“We do– Well,Ido, anyway,” she said quietly. “Arabella.”
His eyes flicked to hers.
“And you as well, while I think on it,” she added. “It would be noticed if we disappear. If you wished to disappear into the country, we should have gone during our bridal tour. But you wished to stay near town, so everyone will expect us.”
James considered that, his expression unreadable. For a moment she feared he would dismiss her suggestion out of hand.
Instead, he said, “We may delay.”
Eleanor’s pulse fluttered. “We may?”
“Yes,” he replied. “We will discuss it further after my aunt departs.”
Relief loosened something tight in her chest.
At that moment, footsteps approached, and Frances Stapleton entered the dining room with a cheerful greeting that instantly changed the tone of the space.
“Well, hello, my dears,” she said warmly.
Eleanor smiled, and with equal warmth greeted her, “Hello, Aunt Frances.”
James inclined his head. “Aunt Frances.”
They resumed their seats as the servants poured fresh tea.
Frances smiled at Eleanor. “You look well-rested.”
Eleanor’s cheeks warmed. “Thank you.”
James cleared his throat. “I will not be joining you today.”
Frances’s brows rose. “You will abandon us already?”
“I will be occupied with the land agent,” he replied. “You will have Eleanor’s company.”
“We shall survive,” Frances said lightly and winking across the table.
Eleanor smiled faintly. “I thought we might walk the gardens. Then take a carriage into town to meet the modiste at Langford House, then Luncheon at the tea house, and return to Blackmere Park for cards before dinner.”
Frances clapped her hands together. “A perfect day!”
James rose. “I will join you for dinner. Ladies.”
He nodded to Eleanor, adjusted his cuffs, and left the room.
The door closed behind him, and silence settled again.
Eleanor stared down at her plate.
She felt Aunt Frances’s gaze rest upon her.
After a moment, Frances waved the butler and footman away. “That will be all.”
The servants withdrew at once.
Frances leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table and her chin upon her interlaced fingers. Her eyes gleamed with curiosity.
“Well,” she said, smirking. “Are wetrulygoing to do all that tiresome and respectable nonsense, or are you inclined toward something more interesting?”
