"Lady Madeley," Waverly said warmly. "We must congratulate you on the impossible."
"The impossible?" Eleanor asked.
"You've successfully domesticated Madeley," Cartwright explained. "He's hosting a ball. Voluntarily. With decorations."
"And he looks happy about it," Avon added, as if this were the most shocking developmentof all.
Eleanor glanced at Aubrey, whose lips quirked in amusement. "I assure you, gentlemen, I had very little to do with it."
"Modest as well as accomplished," Waverly declared. "Madeley, you're a fortunate man."
The three friends moved on to mingle with other guests, and Eleanor found herself watching the dancers with longing.
"Lady Madeley," Steven said, appearing before them with a bow. "Would you honour me with a dance?"
Eleanor glanced at Aubrey, whose hand tightened on hers.
He leaned close, his breath warm against her ear. "If he holds you too closely," he murmured, his voice low and decidedly wicked, "I'll be forced to call him out. And I'll tell him exactly how you taste when you come apart in my arms."
"Aubrey!" Eleanor's face flamed even as she laughed.
"One dance," he said, kissing her hand before releasing it. "Then you come back to me."
The possessiveness in his voice sent a shiver down her spine.
Steven led her onto the floor, and they moved through the familiar steps of the dance. He was an excellent partner—always had been—but Eleanor found her gaze drifting back to where Aubrey sat watching her with undisguised hunger in his eyes.
"You're happy," Steven observed. "Truly happy. I can see it."
"I am."
"I'm glad."
"I can see he’s quite besotted with you. Rather obvious about it, actually," Steven said, spinning her through a turn.
Eleanor smiled. "Is he?"
"Eleanor, the man looks at you almost indecently."
"I rather like it," she admitted.
They completed another figure before Steven spoke again. "I heard Miss Penny is leaving after Christmas. Who are you bringing on as her replacement?"
Eleanor's smile faltered slightly. "I... haven't found anyone yet."
"You're still planning to go, then?"
"I need to. The work is important."
"Does Madeley know?"
"We haven't had time to discuss it."
Steven's expression grew thoughtful. "Eleanor, I know how much the orphanage means to you. But perhaps... perhaps it's time to consider what you might be leaving behind if you go."
"I'm not leaving anything behind. It's just a few months until I find a replacement. Six months at most."
Steven's gaze flicked to where Aubrey sat. "I'm not certain he'd survive you walking away, even temporarily."
