“Almost?You never resisted the temptation to tell tales on me in the past.”
She faced him resolutely.“You will believe what you wish.Mr.Derry did not get his doubts from me during our talk in his study.”
After a moment he said, “Almost I believe you.You were never a good liar, Nell.But it makes little difference.I was depending on this marriage and now I must establish myself by other means.You will be hearing from me.”
Eleanor blinked.“You expect me to lend you money?”
“Not unless your pin money runs to thousands.But you will help me to make my fortune, indirectly.Fare thee well, sister.”
Dismayed, she watched as he strolled off, swiping at flower heads with his cane.She did not underestimate her brother.He meant mischief.She desperately needed to tell her husband what was going on, to lay the burden in his capable hands.The mere thought, however, of approaching him in his present mood, to tell him of the dealings she had been having with her brother, was enough to make her tremble.He had been angry before.This would surely drive him into a rage.
Chapter 10
The Season of 1814 whirled longer than usual, fueled by the peace celebrations, but Eleanor found it more and more of an effort to enter into it with enthusiasm.She went with Lord Arden to view the celebrations in Hyde Park on August 1st, but the crowds and the noise wore at her nerves.By the time the mock battle was waged on the Serpentine, the explosions proved too much and she asked to be taken home.
On the other hand, time spent at home was time to brood, time to face how infrequently her husband was in the house, day or night.
Her plans to avoid his company had been all too successful.Now that she sought an opportunity to rebuild some kind of understanding there seemed to be an unbridgeable gulf between them.Occasionally she had attempted to span it, but he seemed able to slip out of any situation.She wished Amy were back to provide some kind of company.She wished Nicholas didn’t look so tired and worn.She wished she didn’t care.
The grand celebrations finally fizzled out and the days slipped by quietly.The Rogues seemed to be aware of her low spirits and attempted to find activities to tempt her.She wondered what they made of their friend’s behavior toward her, but that was one subject that was never discussed.
When she lost interest in social events they devised other entertainments, such as picnics and drives into the country.Lord Arden and Lord Middlethorpe, as usual, were her most frequent companions.
The former was always able to raise her spirits with his high spirits and teasing, though she sensed at times that he did not take her situation at all lightly and was turning against Nicholas as a result.That distressed her, but there was nothing to be said that would help.
Her feelings for Lord Middlethorpe ran deeper.She knew that in other circumstances she could have grown very fond of him indeed, but she was careful to keep their relationship within bounds.She needed no more complications in her life.
And, she had to confess, despite his behavior, she was not indifferent to her husband.When he spent what she thought of as his “duty time” with her, always in company, he could still make her heart turn with a smile, a witticism, or just the movements of his body.She suspected that if he were suddenly to turn his charm upon her again she would fall into his arms without cavil.The thought should horrify her, and yet it didn’t.She must have no pride at all.
She was always aware of Nicholas if he were nearby.If she knew he was somewhere in the house it would take great willpower not to seek him out, just for a moment spent in his presence.When they were together, though, they behaved so coolly that it hardly seemed worth the effort.
As she was browsing the bookshelves in the study one day, he entered.She started with surprise and broke into speech to cover it.“I’m afraid I’ve bolted through all my novels, and I’m driven to seek my reading among the heavier matter.”
“Very intemperate,” he said with his impersonal smile.“Another visit to Hookham’s is obviously called for.”
Grasping at the chance of his company, she continued the conversation.“I feel I should make the attempt to read something more improving.Do you have a book you would suggest?”
His smile warmed.She noted with a jerk of the heart that it seemed genuine for once.“Improving?”he repeated.“Well, I don’t think we run to sermons.Would some philosophical essays do as a substitute?”He ran a hand along a shelf.“Here.Some Letters on the Subject of Conscience.”
She took it doubtfully, suppressing a cutting comment that rose to mind.“Would I enjoy it?”
“No,” he said with a grin.“It was given me by a friend who’s now a don at Oxford.An act of spite, I think.”
She replaced the book.“I hope you are not trying to pass that spite onto me,” she said lightly, wondering at his sudden friendliness.Her foolish, hopeful nerves were all tremor because of it.
She scrutinized the shelves.“Experiences in Portugal.Would I enjoy that?”
“I doubt it.It’s amazing how some people can travel through an exciting country and see only the most mundane aspects.You might try this.”He took another volume from the crowded shelves.“It’s a lively account of the lives of the Bedouin, the wandering tribes of North Africa.I’ve never been there, so I can’t vouch for its accuracy, but it makes a good tale.Or there’sThe Voyages of Marco Polo.One of the most interesting books of travel, even though it was written so many centuries ago.”
As she prepared to leave with the two volumes he had given her, he said, “I understand you fainted one day, Eleanor.Are you quite sure you are well?”
She turned back, touched by his concern.“I’m very well, thank you.Who on earth told you?There was no need.It was the merest dizzy spell.”
“I think I have the right to know if you are ill, Eleanor.Jenny told me.I usually ask how you are.”
She hadn’t known this.“Thank you.There’s no need for concern, though.I must merely learn to avoid crowds, which is easy enough now London is thinning out.”
“Would you like to go to the country?”
