Page 92 of Oddity of the Ton
“Of course!” Olivia replied. “That’s very kind.”
“In which case,” Whitcombe said, “I must place an obligation on you also—Eleanor.”
A little pulse of longing threaded through Eleanor’s body at the way his tongue curled around the syllables of her name.
“A-an obligation?”
“Aye,” he whispered. “You’ve failed to act in accordance with my wishes, despite my continued request. But, with Olivia as witness, I insist that you promise, from now on, to call me Montague.”
Heavens!No woman could fail to fall utterly, irrevocably in love with him.
And, as Eleanor met his gaze—two sapphire pools into which she would willingly drown—she realized she had done just that.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Itrust youdidn’t disgrace yourself during your stay, Eleanor.”
Monty glanced across the table at the straight-backed, brightly clad form of Lady Howard. Since the arrival of the rest of the Howard family, the atmosphere at Rosecombe—which, during the past week, had taken on a relaxed air—had returned to the coldness of propriety and perfect decorum that he’d been brought up to adhere to, and to impose on others.
“O-of course not, Mother.”
Eleanor flushed bright red. She pushed her dessert aside, untouched, despite having declared two nights ago that apple pie was her favorite.
She’d hardly touched any of the courses set before her tonight—not since she’d spilled her soup, leaving a bright green stain on the tablecloth, resulting in a haltering apology, prompted by Lady Howard’s orders, and a smile of triumph from her younger sister, who was resplendent in a gown of vivid pink, her hair styled in an intricate array of curls.
In fact, from the moment the Howard family descended on Rosecombe, Miss Howard had become, once more, the unresponsive creature who sat at the edge of the ballroom, shrinking back to blend into her surroundings.
Like an animal seeking to conceal itself from predators.
Gone was the laughing young woman with the intelligent expression who had melted Monty’s heart when she’d taken hisbastard sister into her embrace. Since he’d taken Miss Howard to the school—on a whim at first to irk his mother—Monty had also taken her to the Swifts’ farm. His heart had melted when Joe shyly approached her, slipped his hand in hers, then led her outside to meet his favorite sheep.
And she’d taken Olivia into her heart, paying no regard to his sister’s illegitimacy. He found himself wondering, as Eleanor had asked so bluntly, why Olivia didn’t reside in the great house, rather than hidden away on the edge of the estate.
He glanced across the dining table, where his mother was staring at Lady Howard. Mother met his gaze, arched a perfectly plucked eyebrow, and curled her lip into a sneer. Oblivious of Mother’s disapproval, Lady Howard began enthusing about the dinner set. Last night, Eleanor had declared it to be the ugliest she’d ever seen. But tonight, as soon as Mother alluded to the set’s worth, Lady Howard declared it the finest in all England, with her daughter Juliette agreeing and stating that she simplymusthave one like it for her future home.
Her future home.Ye gods—what unfortunate soul had Juliette Howard sunk her talons into?
Sir Leonard, on the other hand, seemed uninterested in his wife’s exaggerated enthusiasm, and more concerned for his eldest daughter. Monty even saw the man rolling his eyes when his wife complimented Mother on the quality of the beef, the intricacy of the crystal wineglasses, and even the smoothness of the wax candles.
“What have you done during your stay, child?” Lady Howard asked Eleanor.
“W-walking, and riding, Mother.”
Even the tremor in Eleanor’s voice had returned.
“The grounds here are delightful. Have you attended a hunt?” Lady Howard leaned toward Monty’s mother, as if enjoying a confidence with a bosom friend. “I’ve tried so hard topersuade Eleanor to join a hunt, for it really is quite the thing, is it not? I quite gave up on her, but perhaps she responded to your influence, Duchess.”
Mother glanced at Lady Howard and bestowed upon her a smile of cold politeness.
“I flatter myself when I say that my Juliette wasbornto be a duchess, but it’s gratifying to know that Eleanor, through a little effort on her part, is showing some capability in that area.”
“By chasing an animal to its death over the countryside?” a voice asked.
The party fell silent. Lady Marlow, who had spoken, cut a forkful of apple pie and lifted it to her mouth. Then she swallowed and glanced around the table.
Marlow addressed the party. “You must forgive my wife. She’s a little out of sorts today, aren’t you, my dear?”
“Well!” Lady Howard cried. “I’ve never heard the like. I’m of a mind to—”
