Was he referring to Prudence? Eleanor would never be so cruel. “I beg your pardon?”
“You know, the Boston Tea Party? Dumped the tea in the river? Not a part of Britain any longer after that stunt?”
It was too early to be assaulted by history. “Oh, yes. Of course. Forgive me.”
“Eleanor isn’t a morning person, Tristan. Let her have a moment.” Ophelia sat down opposite, studying Eleanor’s face.
“Oh, is that what it is? You do seem a bit stunned.” Tristan pulled back from her.
“Did you not notice when we spent an entire week together in the woods?” Eleanor managed.
“I thought that was just because we went running first thing in the morning,” Tristan said, frowning. “You seemed fine after that.”
“I was anything but fine, but it was barely morning after we were done.” Eleanor accepted the small pot of tea from the footman, relieved to have the balm for her slow mind at the ready.
“Touché,” Ophelia said, accepting her own cup. “So you see, Tristan, Eleanor is fine for running, that isn’t a concern.”
“Is it a concern?” Eleanor asked, feeling as if the rug was pulled out from underneath her. She hadn’t known that there was a problem with her performance. She’d improved towards the end of the week. Even went on that extra run. The one whereTristan kissed her—not because he was bored or restless, rather because hewantedto.
“Don’t worry about it,” Tristan said. “It’ll all work out.”
“Will it?” Ophelia challenged.
Tristan gave his sister a hard look. “Yes. It will.”
Eleanor had a feeling a discussion was being had in front of her, and she didn’t like it. Shades of her childhood were projected here, and she wasn’t having it. “I’m sorry, I would like to know what’s happening here.”
“Yes, Tristan, why don’t you tell Eleanor what you asked me.” Ophelia crossed her arms.
Now Eleanor was very confused. It didn’t sound like Ophelia was against Eleanor at all. Rather that she was defending her.
“I’d rather wait until everything has been figured out,” Tristan said, his voice firm, but no match for his sister.
“No, no. This is quite important. Eleanor needs to know.”
“Needs to know what?” Eleanor asked, looking between the two siblings.
Tristan looked down at his hands, so Eleanor looked to Ophelia.
“He’s asked me to take you off the expedition.”
Disbelief settled into Eleanor’s mind. “That can’t be right. Tristan, tell her what’s really going on.”
“Yes, Tristan, I would hate for Eleanor to be kicked off the team for a misunderstanding.” Ophelia’s voice was flat and unforgiving.
Eleanor couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She worked so hard for this. Maybe she wasn’t very good at running, but she believed that once on the mountain, she could push herself as well as the other women.
“I did ask her to release you from your obligations to the expedition.” Tristan kept looking down, not meeting her eye.
Eleanor looked in her own lap, his words reverberating in her head. She couldn’t believe it. Why would he ask to court her one night, and then kick her off the expedition the next day? There was no explanation. He was toying with her. Tears formed in her eyes. Who would be so cruel? She stood up.
She wasn’t the sort of person to have a waspish thing to say, or a slap to the cheek for impudence. The only grace in a moment such as this was dignity. She turned to leave, but he grasped her arm.
“Don’t go,” Tristan said.
She looked back at him, not knowing what was going on. Tears were about to fall, and she certainly didn’t want to suffer the embarrassment of such a display in front of him. Not when it was his cruel sport that caused them. “Why?”
“Because you must understand why I asked you to be off the expedition. It isn’t for whimsy. It’s because youmustbe off the expedition. So that I may court you. Properly. As you agreed.”
