"Steven Kedleston is not as dull as Robert described,then."
Eleanor's hands stilled. She looked up at him, her grey eyes meeting his directly for the first time in days. "No. He is not dull in the slightest. He is clever and kind and makes me laugh, which is more than I can say for most of the men of my acquaintance."
The words stung more than they should have.
"What did he say?" Aubrey heard himself ask. "That was so amusing?"
Eleanor returned to her work, but he could see the smile tugging at her lips. "He was telling me about his mother's attempts to matchmake. Apparently, she has arranged for him to meet Lady Alice Lathorn, whom Steven describes as having'all the conversational charm of a decorative urn, and considerably less personality.'"
Despite himself, Aubrey felt his own lips twitch. "That is rather harsh."
"But apparently accurate. Steven says she spent the entire dinner discussing her embroidery in excruciating detail. He now knows more about French knot technique than any bachelor should reasonably be expected to endure." Eleanor's smile widened. "He said if his mother arranges one more dinner with an eligible young lady, he will flee to Scotland and become a hermit."
"He could simply marry," Aubrey pointed out. "That would solve his mother's matchmaking problem."
"He could." Eleanor's voice became softer. "But Steven believes in marrying for love. He will not settle for anything less, even if it means disappointing his parents."
Something in her tone made Aubrey look at her more closely. The wistfulness. The way her smile had transformed her face, making her almost... pretty. There was something in her expression when she spoke of Steven Kedleston that was nearly luminous.
A knot formed in Aubrey's chest.
Eleanor straightened suddenly with her brows furrowing, seemingly returning to her stark reality. "My sister is arriving next week," she said abruptly.
He blinked at the shift in conversation.
"Liz and her family. They will stay for a few days before continuing to her husband's family estate for Christmas."
"I do not recall meeting them at our wedding."
"You would not." There was a hint of bitterness in her voice. "You were not in the right state of mind. I was surprised you had shown up."
The reminder sat between them, uncomfortable and damning.
"I see," Aubrey said finally.
Eleanor finished with his dressing and pulled the sheet back up, her movements precise. "Liz is... she will be curious about you. About our arrangement. I thought I should warn you."
"What have you told her?"
"The truth. That we are married in name only. That you have lived in London since our wedding day while I remained here. That circumstances have now forced us into close quarters." Eleanor picked up the soiled bandages, not meeting his eyes. "She knows not to expect... that is, she will not assume this situation is anything more than what it is. A temporary necessity."
"A temporary necessity," Aubrey repeated as something cold gripped his chest.
"Yes." Eleanor moved toward the door, then paused. "She will arrive in three days with her husband and three children. I hope their presence will not disturb your recovery."
"Children do not disturb me."
"Good." Something flickered across Eleanor's face—an expression he could not read. "Liz's youngest is three. He can be rather... enthusiastic. I do adore him, however." Eleanor beamed as she said so, and Aubrey stared at the sparkle in her eyes with astonishment. The transformation was rather striking.
"I shall manage," he said.
Eleanor nodded and left, closing the door softly behind her.
Aubrey lay against his pillows, staring at the ceiling, his mind churning.
Steven believes in marrying for love. He will not settle for anything less.
The words echoed in his head, along with the memory of Eleanor's smile. The way her entire face had brightened when she spoke of her friend—the fondness in her voice, the wistfulness.
