Page 37 of Foolish Bride
The three men sat quietly. Thomas and Michael enjoyed their brandies and ordered more while Roxton was comfortably insensible throughout.
Roxton opened his eyes and shouted, “Pretender!” It took him a moment to gain focus on the two gentlemen sitting with him.
“Welcome back,” Thomas said.
“I have petitioned the crown.” His words slurred into one long one.
Michael placed his empty glass on the table and stood. “Then we shall see if your appeal stands up, Roxton. Good evening.”
Thomas stood as well. “A pleasure to have met you, Roxton. Do stop by again.” Then he followed the Duke of Kerburghe from the club.
Chapter 9
At her writing desk, Elinor listed all Michael’s attributes and all of his failings. She included reasons she should not consider Dory’s quest to reunite them and also her own feelings for her ex-fiancé. She wrote how angry she was when he was near and how sad after he walked away.
“Darling, do you think the yellow or the blue for Castlereagh’s ball?” Virginia stood in the doorway with a small writing book similar to Elinor’s. Holding it in front of her face, she did not even look at her daughter.
Elinor closed her book of lists. “Has Father left already?”
Waving a hand, Virginia sighed. “Before dawn. I said my goodbyes last night. I will never understand why these trips he makes must always begin at such inconvenient times. It is not at all gentlemanly to rise so early.”
Elinor gave a small smile. “I believe it lends to the mystery and import of the trip.”
“I suppose.” A tear spilled down Virginia’s cheek. “What are you doing, dear?”
Elinor kept the little book closed. “Making some lists.”
“Excellent. I always say it is the best way to be certain you have not forgotten anything.”
“I know, Mother.”
“Is there anything I can help you with?”
“No, thank you. I am just sorting through a few things.”
Virginia smiled and patted her own book. “Then making lists is just the thing. I can never sort through anything without my lists.”
“The blue would be lovely,” Elinor said.
Virginia examined her own list with narrowed eyes. “Yes, the blue would be perfect. Thank you, dear.” She swirled out of the room.
Relieved her mother hadn’t asked further questions about her list-making, Elinor sighed. They both had an obsession with lists. Many people would think it silly to make so many lists about so many things, but the lists always put her frantic mind in order and gave her focus. Most days her lists were about what she needed to accomplish or buy. Then she might make a list of requests from the household staff or trimmings for her next gown. She almost always had a list of people she needed to call on.
Elinor returned to her book. There wasn’t enough on either the positive side or the negative side to make a decision.
How she wished she could consult Mother about the whole messy subject. She couldn’t, however. Virginia was enamored with Middleton, and nothing would sway her. She told all of her friends that her daughter was to be the next Duchess of Middleton.
Elinor rubbed her temple and tore the list out of the book. She put it next to her other list detailing Middleton’s attributes and failings. She picked up the Middleton list. Most of her comments had been favorable. He was smart, kind, and exceedingly rich. He obviously did not like that she was pining for Michael, but he had been patient thus far. He was handsome and elegant, and she liked him. Mother was thrilled with him, and Elinor liked to make her parents happy. In fact, she only had one negative comment.
I do not love Middleton, and I never will.
She put both lists together and tucked them away inside her desk.
“I am not ready to make a decision. I need to see Michael and talk to him without losing my temper, and I must spend more time getting to know Middleton.” No one was there to argue, so she opened a new page and wrote those two objectives down before placing it with the other two.
Throughout the day, she would return to her room and pull out the three lists. She added to them and scratched notes in the corners.
She was to go to the park the next day with Dory and Sophia. Somehow, Sophia had knowledge of Michael being there. Her stomach fluttered. She took a deep breath. It was what she needed, more time with both men.
