Page 34 of A Marriage of Convenience with a Rake
“We will doubtless see each other in a few hours,” Sebastian replied swiftly. “I will visit Papa in a few hours. Please do not over-exhaust yourself.”
“I shan’t.”
He smiled at her and reached for her hand. She let him take it and his heart raced as he felt her soft, tender palms; like silk in his fingertips.
“See you soon,” he murmured.
“Yes.”
He breathed in deeply and watched as she walked slowly from the room, the bowl of soup in one hand. He stared after her, his mind racing. He wanted to give her a gift. He had the perfect idea.
He hurried to his study, ringing for the butler to see what he might be able to find.
Chapter 13
Eleanor stood in the drawing room. It was late afternoon, the sunshine warm and golden where it spilled in through the window onto the floor. She settled on the chaise-longue and then stood up again, feeling at once tired and distracted. She had spent all day sitting with the Marquess, but despite the long hours by his bedside, reading to him so that he could sleep or trying to feed him gruel, her thoughts were still distracted by Sebastian the previous day.
“My lady?” Amy Whitford, her maid, suddenly appeared in the doorway.
“Yes?” Eleanor asked, turning towards the door.
“Um...my lady? I just fetched in the laundry. Which gown should I keep out for dinner this evening?”
“The yellow one, please,” Eleanor asked politely. It was a pretty dress in a strong sunny yellow that suited her well. Only a few of her dresses were strong colors, and her mind drifted to the thought that, some time, she would need to order some more gowns made up. If Sebastian would allow her the expenditure, that was. She tensed awkwardly. It would be so hard to ask him when she barely knew him and had no idea what he really thought of her.
He was so strange. Sometimes, she could swear he disliked her—he spoke dismissively, barely looking at her. At other times, he gazed at her with a look in his eyes that made her body melt with longing. He confused her more than she could express.
Miss Whitford cannot really help me in this matter, she thought with a smile.
Miss Whitford seemed somewhat nervous of men, though her interest in Thomas, the groom, was certainly more thansimply because they had the same employer. All the same, it didn’t seem fair to talk of the earl to Miss Whitford, since he was, after all, the person paying both her and all the rest of the staff. It would be too awkward for everyone.
That made things difficult, since she had nobody to confide in.
“Very good, my lady,” Amy replied.
“Thank you,” Eleanor answered.
Amy curtseyed and went out and Eleanor sighed.
She wandered to the window, lost in thought. The flowerbeds she had dug were visible. She had discussed their planting with the head gardener already.
“My lady?”
Eleanor jumped as the sound of another voice disturbed her. She whipped around to find the butler there.
“Yes?” she asked, heart thudding. She thought perhaps he had news about Lord Ramsgate’s condition.
“My lady? A coach has just arrived. Should I show the visitor in? His lordship is in Ramsgate village. I am certain he will return within the next hour.”
“Oh.” Eleanor felt her heart thud. She hadn’t planned to receive anyone. She looked at her dress, which was white muslin and presentable enough, though if the guests were less well-acquainted with the family, she would prefer to change it for something more elaborate. “Who is it?”
“Lady Waddingham, my lady. Would you like me to admit her to the drawing room?”
“Please,” Eleanor replied. She felt her stomach twist a little queasily. Lady Waddingham was strange, and her words always unsettling. Yet somehow, she felt the need to talk with her. She nodded to the butler, who hurried off.
“Lady Glenfield!” Lady Waddingham greeted her, appearing in the doorway seemingly immediately after the butler had gonedownstairs. She was wearing a long dress in a rich gray blue. Her hair was covered with the barest of veils. “How grand to see you.”
“Lady Waddingham,” Eleanor greeted her, curtseying low. “It is a pleasant surprise. Please, call me Eleanor,” she added, blushing. It felt so strange to have the older woman call her by her title.
