Page 112 of Oddity of the Ton
“Sometimes love is not enough,” she said quietly.
“Oh, child! Love iseverything. I’ve learned over the years that it’s titles—and fortunes—that are not enough when it comes to finding a partner in life.” He set the papers aside. “I must do something. If you object to my shooting him at dawn, I could toss him into the Thames.”
She fought to suppress a giggle at the notion of her diminutive parent throwing the large, powerful duke into the river.
“There’s my girl,” Papa said. “Stoic to the last. That’s one thing I’ve never fathomed about you ever since you were old enough to talk—you often weathered adversities with little reaction, but, at other times, the slightest provocation sent you into a fit of temper.”
“I shan’t lose my temper today,” Eleanor said. “But I’d rather not attend Mother’s dinner party on Saturday.”
“Because you believe everyone will be laughing at you?” Papa shook his head. “A respectable woman wronged will always garner sympathy. And, though I hate to admit it, your engagement to a duke will have given you a degree of respectability and admiration. Saturday’s dinner may be awkward—the guests are bound to be curious. But if you weather it with aplomb, you’ll emerge triumphant. I can make things easier for you by tampering with the guestlist—to give you an ally for the evening, at least. Is there anyone you would wish to see invited?”
“Only Lavinia, but she’s in the country. I don’t think her husband would take kindly to her traveling to London merely for a dinner.”
Papa’s mouth curled into a smile. “What about Colonel Reid? You seemed to be getting on well with him.”
“I don’t know…”
“You share an interest in art, so you’d have plenty to talk about—and you are attending the exhibition with him on Monday, so you must find his company agreeable.”
“But Juliette—”
“Your sister’s a fool for rejecting that respectable young man,” he said. “If his presence makesherfeel uncomfortable, then she only has herself to blame.”
What reason did she have to object to Colonel Reid’s invitation? Loyalty to Montague? He himself had spoken of her future—a future without him. And with Colonel Reid, at least she wouldn’t be forced to trust her repertoire of vacuous Society phrases—they could have a real conversation rather than exchange meaningless remarks.
But if Papa was right, and a man and a woman could never be friends—did that mean sitting next to the colonel might give rise to an expectation?
What if I never want to marry?
“Then you say no each time a man asks, my dear, rather than cry out your acceptance before he’s even finished his request.”
She glanced up at her father, her cheeks flaming.Heavens!She’d spoken aloud.
“The colonel would do very well for you,” Papa said. “He would, at least, be more amenable to your being a little…” He made a random gesture in the air.
“Odd?” she offered, and he colored.
“I was going to saydifferent from other young women, which, at least, sounds more favorable thaneccentric. And he’d be more willing than a titled man to grant you freedom to paint. A soldier, after all, understands the need for occupation, and I daresay he’d not object to a wife who wished for an occupation of her own. You were never suited to the life of idle luxury, my dear.”
“I do like Colonel Reid,” she replied. “But I hardly know him. He barely noticed me when he was courting Juliette.”
“Don’t punish him for that, Eleanor—men are often swayed by what they first see. It’s only later that they understand the true nature of beauty. I daresay both you and Colonel Reid have learned a sharp lesson these past weeks.”
“And if I cannot find a man to make me happy—or give me the freedom to do what I want, and be myself—what do I do then?”
“And what do youwant, Eleanor?” he asked.
“To live in freedom, where I am not subject to the judgment of others. I-I could paint to earn my keep. I’m not like Juliette—I have no need for fine gowns or jewels—so I’m sure I could live within my means. My fortune could secure me an annuity.”
“It wouldn’t be an easy life, Eleanor. Could you bear living on your own?”
“How could I not, when I crave peace and quiet?” she replied. “If I never attended a dinner party or ball again, I’d be the happiest creature alive! And I’d have enough money to hire a maid to take care of me, so you needn’t worry on that count.”
“Is that what you want, child?”
“It’s what I’ve always wanted—but nobody would listen!”
“And Whitcombe?”
