Bridget’s smile was sweet and sad as she shook her head.
“The opposite, my dear. I believe your mother is still confused. That she confuses the loss she feels over her oldest son with the idea that she can still feel him, as both are great, overwhelming emotions.”
Elara’s small, hopeful smile faded, and she took a step back.
“You think I should give up as well,” she said, her tone accusatory.
“I do,” Bridget agreed. “If not for yourself or your brother, then for your mother. What you have been doing is dangerous, Elara, and if harm should befall you, how do you think your mother would take it?”
Elara suddenly paled at the image her mind conjured. Her and Adrian’s mother, Nora, had nearly gone mad when Evander’s death was announced, and she still struggled two years later. If Elara were hurt—or worse—she was sure that whatever strings of sanity Nora still clung to would be shorn in half, forcing their mother to sink fully into madness.
Her heart broke at the thought.
“Point well made, sister,” Elara said with a defeated sigh.
Feeling weary from the morning’s argument, Elara bid Bridget farewell and promised to meet her after her nap to discuss the upcoming family ball. She had only made it as far as closing the study door when she looked up and found Adrian approaching,baby Samuel tucked into his arms, the child’s bright blue eyes wide and alert.
“She was right, he was awake,” Adrian said, nodding down to the baby in his arms.
“So she was,” Elara murmured, taking in the sight of her brother holding a baby.
It was a strange sight indeed. Not just for her brother, but for any man, really, to be holding a baby. She did not remember her father ever picking her or her brothers up. Nor did she remember her late uncle picking up Caroline. It was a rare sight to see such a thing.
And yet…
Yet last night, there had been a baby in Constantine’s house… had there not? She was sure the cry had come from the adjacent room, and by the way he reacted so quickly, it surely came from a baby he cared about. Yet it was not his, was it? Surely theton’srumor mill would have produced such grist if the Duke of Ashworth had borne an illegitimate child and cared for it in his very house.
“Elara, are you well?”
Elara jerked out of her reverie and blushed as she looked up to find she was still standing in front of Adrian and Samuel. Her brother watched her, worried, as he gently bounced his son.
“I am... fine,” she answered, then smiled kindly as she reached out and stroked a gentle finger over baby Sam’s hand. He cooed and gurgled at the touch, making her smile widen and her heart throb with affection.
“I just need a moment to gather my thoughts,” she assured Adrian, pulling back gently from her nephew. “You and Bridget are right, of course. I am nine-and-ten, and it is time for me to focus on my belated debut.”
Adrian’s brows drew up in surprise.
“I am grateful to hear your change of heart,” he replied.
Elara glanced up at him, keeping her smile in place, and nodded. A plan began to take shape as she bid them goodbye and took to her rooms. Once she had privacy, she began sketching out her goals.
Yes, she was going to focus on her debut. Yes, she was going to allow Bridget’s upcoming ball to be the initial part of that debut. However, she aimed to do this to draw the Duke out and learn more about his mysterious family. She was not yet sure if Evander was truly involved with the Harcourts, but she was determined to understand what the Duke meant when he mentioned Evander last night. Out of additional curiosity, she also wanted to find out whose baby was in his house.
Just how many secrets does this man keep?
Chapter 5
Two Weeks Later
“It should be up, I think,” Nora Mason, the Dowager Duchess of Redgrave, said, holding Elara’s raven curls high atop her head. “But with her curls falling down on either side of her face. What do you think?”
“Oh, I agree,” Bridget replied readily, using her own hands to twist some of Caroline’s lighter curls. “And for you, darling, perhaps up with some braids?”
Elara and Caroline glanced at each other as they sat side by side at their vanities, knowing it was no use answering. The two duchesses were in their own excited element and more in tune with one another’s opinions than with either of their own. Not that either young lady minded much. It was the first ball the Mason family had hosted since well before Evander’s passing had been announced, and it felt good to see her mama excited about something after all this time.
“Pearls for Caroline?” Bridget asked Nora.
“Yes, yes, and rubies for Elara,” Nora answered excitedly. “No, wait! What color is her dress this evening?”
