Page 107 of Oddity of the Ton
Reid had only been guilty of the same crime as any other man—he’d overlooked the plain elder sister in favor of the beautiful younger one. There was no denying that Juliette Howard was a beautiful creature. But Eleanor’s beauty shone from within, because it was ingrained in her heart, and in her soul. Few were privileged enough to glimpse her beauty—and now, it seemed as if Reid had joined their ranks.
“Perhaps some things are best left unsaid,” Reid said. “But whatever happened in the past shouldn’t preclude me from inviting you to accompany me to the exhibition, Miss Howard. That is, if Whitcombe has no objection. Or”—he turned his gaze to Monty—“hecould accompany us, if you prefer.”
“Oh.” Eleanor blushed and met Monty’s gaze. This time tomorrow—as per their agreement—their engagement would be over. But he could leave Eleanor in good hands.
“I’ll be otherwise occupied, Reid,” Monty said. “But I’ve no objection to Miss Howard accompanying you. She would testify to my ignorance in relation to the arts—I was even fooled into believing a fake Stubbs was genuine.”
“You mean the one that graces Lady Francis’s hallway?” Reid laughed. “The horse is out of proportion.”
“Isn’t it just?” Eleanor giggled. “I wondered whether to tell her, but decided against it.”
“You’re quite right,” Reid said. “A lady would rather be deceived into purchasing a fake painting than be proven wrong by a lady of greater intelligence.”
Could the man be any more obvious?
“Do you attempt to flatter me, colonel?” Eleanor asked.
“It’s not flattery when I speak the truth, Miss Howard.”
Devil’s toes!Was she to fall for that ruse? It was what Monty himself had said to her often enough. But his words had come from the heart.
Maybe Reid’s words were genuine, too. As Monty cast his gaze over his rival, he couldn’t help but notice the sensitivity around the mouth, the kindness in the man’s eyes—so totally unlike the hard-edged, rakish expression that glared back at Monty each time he looked in a mirror.
Reid was not the sort of man to break a young woman’s heart.
“You simplymustsee the Collins painting, Miss Howard,” Reid said. “Perhaps I might call on you next week? I have no engagements on Monday.”
“You seem particularly keen for me to see the painting,” she replied. “Is Mr. Collins an acquaintance?”
“Before I enlisted in the army, William and I studied together,” Reid said. “We were to enter the Royal Academy, but my father wanted me to distinguish myself in the militia.” He let out a sigh. “Father, of course, was right. I have found—and still find—soldiering a worthy occupation. I often wonder how I’d have fared had I pursued my love of art. But I lacked William’s talent. I could never dream of having any of my meagre little drawings hanging on the academy’s hallowed walls. But what about you, Miss Howard? If you’re a painter, you might see one of your works exhibited one day.”
“I’m awoman, colonel,” she said. “Such opportunities are denied me.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. Here…” Reid flicked through the booklet, then stopped, his finger on the page. “See? Exhibit 111, by Miss Geddes.”
She peered at the page. “A study—I wonder what it’s a study of?”
“We’ll have to see when we visit, won’t we? And there are plenty more works by women. Your sex shouldn’t prevent you from doing anything you want.”
She smiled, her eyes shining with hope.
“Eleanor!” a voice hailed, and her demeanor changed.
“Forgive me, Colonel Reid—my mother’s calling,” she said. “We’re due to take tea with Lady Francis.”
“In which case, you have my sympathies,” Reid said, offering his hand and giving her a wink.
She took it, and he brought her hand to his lips.
“Until Monday, Miss Howard.” Then he lifted his chin at Monty. “Whitcombe.”
“Reid.”
Monty steered Miss Howard toward the path where her family stood waiting. As he caught sight of her father’s stern gaze, then looked over his shoulder at Colonel Reid, who was watching them intently, his concerns for Miss Howard lessened.
Tomorrow she might suffer humiliation, but she would emerge triumphant and, in all likelihood, would end up in better hands than his—as the wife of Colonel Reid.
Chapter Thirty
