Page 3 of Courting the Earl
He said nothing more. Just as the moment began to stretch into awkwardness, Aunt Helen spoke. “Let me call for refreshments—”
“It is a pleasure to meet all of you, but since we haven’t been properly introduced, I should speak to Lord Appleby first.”
“Oh, of course.” Aunt Helen’s hand fluttered to her chest. “Silly me, I got carried away since you’ll soon be part of the family. My husband is in his study and is expecting you.”
Eleanor thought she saw his jaw clench at Aunt Helen’s words, but that must have been her imagination. After meeting Lydia, Lord Hargrove was no doubt overjoyed by the prospect of his upcoming marriage.
Aunt Helen summoned the footman who was waiting in the hallway and instructed him to show their guest to Uncle’s study.
Silence descended after the man left, the only sound the echo of fading footsteps. Finally they heard the murmur of male voices and then the study door closing.
When no one spoke, Eleanor sat and took up her embroidery again. “He has impeccable manners.” She wanted to comment on his good looks as well but refrained.
Aunt Helen let out a soft sniff of annoyance and returned to her seat. “Yes, he has everything we could want in a suitable match. Title, breeding, no hint of a scandal. And he’s attractive enough for dear Lydia. Not that one should base these decisions on appearance, but it does help.”
Eleanor had no doubt that her aunt was thinking about her future grandchildren, who would all be beautiful.
Lydia dropped onto the settee next to her. “He’s so old.”
Eleanor’s mouth dropped open, but she caught herself and quickly closed it again. “Unless I’m mistaken, he’s not yet thirty.”
Lydia let out a heavy sigh. “I suppose he doesn’t seem old to you, but I’m only eighteen.”
Eleanor was only twenty-five, so it wasn’t as though she was ancient herself. Still, society had a different set of rules for men and women. No one thought anything of much older men marrying young women, yet Eleanor would be considered by many to already be on the shelf. The double standard bothered her more than she cared to admit.
Lydia folded her arms over her waist and settled back into the cushions. “He barely looked at me.”
Eleanor had known that was what really bothered her cousin. Truth be told, Eleanor had been surprised as well. She could only attribute it to the fact that Lord Hargrove was no doubt a man of the world. He probably met beautiful young women every spring when society descended on London for the social season. In their neighboring village back home at their country estate, Lydia always caused a sensation. Still, Eleanor couldn’t deny that his lack of a noticeable reaction had been unexpected.
They’d yet to attend their first ball, but they’d all assumed Lydia would be the diamond of the season. Eleanor couldn’t be sure how her cousin would react if that turned out not to be true. If nothing else, it could be a character-building lesson in showing the young woman that the world did not, in fact, revolve around her.
She patted Lydia’s knee. “I’m sure it’s as he said. He just wanted to meet with Uncle first. Despite the fact the betrothal arrangements have been in place for several years, I have no doubt he’s in the study right now, asking for permission to court you.”
Lydia frowned, a small vee forming between her brows. “I’m going to make him wait.”
“You’re already betrothed,” Aunt Helen said.
“If this is to be my only season, I want to experience it fully. Papa has already agreed.”
Her aunt tried again. “But the agreement—”
Lydia shook her head. “That doesn’t mean he shouldn’t have to pursue me.”
It was times like these when it was almost painfully obvious to Eleanor just how young her cousin was. Perhaps it would be good if Lydia wasn’t the most sought-after young woman that season.
Eleanor had already learned that life didn’t always work out the way one expected it to when first her mother, then her father, died while she was still young. Lydia, by contrast, had always had the world handed to her.
She didn’t wish ill on Lydia, and Eleanor was very aware of the fact that she was one of the people who went out of their way to shelter her cousin. But she couldn’t help fearing that Lord Hargrove might not be content to dance attendance on Lydia.
She refused to consider that possibility. No, everything would work out as they’d all hoped this season.
Chapter 2
Geoffrey bowed his head and took his leave, chafing under the intense scrutiny of the three women as he followed the footman from the room. He shouldn’t have been surprised to find them waiting for him, yet he was.
When he’d sent a note to Lord Appleby yesterday to set up today’s meeting, he’d thought his intentions were clear. He wanted to discuss the betrothal agreement with the viscount, not walk into a room filled with women who’d stared at him with curious, breathless anticipation. Had they expected him to fall prostrate at the feet of Miss Pearson?
He should have asked Appleby to meet him elsewhere and wouldn’t make the same mistake in future.
