“It is.” Eleanor smiled back at him, though her heart was still heavy. “What will you do now?”
“As regards Lord Wigton?”
“You need not do anything.”
Evidently hearing what she had asked, Lord Howerton and Lord Wishart turned towards them both, their faces set in equal expressions of anger.
“Wewill deal with Lord Wigton, if that is acceptable to you,” Lord Howerton said, his jaw tight. “I want very much to make certain such a thing does not happen again to any young lady… and I want him to understand just how much pain he has caused Emma.”
“Although we understand if you feel the need to take your own recompense,” Lord Wishart added as Lord Finchley shook his head.
“No, not in the least. Do as you must.”
“But be gentle with your sister,” Eleanor could not help but say, as Lord Howerton nodded. “She is in a great deal of pain, I think. Her heart will be quite broken, and she will be filled with much regret.”
Lord Wishart snorted. “It is just as she deserves, given that she ignored all the advice that was given to her.”
Eleanor smiled at him, leaning into Lord Finchley all the more. “So speaks the gentleman who has never experienced the strength of love,” she said, as Lord Wishart flushed. “You may understand it one day, I hope, but trust me when I tell you that it holds you quite captive.”
“Unable to free yourself,” Lord Finchley added, as Lord Wishart glanced over his shoulder towards his weeping sister. “Not that I should ever want to be freed, however. I am more than content to be captured by Eleanor for the rest of my life.”
Lord Wishart pushed one hand through his hair. “You are quite right, I do not have any understanding as to what you speak of. But I shall be careful and considerate when it comes to Emma.”
“And thank you for your understanding, Finchley.” Lord Howerton, who still looked quite overwhelmed, let out a hiss through his teeth. “You could have done and said a good deal more, and instead, you show gentleness and compassion.”
“That is because he is an exceptional gentleman,” Eleanor replied, before he could. “And one that I cannot wait to marry.”
Lord Howerton’s eyebrows lifted. “You are engaged?”
Eleanor’s heart blossomed as Lord Finchley nodded, his arm going around her shoulders.
“We are,” he said, as joy rushed over her like a flood. “And soon, we shall be man and wife, and I will never have to be parted from her again.”
“Eleanor?”
She turned, just as her father walked into the room. “Good evening, father. Are you ready to take your leave? The ball will be an excellent one, I am sure.” Fortunately for her, Lord Hereford had not asked a single thing about her absence from the house that afternoon. Her aunt, who had been more of an ally to Eleanor than she had ever anticipated, had simply stated she wished to take Eleanor and Catherine for a drive about town, and thus, he had presumed all was well.
“Yes, I am ready.” He cleared his throat, clasped his hands behind his back, and looked straight at her, not making any move to leave. “However, there is something I should like to discuss with you first.”
A tightness came into her stomach. “Oh?”
“You have not yet announced to anyone that you are engaged?”
She shook her head, worry beginning to settle into her veins.
“Your Lord Finchley has not said anything either, which is good. I did tell him he was not to speak of it until I had determined whether or not he would be truly suitable. If he were not, then I would have removed my permission from him, and you would no longer be engaged.”
Eleanor swallowed thickly, clasping her hands in front of her and reminding herself that even if her father did not grant her permission to wed Lord Finchley, they would simply elope and be wed that way. There would be a great scandal to follow, ofcourse, but she cared nothing for that. She would not permit herself to be wed to anyone but him!
“Your aunt had a few sharp words to offer me this afternoon, once she returned you from your drive,” Lord Hereford admitted, surprising Eleanor. “I did tell her that she was not to speak about it any longer, but I am afraid she did not listen.” His lips quirked as he looked away. “Your mother is very similar, so I should have expected it.”
“Might I ask what she said?” Eleanor asked, hearing the tremor in her voice. Lord Hereford looked back at her and then smiled ruefully.
“She stated that I was being more than a little arrogant and because of that, I was not treating you with kindness or consideration,” he said, as Eleanor’s eyebrows rose. “As much as I did not want to admit it, I was forced to see that she had good reason for saying such a thing.” With a frown pulling at his forehead, he looked away from her again. “I do not like to admit this, Eleanor, but I was quite determined to have my own way. As much as I had asked your aunt to take on the responsibility for chaperoning you, I had always thought thatIwould be the one to settle you with your future husband. When Lord Ashworth came to speak with me, I was quite certain that he was the right gentleman for you.” Finally, his gaze returned to her. “It was my own arrogance and pride that had me so irritated with your intention to accept another. Even when it was shown to me that Lord Finchley’s title was greater than that of Lord Ashworth, his standing higher and his overall situation better for you, I was all the more determined to have myowndecision taken forward. That was wrong of me, Eleanor. I should not have been so arrogant.” He winced as Eleanor clasped her hands at her heart, tears in her eyes. “I did not have the same determination to eke out every bit of information I could about Lord Ashworth as I did for Lord Finchley.” He put out hishands on either side. “I am trying to find the right words to tell you that I am sorry, Eleanor. I should have been a lot more considerate and a good deal less prideful. Your mother and I will be delighted to see you wed Lord Finchley.”
Eleanor’s breath caught in her chest as she took a tentative step nearer to her father. “Then – then are you saying we can reveal our engagement to everyone?”
Her father nodded, a smile settling across his face that threw a fresh happiness into his eyes. “Yes, my dear Eleanor. You can tell whomever you wish. Indeed, I have already written to your mother with the news!”
