Page 97

Her mother nodded and sipped her drink, clearly feeling that she had discharged her motherly duties. Eliza felt it best not to tell her that her advice came a little late as he’d already kissed her, and she’s already kissed him back. Enthusiastically. It also struck her that her mother’s advice might not always be the best. Besides, she had the feeling that Robert appreciated her being straightforward. Not everyone was good at interpreting the courtship rituals of the Ton. She certainly had little idea, and she suspected Robert understood even less. Perhaps it meant that they made a good pair, as they could seek refuge with each other when the rules became too confusing. There did not seem to be anything wrong with that.

Chapter 45

HARYO

London

Harriet watched as Robert Ellice gazed at Eliza with an intensity that bordered on adoration. It made her heart hurt. There was no artifice, no dissembling, just plain adoration. In turn, Eliza looked so happy in his company she was about to burst. She was happy for her friend, truly she was, but couldn’t help feeling that it must be wonderful to hold the heart of a man whose feelings were so clear and uncomplicated.

She watched her brother dance with many women, but the only one he danced with more than once was Eliza. He didn’t have the same look of adoration Ellice had, but he clearly liked her a great deal.

She sighed.

‘That was a very large sigh,’ Granville said.

‘I know.’

‘Might I ask the source of your sighing?’

She rolled her eyes and smiled at him. ‘No, you may not, but you can ask me to dance.’

He bowed, one hand on his heart. ‘I would be delighted if you would honour me thus.’

Harriet rolled her eyes again and gave him her hand. This was what she meant. Eliza would be in no doubt at all that Ellice adored her. Whereas all she had from Granville was the games he played as a seasoned member of the Ton.

She went through the moves of the dance with Granville. He was an excellent dancer, and it was always a joy to dance with him. She had spent a good amount of time on the dance floor as quite a few of the young bloods that had been pursuing her were among the guests. It was a relief to dance with Granville and not have to fend them off. As it was, she was likely to receive at least one proposal on the morrow.

She sighed.

‘If you keep sighing like that,’ Granville said as they came together, ‘I shall be forced to conclude that it is down to something I have done.’

Harriet looked up at him. Was it him? Did she really want him to gaze adoringly at her? ‘Not something you have done,’ she said and omitted to add it was something he had not done.

He nodded, and they finished the dance. He led her from the dance floor, but retained her hand, tucked it into his arm, and walked her around the room.

‘Are you taking me somewhere?’ she enquired.

‘No, I’m just not ready to let you go.’

That made her look at him. He looked serious.

‘Really?’

He nodded. ‘Are you still upset about your father and Lady Elizabeth?’

She leaned into him a little. ‘No. I’m sure they will be happy and life will simply go on.’

‘Are you worried about Miss Eliza?’

‘I was, but I think the good Lieutenant Colonel is shaping up to be an excellent prospect if the way he looks at her is anything to go by.’

‘Are you disappointed Hart has not pursued her more formally?’

‘Not really. They are good friends, but Hart feels he is too young to settle. I might be inclined to agree, but I do think Eliza would be good for him. It’s a shame they are both so young.’

Granville nodded and steered her to a quieter corner. He turned to face her. ‘And us? Are you worried about us?’

How to answer that? She stared at his perfectly tied cravat. ‘Not worried, precisely.’