Page 96 of Oddity of the Ton
Yes—his half-sister was merely a walk away, though he found himself cursing the rules of propriety that kept her from the main house.
But didn’therule over Rosecombe? In which case, he should be able to decide for himself what must be, and not be dictated by tradition merely because it was how others before him had behaved. Olivia deserved her place in his family as much as…
No—do not tread that path.
“Tomorrow you will be leaving us, Miss Howard,” he said.
You fool! Can you not think of anything better to say?
“Yes,” she replied. “Will you return to London also?”
“I’ll follow in a few days. Rest assured, I intend to carry out my duty. I shan’t abandon you once our arrangement is concluded.”
“Won’t you?”
“I’ll not break our engagement until I’m satisfied that your future is set.”
Her eyes widened. “Do you intend to find me ahusband?”
“Did I not promise to assist you in that quarter?”
“Yes—but perhaps I don’t want one anymore,” she said. “I’ve no wish to marry if I cannot find a man to accept me for who—and what—I am, and who’ll give me the freedom to pursue my dreams, no matter what. But perhaps such a man does not exist.”
She was right. No man who walked the earth came close to deserving her.
“I should thank you, Your Grace,” she said.
“Montague, please.”
She hesitated, as if negotiating a dilemma, then nodded. “Montague. You’ve helped me see the world with different eyes—and shown me that there’s a whole world outside the little circle in which I’ve been confined all my life. Though the prospect is terrifying, I’m convinced I can make a life for myself—without being a burden to others.”
He squeezed her hand and lifted it to his lips. “Eleanor, you could never be a burden. Whatever you decide to do—and whomever you choose to spend your life with—you will always brighten the world around you.”
She tried to withdraw her hand, but he held firm.
“No—Eleanor,” he whispered. “Let me speak frankly. I might have taught you a few inane phrases to navigate yourself around a shallow Society—but I’m the one who’s benefited the most from our arrangement.”
“Because of your mother?”
He shook his head. “I might have set out intending to silence my mother—but I have benefited so much from your companionship. You’ve shown me how to look at the world with different eyes—withyoureyes. And for that, I shall be eternally grateful.”
He lowered his head and brushed his lips against hers. “Goodnight—Eleanor. I promise that if there’s anything I can give you, you only need ask.”
She curled her fingers around his, then opened her mouth, as if to speak. But she colored and withdrew, and his heart ached at the yearning in her expression.
He caught her hand. “Eleanor—tell me what you desire.”
“I-I don’t…”
“You do, my love—I can see it in your eyes. Tell me.”
She drew in a deep breath, as if summoning courage.
“I-I want to be loved,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.
“Youareloved, Eleanor. You have friends who care—”
“No!” She let out a low cry. “I-I mean, lovedproperly. J-just once. So I know what it’s like.”
