Page 82 of Oddity of the Ton
“Unlike her mistress?”
Eleanor glanced up to see the dowager looking directly at her.
“Oh, Your Grace—I mean,Duchess—I meant no offense. I was merely saying—”
“That Ariadne is a more congenial hostess?” The dowager’s mouth twitched into a smile. “I doubt Lady Fairchild would agree with you. Last time she visited, Ariadne bit her hand.”
“What had she done?” Eleanor asked.
“Ariadne?”
“No. Lady Fairchild. An animal doesn’t bite without reason. Most animals are quiet if left to their own devices, and only when threatened.”
“Rather like unusual young ladies, then,” the dowager said. “You said not one word during dinner last night.”
“I had nothing in particular that I wished to say.”
The pug at Eleanor’s feet rolled onto its front, then nudged her with its nose again. She glanced down to see a pair of dark brown eyes staring at her from beneath a wrinkled brow, their soulful expression enough to melt the coldest heart. Eleanor reached down to pick the animal up, then hesitated.
“Go on,” the dowager said. “She’ll not rest until she has satisfaction.”
Rather like her mistress, then.Though Eleanor wasn’t about to voicethatthought.
She scooped up the pug, and the little dog settled onto her lap, curling up with a contented sigh.
“Be gentle, miss!” the maid cried.
“I think we can trust Miss Howard if Ariadne does, Millicent,” the dowager said. “Are you fond of pugs, Miss Howard?”
“I love all animals,” Eleanor said. “They must make wonderful companions.”
“Then, my dear, when Ariadne’s litter comes, you shall have a puppy.”
“Oh!” Eleanor cried, then she tempered her joy. “I’dlovea puppy, but I’m afraid I cannot.”
“Why ever not? Are you sensitive to animals? I had a cousin who sneezed every time he so much aslookedat a dog.”
“It’s not that. It’s just… My mother would never permit it.”
“But you’ll soon be mistress of your own home,” the dowager said.
“I will?”
“Aren’t you engaged to my son?”
“Oh—of course,” Eleanor said.
How could she have been such a simpleton?
“In which case, the only one from whom you must seek permission for anything is my son. He’d have no objection, I assure you.”
“Oh.”
“Then that’s settled, yes?
Eleanor nodded, then picked up her teacup, focusing on the pattern around the rim of the cup—anything to prevent her from having to meet the duchess’s gaze.
The front door was knocked upon, and Eleanor startled, almost spilling her tea. The pug lifted its head and gave her a reproachful stare.
