More settled in her mind, she resolved to send a note to Caleb as soon as she could, and apologise for her poor manners. After all, she thought to herself as she left her room, he was someone very special in her life. The last thing she wanted to do was make him angry with her.
The chaos caused by the arrival of the Mollineys lasted for several days, of course, but it eventually calmed down into something resembling a peaceful return.
“I need tea,” said Lady Molliney, crossing the hall in the morning, several days after her homecoming. “I will be needing tea often, perhaps even every hour, until I have sated my need for a decent cup.”
“It’ll be ready in a trice, Ma’am,” beamed Mrs Longwood. “We’re all so excited to have you home again. Now there’s a good fire going in the parlour, since it’s still cold and rainy today…”
Elinor, coming into the hall in time to hear this exchange, nodded. “A cup of tea would be just the thing. I’ll join you if I may.”
She followed her mother into the parlour and saw her Papa sneak a biscuit from the plate beside him.
“Leave me one or two, please?” She took the seat at his side on the couch.
“Damn fine biscuits,” he mumbled. “Can’t find biscuits like this anywhere on the continent.”
Lady Molliney rolled her eyes. “Well, you’re home now, Anthony. Feel free to indulge.” She turned her attention to Elinor. “Now, my dear. At last we have time to enjoy a real conversation. So tell us how things have been with you?”
“Just fine, Mama. Everything has been going very smoothly during your absence. Benson managed the household to perfection, and Jane? Well, Jane’s a rare treasure, as you know.”
“I see.” Her mother raised an eyebrow. “I’m very glad to hear it.” She leant back and calmly folded her hands in her lap. “Oh, did I mention that we visited Peter and Louise in town on our way home? Spent a few days with them, in fact.”
Elinor blinked. “Ah.”
“Yes, indeed.” Lady Molliney continued to gaze at her daughter.
Who sighed. “So I suppose that means you heard about the…um…theincident?”
“We did.” Her mother sipped her tea. “Apparently, you behaved like the worst hoyden imaginable, and shocked everyone who was present at the event.”
“Well, then.” Elinor swallowed.
“So let’s have it, daughter. What the devil happened?” Her father turned to look at her, his face sombre. “And the truth, please. We’ve heard several versions in London. It’s time we heard yours.”
Pausing for a few moments to collect her thoughts, Elinor bit her lip, hoping that her parents wouldn’t let her down.
“Well, it was like this…”
Elinor kept the narrative simple and straightforward, aware that she had the full attention of both her parents. As soon as she had concluded her description of that night, she shrugged. “And so I came home at once. Peter and Louise thought it best, and—knowing how London can be—I did not want to subject them to any unpleasantness.”
Her mother shared a brief glance with her father, then turned to Elinor. “How hard did you slap him?”
“Hard enough that apparently he wore the mark of my hand on his face when he returned to the ballroom.” She lifted her chin. “And please don’t ask me to apologise for it.”
Silence fell. It was only moments, but it seemed like hours to Elinor, awaiting judgement by her parents.
“Not hard enough,” commented Lady Molliney, with a glance at her husband. “If it had been me, he wouldn’t have been able to return to the ballroom at all.”
Lord Molliney nodded. “Couldn’t agree more. Elinor, remind me to teach you where to kick a man that’ll have him squirming on the ground in agony.”
Elinor’s jaw dropped. “But…but…the scandal…”
“Has long been forgotten by now, my dear,” answered her mother. “Of course, if you were to return to town, it would resurface, I’m sure, so unfortunately that journey will be out of the question. At least for the coming Season.”
“Oh thank God,” Elinor exclaimed. “I was dreading the thought of having to go back to London. I really didn’t like it there,” she sighed. “So dirty and smelly, and…oh well, I needn’t worry about it anymore. Thank you, it’s a weight off my mind.”
“And you can be very sure that your Papa and I will also have a discussion about this incident with Peter and Louise.” She shook her head. “I understand Louise’s ambitions, of course. Shewas raised that way, as are so many London-bred girls. It’s all about making a match, no matter the method. But Peter should have known better.”
“I agree.” Her father nodded. “I should point out, though, that many girls would feel differently about staying in the country, you know.They’d worry about missing all the balls and parties, dancing and meeting new people…”
