Page 46 of Foolish Bride
He laughed. “I am afraid I will require more instruction than that, my lady.”
She accepted the next gentleman’s hand and they promenaded. Would Michael have understood her? No, he’d probably hated the play. Men never understood such things. They came together for the final turn and Middleton walked her off the floor. “People should be willing to give up everything for true love.”
“Do you really believe that?” His handsome face was expressionless, but his tone made her think that he found her ideas on love foolish.
“I do.”
“And would you?” he asked.
Her heart skipped a beat. She was saved by the music as her next partner claimed his turn on the floor.
The night continued on and on this way. She danced with almost a dozen young men.
Eventually Lord and Lady Marlton arrived. Sophia looked flushed, so the reason for their delay must have been a pleasant one.
Still, she couldn’t shake the question of whether she’d risk everything for true love. She’d thought she would, but he had rejected her and she hadn’t risked everything. She had complained but taken no real risk other than going to see him that one night. Would she give up everything for love?
Sophia’s husband approached. “You look like a woman with a lot on her mind, Lady Elinor. Would you care to dance with an old married man?”
She smiled. “I would be delighted. Your advancing years are a concern, but I shall make the sacrifice.”
“I am exceedingly grateful.” He offered his arm and led her onto the floor.
Daniel was a fine dancer. “I have become aware that my wife has been meddling into your life lately.”
Elinor smiled. “Sophia and Dory are trying to help.”
“And are they helping?” he asked.
She laughed. Speaking to a man about one’s love life was strange and unfamiliar. Still, sdo not he liked Daniel. He was one of Michael’s closest friends and had always been kind to her. “I do not know. I am still sad and confused. I really don’t know what to do. I love Michael but I am so angry with him. I do not know if I can forgive him and even if I did, would he have me? Really it would be a disaster if I chose him and he rejected me again.”
“It is a risk,” Daniel admitted.
There it was. She wasn’t the woman she thought she was. She’d been so afraid of embarrassment, that she hadn’t followed her heart. She looked at Daniel. “Thank you, my lord.”
As the music ended, he bowed. “You are flushed. Can I do anything?”
“I will just go and get some air.” She turned toward the veranda.
“Shall I accompany you?”
“No. I need a moment alone.”
“The veranda is likely filled with people, Lady Elinor.”
The heat in the ballroom would have sent half the crowd out of doors. “I practically grew up here. I know all the best hiding places, my lord.”
He nodded, and she walked away.
Elinor snuck through the library to a small private veranda. She breathed in the night air. Her situation was ridiculous. Middleton hadn’t offered for her, but it seemed he was likely to. He was kind and stable. She ran over her list in her head.
“Forgive me, my lady.” Middleton startled her.
“Your grace.” She searched behind him through the darkened library, but he was alone.
He joined her outside. “No one saw me enter. I apologize for following you. I wonder if I might have a word?”
“It’s unseemly for us to be here alone together.” She said what was expected, but in truth she was too curious to know what he wanted to care about propriety. Besides, she’d been ruined before.
