Page 67 of Oddity of the Ton
“At Rosecombe—my country estate. Would you like to study a real Stubbs—that is, of course, if itisreal?”
“Oh, yes!” Her exclamation, filled with childlike enthusiasm, touched his heart.
“And this time,” he added, “I shall observe propriety and secure you a chaperone for your stay.”
Her smile died, but she nodded. “Oh—of course. Yes—very well. I do need a chaperone, of course, but…”
“I was thinking of Lady Marlow,” he said. “She’s your particular friend, and I have no wish to impose on your mother, who no doubt wishes to remain in London to chaperone your sister.”
He could almost taste the relief in her expression, and he offered his hand.
“Then it’s settled?” he asked. “I shall speak to your father directly. After all, there’s nothing unusual in a man taking his fiancée to see the house of which she’ll soon be mistress.”
She looked away, and he cursed himself inwardly.
But there was no denying that they’d entered into their arrangement knowing full well that it would soon come to an end.
No matter how much he wished that end would never come.
Chapter Nineteen
“Eleanor, are yousureyou wish to go?”
Eleanor’s father sat in his wing-backed chair beside the fireplace, holding a letter in his hand bearing the Whitcombe crest, while he stared at her over the top of his gold-rimmed spectacles.
“Ofcourseshe’s sure, Leonard!” Eleanor’s mother cried. “What a ridiculous thing to say.”
“A fortnight’s a long time.”
“Afortnight?” Eleanor winced as her mother let out a shriek. “Well done, Eleanor! Imagine that, Juliette! You’ll have suitors queueing at the door when you return.”
“Grace, my love—”
“Oh,Leonard!” she interrupted. “I know it means missing the Granleighs’ ball—and Lady Moss’s dinner party, such a shame—but a stay at Rosecombe will do more to further Juliette’s interests. You’ve no objection, do you, Juliette?”
“Of course not, Mama,” Juliette said.
“No, I mean Eleanor alone has been invited,” Papa said.
“She’swhat?” Mother cried. “That won’t do! Eleanor, howcouldyou?”
“Forgive me, Mother,” Eleanor said, “I—”
“Imustchaperone you. And it’s unfair on Juliette to invite yourself but exclude her.”
“Eleanor didn’t invite herself,” Papa said, an edge to his voice. “The invitation came from the duke.”
“It’s most improper. Eleanor cannot go without a chaperone.”
“And she won’t. His Grace writes that Lady Marlow is to chaperone Eleanor. They’ll be traveling in her carriage.”
“Lady Marlow!” Mother scoffed.
“A viscountess is a fitting chaperone,” Papa said.
“I’m sure you’d prefer that to a fortnight withmein the country, Mother,” Eleanor said.
Papa shot her a warning look.
