Then he made his way outside and found a spot in the farthest reaches of the garden, where the only light was starlight and the sliver of a silver moon. And there he waited. With his heart in his hands.
*
Eleanor’s gaze jumpedabout the room. Seeking. Yearning.
Anxiety spiked through her body. But it wasn’t the panic she’d become so familiar with in the last couple of years of being out in society.
Instead of dread, it was anticipation that tightened her muscles. Instead of an icy paralysis, it felt as though the energy inside her wastrying desperately to expand beyond her reach and control. It took a significant amount of willpower to rein herself in.
She had no idea what she’d do if she saw him.Whenshe saw him, she corrected, because she’d already decided that if the viscount didn’t make an appearance here tonight, she would simply go to him. So was not going to let the man leave England before she had a chance to be fully honest.
The very idea of exposing herself in the way she would need to—not physically, but emotionally, which was somehow so much scarier—caused a trembling in her hands. She linked them tightly together. And scanned the room once again.
Her cousins had stepped away nearly twenty minutes ago, with swift glances of assurance. And Ralston had taken Miss Dickson to the dance floor at least ten minutes past.
If Phin were going to seek her out and approach her, now would be the time.
She was so intent on searching the sea of faces for one handsome visage, she was slightly startled when the liveried footman stepped up to her with a stiff bow.
“A message, my lady,” he said in a low voice while extended a silver tray containing a few champagne flutes, one of which had a small slip of paper tucked beneath it.
Excitement raced along her nerves as she took the glass of champagne and swept the note into her palm with the other hand. She nodded to the servant and waited until he stepped away before she took a sip. The bubbly drink was cool and subtly bracing. On her second sip, she started to stroll toward a large fern set near a window.
As casually as she could manage, she ducked behind the plant and set her glass on the pedestal so she could open and read the note.
I’m waiting beneath the stars.
Her heart jolted within her, sending delicate shockwaves throughher blood. She knew the handwriting as Phin’s from his prior notes. And though her initial response was elation, that hopeful emotion quickly tumbled into concern.
What if he was there to say goodbye?
What if he wasn’t attending the ball as a guest, because he was leaving tonight and was dressed for travel?
The thought spurred her forward.
Clutching the note in her fist, she rushed toward the exit to the garden. Another couple stood on the terrace, but they were engrossed in each other and paid her no heed as she swiftly and quickly sped down to the garden path and continued into the shadows. She doubted he would be near the house. Likely, he was waiting toward the back gate. In the shadows beneath the stars.
As Eleanor came around a curve in the path, she was brought up short by the sight of another couple, seated close to each other on a stone bench. She recognized Ralston immediately and gasped, bringing her hand to her chest.
Her brother had his arm around the woman beside him, his stare intent upon her face. Though his companion was turned away from her, Eleanor had no doubt it was Miss Dickson.
When he glanced over the lady’s shoulder, a look of displeasure swiftly claimed his features.
“Eleanor?”
“Goodness, Ralston,” she breathed in a whisper, her nerves still in a riot.
Miss Dickson finally turned to face her. Though it was clear even in the starlight, that the young woman had been crying, her expression was simply curious.
Despite the unexpected encounter, Eleanor had not forgotten why she was rushing through the garden. She curled her hand tighter around the crumpled note and cast a glance toward the back wall. Was Phin out there? Waiting? Maybe watching her right now?
“You cannot be out here,” she blurted, bringing her attention back to Ralston.
He glanced at his companion and cleared his throat before standing and drawing Miss Dickson up alongside him. He nodded to Eleanor. “You’re right. Thank you. Head back to the ball. We’ll be right behind you.”
She hesitated. Damn. He thought she’d come out to remind him of propriety? She couldn’t exactly walk past him now. He’d certainly insist on knowing where she was headed and why.
After glancing toward the wall again, she turned and made her way back the way she’d come. As soon as she was out of her brother’s sight, however, she slipped off the path into the deeper shadows of the garden, tucking herself beneath the branches of a flowering tree. She’d have to wait for a bit before circling back. Hopefully, her brother would assume she’d gotten lost in the ballroom crowd.
