Murmurs of ascent sounded, though Eleanor doubted few would disagree.
“Now we are again gathered together, I have an announcement,” she continued.“I have decided Mr Doyle-Hampton will speak at our salon.”
Eleanor exhaled sharply, stunned.Victoria seemed just as astounded, as did the other ladies.
Mrs Hastings was the first to recover her voice.“Lady Burfield, Mr Doyle-Hampton is famously recluse.It is a mystery to all where he resides or indeed even what he looks like.”
The viscountess lifted her chin.“Be that as it may, Mrs Hastings, Iwillfind Mr Doyle Hampton and hewillspeak at our salon.”
From the corner of her mouth, Victoria murmured, “Lady Burfield is rather forceful, is she not?”
Eleanor hummed her agreement, Mr Doyle-Hampton’s book digging into her thigh.If anyone could find the author, it would be Lady Burfield.In her life, she’d never met another person so resolute.
Lady Burfield continued, outlining her plan to coax the reclusive author to her salon.Eleanor allowed her mind to wander.Perhaps she could showSophiato Benedict and they could discuss the merits of each illustration.Perhaps even she could suggest a demonstration, and he’d smile that slow, wicked smile, the one that turned her insides to liquid, and then his big hand would cup the back of her head and—
“Lord Malvern was at the ball last evening, however I did not see you.”
Jolted from her thoughts, Eleanor found Victoria regarding her.Lady Burfield had ceased speaking, and the salon attendees now conversed with each other.“Was he?”
“Yes.”Victoria frowned.“Are you no longer interested in Lord Malvern?”
Heat rose on her cheeks.“Yes, of course I—” She took a breath.“I did not attend last night’s ball, is all.”
Her friend’s brows drew further.“That is unusual.”
“I was out of sorts.My presence would not have enhanced any gathering, most especially one such as a ball, and so I removed myself so as not to disturb anyone else’s enjoyment.I sent my apologies to the host.”She was not untrue in how she had felt.After Benedict had left, shehadbeen out of sorts and unable to regain her composure, but now all she could think on was him.His hands upon her.His fingers digging into her thighs.The way he had felt in her hand.
Victoria cocked her head.“Why do you look so?”
“I do not look like anything,” she denied, even as her cheeks burn.
“You do.You are… flushed.”
“Perhaps it is hot in here.Are you not hot?”
“Not particularly.You are acting most peculiar.
“I am not,” she snapped.
Her friend’s brows shot up.
Contrition immediately suffused here.What was she doing, snapping at Victoria?“I apologise,” she said.“That was badly done of me.”
Victoria studied her.“What makes you ill, Eleanor?”she finally asked.
“I… I am out of sorts still, I suppose.”She found herself reluctant to discuss with Victoria what had happened with Benedict had shared.Even though it had been a lesson only, and she was still to embark on an affair with the Earl of Malvern, she still wished to keep what they had shared between them and them alone.It was not even concern for her reputation should any discover the things she and Benedict had done—though she had no concern Victoria would tell a soul—but she just…did not wish to tell her.
Before she could think on it further, the Burfield butler appeared at Victoria’s side to deliver a whispered message.Victoria paled and immediately stood.“I must offer my apologies and depart immediately.Do you wish to leave now, as you came in my carriage, or should you wish to stay?If it is the later, I can send my carriage for you.”
“I will leave with you.Victoria, what has distressed you so?”
“The choice has been taken from me.I must depart for Dunseith immediately.”
Her heart sank.“Lord Dunseith?”
Victoria nodded sharply once.
Taking her friend’s hand, Eleanor squeezed it gently.“I will inform Lady Burfield of our departure.”
