Page 20 of Courting the Earl
“So tell me, Eleanor, have you read A Fallen Lady yet?” Abigail asked.
“Oh yes, and it broke my heart. I’d been hoping for a happy ending.”
An arch look entered Abigail’s face. “The author is writing a sequel.” She leaned closer and whispered, “It’s to be titled A Lady Redeemed.”
Eleanor’s mouth dropped open. She’d heard nothing about another book. “How do you know that?” A thought struck her. No one knew who’d written the novel that had recently become a sensation. “Are you the author?”
Abigail shook her head. “Good heavens, no. But I might know who is. And no, I can’t tell you. But I know she doesn’t mind if people learn there’s to be a sequel. Her publisher will be making an announcement soon to build anticipation.”
“The author is a woman?”
Abigail shrugged. “Perhaps. Or I might be lying to throw you off.”
Her gaze flew to Hargrove, who shrugged at her unasked question. “No, it isn’t me. I may read novels, but I could never write one.”
She narrowed her eyes on the man. “Do you know who it is?”
“No.” He aimed a disapproving look at his sister. “My supposedly loving sister won’t tell me.”
Abigail glared at him in return. “Don’t try to make me feel guilty. It isn’t my secret to share. Besides, I’m fairly certain you have your own secrets you’re keeping to yourself.”
Hargrove and his sister both looked at her, and Eleanor was unable to keep the heat from rising to her cheeks.
She stood. “I should go choose my books now. It was a pleasure meeting you, Abigail.” She turned to face Hargrove, who was watching her. “I wanted to thank you, my lord, for your generosity last week. It wasn’t necessary but much appreciated.”
He inclined his head. “It was a small thing, but I was glad to do it.”
Their exchange hadn’t done anything to stem her embarrassment. She dropped into a small curtsy and fled from the reading room, feeling two sets of eyes on her until she escaped into the bookstore.
She would need to temper her reaction to Lord Hargrove. It was clear that his sister realized she’d developed a tendre for the man. She’d have to be more careful.
Chapter 11
Eleanor’s eyes narrowed as she took in the concentration on her cousin’s face while she played on the pianoforte. Lydia didn’t like to sit still for Eleanor’s drawings, but she didn’t complain today when Eleanor suggested she draw her while she was practicing. She tried to memorize the way Lydia’s mouth was flattened in a tight line, her eyes closed as she allowed the music to consume her.
When Lydia finished this song, Eleanor hoped she’d be able to convince her cousin to play another one so she could continue to draw. Lydia’s patience with the task was already drawing to a close.
The final note hovered in the air, and Eleanor had just opened her mouth to make her request when Aunt Helen entered the room.
“I’m glad you’re both here. I just received an invitation from Lord Hargrove for the two of you.” She handed the note to Lydia, who was still seated before the instrument.
Eleanor tried to ignore the spark of delight she felt at being included in the invitation. She waited with impatience as Lydia’s eyes scanned the paper. Then she walked over to Eleanor and handed it to her.
“You’re going to be delighted, Ellie.”
Eleanor took the note and glanced at the few lines. Her pulse was racing with excitement when she reached the end. “He wants us to attend the art exhibit at the Royal Academy.”
“Should I tell him that the two of you would be delighted to accompany him?”
Aunt Helen knew Eleanor would never say no to the opportunity to visit Somerset House and view the painting exhibition. But her daughter was another matter.
Lydia let out a sigh. “Tell him that we would be delighted.”
When Aunt Helen left the room, Eleanor went over to Lydia and hugged her. “Thank you.”
Lydia hugged her back. “I’m sure it won’t be horrible.”
Two days later, Lord Hargrove called to collect them. Eleanor tried to contain her exuberance and allow Lydia to take the lead in their conversation during the short drive to Somerset House. Which meant that very little was said. Fortunately, Eleanor was saved from having to jump in and take over the conversation when the carriage slowed to a halt.
