Page 48 of A Marriage of Convenience with a Rake
“My wife is talented at planning gardens,” Sebastian commented, positioning himself beside Eleanor.
“Is gardening a seemly pastime?” Miss Hatfield asked directly.
Eleanor bristled, but Sebastian put his hand on her arm.
“I think any pastime that Eleanor turns her hand to is not only seemly, but likely to become fashionable,” he said lightly. “And I, for one, appreciate the renovating of our grounds. I lookforward to seeing them blooming soon.”
Eleanor glowed. She looked at Sebastian, who had a small smile tugging at his lip. She watched as Miss Hatfield and her mother stammered a reply.
“Most certainly, my lord.”
“I am sure your gardens will be the finest in the countryside, my lord.”
Eleanor bit her lip, trying not to look too disbelieving. The women hastily wandered off, and Sebastian turned to Eleanor.
“You are marvelous.”
She grinned. “You are kind, my lord.”
He laughed. “No,” he said, his eyes glowing. “I mean it. You truly did that grandly.”
“Thank you,” Eleanor replied, feeling her cheeks heat, this time with delight, not shame.
“I am sorry about that,” Sebastian added softly. “I did not expect them to be so spiteful.”
“It was unexpected. But you needn’t apologise for them.”
He smiled. “Thank you, my dear. But I do. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I will fetch you a drink. Would you like some lemonade?”
“Um...um...” Eleanor breathed in, astonished with the endearment. He had never called her “dear”. She was so surprised that she almost forgot he wanted a reply. “Lemonade, please,” she replied, feeling dizzy.
He nodded, a big grin on his face, and hurried off. Eleanor stood where she was, head spinning.
She gazed out over the ballroom.
Ladies and gentlemen drifted about, the ladies in white dresses, mostly, or some in red and green and blue. The gentlemen were mostly in darker colors, their long tailcoats rimmed with gold thread, their cravats elaborately tied. The room was full, but not to the point that it seemed to bediscomforting to anyone. The talk was still loud, but the music could just be heard over it. Eleanor’s stomach twisted with excitement. They were readying for a waltz.
She saw Sebastian wandering over to her, two glasses with him, one in each hand. He passed her one and retained the other.
“Thank you,” she murmured. She took it and sipped. It was cool and delicious, the sweet lemonade running down her throat and refreshing her at once.
“I am glad to assist you.” He beamed, his eyes twinkling.
Eleanor blushed.
The music was becoming louder now, the introductory chords to a waltz, and people were starting to move towards the space at the center of the ballroom that had been cleared for dancing. Eleanor looked over at them and beside her, Sebastian grinned.
“May I have this dance?” he asked.
Eleanor stared. She had not expected that. Of course, it was natural that they would dance, and that they would dance the first waltz together, but somehow it hadn’t occurred to her to think of it.
“Um...yes. Yes, of course.”
“Good.”
Sebastian was grinning and she chuckled, and they walked together quietly to the dance floor. Eleanor swallowed, feeling very shy.
“Do you like the waltz?” Sebastian asked, taking her right hand in his left hand. He placed his right hand on her back, a little below her shoulder, drawing her towards him. She drew in a deep breath.
