unrecognizable."
Anne shifted slightly beside Eleanor.
"They know one another well," she murmured.
"So it seems," Eleanor said.
Her tone was even, though her gaze had not moved. There was no warmth in the exchange, but there was clearly history.
She watched as Rosamund stepped a fraction closer, not enough to breach propriety, but enough to suggest familiarity.
"I had hoped to speak with you," she said. "In private."
Julian’s expression did not change.
"That may not be possible."
"For a moment," she said. "Surely that is not too much to ask?"
A brief silence followed, then he nodded.
"Very well."
They moved away together, and Eleanor watched them go. Anne’s gaze returned to her.
"That is not nothing," she said. "It hardly ever is. That is rather fortunate for us, as it means we will soon have some gossip to hear!"
Eleanor smiled faintly.
"Yes," she replied. "How fortunate."