Page 28 of Courting the Earl
Eleanor’s heart leaped at the statement. It had become clear that things between her cousin and Lord Stanley were headed in this direction, but she hadn’t expected the betrothal to end this early in the season. It was only April.
She turned on the bench and faced her cousin. Her hands were shaking, so she gripped them in her lap. “I would be very happy to lend my support when you speak to him.”
Lydia shook her head, and a wide smile lit her face. “Lord Stanley will be calling tomorrow afternoon to ask his permission to marry me. If I’m to be a marchioness one day, I’m going to need to start doing these things on my own.”
Eleanor crossed the room and sat next to her cousin on the bed. She wrapped her in a tight hug. “I’m very happy for you. I’m sure Uncle will be happy as well. Lord Stanley is a good man, and he seems devoted to you.”
Lydia’s arms tightened on her before she pulled back. “Lord Hargrove will be happy. I know that you’re fond of him and hoped that we’d make a match, but…” She shrugged.
It was difficult for Eleanor to keep her expression neutral. Just thinking about Hargrove had her emotions in turmoil. “He was always very nice to you.”
“He was, but I don’t think he ever saw me as a woman.” There was a twinkle in her eye when she added, “He never looked at me the way he looks at you.”
Eleanor couldn’t hold back her blush. “We’re on friendly terms, nothing more.”
Lydia reached for her hands and squeezed them. “Yes, Ellie, it is. You are very beautiful. I know I’m spoiled, but you’ve always been nothing but kind and generous to me. You’ve never been jealous when men approached me.”
Eleanor shrugged. “It is what it is. I am passably attractive, but no one would ever prefer me to you. It makes sense that men are drawn to you.”
“No. Ellie, you are beautiful—both inside and out. There is more than one type of beauty, and it is quite obvious to me that Lord Hargrove appreciates your beauty more than mine.”
“I think…” She had to take a deep breath to settle her nerves before she continued. She wasn’t used to being the subject of conversation when she and Lydia were discussing suitors. “We are friends.”
Lydia tilted her head to one side. “I think you could be more than friends.”
Eleanor shook her head, unable to hold back a wave of sadness. “He doesn’t wish to marry.”
“He doesn’t wish to marry me. I’m not sure the same holds true for the two of you.”
Eleanor stood, needing this conversation to be at an end. “I don’t want you to concern yourself about me.”
Lydia let out a soft breath. “And that, my dear cousin, is the problem. You no longer need to worry about me and what my future holds. I’ve found a man that I love. There is no reason we can’t both be happy.”
“When are you planning to tell your father? I am, as always, at your service if you need me for emotional support afterward.”
Lydia shook her head, and it was clear she knew Eleanor was trying to change the subject. Fortunately, she didn’t press the matter. “I’ll speak to him tomorrow at midday. Lord Stanley will be arriving before we normally receive callers. He plans to ask for my hand then.” She dimpled. “I thought it might be best for Father to agree to end my betrothal to Lord Hargrove before he arrives.”
“I’m so happy for you,” Eleanor said. “Everything has worked out just as it should. Lord Hargrove isn’t going to press his suit, you’ve had the glorious season you wished for, and you’ve fallen in love.”
Lydia’s gaze softened. “Now that my future will be settled, you need to start worrying about yourself. I won’t be upset if something was to transpire between you and Lord Hargrove.” An arch look entered her eyes. “Also, I was thinking that you should be the one to tell Lord Hargrove.”
Eleanor shook her head. She couldn’t. “Perhaps Uncle—”
“No,” Lydia said with a shake of her head. “The news should come from you. That way you’ll see his reaction firsthand. That will tell you how he feels about you. Will he want to wipe his hands of this entire matter and move on, relieved he’s getting what he wanted from the beginning? Or will he let you know that he wants to pursue you?”
Her words echoed within Eleanor’s heart. Lydia stood and gave her another hug before sweeping from the room and she watched her go in amazement. When had her younger cousin become so wise? It appeared that finding true love had given Lydia a maturity that Eleanor hadn’t expected to see for several more years.
Lydia was correct—she should be the one to tell Hargrove.
Excitement began to thrum through her. Surely the friendship that had begun to develop between them was real. And unless he was a consummate actor, he wanted more than friendship from her.
Not marriage, of course. Hargrove had been very clear about not wanting to marry. But there was no reason Eleanor couldn’t have a taste of what it would be like to be with him as more than friendly acquaintances. She was five and twenty. Older women conducted discreet affairs of the heart, and society looked the other way. It was possible that she and Hargrove could have a similar understanding.
Her heart wanted more, of course, but in this she would allow her head to rule. They didn’t have a future together, but they could enjoy this brief moment in time. There were still three months ahead of them before the season was over.
Her heart was racing with anticipation as she crawled under the covers.
Chapter 16
