Page 13 of Courting the Earl
“And the land he sold to your father?”
“The solicitor is dragging his feet on providing me with the details, but I’m sure it can’t be worth more than what his daughter would stand to gain marrying Stanley.”
Holbrook shook his head. “Life doesn’t always go according to plan. They could find that they don’t suit.”
He tried not to wince at the thought. “Then I’ll have to find someone else. It won’t be difficult. I’m sure their Grosvenor Square town house will be filled with men this afternoon, all vying for the role of future husband to Miss Pearson.”
Chapter 7
Lord Hargrove called promptly at four thirty p.m. He’d been one of the many suitors who had called on Lydia the previous afternoon and was given permission to take Lydia for a ride at Hyde Park today during the fashionable hour.
Aunt Helen’s dictate that they needed to keep him waiting this afternoon made no sense. Worse, Eleanor feared it would cause him to reconsider the apparent change of heart he’d had.
After their conversation at the Clarington ball, she’d been surprised to hear him issue the invitation. He’d confessed that he didn’t want to marry Lydia, but he must have changed his mind. At the very least it seemed that he’d decided it best to get to know her better.
The supper dance at the ball had been another waltz. Eleanor had stood off to the side and watched the two of them dance. They were opposite in every way, but no one could deny that they made a lovely couple. Hargrove was tall and dark-haired while Lydia was petite and fair-haired. They complemented each other perfectly.
Now she and Lydia waited in the music room. Lydia was wearing a white day dress while Eleanor had reverted back to her customary attire of a simple morning gown. But at least it wasn’t the horrid yellow one. Lydia had made good on her word and had given it to one of the maids. This one was a simple dress of blue muslin, but the color was flattering against her skin.
When the footman informed them that Lord Hargrove had arrived, they waited ten minutes, just as Aunt Helen had ordered. Eleanor hated the idea of keeping him waiting, and the minutes stretched interminably.
Finally they were allowed to leave the music room. Aunt Helen and Lydia walked arm in arm to join their guest in the drawing room, and Eleanor followed.
She had to bite her tongue to keep from apologizing for keeping him waiting. Instead, she took up her position next to Lydia and did her best to disappear. Normally she didn’t have to try, but Hargrove had a bad habit of actually looking at her and including her in their conversation as they chatted about the weather and various balls they would be attending.
Finally Aunt Helen released them with effusive smiles at Hargrove. He bowed politely and then offered Lydia his arm. Eleanor tried to ignore the small twinge of emotion as she walked behind them out to his carriage. She absolutely was not jealous.
Hargrove helped Lydia up into the open-air carriage before turning to her and holding out his hand. Eleanor hesitated a moment, her thoughts going back to how it had felt to place her hand in his when they’d waltzed. Pushing back the memory, she accepted his offered hand.
This man shouldn’t make her so nervous. Despite the reservations he’d confessed to her, he would be marrying her cousin at the end of the season. When that happened, she’d be seeing the two of them together often.
His thumb moved over the back of her hand as she lifted her foot onto the first step, and the shock of the caress caused her to stumble. His fingers tightened on hers, and their eyes met and held for several long moments.
“Did you hurt yourself, Ellie?” Lydia’s genuine concern broke the tension between them.
Heat rose into Eleanor’s cheeks as she climbed into the carriage. “I misjudged the height of the step, but I am well.”
Lydia smiled. “I did that last year and turned my ankle.”
Hargrove sprang up into the carriage and settled onto the bench seat across from them.
Lydia kept up a constant stream of chatter as the carriage progressed to the park. The rumble of Hargrove’s voice as he added a word here and there had her struggling not to squirm in her seat despite the fact that his words were a little distant, though polite. Lydia didn’t seem to notice, but Eleanor couldn’t help remembering the way he’d pulled her close when they were dancing and vowed not to let her stumble. He’d caught her again just now, but he’d also been the cause of her misstep. She was certain it was an accident, however. A product of her overactive imagination.
Eleanor kept her eyes cast down during the ride, resisting the almost overwhelming temptation to stare at Hargrove. She had to keep reminding herself that she was only there because she was acting as Lydia’s chaperone. Hargrove would never call on Eleanor and escort her to Hyde Park.
Grosvenor Square was right next to the park, and so they soon reached their destination.
Lydia’s eyes scanned the crowds. “I’ve never been here during the fashionable hour. I didn’t expect there to be so many carriages. Oh, and you can also stroll! Can we walk?”
Eleanor smiled. It was impossible not to become caught up in her cousin’s enthusiasm. She also knew that Lydia loved chatting with people and she would hate being cut off from everyone if they remained in the carriage.
“Of course,” he said before turning to instruct the driver to meet them at the end of the promenade.
He helped them down, and Eleanor was careful not to trip. Of course, this time she didn’t allow herself to overreact at the feeling of her hand in his. He certainly had not caressed her hand with his thumb. She’d imagined the sensation.
He offered Lydia his arm, but his eyes met Eleanor’s over her cousin’s head. Eleanor forced herself to look away and wait for the couple to pass her. As their chaperone, she would follow behind them. Invisible.
Chapter 8
