“And one I shall continue to repeat until you believe me, dear Jane. I am absolutely well, hale, and hearty. Look.” She took a few light steps into the centre of the room and twirled gracefully with her hands outstretched.
“Silliness,” said Jane, but her features eased into a smile. “Forgive my worrying…”
Elinor hurried to her side and hugged her. Hard. “Darling Jane. What would I do without you to worry over me?”
“I don’t know, and that’s for sure. Although it seems you’ve someone else worrying about you now, as well.”
“Oh?”
“That Sir Caleb. I haven’t mentioned it, but he’s been sending messages each of the last three days, along with flowers, books…I swear he’s going to send you a pet goat or something soon.”
Elinor laughed. “Truthfully, I wouldn’t put it past him.”
“It was a gracious gesture,” approved Jane. “He may be a bit on the reclusive side, but it seems his heart is in the right place.”
“I’m sure he’d be thrilled and honoured to know of your approval.”
“Yes, well.” Jane sighed. “Now what’s going on then? If you’re so hale and hearty now, you can sit yourself right down there in that chair and tell me what happened.” She put her hands on her hips. “And none of this nonsense about tripping over your gown.”
Elinor looked out of the window, away from the other woman. “What makes you think anything happened?” she asked innocently.
“Because in all my years here, and all those spent watching you grow up, you’ve never had a dizzy or fainting spell in your life. And in all those years, you’ve never had quite that look in your eyes.”
Frowning, Elinor glanced in the mirror. “What look?”
Jane waved her hands in the air. “The sort of look that makes me wonder…I can’t quite put my finger on it, but…well, it’s a different look than I’ve ever seen before.”
Elinor continued to stare at her reflection. “I can’t see anything different,” she sighed. “I’m still me. Look.” She turned to Jane. “Same eyes, still only one nose and mouth,” turning back to the mirror, she tapped herself on said nose. “Still the same dull face. I wish…” she tapped her lips, “oh nevermind.”
“Excuse me, Miss Elinor,” Benson peered around the door. “Sir Howell is here and is asking if you are well enough to allow him a short visit?” The butler cleared his throat. “He’s brought a…a…dog with him, Miss.”
“Oh,” Elinor laughed, and all but clapped her hands. “Oh yes, Benson. I would love to see them both. Perhaps it might be possible to offer them a cup of tea?” She laughed. “Not the dog, of course.”
Benson glanced at Jane, and they exchanged a look that Elinor noticed immediately but decided to ignore.
“I’ll see to the tea, then, Miss Elinor.” She looked worried. “You really should have a chaperone, you know…”
“Oh, bosh, Jane. This is the country. I don’t have to worry about being denied a voucher to Almack’s simply because a neighbour came to visit with his dog.”
And with those words, said dog rushed into the room and made his joy at seeing Elinor quite evident. However, this time she was ready for him, and kept her footing, catching him before he made that great leap, and rubbing his ears until he was panting with joy.
“Carrádog,” she cried, laughing at his antics. “You are full of yourself as usual, I see?”
He promptly sat on his haunches and offered her a paw.
She was charmed, accepted it, and they solemnly shook, while Jane looked on in surprise.
“It didn’t take long for him to learn that,” said a voice from the doorway.
Elinor turned, a smile on her face, to see Caleb leaning against the jamb, holding an enormous bunch of roses. “Sir Caleb. I am most happy to welcome you and your well-mannered companion to Molliney Park.”
“I had to come and see for myself that you were fully recovered,” he answered smoothly. “Although this charming lady has reassured me on my recent visits that you were better.” He turned to Jane. “These are for you, with my thanks.”
“Oh, butSir…” she stuttered, completely taken aback. “Shouldn’t they be for…”
“No, absolutely not. She has unlimited gardens and lots of rose bushes. These are for you and you alone.”
“Well, I…I really don’t know what to say.” Stunned, she held the huge bunch of roses as if they were made of glass.
