Page 60 of Foolish Bride
Elinor wasn’t so sure. “If you say so, Dory.”
* * * *
Middleton sat next to Elinor at dinner, while Michael had been seated across the table and several places to the left.
The room was blistering and while the conversation was lively, Elinor couldn’t seem to follow what was being said. Her dress pulled and pinched with perspiration.
Middleton spoke of the weather, riding, and plans to go for a ride the following day.
Her gaze wandered toward Michael.
He was engrossed in whatever his brother, Everett, told their host about life at school. It was unusual for boys of Everett and Sheldon’s age to join an adult party for dinner. Sophia’s American sensibilities differed, and she insisted the boys were quite old enough for such a gathering.
Elinor smiled down the table at Michael’s youngest brother, Sheldon. He sat across from Daniel’s sister, Cecelia, and gazed longingly at her. Obviously, he was enamored with the slightly older woman. The young lady spoke to her dinner partner, oblivious to the adoration from the other side of the table.
Sheldon looked down the table and spotted Elinor watching him. He colored deep red, then smiled brightly and waved.
“Lady Elinor,” Middleton said.
“Yes, your grace?”
He lowered his voice for her ears only. “Might I have a few moments of your time tomorrow afternoon?”
She had to stifle a sigh. If he was going to propose, what would she say? “I believe we shall have a picnic on the lawn tomorrow, your grace. You shall certainly see me.”
He smiled and leaned forward. His warm scent followed. “I thought to have a private moment.”
In spite of the fact that it meant more complications, she liked his company and could think of no reason to deny him.Damn.“I see. Then I shall meet you in the gazebo before the gathering. Will that suit, your grace?”
“That would be delightful.” He smiled brightly while nodding.
When the last course was served, Elinor was grateful. She put down her fork and breathed a sigh of relief. The heat was beyond bearable. “Would you excuse me, your grace?”
He rose as she did. “Are you unwell, Lady Elinor?”
“Not at all,” she assured him. “It’s just that I am quite warm. I shall return shortly.”
“Shall I accompany you?”
She touched his sleeve, hoping the gesture would keep him in place. “No. I just need a moment for…” She trailed off, leaving him to believe nature called.
The heat of the day still lingered in the garden, but a breeze blew and it was extremely pleasant to be alone and quiet. She knew she should return to the table. The gentlemen would adjourn to the library soon, and the ladies would begin to wonder where she was. But as she stood with her eyes closed, the breeze against her skin was so delicious that she couldn’t force herself to return to that heat-box.
“You look like a goddess standing there.”
Her eyes snapped open. “Michael.”
“I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
“No. I had thought I was alone. I should go.” She stepped back.
He closed the distance between them and rested one hand on her shoulder. “I wish you would stay a moment. We have had little time to talk since the orangery, and what conversation we did have did not go as I’d planned.”
Being near him made her want to cry but it also made her want to fall into his arms and never leave. It was ridiculous. “Do we need to talk?”
“I think we do.”
She wasn’t sure what to say, but she wouldn’t cower like a school girl when the topic became intimate. Silence and miscommunication had gotten them to this point. “Are you still suffering from head pain?”
