Page 26 of Courting the Earl
Chapter 14
It was a miracle that Eleanor had accepted his invitation. He’d expected her to shake her head and return to the ballroom.
He hadn’t visited these gardens before, so he didn’t know where he was leading her. But when he saw her slip out of the ballroom earlier, he’d seized on the opportunity to finally have a private moment with her.
“We shouldn’t go far.”
Her whisper had him smiling. He rounded a corner behind a row of hedges, keeping her behind him lest they run into someone. It wasn’t his intention to compromise her, not when that infernal betrothal agreement was still in place.
Fortunately, this part of the garden was empty. Even better, there was a small garden bench and he led her there.
The moon was out and bright enough to allow him to scan the area. There were mainly hedges here with a few rosebushes clustered in front of where they sat. He was relieved to see there were two other exits through which they could escape if anyone approached.
He turned to look at Eleanor, who was staring at him with a slight frown.
“Why are we here?”
He couldn’t resist teasing her. “I called to you and you came. And here we are.”
She narrowed her eyes the smallest amount, and he wanted to laugh.
He lifted one shoulder. “I saw you slip out into the garden. You seemed upset, and I wanted to make sure nothing was amiss.”
“Did anyone see you follow me out? I should return—”
He still held her hand, and he stroked his thumb along her palm. His caress halted her protest.
“I went out through a different door. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to intercept you before you returned, but I had to try. Will you tell me why you were so upset?”
She looked away and he waited. Finally she squared her shoulders and turned to face him.
“Miss Stapleton wanted me to introduce you to her younger sister.”
He tried to put a face to the name. “Do I know her?”
“She’s one of the women I socialize with while everyone else is dancing.”
He realized whom she was speaking about. He also knew the woman’s sister. It was true that they hadn’t been introduced, but the young woman had literally bumped into him on two separate occasions. Then she’d stared up at him, no doubt expecting him to become infatuated with her on the spot.
“We haven’t been formally introduced, but I do know of whom you speak.”
Her jaw was clenched, but somehow she managed to say, “I can introduce you.”
The sight of her obvious displeasure only served to cheer him. Clearly she didn’t wish to do so, but Miss Stapleton must have extracted her promise.
He stretched his legs out in front of him. “There’s no need.”
Her tense posture eased somewhat. “Perhaps you can dance with her once.”
He scoffed. “She has no lack of dance partners.”
Eleanor frowned again. “It seems quite likely that Lord Stanley might offer for my cousin. It’s clear that he’s besotted with her, and I know she favors him above all her other suitors.”
Relief bubbled through him. “It appears that way. I’m glad to hear that she would entertain his suit.”
They sat together for almost a full minute without words. Eleanor was looking at the roses, and he was looking at her. Thoughts and emotions crowded within him. He wanted to get to know this woman better, but how could he approach the subject without offending her? Who knew when they would have another rare moment of solitude together. But would she even entertain a close acquaintance when he was still formally betrothed to her cousin?
“So if Lydia does agree to marry Lord Stanley and the agreement is broken, are you still set on avoiding marriage?”
