Eleanor watched, transfixed.
She had not seen him touch anyone like that. Not with warmth. Not without calculation.
When James stepped back, there was a smile on his face.
Not the dry, restrained curve she had glimpsed at breakfast. A real smile. One that reached his eyes and softened them until they looked almost young.
Eleanor’s heart did something foolish.
She looked away at once, mortified by her own reaction, and very nearly collided with a footman carrying Lady Tamblyn’s gloves.
“Forgive me,” Eleanor murmured, steadying herself.
James’s gaze flicked to her. “Are you well?”
“Yes,” she said too quickly.
He moved closer, his voice lowering as he leaned toward her ear. “You look flushed.”
Her breath caught.
“I am quite well,” she whispered.
His presence, so near, made the words feel unconvincing even to herself. She could feel the warmth of him, the faint brush of his coat sleeve against her arm. Her senses sharpened, traitorous and eager, and she hated herself just a little for it.
James murmured, “You need not look as though you are about to bolt.”
“I am not,” Eleanor replied, though her pulse suggested otherwise.
Frances watched them with keen interest, her eyes flicking from one face to the other.
“Well,” she said briskly, clapping her hands together. “I see I have arrived at an inconvenient moment.”
Eleanor turned. “No, not at all–”
“Nonsense,” Frances said kindly. “You are both exhausted. Newly married, newlyeverything.”
James straightened, a hint of his usual reserve returning. “You have only just arrived.”
“And I am staying for several days,” Frances said cheerfully. “There is no need to crowd this first hour.”
She took Eleanor’s hands again. “We shall have plenty of time to speak. I expect you will tell me everything.”
Eleanor smiled, grateful. “I look forward to it.”
Frances nodded approvingly, then turned to James. “Walk me to my room.”
James inclined his head. “Of course.”
As they moved away, Frances’s voice drifted back, warm and unguarded. “She is charming, James.”
Eleanor froze.
James said nothing.
But when he glanced back at Eleanor, there was something unreadable in his gaze.
She stood where she was until they disappeared up the stairs.
