Page 56 of To Bed the Bride
When Eleanor didn’t speak, her aunt continued. “Hamilton’s business ventures will be enhanced once people know that he’s related to the Earl of Wescott. Your cousin will have avenues open to him. The relationship will even help Daphne and her husband. Are you so selfish that you would choose this relationship over your family?”
“It isn’t a relationship, Aunt Deborah. Logan and I are friends.”
“Of course it’s more than that. A member of Parliament sent a letter to an engaged woman. It’s a physical representation of a scandal. Do you think that other people aren’t interested in what Logan McKnight does? Have you not seen the articles about him in the newspaper?”
Eleanor nodded.
“If anyone gets wind of this, Eleanor, your engagement is over.”
“There’s nothing for anyone to hear. We’re only friends.”
“Will Michael think that?”
She doubted it. Michael would think the worst.
“Your fiancé doesn’t like Mr. McKnight. He made that point abundantly clear to Hamilton.”
“Are you going to tell Michael about the letter?”
“Of course not. I, for one, do not want anything to damage your engagement. I wish I could say you felt the same.”
Eleanor didn’t respond. What could she say?
“Do you feel something for this man?”
When she didn’t speak her aunt continued. “If you do, I urge you to rid yourself of your feelings. You have a perfectly acceptable relationship with Michael.”
She must have had some reaction to her aunt’s words because Deborah stood and walked toward her.
“Don’t be so foolish to think that you must marry for love. I did that once and look how terrible it turned out.”
“My uncle?”
“Of course your uncle. It’s difficult to remain blissfully in love if you don’t have two coins to rub together. The man could never manage money. Not that he had any. Don’t be a fool. Marry for money. Marry for prestige. Marry for a title. You’ll be a countess, for the love of God.” She sent Eleanor a withering look. “Marry for the sake of your family.”
Eleanor doubted if there was anything in the letter that hinted at a scandal. Meeting Logan in the park, however, was different. She’d never heard Deborah scream, but it was not beyond the realm of possibility if her aunt learned about that.
Eleanor didn’t say another word as she turned and left the room, hoping Deborah wouldn’t call her back. She didn’t, leaving Eleanor to wonder what was going to happen now. She entered her bedroom, closing the door behind her. Bruce immediately jumped up on the end of her bed, curled into a ball, and sighed deeply.
She pulled the letter out of her pocket and read it, hearing Logan’s voice in the words he’d written. Just as she’d thought, there was nothing untoward about the letter, nothing hinting that they’d kissed.
A wiser woman would send word to Logan that she couldn’t meet him anymore. She had his address. She could easily dispatch a footman to his residence or send her own driver there.
When she said as much to Bruce, he looked interested for a few minutes before directing his attention to his paws.
Her father would have counseled her on honor. He would have said what he’d said so many times: a man is defined by his word. Was it any different with women? It shouldn’t be. She’d agreed to marry Michael. She’d given her word.
Her future loomed in front of her like an enormous wall. She couldn’t see over it or around it. Nor could she tunnel beneath it. It was simply there and she had to accept that it was too late to change anything.
Chapter Twenty-One
The next morning Eleanor woke early, made Bruce’s food, and took the bowl to the small yard in the back of the house. After he finished eating, she grabbed a Chelsea bun from the kitchen and ate it as she took Bruce to the park.
The whole time she was wondering if Deborah had told Hamilton about the letter. Eleanor fervently hoped her aunt wouldn’t say anything to Daphne. Her cousin wasn’t known for her ability to keep a secret.
She had no doubt about Hamilton’s reaction. He hadn’t quit complaining about Logan since the dinner party. According to Hamilton, Logan had been excessively rude, impolite to Michael, and inconsiderate of other viewpoints. She hadn’t defended Logan, but it had been difficult to remain silent.
Surprisingly, Logan was already at the park, sitting on the bench beneath the giant oak where they met most often. He sat with one arm along the back of the bench, staring off into the distance. The canopy of branches, barer every day, heralded the oncoming winter. Only intrepid walkers showed up in the cold. She’d always come to the park in all seasons. It had been the one place she could escape her aunt. Now Queen’s Park was not simply a refuge. It was where she and Logan talked and spent time together.
