She made a face at him as he gestured for her to precede him out of the room. At the same time, he fingered the book in his pocket, a Poe collection of stories includingThe Gold Bug. Quietly pleased with himself, Gray followed after her.
*
Eleanor didn’t liketo benefit from her sister’s illness. Yet now she had accepted the idea of not going directly to Turvey House, she was enjoying herself. If she was truly honest, she would have to say she liked being in the company of Grayson and having him mostly to herself for the first time in the years she’d known him.
She had made one massive error, and he had forgiven her. The day before, after an exhilarating ride, when at lunch with his mother, Eleanor had brought up Grayson’s father, asking about the deceased Mr. O’Connor.
After all, why did something ordinary like a man living and then dying have to be shrouded in mystery?she wondered.
However, when Grayson’s mother became visibly flustered, looking neither at her son nor at Eleanor, but keeping her head down absently stirring her tea, she knew she’d made a terrible error.
At once, Eleanor had apologized to both of them.
“It’s all in the past,” Mrs. O’Connor said quietly, while Grayson said naught at all. Thus, Eleanor had learned nothing new and had caused discomfort to her lunch hosts.
Afterward, as she and Grayson walked back to Angsley Hall, she again apologized.
“It’s not your fault,” he said. “Anyone would be curious. I am, but she has never said a word about him and told me she never will.”
“And Lord and Lady Angsley know nothing about your father?”
Just then, four spaniels came running over the lawn.
“I need to speak to his lordship about their stable boy,” Grayson said, sounding annoyed. “Either he’s in charge of these dogs or he’s not.”
She thought then, he would change the subject, but he added, “I have asked Lord Angsley about my sire, and he said my mother was about to give birth when she came here, directed to come by my father, as someone who knew the family would take her in and give her work. She said he was already dead.”
Eleanor gasped. “I’m sorry. I had no idea. Not only did I think your father was a servant here, I thought your father died when you were young. I didn’t realize he passed before you were even born.”
Grayson shrugged. “I’ve been surrounded by love and acceptance all my life. And importantly, by great men who helped guide me, including both of the Angsley brothers, Beryl’s father, Harold, and Cam’s father, Gideon, before the earl passed. I don’t believe I have lacked for anything.”
She nodded. “I am glad. Your father was a good man to direct your mother here. This family is generous and welcoming. I’ve certainly experienced that.”
He fell silent and seemed thoughtful for a moment.
“Would you like to help me repay them in a small way?”
“Yes,” she said. “What do you intend?”
“Lord Angsley is secretly a bit of an amateur entomologist.”
“He likes bugs? I’ve never heard him mention it.”
“As I said, it’s a secret because Lady Angsley would not approve or appreciate it. In any case, there’s a beetle, native to England, said to be a beautiful golden color.”
“Gold?”
“Yes. You know how dragonflies are iridescent. Well, this beetle has a coating of such strange golden shine, it looks like actual gold. If we could find one, he would be most appreciative.”
Eleanor considered it. Hunting a gold bug would be like seeking treasure.
“I’ve seen shiny green beetles before. They do have a golden tinge sometimes. Would that do?” If Lord Angsley would be happy with such, she would be thrilled to provide it.
He nodded, looking thoughtful. “Perhaps it would. Maybe we can find one less green and more gold.”
“It would give us something productive to do, and we could be outdoors, which you know I enjoy. Moreover, I could bring my sketchbook.”
“But not a word to anyone,” Grayson insisted.
