Page 32 of Foolish Bride
She daydreamed about a ball one year earlier. Michael had promised to marry her that night. He had begged her to wait for him. He had kissed her until she lost all sense and she begged for more. Thinking back on that night made her sorry for her loss, but also she was ashamed of all the liberties she had allowed a man whom she thought would marry her.
Father cleared his throat.
Surprised that she hadn’t heard him enter, she looked up at his reflection in the mirror. Turning, she stood and said, “Good evening, Father.”
He cleared his throat again. “You are going out?”
She forced a smile. “I am to go to the theatre with Lord and Lady Marlton.”
He nodded his head copiously. It was a sign that he knew of her plans but had forgotten, and now he was overcompensating. “Yes. Fine. Marlton is an earl, after all. Don’t know why he married that American, but shows good judgment on your part that you befriended her. American or not, she is a countess now.”
There was no point in reminding him that she had befriended Sophia long before she married the Earl of Marlton. It was a shame that he had become so obsessed with the peerage, but it wasn’t her place to comment on his faults. She planted a smile on her face and waited to find out what he wanted.
Perhaps he had forgotten why he had come. He shifted from foot too foot.
“Was there something you wanted of me, Father?”
He began the nodding again. “I have to go to Spain.”
Mother must be beside herself. “When? I thought you were to remain home from now on, since you are an earl.”
When she mentioned his title, he puffed up. “I have a duty to this country, Elinor. I must leave at first light. I just wanted to tell you that I think you are doing a fine job with Middleton. I am quite proud of you.”
“Thank you, Father.” What else could she say? Her father understood nothing, and there was no sense in enlightening him. Why waste her breath?
“I know you cared for that Rollins fellow, but this will be better. You will see.” He rubbed his belly and pulled his shoulders back.
Every time she was in his company, she had to hide her annoyance with him. It was tiresome. “I am sure you are correct, Father, and that Rollins fellow is now the Duke of Kerburghe.”
“Right you are. Two dukes after you.” He laughed and stepped forward. The hug was awkward, and now she knew that Mother had sent him in to show his affection, something she had been doing since Elinor was a child. He hated it, and she had always known it was her mother’s doing and held no genuine feeling.
When she was only three or four, the nanny foisted her into his reluctant arms. It was one of her earliest memories, a quick image, really. He had been horrified by the idea of holding his daughter. Rolf Burkenstock wanted a son. It was no secret. He wanted a boy to make into a man, not a silly girl to cost him money and give little back.
She believed he really was proud of her for attracting a duke. It would look good to have a daughter who was a duchess.
“You’re a good girl, Elinor.” He patted her shoulder and moved back several steps.
“Thank you. I am glad you are pleased.”
“Indeed. I will return in a few weeks, and perhaps by then we can sew the whole thing up. You could be married by Christmas.” He clapped his hands. Grinning and nodding, he reminded her of the apes she has seen at the carnival in the country as a child.
What a relief that her father would be out of London. Not her kindest thought, but her entire body relaxed with the knowledge that no marriage contracts would be signed during that time. It meant she might actually have the time to work on Michael, if that’s what she wanted.
A burst of anger consumed her whenever she thought of her former fiancé. He had broken his promise. He couldn’t be trusted. How could she ever be sure that he wouldn’t betray her again?
Her friends’ enthusiasm for the plot was far greater than her belief it would work.
The Marlton carriage pulled up in front of the house, and she was handed up by the footman.
Mother had opted to remain home since as a married woman and a countess, Sophia was a suitable chaperone. Virginia liked drama, and her husband’s sudden departure gave her an excuse to remain above stairs for a few days.
“Are you all right, Elinor?” Sophia asked once the carriage was moving.
“Yes, fine.” She looked from Sophia to the earl, then put on her best smile and reminded herself to look happy. Internally, she wasn’t at all happy and would like to change her mind, if only she could make up her mind to begin with. Deciding that now wasn’t the time to think of these matters, she resolved to give it a good deal of thought tomorrow.
“You look very distracted.” Sophia reached across the carriage and patted Elinor’s hand.
“My father just informed me that he will travel in the morning.” At least it was mostly the truth.
