The dance ended before Eleanor could respond. Steven bowed, returning her to Aubrey's side, where her husband immediately reached for her hand.
"Did he behave himself?" Aubrey asked.
"Perfectly."
"Pity. I was rather looking forward to defending your honour."
Eleanor sat beside him and took his hand, threading their fingers together.
"We haven’t talked about my departure tomorrow," Eleanor saidquietly.
Something cold and sharp twisted in Aubrey's chest. All the progress of the past days—their confessions, the intimate moments between them—suddenly felt like sand slipping through his fingers. "Eleanor, you can't mean you still plan to leave."
"I’m afraid I must." She looked into his piercing gaze, his expression one of shock and devastation.
“But I just found you. We are just getting to know each other. Surely, you felt what could be possible between us.”
“Of course, I have, but Miss Penny is ill. I need to look after the orphanage until I can find a suitable replacement.”
Aubrey felt the breath rush out of him in relief. "Temporary," he said, the word emerging with a huff of breath. "You're not leaving permanently. You're just... going temporarily."
"Yes, of course."
"How long?" he asked as Eleanor accepted a glass of champagne from a footman. "How long will you be gone?"
Eleanor was quiet for a moment.
"Six months," she said finally. "Perhaps as long as a year. I'll need to find someone suitable, train them properly."
"A year?" Aubrey’s hand went to his forehead. "Eleanor, I can't live that long without you. Not now. Not when I've only just found you."
"I know," she said softly. "But the children need me."
He nodded. "I understand that."
The tightness in his chest eased somewhat, though the reality of her departure still sat like a stone in his stomach. Six months. A year. Without her.
No.
He couldn't let her leave tomorrow without everyone knowing the truth. Without her knowing the truth, proclaimed before God and the entireton.
"Come with me," he said suddenly, reaching for his canes.
"Aubrey, you should rest."
"I've rested enough." He struggled to his feet, leaning heavily on the canes. "Please, Eleanor. I need you to accompany me to the orchestra."
She rose immediately, offering her arm for support. "The orchestra? Why?"
"You'll see."
They made their slow way through the crowded ballroom, guests parting before them with curious glances. Eleanor could feel every eye following their progress, could hear the whispers starting. Aubrey's face was set with determination, his jaw tight as he focused on each step.
When they reached the small dais where the musicians played, Aubrey released Eleanor's arm and turned to the conductor.
"Stop the music, please."
The conductor blinked in surprise but signalled to his musicians. The music died away, couples on the floor coming to confused halts. The entire ballroom fell silent, hundreds of faces turning toward them.
