Page 21 of Courting the Earl
They’d driven by Somerset House before but had never gone inside. Eleanor was awed by its vast size. She was so excited she didn’t even stumble when Lord Hargrove helped her down from the carriage.
She smiled her thanks and fell into step next to Lydia, who took Hargrove’s arm.
Lord Hargrove had clearly been there before. He led the way with ease. “The climb up to the Great Room is steep, but I assure you the exhibit will be worth the effort.”
Lydia was first onto the curved staircase. “Ellie has been looking forward to this since you sent the invitation. Did you know she draws? She’s very talented.”
“Is she?” He sent her a pointed look that she found impossible to decipher.
She tried not to think about it as she followed Lydia up the steep staircase. But when Hargrove moved into position behind her, she realized he now had an unimpeded view of her backside as they climbed the stairs. She imagined that she could feel the heat of his eyes on her the entire way up—really, she didn’t think she’d ever climbed a staircase that had quite so many steps.
When they were almost at the top, she could no longer resist the urge to turn around and see what he was doing. She froze in place when she realized it hadn’t been her imagination. He was staring at her backside!
He seemed to tear his eyes away, and when he met her gaze, there was a heat in their depths that unsettled her. And then he had the temerity to shrug.
With a small huff, she made her way up the last few steps to join Lydia, who was waiting for them.
But then Eleanor was struck speechless when she took in the Great Room.
It lived up to its name, being quite large, and the walls were impossibly high. And every inch of the walls was completely covered with paintings. Curved windows lined the top of each wall providing plenty of light to showcase the art on display.
Eleanor let out a small gasp, and Lydia laughed.
Hargrove joined them. “I take that to mean you approve?”
She sighed. “Between Hatchards and now Somerset House, I don’t know which is my favorite.”
Lydia tucked her arm into hers. “Silly goose, you don’t have to choose. I’m sure you’ll be able to come back here again.”
“Indeed,” Hargrove said. “I’m rather fond of the exhibit myself.”
Lydia let out a small gasp, and Eleanor glanced at her in alarm. “Is something the matter?”
Her cousin let out a small laugh that Eleanor knew was one she used when she was trying to affect an air of nonchalance.
“Of course not. Why would you say that? Come, Ellie, let us start here on this end of the room.”
Lydia dragged her a few steps away from Hargrove and then tilted her head closer. When she spoke again, it was in a whisper. “Lord Stanley is here. Oh no, don’t look. We mustn’t be caught staring. He must come to us.”
A thread of alarm went through her. This was all wrong. Lydia was supposed to be excited because she was here with Lord Hargrove and not because she’d spotted a different man.
“You’re here as Lord Hargrove’s guest.”
“Yes, yes, of course. But promise me, Ellie. If Lord Stanley greets me, you must distract Lord Hargrove. Draw him away to talk about a painting on another wall. I’m sure you’ll have no difficulty with that.”
“Lydia…”
“We are in a public room. Look at all the people who are here! Nothing untoward will happen.”
“I suppose you’re correct.”
Lydia squeezed her arm in reply, and together they turned to view the paintings before them. Eleanor found it impossible to concentrate, however, because Hargrove reached her side and stood much too close. And then Lord Stanley appeared beside Lydia.
“Miss Pearson,” he said, a wide smile lighting up his face. “It is a pleasant surprise to see you.”
Lydia aimed a smile at the man that had him puffing up with pride.
Eleanor glanced at Hargrove, wondering how he was taking this interaction. She half expected to find he’d be displeased, but the small, satisfied tilt to his lips told her that wasn’t the case.
