“There must be something wrong with me then,” she replied. “Because I cannot imagine anything I’d dislike more.”
Lady Molliney leant back in her chair and toyed with her teacup. “Hmm. Well, all this leaves us with one problem,” she paused and stared at her daughter, “the matter of what to do with you, darling. Of course, this is your home and always will be. But when Peter and Louise return from London? Or, God forbid, your Papa goes to his just reward…”
“Which I hope will be Tattersalls. Some fine horseflesh there, you know. Remind me to tell you about the astounding Barb I saw on the way home, m’dear. Splendid beast. Larger than an Arabian, you know, with tufts of hair on its…”
“Anthony. We are discussing your daughter’s future, not your fascination with horses.”
Thus scolded, Lord Molliney pouted a little, then shrugged. “Very well. Continue. Sorry, Elly.”
Elinor suppressed a giggle, cheered by her father’s use of her childhood nickname, and turned to her mother. “I do understand, Mama. But it would appear that marriage is not in the cards for me, is it?” A little dart of distress pinged her somewhere around her heart. “Truly, that is really of no matter. In the Molliney line, I’m quite unimportant, and to be honest, I’d be happy with Oak Cottage, if Peter would consider allowing me to live there.”
“Hmm.” Her mother thought about it. “An interesting idea, to be sure. However, for now, we’ll leave things as they are, and face those decisions as the need arises. Don’t you agree, dear?”
“What? Oh, yes. Yes indeed.” Elinor’s father sighed and turned his head, giving Elinor a quick wink from the eye that his wife couldn’t see. “I like having you around, Elly,” he whispered.
She laughed. “And I like being here with you both,” she returned, happy that matters had turned out as well as they had.
Benson tapped politely on the door and peered around the jamb. “Beg pardon, my Lord, my Lady. A visitor has arrived.”
Lady Molliney blinked. “Really? Who is it, Benson?”
“Sir Caleb Howell, Ma’am. From Tylwyth Teg Abbey. Requesting the pleasure of a few moments with Lady Elinor.”
Her mother’s face was a picture, thought Elinor. Confusion, surprise, concern, and the worst case of curiosity she’d ever seen.
“How nice. I expect he’s come to welcome you both back home.” Elinor moved calmly toward the door. “I shall be happy to introduce you, if you would find that acceptable?”
“By all means.” Lady Molliney nearly tripped over her chair in her haste to stand, while her husband, on the other hand, merely glanced at Elinor.
“Does he have a stable?”
*~~*~~*
By the time Caleb had realised that Elinor was no longer alone at Molliney Park, it was too late to turn tail and run.
Benson had respectfully suggested he wait in the hall, so he found himself subject to the full scrutiny of two people whosimply had to be Elinor’s parents, as they emerged from a side door.
Elinor was with them, and she walked quickly to Caleb’s side.
“Good morning, Sir Caleb. How kind of you to call.” She curtsied, all politeness and cool charm.
He had no choice but to respond in a similar fashion.
He bowed. “Lady Molliney. I trust I’m not disturbing you?” He glanced at her parents.
“Not at all. This is a delightful opportunity to make you known to my family, who have just returned from their travels on the continent.” An elegant wave of the hand followed this statement.
“Of course, I am honoured,” he replied.
“Papa,” Elinor gestured as her father walked up to Caleb, his eyes narrowing a little. “May I introduce our neighbour, Sir Caleb Howell. He’s currently in residence at Tylwyth Teg Abbey, and was kind enough to assist during some of the recent flooding.”
“Ah, yes.” Lord Molliney’s features eased. “You have a sizeable estate over there, sir. And much of it underwater most of the time?”
Caleb couldn’t resist a grin. “You have the right of it, my Lord. And not just the estate either. I just added a few waterlogged cellars as well, thanks to the recent weather.”
“But you manage it all quite handily, I’m sure.” Lady Molliney joined her husband. “I’m Elinor’s Mama.”
“Thank you, my Lady.” Caleb bowed elegantly. “And may I say that I now realise where your daughter gets her beauty and her charm?”
