Page 19 of Courting the Earl
She settled into a seat. “I’ll keep your sister company. If she begins to feel unwell, I’ll come fetch you.”
“I won’t be long.” He shook his head and looked at Lady Cranston. “If I overtire you, we both know your husband won’t be pleased, and I’d rather not have his anger directed at me.”
His sister laughed. “I’m always tired, so don’t worry.”
He glanced back at Eleanor before turning and exiting the reading room.
“I thought he’d never leave,” his sister said. “You should call me Abigail since it seems we’ll be getting to know one another.”
Eleanor smiled. “Of course. And you may call me Eleanor.”
Abigail examined her for several seconds before speaking again. “My brother likes you.”
Heat flooded Eleanor’s face, and she couldn’t help feeling as though she’d been caught doing something wrong.
“Do you know about the connection between your brother and my… family?” If Hargrove’s sister didn’t know about the betrothal, Eleanor wasn’t going to be the one to inform her. Not when an announcement wouldn’t be made for several months yet.
Abigail nodded. “Yes, he told me about the”—she lowered her voice to a whisper—“betrothal.”
Eleanor felt a measure of relief at the admission. She hated to think that Hargrove would have kept it a secret from his sister. “I am very close to my cousin. It would make matters quite uncomfortable if your brother didn’t like me.”
“I wish for my brother to find happiness when he marries. I don’t know if that’s possible if his hand is being forced.”
Eleanor could understand the woman’s concern, but it bothered her that Hargrove’s sister seemed to be judging Lydia unfairly without having met her. “I can assure you that Lydia will make him a good wife.”
Abigail tilted her head to one side. “And what of love?”
A pang of emotion Eleanor refused to name went through her. She had to take a deep breath before replying. “Love is something that happens in novels.”
Abigail sighed. “I can assure you that isn’t true. My husband and I love one another. I wish the same for my brother.”
It was almost impossible to ignore how her heart was racing. “We can’t all be so fortunate.”
Abigail’s scrutiny was beginning to make her feel uncomfortable. She didn’t sense any maliciousness in it, but she couldn’t help but wonder whether Hargrove’s sister actually believed he was developing feelings for her. Not over Lydia, whom every other man wanted.
Abigail reached over and patted her on the hand. “I want to mention this before my brother returns. Please know that you are always welcome to call on me. I don’t venture out often, but I can still receive visitors for at least two months before I enter my confinement.”
Eleanor smiled. “Thank you. I’m surprised you’re still receiving callers.”
“Oh, we’re not open to many. I find it annoying, but I do require quite a bit of rest. But we are always open to friends.”
The words warmed Eleanor’s heart. “Perhaps after your confinement we can get to know one another better.”
Abigail smiled. “I look forward to that. But if you ever need anything…” She glanced toward the door to the main bookstore. When she continued, her voice was just above a whisper. “If you ever need to contact my brother, you can do so through me. No questions asked.”
Eleanor’s thoughts scrambled at the implication. She was about to assure Hargrove’s sister that would never happen when Abigail said, “Here he comes now.”
When Hargrove reached them, his gaze moved over his sister. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m not about to collapse, Geoff. But the two of us have been having a delightful conversation about you.”
Hargrove winced as he looked at Eleanor. “Don’t believe anything she tells you.”
Eleanor laughed, lightness filling her. It did something strange to her sensibilities to see him like this with his sister. It was so different from the stiff demeanor he portrayed whenever he was with Lydia, and she couldn’t help but think that if her cousin ever saw this side of him, she would do everything in her power to capture this man’s heart.
That thought shouldn’t displease her, yet it did. It was an emotion Eleanor knew she had no right to feel. Lord Hargrove was friendly with her and had shown her a side to his personality that Lydia hadn’t seen, but he could never be hers.
She tore her gaze from his, needing a moment to regain her equilibrium.
