Chapter 3
Hours later, Elias was brooding at his desk. His hand was now properly cleaned and bandaged, yet he still had the bloodied ribbon that came from Victoria’s hair. Scowling, he twisted it in his fingers—though he stopped abruptly when a knock resounded from the door.
Shoving it into a drawer, he called, “Come in!”
It was his uncle, and he came into the room smiling. “We’ve company for dinner this evening,” he said cheerfully.
Elias grunted. It was a rare thing, for company to be at Edenbridge Hall. Occasionally, there were local politicians who came to discuss business, talk lasted too long, and so they were forced to stay for the evening meal. But it had been years since the family had accepted guests.
“When do they leave?”
Lord Harrington cocked his head in mock reprimand. He knew Elias’s temperament too well to be bothered by it. “Is it so terrible to host such charming company in this dusty old house?”
Elias scoffed. “That idiot woman was near to being lost to the Perished Woods today?—”
“Lost to the woods?”In good humor, his uncle raised his brows.
Elias hesitated over his words, choosing them a little more carefully—lest he be accused of exaggeration. “She had no idea where she was going, what she was doing, or the inherent danger of her surroundings. Anything could have happened to someone so ignorant.”
“Luckily, you were there to educate her on the subject,” Lord Harrington said with a smile.
“I think you will find that particular young lady impossible to educate.”
“Oh Elias, you and your melancholy ways.” Lord Harrington sighed. “Never mind this afternoon. You needn’t be embarrassed for taking a tumble in front of young Miss Victoria?—”
“I did nothing of the sort.” But he argued no further on the subject because he couldn’t very well explain the truth—that Victoria had drawn a knife on him, and they tussled together as if they were two drunken men at a tavern. Lord Harrington simply wouldn’t believe it. Hell, Elias wasn’t even sure if he remembered it right. What young lady of society would behave so…so…unladylike?
“Be dressed for dinner in an hour, nephew. I want you on your best behavior for our guests.”
“You didn’t say how long they would be staying.”
“We will speak of it at dinner. All the more reason for you to dress, put on your charm, and help me entertain our lovely company—which we are quite undeserving of, if you hadn’t noticed.”
Lord Harrington answered his nephew’s questioning look. “I am sure you are conscious of the fact that both Charlotte and Victoria are exceptional beauties.”
Elias all but rolled his eyes. “When beauty counts as merit, I will treat it as such. All I know is that we have two women joining us for dinner, and at least one of them is quite stupid.”
Lord Harrington grew stern at that. “Enough, Elias. Such an outright insult is below you. Do not let me hear you speak so crass again.”
He turned his back on his uncle and moved to the window. The sun had gone down, and all was darkness below. Elias grunted an apology.
“Dinner is in less than an hour. Be on your best behavior.” And with that, Lord Harrington left the room.