Eleanora offered her a curtsy. “Good morning, Your Royal Highness. I hope I did not keep you waiting.”
Her duties for the day did not begin for another half hour, but she was quite accustomed to the demands of aristocratic employers. Most expected their servants to be at the ready upon a whim.
“Perhaps we might have some tea in my salon,” the princess suggested, neatly avoiding Eleanora’s polite question.
Something in the other woman’s tone and unsmiling visage told Eleanora that Princess Anastasiaknew.
“Of course.”
The princess offered her a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “We have much to speak about, haven’t we? Come, Eleanora.”
The air between them changed as she accompanied Princess Anastasia to the salon. Once they were comfortably ensconced within, they made polite conversation as the tea tray arrived. The princess poured, offering Eleanora a dish of tea with a wan smile.
“I do hope you know what you are doing, my dear.”
Eleanora swallowed hard against a rush of emotion—dread, uncertainty, excitement, longing. “I am sure I don’t.”
“I wish you would have told me the truth when we talked about Nando’s interest in you.”
“I didn’t know what the prince’s interest was.” Eleanora paused, frowning as she considered her words. “Indeed, I still don’t know. I am at a loss as to why he would wish to bind himself to someone so socially inferior.”
“You needn’t be modest,” Princess Anastasia said, pouring her own tea with elegant, efficient motions. “You are quite lovelydespite your efforts to hide your looks. Nando is drawn to beautiful women.”
Women.
She did not miss the emphasis the princess placed upon the last word, and she could not quell the sting of jealousy at the reminder that he had an endless string of lovers in his past and likely an equally unending string of more in his future. She didn’t expect him to be faithful. She knew his reputation.
“I would hardly describe myself in such flattering terms, though I do thank you,” she said.
The princess took a delicate sip of her tea. “And now, we are to be without you. Your loss will be felt by us all, but particularly by my sisters. You have been such a boon to them, and I am grateful for all your efforts on their behalf. You’ve done wonders to rein in some of their wilder Boritanian ways.”
That was a polite way of describing the headstrong ladies and their penchants for scrapes.
Eleanora smiled, deciding it best to remain politic in her response. “I will miss Princess Emmaline and Princess Annalise as well.”
She would not, however, mourn no longer having to contend with Princess Emmaline’s affinity for trousers. Eleanora wisely kept that to herself.
“You will, of course, remain here with us as our guest until you marry,” Princess Anastasia added, her tone growing stern. “Nando was insistent that you must accompany him this morning, but I refuse to allow it. He is…rather imprudent at times.”
Imprudent.It was one way to describe the wickedly handsome prince who somehow wished to marry her. Certainly, no outside observer could call his decision to wed an unsuitable spinster who was his inferior in every waywise.
But there were other words she would use to describe him as well. Charming. He had that way about him of making it feel as if all the world were a jest presented for his benefit. He was quick to laugh, even at himself. He knew how to seduce, yes, but he was not selfish when it came to pleasure. Generous. He had given her so much without ever asking for anything in return. Kind. Witty.
Heavens, if she didn’t take greater care, she would fall in love with him. And that would never do. Nando might, through some outlandish flight of fancy, choose to marry her. But he would never love her. She knew his sort of gentleman well, for she had seen them with Mama often over the years. Inconstant, their devotion at first a roaring fire that eventually subsided into cooling ash.
“I can only suppose how this must seem to you,” Eleanora managed, turning her attention back to the conversation at hand. “I assure you that there was no scheming on my part to win the prince’s favor.”
“Oh, my dear, you need not worry in that regard,” the princess reassured her. “I know your character. A more trustworthy, honest, good person I have yet to meet.”
The unexpected praise made Eleanora’s cheeks heat, for she had not been entirely honest and she had stolen to Nando’s chamber in secret. She had not been good. The secret she had kept about her background had been necessary for her own survival, but the knowledge didn’t ameliorate her guilt.
“Thank you.” Her hand trembled on the dish of tea, her cup rattling. “You are far too generous in your praise, of which I am undeserving.”
“You need not be modest. I have witnessed your patience and sincerity, your kindness and your gentle wit, on many occasions. I have come to like you a great deal during your time here, andthat is why I wished to speak with you now in private. I am concerned for you, Eleanora dear.”
“What is your concern?”
“Nando is reckless. He has spent his time in London engaged in all manner of debauchery, and now he has suddenly settled upon marriage, seemingly in the blink of an eye. Between the two of us, I am not certain he has the capacity to be the sort of husband you deserve.”
