Page 22 of Courting the Earl
Lord Stanley held out his arm to Lydia. “I saw a very nice landscape painting I’d very much like to share with you.”
“Oh of course, my lord. I adore landscape paintings.”
Lydia released Eleanor’s arm and took hold of Lord Stanley’s without another look back at her or Hargrove. The two proceeded a slow ramble to the other side of the large gallery.
Eleanor was now alone with a very satisfied Lord Hargrove.
Chapter 12
As one, they both turned to view the paintings nearest them. Eleanor’s attention seemed fixed on the portraits, but Geoffrey’s attention was focused on her. He watched her out of the corner of his eye as she took a step back to gaze at the paintings that were hung higher on the wall.
She’d glanced at him when Stanley had swooped in to usurp Lydia’s attention. Had she expected him to be upset? He couldn’t help but wonder how she’d react if she realized Stanley was only here because he’d let slip his plans for that afternoon. Honestly, the man was far too easy to manipulate.
He wondered how long she intended to ignore him. He’d hoped she’d be braver. It was clear that neither he nor Lydia intended to continue with the betrothal. If Stanley continued his pursuit—and it was clear the man was smitten with Lydia Pearson—then there would be no reason he and Eleanor couldn’t be friends.
Friends. He was fooling himself if he thought he only wanted friendship from this woman. In truth, he thought very highly of Eleanor Pearson. She was intelligent, witty, and very attractive. She didn’t possess the delicate beauty of her cousin, but there was no denying the fact that Eleanor’s appeal was no less distracting.
He realized, of course, that if his father hadn’t arranged this betrothal, it was very likely they wouldn’t have met. He might have seen her in passing, but he wouldn’t have come to know her. Because of his father’s need to control every detail of his children’s lives, Geoffrey had been forced to meet the woman who tempted him to consider changing his plans to put off marrying for some time yet.
Eleanor continued to study the paintings before her, diligently giving each one careful consideration before moving on to the next while he studied her. Not overtly, of course, but he was acutely aware of the woman standing next to him. If he wasn’t careful, everyone present would be able to see his interest in her.
“This is quite a lovely painting,” she said finally, just when he’d given up hope that she would speak to him at all. “I especially enjoy the way the artist has captured the sunlight streaming through the trees and the way it is reflected on the grass below them.”
He turned to look at her more fully. “You don’t like me, do you, Miss Pearson?”
He was behaving like a cad for baiting her in this way, but he was tired of trying to figure her out. She’d been friendly enough toward him at Hatchards when they’d met on those two occasions, but on others, like today, she seemed to want to avoid him altogether. It galled him that she was making him doubt himself.
She swallowed and closed her eyes for a brief moment. When she answered him, she didn’t meet his gaze. “I wouldn’t say that.”
He raised one brow. “Then what would you say?”
“Things would be much… easier… if you weren’t quite so aloof with Lydia. Heaven knows you’ve spoken more to me than you have to the woman you’re going to marry.”
He frowned and then made an effort to smooth out his expression. “We’ve already had this discussion on more than one occasion. I don’t wish to marry your cousin, so why would I go out of my way to endear myself to her?”
She sighed. “You need to try.”
“Furthermore, I’m fairly certain your cousin has no illusions about the likelihood of our arrangement ending in marriage.”
His voice was low, but to ensure their conversation wouldn’t be overheard, he’d taken a step to the left, then another, away from the small group of people standing to their right. Fortunately they were chatting among themselves and weren’t paying Eleanor and him any attention.
Eleanor gave her head a small shake. “I don’t know why you’re being so stubborn about this.”
He took another step to the left and she followed, no longer focusing on the paintings. He wanted to smile but tamped down the urge lest he give away the hand he was currently playing. “I think we all know that Miss Pearson prefers the company of someone else to mine.”
She glanced at the other side of the large room to where Lydia was smiling up at Stanley. The pair was too far away for them to overhear their conversation. Lydia burst into giggles, and Stanley’s expression could only be described as besotted. Neither of them were looking at the artwork.
Eleanor’s gaze narrowed on him. “Did you tell Lord Stanley that we were going to be here today?”
Ah, this woman was far too clever for her own good. He didn’t answer, but she must have seen the truth on his face.
“You are most vexing, my lord. When you issued this invitation, I’d hoped it was because you finally decided to make an effort to get to know Lydia. She’s delightful, and everyone loves her.”
He lifted one shoulder in an indifferent shrug. “She’s pleasant enough.”
Her lips pressed together in a line and she shook her head. “Why are you going out of your way to be so obstinate about this? I know you said you didn’t know about the betrothal until after your father passed, but if you’re acting this way to spite him, the man is long past caring what you’re doing.”
He let out a small huff of laughter. “Wherever he is, I can assure you that he cares.”
