“Love you,” she murmured after as they laid side by side. She would have to return to her own room, but for now, he pulled her into a tight embrace and ran a soothing hand down her spine.
How different it felt this time, and not because the first time was behind them. They were not facing their permanent separation and the realisation that they could never be together. Eleanor loved him, and they would finally be allowed to marry.
* * *
When he awoke,far later than his habit, Eleanor was gone. He had expected that, of course, and he consoled himself with the fact that soon he would wake up every morning with her by his side. As his servant came and left, and he rose to face the day, it seemed, as far as the thickness of the walls allowed him to judge, that a carriage was driving up to the door. He did not want any visitors to interrupt his last few hours with Eleanor, but after the first perturbation of surprise passed away, Philip decided it must be one of Eleanor’s brothers.
Eleanor must have hurried down to welcome whichever brother had arrived, and Philip dressed and readied to do the same. They by now must have heard the news or read in the papers that Vaughan had died. If it was Henry, they could tell him Philip had proposed to Eleanor. So long as Henry never knew where Eleanor spent the night, he would congratulate them. If it was Frederick, Philip might still tell him, but he was certain Frederick’s congratulations would not be as heartfelt as Henry’s would be.
Philip just reached the head of the stairs when, to his great astonishment, he heard, in his loudest tone, General Tilney’s voice resounding through the vestibule.
“And he is still here?” he demanded. “They said in the stable yard that he came yesterday.”
“Yes, he arrived yesterday afternoon,” Eleanor calmly replied.
“To see you?”
As he came down the stairs, Philip heard her hesitate. “I, I am certain he hoped to call on the entire family.”
“That is not at all what I meant,” the general shouted in his usual impatient tone. “A viscount! I read about it in the papers Friday morning and left immediately. I stopped only long enough to sleep and change the horses. I have not made such good time from London in all my life.”
“What did you read, and why did you hurry home on such short notice?”
“His Lordship’s death notice! Robert Brampton died of influenza, and Philip Brampton is now Viscount Vaughan.”
“Yes, it is a tragedy, but why did you leave London?”
“How can you ask such a question? Eleanor, I honestly wonder at your good sense, but so long ashedoes not care, it is no matter.” He stepped nearer to Eleanor, leaning directly into her face, but she did not so much as flinch. “I came to make absolutely certain you were correct in thinking he admired you. I would have invited him to come at once, but now they say he arrived yesterday. And do you think he still—ah, my lord!”
It was a deeply strange moment to have the imposing, dictatorial General Tilney incline his head to Philip Brampton.I am not Philip Brampton any longer.He was now a viscount with a fortune, and General Tilney suddenly had a great affection for him. Philip looked at Eleanor and saw her head lowered in mortification.
“I am sorry for your loss.” The general shook his hand as though they were dear friends. “Very sorry indeed, but what a change in fortune you have had.”
To Philip, he did not sound distressed in the slightest. “I would trade it all to have my cousin restored to me.”
“Certainly, yes, His Lordship was an honourable, amiable man. His loss is deeply felt.” General Tilney had a talent for putting on a polite manner for public view, and Philip bit back the type of retort that only a wealthy peer could get away with saying to a general. “Have you come to Northanger to better your acquaintance with your second cousin?” His voice lilted hopefully. “I am sorry to have been away when you arrived, but you need not stand on ceremony with your friends here. You are always welcome, you know.”
Every word was a hypocrisy that insulted Philip Brampton as it was designed to flatter the new Viscount Vaughan. “Thank you,” he said, for Eleanor’s sake. “I came to ask for an audience with Eleanor, and now that you have come home, we must beg a moment of your time.”
Eleanor smiled at his inclusion, looking a little surprised. It struck him how little accustomed she was to being included, to being treated as an equal. Philip resolved to always treat her better than her father did, to respect her judgment, to ask for her opinion, and to consider her input and her feelings.
The general looked positively delighted. “Let us go to my library, but we have no need of you, Eleanor. None. I must speak with His Lordship.”
Eleanor’s countenance was dejected, yet sedate, and its composure at such a dismissal spoke of her being inured to such treatment.
The general led the way without another word, but Philip rolled his eyes. He called after him, “We do have need of Miss Tilney, as this conversation will be entirely about her.” Philip looked meaningfully at Eleanor and asked, “Would you care to join us?”
General Tilney looked thoroughly shocked as his face turned red. Eleanor immediately said she would rather walk the grove until they were finished. Her father gave her a dismissive nod and then strode toward the library.
“Eleanor,” Philip said, surprised, “you deserve to be there.”
“This particular battle is not one you have to fight,” she said firmly. “There will be others, I am sure.”
Before Philip followed the general, he squeezed Eleanor’s hand and whispered, “I love you.”
She smiled and said quietly, “Be as patient as you can.”
Philip felt his agitation rise as he entered the library. How many times had he imagined addressing General Tilney on the subject of Eleanor? Every time he imagined the interview, it always ended with the general’s adamant, pitiless refusal. He had been too afraid of the confrontation, of facing the certain rejection, and of his pride being insulted. And now General Tilney was gesturing for him to sit, smiling at him, his features awash in eagerness.
