Chapter 11

"I cannot believe we're so late," Richard grumbled. "Two hours!"

"Stop complaining," Nathaniel told him. "We're here, are we not?"

They almost didn't arrive because he hadn't known about the ball until the very last minute. Richard had received the invitation some weeks ago and hadn't bothered informing Nathaniel that he was accompanying him until earlier that afternoon. Nathaniel had been waist-deep in a book at that point and hadn't been willing to put it down just for another social event. However, Richard nagged him until he gave in and wearily made his way to his chambers to get ready.

"You can be impossible at times," said Richard. "We should find our hosts before partaking in the merriment."

"Fine. Who are they again?"

"Lord and Lady Kinsley."

"I'm afraid I do not know them well," Nathaniel said.

Richard rolled his eyes. "Do you know anyone well? You have lost communication with many people over the years."

"That is easily rectified," Nathaniel replied. "So, where are our hosts?"

He looked around and was pleasantly surprised when he spotted Lady Eleanor coming from the terrace, dressed in a beautifully embroidered green gown and white accessories. Diamonds were likely her usual choice of jewelry because she had also worn them at the Royal Theater. They complemented her well and made her glow in the candlelight. It looked like she also had some in her mass of golden curls. Lady Eleanor truly was pure sunshine, but she appeared livid this evening. Something or someone had upset her.

"I think I see them," said Richard, taking some of his focus from Lady Eleanor.

"See who?"

Richard looked at him strangely. "Our hosts. The people we're looking for."

"Oh," Nathaniel replied distractedly.

He lost Lady Eleanor behind a crowd of people—an easy feat given she was likely around five foot.

"Who are you looking for?" Richard asked, appearing closer to him than before.

Nathaniel nudged him away with his arm. "Do you have to stand so close to me?" he asked. "I can smell the whisky you drank before coming here on your breath."

Richard grinned. "It smells good, doesn't it?"

Nathaniel's upper lip curled in distaste. "Sometimes I wonder how it came to be that you're my brother."

"Well, it all started when our parents decided to get married and had relations—"

"Oh, for heaven's sake!" Nathaniel cried.

Richard chuckled and slapped him on the shoulder. "You are easy to rile up, dear brother," he said. "Come along. The sooner we greet our hosts, the better. I'd like to see if Miss Huxley is here. You can look for Lady Eleanor, but we will likely find them together."

"I have already found Lady Eleanor," Nathaniel said. "At least for a moment. She disappeared behind a group."

"She's just a little thing, isn't she?" Richard remarked. "Wonderfully plump, too. In all the right places, that is. Did you notice—" He made a rounded motion with his hands near his chest. "Do you know what I mean?"

Nathaniel stiffened. "Do that again, and I'll make certain you cannot play cards for a while," he warned.

Richard didn't seem annoyed by his threat. "Calm down, dear brother," he said, patting Nathaniel's shoulder. "I assure you I have no designs on the lovely Lady Eleanor. I prefer her friend, Miss Huxley. However, I do not see why I cannot appreciate other women. Especially those as beautiful as your lady."

"She is not my lady, and you should have a little more respect," Nathaniel insisted. "You speak too candidly about women at times. One day, it will cause you trouble."

"I doubt it," Richard countered. "Women love me, and I love them."

"Not enough."

"Not enough what?"

"You do not love them enough, or you would be married by now," Nathaniel replied.

"Or I love them too much and cannot choose just one," said Richard. "Why do we practice monogamy? They should allow us to marry more than one woman or, at the very least, keep a harem of women."

Nathaniel sighed. "I'm done speaking to you about this," he said.

He observed the room, mildly impressed by its grandeur. Beatrice would have loved the artwork. His late wife knew everything about Greek Mythology, and they even spent a few months in Greece to see all the ancient sites. Nathaniel's heart clenched as he remembered his wife. She would have insisted they walk around the ballroom to study the artwork and ask their hosts about the artist.

A golden head popped around a potted plant, stretching his lips into a wide grin. It was Lady Eleanor, and she was evidently hiding behind the plant.

"Miss Huxley is not with Lady Eleanor," he told his brother.

"How do you know?" said Richard.

"Lady Eleanor is near the rounded wall with the water nymphs," Nathaniel replied. "Miss Huxley doesn't appear to be anywhere near her. Perhaps she isn't here."

"Isn't here?" Richard repeated. He appeared genuinely disappointed. "That cannot be. She must be here. I wanted to see her again. Maybe I should look around."

"I thought you wanted us to greet our hosts first," Nathaniel pointed out.

"Later. Let's go our separate ways for now," Richard said.

Nathaniel raised an eyebrow. "Are you that concerned about her not being here?"

"I didn't say that," his brother replied quickly. "I'm just giving you an opportunity to speak with Lady Eleanor alone. Unless you're not interested in talking with her again?"

"Go if you need to," said Nathaniel. He didn't want to admit that he truly wished to speak with Lady Eleanor. "Do not paint me with the same brush as you. I'll do as I please."

Richard snorted. "I do not see why you try to hide things that are blatantly obvious," he said. "But I won't pester you about it. I'll come and find you a little later."

Richard took off, and for a moment, Nathaniel considered calling him back to point out it would be easier if they asked Lady Eleanor about her friend's whereabouts, but he decided against it. A little work to find a woman wouldn't harm his younger brother. In the meantime, Nathaniel would finally get to speak with the woman who hadn't left his mind since the night of the play.

He gently but firmly pushed past people as he approached the rounded wall. Nathaniel had to admit the hiding place was rather good. Lady Eleanor was hidden in plain sight and wouldn't easily be noticed by those around her. Perhaps she didn't want to be at the ball. He didn't blame her. He would have avoided it if not for his brother's persistence.

"Lady Eleanor," he said.

She jerked a little and spun around to face him. "Your Grace!" she exclaimed.

Nathaniel bit back a grin. She looked guilty and startled simultaneously—an adorable and amusing combination.

"How are you?" he asked.

"Fine," she replied, touching her cheeks. They had turned a becoming shade of pink. "And you? Are you well?"

"Undoubtedly," he said. "Are you observing the artwork? It's a lovely piece."

She briefly glanced at the nymphs. "It is. I love the way the fabric moves around their bodies. The artist somehow maintained the nymphs' dignity while staying true to their provocative nature."

Nathaniel leaned closer to inspect the mythical creatures, which unexpectedly put his face near hers. She pulled back quickly and bumped into the potted plant, nearly tipping backward with it. Nathaniel promptly reached out and caught both, steadying the plant and drawing her toward him.

"Did you hurt yourself?" he asked.

Lady Eleanor lowered her eyes and stepped away from him until he was forced to release her.

"I'm fine—thank you," she said. She looked behind her. "The plant is also fine."

He smiled. "You're worried about the plant?"

"It lost a few green leaves through my clumsiness," Lady Eleanor explained. She bent down to retrieve them. "I should at least put it in the soil for added nutrients."

She removed one of her gloves and stuffed the leaves into the soil with her index finger before wiping her soiled finger on her white handkerchief. She didn't seem bothered at all that her nail was dirty or that her handkerchief looked like a used dishrag. The handkerchief disappeared into her gown without considering the fine silk she wore.

"Your dress has pockets?" he asked.

Lady Eleanor smiled and dug her fingers into both pockets to show him. "My lady's maid is wonderful at concealing adjustments. She knows I prefer pockets in all my dresses and gowns, so she sews them. You would never think there were pockets, would you?"

"Not at all," he replied. "Your lady's maid must be a skilled seamstress."

"She is undoubtedly one of the best," said Lady Eleanor. "She would have worked at a modiste if not for her current position. I promised her that one day I would buy her a shop where she could express her creativity and use her talent. She doesn't think she'll ever leave my side, but I want her to get married and start a family. She would be a lovely mother."

"She must be happy working for you," he said.

Lady Eleanor smiled. "I'm happier to have her as my lady's maid." She briefly looked around the room. "Did you just arrive? Unless we didn't see each other before?"

"My brother and I just arrived," he confirmed. "He is off to find your friend."

"Miss Huxley? She isn't here."

Richard would have to find that out the hard way. Nathaniel didn't intend to leave Lady Eleanor's side. She was the only person besides his brother that he felt comfortable speaking with.

"Oh? He'll be disappointed," said Nathaniel. "Were you coming from the terrace moments ago?"

An undecipherable expression crossed her face. "Yes, I was. I wanted a little fresh air."

"Did the fresh air anger you?" he asked. "You seemed annoyed when you returned to the ballroom."

Lady Eleanor looked away. "It was nothing," she said. "I merely find this ball exhausting. I would rather be at home."

Nathaniel's gut told him there was more to the matter, but he didn't want to pry. Lady Eleanor didn't strike him as a woman who would appreciate pushing at a matter. Whatever had angered her would have to remain a mystery.

"Would you like some refreshment?" he asked. "I'm a tad thirsty, and it's rather warm in here."

Nathaniel hoped she wouldn't refuse. Although he claimed he wasn't all that interested in her, he couldn't lie to himself. Lady Eleanor was captivating in mind and body, and he wouldn't mind getting to know her a little better.

"A glass of champagne sounds good," she replied. "Although I prefer an ice. Preferably peach or strawberry. Our chefs once made plum ice."

"I have never tried it," he confessed. "I imagine it will be tart but sweet."

"Our chefs add lemon to balance the sweetness and a little cherry juice," she said. "It's not too tart or sweet."

"Then, may I escort you to the refreshment table?" he asked, offering his arm.

Lady Eleanor returned her glove to her hand and took his arm with a smile. "You may," she replied. "We should keep to the walls to avoid people bumping into us."

"I was just going to suggest that," said Nathaniel. "I wanted to get a better look at the artwork."

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" she asked as they fell into a slow pace. "Did you see the ceiling near the staircase?"

He tilted his head back and widened his eyes in surprise. The piece was rather suggestive, perhaps too suggestive for public consumption. The other paintings depicted a god or goddess, but the ceiling was a party of celestial men and women cavorting while nude. Those little scraps of linen did nothing to hide their bodies.

He cleared his throat several times before he spoke. "It's interesting," he said. "It reminds me of something I've seen in Greece."

"You've been to Greece?" she asked. "I'd love to go there one day."

"I've been to Greece and many other countries," Nathaniel revealed. "Do you like traveling?"

Lady Eleanor sighed. "I love traveling, but I've never done it before. Well, other than frequent trips to Scotland. We have family there and usually see them toward the end of summer. I would love to see other countries, though. Where else have you been?"

Nathaniel took a moment to recollect his memories. He hadn't thought about his travels in a long time, not since Beatrice's death. He had always discussed them with her and went on a few adventures with her. Now, he felt eager to discuss such a significant part of his life. It was a strange but welcome feeling to have once again.

"I have been to most countries on the continent, but my favorite is a land much further away," he said.

"And where was that?" she asked.

"Egypt."

Lady Eleanor gasped. "Egypt? The land of pharaohs, sphinxes, the Nile, papyrus, and pyramids?"

Nathaniel chuckled. "Among other things," he said. "I take it that you like Egypt?"

"Well, I've never been there, but it's a land of mystery, magic, and beauty, isn't it?" she said. "At least, that is what I have read in books and journals. I imagine it's also very hot."

"It can be hot during the day, but it cools down considerably in the evenings," Nathaniel told her. "If you like adventure and history, you'll enjoy Egypt."

"Oh, I would surely love it," she said. "I would stay there for several years just learning all the wonderful things about the country."

He smiled at her wistful expression. Lady Eleanor reminded him of Beatrice in some ways, but they were also quite different. They would have been friends if they had met.

"You may not have been to Egypt, but you have traveled," he insisted.

"Do you mean Scotland?" she asked.

"No, I mean books," he explained. "They can be forms of travel. I imagine you have been to many faraway places. A library offers many travels, and depending on how diverse a library is, you could go to thousands of places."

"I suppose so," Lady Eleanor agreed. "I haven't seen many libraries, though. We have a large one at our country estate and a smaller one here in London. Have you seen many libraries?"

Nathaniel nodded. "I have been to many great libraries across the country and abroad. If you're interested, I can give you the names of all those in London that you might wish to see. They belong to friends, but they will allow you to use them if you tell them I sent you."

Lady Eleanor widened her pretty green eyes. "Indeed? You would do that for me? But you barely know me!"

"I know enough," Nathaniel insisted. "Perhaps I could take you to see them. If you wish," he quickly added.

"I would love that, Your Grace," she said. "Tell me, which one is your favorite?"

Nathaniel took a moment to observe Lady Eleanor's beautiful face. She wasn't flirting with him or trying to get him to marry her, and she didn't have the look of a woman obsessed with money. All he saw was a woman's look of wonder and eagerness for his experiences and knowledge. Being beside her was a heady feeling that he didn't mind. For a man who wasn't looking for love or even a relationship, that worried him quite a bit.