It was a cruel, awful lie, and Elinor had to remind herself of that each time.
Lucien’s hand brushed the small of her back, a grounding touch that Elinor told herself she did not lean back into slightly. She did not realize what it did to have support right there, holding her together should she not be able to herself.
“Excellent to hear,” Lord Hilton said, unaware of Elinor leaning on Lucien. “The two of you must join me for a drink some time at my townhouse. I am currently in the process of renovating it. I cannot have a Countess enter a home that looks as though it was decorated several decades ago. Well, it was, of course, but I amchanging that. I wish to invite my future wife, whoever she may be, into a more modern home.”
“Most considerate of you,” Lucien said. “I am doing something similar.”
“You are?”
“Indeed.”
“Then Lady Elinor must be thrilled to hear of that for her future home. Near future, I do hope, though. It is nice to see you finally settling down, Fairmont.” Elinor glanced up at Lucien, finding his jaw fluttering, but his smile remained in place. “Anyway, I shall not keep you. I am certain you both are a very popular couple here today, so I shall let you continue your rounds. Enjoy the party.”
He bowed to them before departing, and Elinor wasted no time turning to Lucien, her questions ready, but he was already prepared.
“Do not ask,” he muttered.
“I would like to,” she countered. “You ask me plenty.”
“As did you, the other night.”
“Which you did not answer.”
“I believe I did.”
For a brief second, his eyes dropped to her mouth before lifting again. When his eyes then met hers, she felt a jolt ofsomethinggo through her, something demanding and …pleasant.
Was this when they were supposed to discuss what had happened in the office at Fielding House?
But Lucien pressed on her back, urging her along.
“Does it not bother you, though?” Elinor, trying to distract her thoughts from the shape of his mouth, the taste of coffee that had lingered on his tongue. “It is clear you have built a reputation you enjoy, and now you are changing that for the sake of … Well, the children, yes, but I still do not understand it all.”
“I am certain I was quite clear that I wished to escape the marriage mart, and this was the easiest route.”
There was something sharp to his voice, not harsh, but firm, as if it was a warning for her to restrain herself before hedidget harsh.
“I understand that,” she insisted. “But what of when our engagement ends? Will you not simply be seen as available again?”
“I thought you were thinking of the children in all of this,” he said abruptly, turning back to her as more people approached them.
“I … I am,” she spluttered.
“Then focus on that rather than my own reasons, and stop asking me questions that you know the answers to.”
“Lucien—”
“Come,” he said to her. “We must get you introduced to more people.”
Elinor’s next protest died on her tongue as she let herself be guided by him further into the garden. Still, his hand did not stray from her back, and she felt the warmth of his skin through the fabric of her honey-colored gown.
Right before they were greeted by an older couple, Lucien paused. “I forgot to mention,” he said, “that I like your gown today.” As if to emphasize his point, he toyed with the fabric.
She could feel the movement against her skin, and she fought another shiver.
Despite his earlier sharpness, he smiled a little at her, as if he knew she was holding back a reaction.
“It is an old one that I never got a chance to wear,” she muttered.
