He paled at this.“He will have to prove that you have broken the terms of the will.I wonder what…”
What his complaint will be, Eleanor completed silently.She reassured him.“My ‘elopement’ will be excuse enough if I do not contest the matter, and I will not.”
“There may be legal papers,” he said.“Do not do anything without consulting Nicky, will you?”
“Of course not.”
“Where is he?”
Eleanor’s heart sank.She had doubted she could avoid the question, but she had hoped.
“He has had to go out of town for a few days.He left this morning.”
His lips pursed as they always did when he was put out.“What could be so important—”
“It was business he had arranged long ago,” she interrupted calmly.“He will be back for the family gathering on Friday.”
“He says he will.It is really too bad!To leave you in a strange house like this, to make all these arrangements without any assistance when he must know how unused you are to all of this—”
“I do not think he will break his word, Lord Stainbridge,” Eleanor broke in before her patience snapped and she said things better left unsaid.“I am a rather independent person, and I’m completely happy to have been left to arrange my life to suit myself.It is a luxury I have never had before, or at least not with the money to make the situation comfortable.If I do need help,” she added diplomatically, “I am sure you are more able to help me with these social matters than he would be.”
With this she sent him on his way happy.She thought ruefully that she had little reason to carp at her husband for playing people on a string when she was so assiduously copying the technique.
It was a relief to be rid of the earl, though, and a relief to have avoided the worst question, which concerned Nicholas’s whereabouts.She knew only that it was Hampshire, a county that stretched from close to London down to the coast.She knew he would have seen her ignorance as a further affront to her and a further cause for complaint against his brother.
Did a wife have a right to know?What if there was some family disaster, would she not be expected to send for him?
She put the problem aside for a moment and started her attack on Society.She ordered the carriage, and Jenny to accompany her, and went out to open a subscription at Hookham’s.There was always a chance that by moving in the right circles she might meet up with an acquaintance from her school days, though Miss Fitcham’s did not attract the highest levels of society.It had been chosen for Eleanor because of its low fees.
Indeed, she did not meet any school friends in that elegant and lofty establishment, and emerged with books and not acquaintances.That did not surprise her, and at least she had the longed-forGaiour.
When she returned home she sent out Thomas, the footman, to order cards both for herself and for her husband.When she left cards she would be expected to leave one of his for the master of the house, and she had no way of knowing whether he had sufficient.She also requested styles of stationery to consider.
She sent a standing order to a florist recommended by Hollygirt so there would always be fresh flowers in the reception rooms.She invaded her husband’s stored treasures in a more systematic manner, finding any number of items suitable for display.
Finally she summoned a house decorator and a cabinetmaker for the next day.From the taste he had shown so far in the house, she knew it might be wiser to wait for Nicholas to return, but she felt a tendency always to wait for his advice was unhealthy.
Then, satisfied with her day’s work, she allowed herself to relax with Lord Byron.
The next day Sir Stephen called with his sister, Miss Fanny Ball.It was doubtless kindly meant, but Miss Ball proved to be a trenchant bluestocking with a proselytizing spirit.Eleanor accepted an invitation to a literary evening the lady was holding the next week, but conditionally, as the speaker was apparently a Mr.Walker, the author of a critical analysis of Lord Bacon’s philosophy.Eleanor was sure she ought to be fascinated by such a subject, but she could summon little enthusiasm.
She was rather better pleased when she encountered Lord Darius Debenham in Green Park and was introduced to his cousin, Lady Bretton.This also resulted in a promise of cards for a small soiree to be held the next week, one Eleanor could look forward to, for the lady was so lively and witty she was sure her entertainments would be delightful.
There was no possibility of a developing friendship, however.Eleanor had thought the lady merely plump, but Lady Bretton confided she was to leave London within weeks, being yet again—with a sigh—in an interesting condition.“And always in the Season,” the woman bewailed.
Next, Eleanor received an invitation to a theater party to be held by Lady Maria Graviston, the marquess’s sister.The invitation was brought by Lord Arden, along with an offer to escort her.
“And what did you tell your sister, my lord?”Eleanor asked, surprised to be recognized by such a member of the haut ton.
“The truth,” he said with a smile.“That you are new in Town and need introductions.She’s very good-hearted.”With a naughty twinkle he added, “If you come, you’ll see Blanche.”
“In your sister’s party?”Eleanor queried in astonishment.
He laughed.“On the stage.Mrs.Blanche Hardcastle, the White Dove of Drury Lane.”
She found his proud acknowledgement of the woman endearing, and had to admit her curiosity was piqued.She had a morbid interest in the subject of mistresses.
Lady Graviston proved to be a pleasant lady some ten years older than her brother.She bore little resemblance to her handsome brother, being brown haired and of sallow complexion, but she was impressively elegant.No matter what she had said to Lord Arden, Eleanor was aware that she was subjected to a thorough scrutiny before the lady warmed to her.From then on, however, everyone in the party was very pleasant.
