Like a fresh breeze common sense returned and her fantastical imaginings shrank away.She must have been reading too many Minerva novels!From seeing Tom Holloway in the park, she had constructed a plot of heinous evil equal to anything thought up by “Monk” Lewis or Mrs.Radcliffe.
Eleanor rose from the bed and flung back the curtains to let in the clear warmth of the sun.Then she sat at her mirror and talked sense to herself.
So, you are married to man who does not love you.He is kind, generous, and leaves you in peace.Many women pray nightly for such!He has never given you any cause to believe the wickedness you have been imagining.
So, you think you have been followed.Twice in four months.The one time might have been an innocent stroller, and Mr.Holloway has as much right to walk the streets as any other person.
And what of that conversation you overheard by eavesdropping, and that you have held against him?He said he would not give you up to his brother.What have you to complain of in that?If that last remark of his was tasteless, he was out of temper.He had been provoked by his brother and said something he probably regretted a moment later.
Having straightened out her thinking, Eleanor made a resolution.She would stop avoiding him.If he goes to a whore, she told her reflection sternly, at least he does not come from her to you with false protestations of love.If he leads a life of dissipation, at least he does not let it invade his home to offend you.If you have any hopes he will one day tire of it all and turn to you and your child, you had best prepare the way by being a pleasant companion now.
The Eleanor in the mirror nodded and smiled.
Eleanor did not admit to herself that her happiness with this resolution sprang from the fact she wanted to see Nicholas, but she certainly found it no hardship to hold to this resolution.She canceled her engagements for the day and stayed in the house, hoping to see him.
The first result of this, however, was far from desirable.As Eleanor sat reading in the drawing room, Hollygirt came to her.“I beg your pardon, ma’am.You said you were not at home, but the gentleman who has called says he is your brother.”
Eleanor was stunned.Nicholas had warned Lionel never to try to contact her.As she sat in silence trying to decide her best course of action, Hollygirt spoke again.“Mr.Delaney gave me instructions you were never to be at home to Sir Lionel, but the new footman admitted him, and the gentleman is most insistent.He said it was an important family matter.Perhaps I could ask him if he wishes to leave a note.”
Despite her earlier good intentions, the fact that Nicholas had given the servants instructions to deny her without consulting her decided Eleanor to see her brother.In view of all his earlier fine talk about independence, she thought her husband had overstepped his authority.After all, she was in her own home, surrounded by her own servants.If Lionel said one word out of line she would have him thrown out, and take pleasure from it.
“Show my brother up, Hollygirt,” she said firmly.“We shall not require refreshments.”
The butler paled.“Are you sure that is wise, ma’am?”
“He is my brother.Show him up.”
As soon as Lionel stepped into the room Eleanor told him he had five minutes, no more.
His friendly smile was undimmed, though his pouched eyes darted about, valuing everything in sight.“Tut tut, Nell.What a way to greet your only brother.”
Faced with him she found the residue of fear that had haunted her evaporating, and she replied with tolerant contempt.“Dear brother.Who has always been so kind and thoughtful.”
“Can you deny,” he asked with a grand gesture, “that I had a hand in bringing you to this magnificence?”
Eleanor was struck dumb.She should have known Lionel did not know the meaning of guilt and always convinced himself he had acted for the best.He usually managed to convince others, too.
She abandoned all thought of bringing him to a sense of his wickedness.“Oh, sit down, Lionel, and tell me your business.You’ll be sooner gone.”
He sighed and looked pained as he arranged himself in a chair.“You always were ungracious, my dear.I have merely come to give you cognizance of my approaching nuptials.”
Eleanor stared.“You are to marry?”
He beamed.“My dear sister, when I saw the bliss to which marriage has transported you—from afar, alas—I was tempted to assay … In fact, I have proposed and been accepted.”
“Whom have you raped,” she asked viciously.
“Tut tut.No wonder your husband is much away from home if that is the tone of your conversation.”
Eleanor had regained her temper and did not allow this to rile her.She smiled sweetly at him.“But what of our inspiring marital bliss?”
His smile was equally sugared, and equally false.“Precisely, my dear.My idea of marital bliss is that the husband be free to do as he wills while the wife sits quietly at home.”
Eleanor caught her breath at this too-accurate description of her life.Trust Lionel to hit a painful target.“And does your future wife know this?”
“Of course not.”
“Who, in heaven’s name, have you found to have you?”
