Elinor inhaled shakily. “Another scone, Your Grace?”
“I think I am rather full,” he chuckled, likely knowing she was pointedly shifting the conversation’s focus. “But would you like one? I can prepare you another?—”
“I am fine!” she said, too quickly, too rudely, toopanicked.She cleared her throat. “I am full also.”
“But you have not touched your scone,” Joanna pointed out, and Elinor could only laugh anxiously, still fiddling with the embroidered doily.
“Nevertheless.” The duke cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the room once more.
How could he not? He was charming; he was handsome. He was everything that Belinda ought to be matched with, yet it was somehow Elinor he had chosen to have this farce with.
“I was wondering, Lady Morland, if you and your daughters are planning to attend the Hales’ ball? I believe it is coming up in several days.”
“Of course we are,” Elinor’s stepmother affirmed. “Lady Hale and I are good friends. I received our invitation several weeks ago. She is always overly prepared.”
“Then I am certain I will see Lady Elinor in attendance at this one.” The duke inclined his head at Elinor. “Seeing as you weresovery unwell at the last one.”
“So unwell,” she answered in a tight voice, fighting a smile.
“I do hope you do not find yourself otherwise occupied.” He lifted a teasing brow, and heavens, he was acting far too well.
Elinor had never known the attention of a suitor, and now she was beneath it, whether it was an act or not—which of course itwas, because a man like him would never look twice at her in other circumstances—she did not know how to keep herself composed.
She had always put her studies above everything else. Nothing had ever been appealing in the way her studying felt. Yet now … now, she felt herself falling into those green eyes that were the color of the greenest grass as it grew anew in spring.
Compose yourself, Elinor, she thought.You think you are a terrible actress, but you are certainly playing the blushing lady very well.
She took another several seconds to convince herself that, yes, itwasan act, and an act only. Finally, she shook her head. “I will be there.”
“She … will be.” Her stepmother frowned, as if realizing the duke had just personally invited Elinor regardless of any bans Lady Morland had thought to keep up.
“On good behavior, of course,” Belinda insisted.
The duke let out a hard laugh. “Oh, let us not fool ourselves. Plenty of rakes and scandalized ladies attend those balls and are certainly not on their best behavior. I know I have not been in the past.” He flashed a devastating grin at them all equally. “So, if Lady Elinor finds herself abrasive with her speech, then I shall listen, if that is indeed your worry, ladies.”
Her stepmother let out a high, shrill laugh, as if the idea was absurd. It was not; that was exactly what they feared: that somebody, one day,wouldlisten to Elinor. That perhaps she would say something just beyond her passions and intelligence and sciences. That maybe she would speak out about their cruelty.
For now, she bit her tongue.
“I am certain my stepdaughter is grateful for your kind consideration, Your Grace,” Lady Morland said carefully.
Elinor, dutifully, nodded.
“Then it is settled.” The duke smiled brightly, bracing his hands on his knees as he stood up. “I shall take my leave, for I know I have taken up a considerable amount of your ladies’ time. I shallsee you at the Hales’ ball.” He addressed them all, but his eyes were only for Elinor, a pointed, repeated invitation.
“You ought to see your guest out, then, Elinor,” Lady Morland said, already rising. She curtsied to the duke, with Belinda angrily following suit, and Joanna, who had not said a great deal at all, did too.
“I shall,” Elinor murmured. She stood and led the Duke of Fairmont to the door of the parlor. In a hushed voice, glancing back at her stepfamily before returning her gaze to him, finding it ever so intense, she spoke in a hushed tone. “I think you overdid it with the compliments. Belinda will not be pleased.”
“I do not care for Lady Belinda,” he answered back in a voice scarcely above a murmur.
“I care for the repercussions of her jealousy,” she whispered.
“Then we shall discuss it. I cannot make it to the workhouse tonight, but I am certain I will have a moment to speak with you alone at the ball.”
“If I am permitted,” she admitted, almost bitterly.
“I am a duke.” He gave her that winning smile once more. “I have authority above your stepmother. If I wish to speak with you alone, I shall.”
