Chapter Nine

Sleep came more easily to her last night. So easy that Elaine couldn’t remember arriving at her bedchamber in the first place. She yawned, stretching her arms above her head as she blinked into the hazy sunlight filtering through the partly drawn drapes. For a few seconds, her mind was empty, her limbs sated.

And then there was the duke.

A slow smile crept across her face as she recalled the way he’d looked at her as she’d left. He stayed there, she recalled. She watched his figure fade into a silhouette until she could no longer see him. He stood there like a man clinging to every precious second he had to behold her.

She sat up, hair tumbling down the side of her face. She could not think like this, she knew. It was dangerous to entertain such thoughts about the duke, especially since he was likely just being polite last night. Taking pity on the shy lady standing in the corner of the room watching everything with wide-eyed trepidation. She knew that, deep down. And yet, when she thought of how he stared into her eyes as she spoke, how his gaze dipped distractedly to her lips now again, how could she assume anything else?

What she did know for certain was that she was forgetting something important.

Elaine climbed out of bed, realising absently that she had even managed to change into her nightgown despite her exhaustion last night. She padded over to the vanity table and began running her brush through her hair.

Her father!

Elaine dropped the brush, racing towards the door. Just as she was about to barge through, the door swung open to reveal one of the maids. She was one of the newer ones who had accepted the position despite the growing likelihood that she may have to leave as well. Elaine hadn’t had the chance to learn her name, as preoccupied with her father as she’d been.

“My lady!” the maid gasped.

“Father!” Elaine panted. “Is he up yet? Has he eaten?”

“Yes, my lady,” the maid hurriedly assured her. “When we saw that you were sleeping in, we dressed and fed Lord Suthenshire. He is resting once more.”

Relief washed over her so swiftly that it nearly left her breathless for a moment. Elaine leaned heavily against the door. “Oh, thank goodness. I hadn’t intended to sleep in, I…well, I suppose I am not accustomed to being out so late.”

The maid gave her a look crossed between pity and understanding. “It does the body good to sleep in now and again,” she said.

“It most certainly does,” Elaine couldn’t help but agree. She made her way back to her vanity table, picking up her discarded brush.

The maid didn’t follow. They were short-staffed anyway, so she likely had a number of other things she needed to do. Elaine hadn’t had a lady’s maid since childhood.

“Lord and Lady Abney are here as well, my lady,” the maid informed her.

Elaine paused, frowning at the maid’s reflection in the mirror. “So early?”

“Well, it is nearing midday, my lady. They have asked me to inform you so that you may all have tea together.”

“Ah, I see. I shall join them shortly. Thank you.”

The maid nodded and swiftly left the room. Elaine sighed, turning back to her mirror. She didn’t tarry for much longer. She ran the brush through her hair a few more times, twisted it into a chignon, and went about getting dressed. Within the next ten minutes, she’d donned a simple blue morning gown that was wonderfully within this year’s fashion—thanks to Lorna—but made sure to wear her sensible brown shoes, rather than the soft slippers Lorna had gotten for her. Elaine hoped there wouldn’t be a chance for her to regret her decision.

She made her way down to the drawing room to find Lorna and James already having their tea. Or rather, Lorna sipping hers while James read the newspaper. They were bickering, as usual, and Elaine wondered just how much James could be retaining when he seemed far too busy contradicting his mother.

“Ah, there she is!” Lorna exclaimed as Elaine approached. “Elaine, my darling, settle this row for us, won’t you?”

“It is not a row,” James pressed, his voice slightly annoyed. “I am simply disagreeing with you.”

“Which upsets me so now it is a row,” Lorna pressed. She drew in a deep, calming breath, taking Elaine’s hand as Elaine chose the seat next to her. “Who do you think is better? Mozart or Haydn?”

“Neither,” Elaine said. “I much prefer Beethoven.”

James snorted in laughter, turning a page of his newspaper. Lorna thinned her lips, blinking rapidly at Elaine as if she could not believe she hadn’t taken her side.

“Well,” James drawled. “I believe that brings our discussion to an end.”

“Yes,” Lorna murmured, clearing her throat. “I believe so.”

Elaine smiled as she moved forward for a piece of cake. It wasn’t her preferred way of having breakfast but she supposed a sweet treat in the morning once in a while would not do her any harm.

“What brings you two by so early?” she asked before taking a nibble of the cake.

“It is hardly early,” James replied, craning his neck to get a better look at the grandfather clock. “It is nearly midday. Most ladies ought to be up and about by this hour.”

“Oh, right. I usually am, but it has been some time since I’ve had such a long night. I was quite exhausted.”

“Rightfully so, my darling,” Lorna assured her. “It was your first ball, after all. And Lord and Lady Jones seemed not to have any intention of ending it. Had we not left when we did, I surmise it would have gone on for a few more hours.”

“Are they all like that?” Elaine asked curiously.

She wasn’t successful in hiding the apprehension in her tone and Lorna laughed. “Most of them during the London Season are, yes. But you are always free to leave when you deem it fit. There is no need to stay and suffer simply because you believe you should.” A mischievous glint appeared in Lorna’s eyes. “Although perhaps you may be far too preoccupied to concern yourself with the late hour.”

Elaine flushed. She avoided her aunt’s eyes, making her tea instead. But she knew this conversation was bound to happen again sooner or later.

The knock on the door saved her from having to respond. Paul entered, bowing respectfully before approaching with a letter in hand. “This arrived for you just now, my lady,” he informed Elaine.

Elaine frowned. “For me?”

“Yes, for you!” Lorna exclaimed excitedly. She was already on her feet, plucking the letter of the butler’s hand. “And it bears no seal. Who do you think it is from?”

“Perhaps you should let the person it was intended for open it herself,” James suggested firmly. And just in time too, because Lorna was already preparing to unfold it. She scowled and handed over the letter to Elaine.

Elaine’s heart thundered against her chest as she took the letter in hand. Was it the duke? Was he sending word of his intention to call on her? Or perhaps it was an invitation to dinner this evening? The possibilities were vast, ones that involved the duke and ones that didn’t. Yet, as she slowly opened the letter, Elaine found she couldn’t focus on breathing when her entire body was anticipating hearing from the gentleman who had followed her into her dreams.

She read quickly and each word had her hope deflating out of her. She didn’t think she had masked her disappointment well enough when she said, “It is from Lord Penly.”

“What does it say?” Lorna asked eagerly. James, of course, deemed this far more important than his daily newspaper and he set it aside.

“He says he enjoyed his time with me last night and wishes to see me again. Though in far more grandiloquent words than were necessary.”

Lorna’s shoulders sagged with disappointment. “Is that it? Did he not mention any plans to call on you? Or for a promenade through the park?”’

“Nothing of the sort.”

“How discouraging. A gentleman should never leave a lady wanting. If he intends to seriously court you then, I should hope that he will be more proactive.”

Elaine only shrugged. She didn’t dislike Lord Penly. But she certainly didn’t like him either. Throughout the course of the long night, he was only a blip in her memory, cast to the back of her mind and living in the shadow created by the duke.

The very same duke who hadn’t sent word or called upon her, leaving her heart heavy with uncertainty.

It is still quite early , she reminded herself. There is no need to get discouraged now.

“I know it is your decision, Elaine,” Lorna went on to say. She took a sip of her tea, then continued, “But Lord Penly has landed himself at the bottom of the already extensive list of potential suitors, in my opinion.”

“Extensive?” James repeated incredulously.

“Not Lord Weatherby?” Elaine asked, eyes widening at her aunt.

“Lord Weatherby seems like a decent match,” the dowager viscountess explained. “Despite his age, he is still of sound mind and is rather able-bodied. Not to mention the fact that is wealthy. Though by no means is he near the top of the list. And yes, James, extensive. Elaine was quite a hit last night and I have it on good authority that a number of the gentlemen she met have taken a liking to her.”

“Including the duke?” Elaine couldn’t help but ask.

“Especially the duke; he is at the top of the list.”

“Oh, for goodness’ sake.” James rolled his eyes. “Surely you jest.”

“I do not,” Lorna maintained, straightening her spine. “I know you do not approve but—”

“It is not that I do not approve. I simply believe that there are far better options for Elaine than a disgraced duke.”

“That is because you did not see them last night, James. They couldn’t look away from each other! The energy between them was magnetising.”

“Was it?” Elaine murmured. She felt heat on her cheeks as she thought of the way he’d held her during their dance. She quickly finished her tea and went about making herself another, needing the distraction.

“I felt a little bad pulling you away from each other last night,” Lorna sighed. “And he escorted you to the carriage! How romantic.”

“It is not romantic,” James grumbled. “It is polite.”

Lorna shifted in her seat, fixing her son with a hard glare. “Why are you so against the duke? Is it because of—”

The rest of her sentence was cut short by another knock on the door. This time, Paul entered with nothing in his hands. “Please forgive the intrusion, my lord, my ladies. Lady Elaine, you have a caller.”

Lorna shot to her feet. “She does?”

“Yes. Lord Weatherby is here to see you.”

The hope that had blossomed to the ceiling dissipated into thin smoke. Elaine felt horror wash over her in its stead. Not only was it not the duke, like she’d hoped, but it was the aged Lord Weatherby of all people. She would much prefer to sit and listen to Lord Penly talk about himself for hours than endure another moment with that gentleman.

The silence that followed Paul’s announcement was palpable. James was the first to break it. “Show him in.”

Paul nodded and left the room. Elaine braced herself. She knew she was in no position to turn him away. If things had been different, if her circumstances had not backed her into a corner and turned her desperate, then she would have given Paul an excuse to give Lord Weatherby without a moment’s hesitation.

But sadly, that was not the case.

He entered the room with the help of a cane. Elaine’s heart sank even further. In the light of day, he seemed even older, burdened by the years gone by.

She remembered her manners a second later than she should have. She got to her feet, sinking into a curtsy as Lord Weatherby slowly made his way over. In her peripheral vision, she saw Lorna and James retreat to the corner of the room to act as quiet chaperones.

“Lady Elaine,” Lord Weatherby grunted. “What a lovely sight you are. How have you been, my dear?”

The term of endearment sent shivers across her skin. Elaine fought her disgust from her expression as much as she could. “I have been well, my lord,” was all she could manage to say.

“Good,” replied gruffly.

She sat and watched as he struggled to take the spot next to her. She wasn’t sure if she should help him, not certain if he would appreciate it.

Finally, he sank heavily into the sofa and set his cane aside. “I should have sent word of my intention to call on you, my lady,” he said. “I was busy this morning, you see. Far too many meetings packed into the morning and I did not get the chance to.”

“I find no issue, my lord.” She shifted uncomfortably, glancing over at James. He caught her eye but looked away. She would find no help there.

“Tell me, my lady, how your day has been.”

“Truthfully, it has only just begun. I slept in rather late.”

“Late?” Lord Weatherby’s bushy brows lifted in surprise. “Well, that is not very becoming of a young lady. And here I thought you younger ones had far more energy than an old man like myself.”

Elaine laughed nervously, not certain if he was jesting or not. “It was a long night…”

“Ah, yes, yes, it most certainly was. I, for one, could not stay much past the dinner. I take it you are full of energy now that you have gotten so much rest?”

“A decent amount, I suppose.”

“Marvelous. A lady with energy is good.” He did not expound on that. Elaine wasn’t sure what to make of it.”

Thankfully, he didn’t give her much time to think about her response because he moved on to talking about his meetings and his influence in the textile industry. Elaine tried to pay attention to what he was saying, but it was difficult when all she could think about was that this could be her life. She could marry this man and become the next Baroness of Weatherby, only to spend her days reflecting on what could have been. About who could have been hers.

She was beginning to think that her dreams would never become a reality.