Chapter 12

Chapter 12

"Do you know that Aphrodite is not only the goddess of love, beauty, and passion?" Nathaniel revealed. "Some worshiped her as the goddess of the sea, and she was also honored as the goddess of war."

Lady Eleanor handed him a strawberry ice. "No, I didn't," she said. "But it makes sense, doesn't it? Love and passion are always surrounded by war."

"How so?" he asked. "I imagine love would bring peace."

"In an idyllic world, perhaps," she replied. "One has to fight for love, be it fighting for the woman you love because she has other suitors or fighting the challenges that come your way. Either way, it's war. A war of the heart and wills."

Nathaniel considered her words as he took a spoonful of the strawberry ice. "There's alcohol in this," he said. "Champagne, to be precise. That's different."

Lady Eleanor widened her eyes. "Indeed?"

She had a quick taste, her pink tongue darting out to lick the spoon. It brought his attention to her plump lips, which wasn't a good idea, considering he was already attracted to her. He swallowed hard, unable to take his eyes off her mouth.

"It is champagne!" she cried. "Goodness, that's different. I cannot decide if I like it. One more spoonful."

She savored the next spoonful, pouting slightly as she swirled the strawberry-flavored ice in her mouth. Nathaniel was mesmerized. It was such a simple and ordinary gesture, but it looked like the finest piece of entertainment to him.

"Do you like it?" Nathaniel asked.

"I cannot decide," she said. "Do you like it?"

"It's different," he replied. "It's not terrible, but I'm not certain if adding champagne is a good decision. Shall we walk while we decide? We can return and get another one if needed."

"Another walk around the ballroom is like a promenade in the park," she remarked. "It's rather vast. It even has plants."

"Do you often take walks?" he asked.

She nodded. "Usually around our estate, but I visit the park once or twice a week with my friend. And you?"

"I go horse riding every morning and evening," he said. "However, I rarely walk beyond my garden. Not as much as I used to."

Beatrice loved long walks first thing in the morning and after meals. They began doing them together until a day wasn't complete without at least one walk.

"You should walk more," she said. "It's good for you. It helps to clear the mind and aids digestion."

He smiled. "I know."

She returned his smile and lowered her head to eat more of the ice. "I think I'm starting to like this," she said. "I cannot have too much of it, or I'd certainly grow tipsy. Oh, here is Persephone. I still grow somewhat uncomfortable whenever I think about her story. To think her uncle kidnapped her and made her his wife. He must have been obsessed with her."

They paused and turned to the stunning artwork. The artist's skill made the transition from the underworld to above earth smooth and captivating. One could almost feel the goddess's two worlds and how she would have experienced each one.

"Do you think she grew to find happiness in the underworld?" Lady Eleanor asked.

"Truthfully, I cannot answer that," Nathaniel replied. "She was surrounded by death, or the illusion of death. A soul cannot die, so the underworld is a place of rest or wandering rather than death, which is stillness. Our bodies die on earth."

"I have never thought of it like that," Lady Eleanor replied thoughtfully. "I read somewhere that her return above earth each spring symbolizes immortality. I find that silly because the dead do not rise again. Most people are forgotten once they die."

"Do you want to be remembered after you die?" Nathaniel asked.

"Hmmm," she said, tapping the spoon against her mouth.

Nathaniel wished she wouldn't do that. It was distracting. Her perfect cupid's bow turned downwards into the corners of her lips, where they lifted slightly at the edges. The upper lip was bigger than the lower lip, making it seem like she was always pouting just a little. They probably felt as soft as they looked.

"I do not think I mind if I am forgotten," she finally said. "I do not think I was placed on earth to become someone great. Why would I wish for more if I'm happy and have all I need? Frankly, I would love to live in a pretty cottage near a trickling stream and a lush forest. I'll have a small stable for at least two horses, a few animals like cows, sheep, goats, and chickens, and my own vegetable patch and orchard. Maybe a hothouse to grow exotic fruits. Oh, and a garden with lots of birds and butterflies. I wouldn't mind a maze, but that might be too much to maintain when I do not intend to have many servants."

Nathaniel listened in amazement. The picture she had painted in his head sounded far removed from what women like her were supposed to want. Lady Eleanor was undoubtedly a lady raised with all the typical qualities, but she certainly didn't think as one.

"I like that," he said. "It sounds peaceful and lovely."

She smiled. "That is precisely why I want to live like that. I love pretty things and appreciate wealth, but I can find beauty in simple things, and I do not need much money to be happy. I have saved quite a bit of my pin money over the years. You would be surprised to know the wealth I've amassed since my tenth birthday."

"You've been saving since you were ten?" he asked in surprise.

She nodded. "Thirteen years of savings. I saved eighty percent until I was seventeen, but then I started using a little more, so I reduced it to sixty percent. I wanted to invest some of it in various businesses, but my brother wouldn't hear of it. He said women do not dabble in business, which isn't accurate. Women own shops, do they not? Grant is just too protective and refuses to let me be independent."

Nathaniel heard the frustration in her voice and imagined she would have argued quite a bit with her brother about the matter. Lady Eleanor didn't strike him as a woman who gave up quickly. She was too intelligent to simply accept everything at face value. Taking the initiative to save at such a young age was evidence enough that she was a rational and practical thinker.

"I can only imagine that your brother is worried someone would take advantage of you," said Nathaniel. "Fathers, brothers, and husbands wish to protect the women in their lives."

Lady Eleanor scoffed a little. "Protect or control?" she asked, turning to the painting. "What protection did Persephone have when Hades abducted her? Demeter couldn't get her daughter back. They could only negotiate for Persephone to return above earth every spring because Hades allowed it. The god who abducted her allowed her to leave the underworld for a few months. Why didn't Zeus demand her return? Persephone was his daughter. He should have fought for her."

"Men often fail to do what they're meant to do," was all Nathaniel could say.

Although he hadn't done anything worthy of her ire, he still felt guilty because he was a man.

"Yes, men often fail miserably," she agreed. "But sometimes they do a wonderful job and cherish their women. My father was such a man. He gave my mother much freedom while protecting her. She used to smile every day and tell me I should marry a man just like him. I decided then that if I didn't find a man who treated me with such love, then marriage was useless, and I was better off as a spinster." She gave a mirthless laugh. "My aunt and brother do not wish to hear the word. Spinster might as well be a curse."

It would be a waste for someone as wonderful as her to become a spinster, but he didn't say as much. That would likely anger her. Better they move on to another painting and forget about Persephone's story.

"Who is the next goddess?" he asked. "I cannot tell."

He was lying through his teeth. Beatrice had made sure he could identify every god and demigod at a mere glance. Nathaniel knew the goddess was Iris because of the rainbow in the distance, her golden wings, a herald's rod in her hand, and the water pitcher at her feet.

They neared the painting and paused, with Lady Eleanor leaning closer to get a better look.

"She's Iris, isn't she?" she eventually replied. "Hera's handmaiden and personal messenger. Others describe her as a virgin goddess, but I find that hard to believe because she was beautiful. Beauty seems to be the downfall of most men and women but for different reasons."

"What would those reasons be?" Nathaniel asked.

Lady Eleanor turned to him. "It's rather obvious, isn't it? Most of the stories reveal how men take, and women suffer. Aphrodite is one of the few who uses her beauty as a weapon rather than allow it to be used against her. Courtesans do the same."

Nathaniel choked on the dredges of his ice. That was the last thing he expected to leave Lady Eleanor's mouth. It wasn't an appropriate subject for a young woman to discuss, but he didn't believe she mentioned it for shock value. She was merely stating what she thought were facts. Still, Nathaniel didn't want to entertain any conversation with such a topic.

"Would you like to dance?" he asked, saying the first thing that came to mind.

His question startled him into silence. He hadn't danced in a long time, not since his wife's death. Beatrice loved to dance and always had an audience whenever she took to the floor. Everyone couldn't help but stare at her grace and skill.

"Dance?" Lady Eleanor repeated. "You wish to dance with me?"

Nathaniel hesitated for only a second. "Yes," he said, realizing he meant it. "I would love to dance with you. In fact, it would be my honor to share the next dance with you."

Her cheeks reddened slightly as she nodded. "A dance would be lovely, Your Grace."

Nathaniel placed her empty cup on the nearest surface with his before leading her to the dance floor, where others awaited the next set. The music revealed it was the waltz, a dance that still earned much disapproval from many. However, their hosts evidently thought it was good enough for their ball. Nathaniel questioned what he was doing. He undoubtedly wanted to dance with Lady Eleanor, but the waltz was something more intimate than he expected. She would be in his arms at all times and close enough to continue a private conversation.

Lady Eleanor's hand trembled slightly where it lay on his arm. He subtly glanced at her face and realized she was nervous. All doubts about dancing with her fled his mind as he sought to make her feel more at ease with him. He never wanted her to be anxious in his company.

"I imagine you have danced the waltz before?" he said.

"A few times," she revealed. "Lord and Lady Kinsey must be quite forward-thinking to include it."

"I was thinking the same thing," Nathaniel replied. "Shall we get into position before we're accused of standing around and halting the flow of the dance?"

"Yes, of course," she said.

Nathaniel took the initiative and pulled her close, earning him a soft gasp, but she didn't protest. Instead, Lady Eleanor followed his lead into the first step, allowing him to sweep her across the floor. Despite their height difference, they moved well together, and she fit into his arms better than he imagined. It was almost like they were meant to dance together, but that was just foolish thinking. He had felt the same way with Beatrice, although he had more so admired her than believed they were of equal talent. However, with Lady Eleanor, they were a seamless pair, and there was no her without him. They needed each other to perform every step of the dance.

Strangely, they didn't say anything during the waltz. Lady Eleanor's eyes met his a few times during the dance, but she would quickly look away with a soft blush, making her appear even more youthful and beautiful in his eyes. Unfortunately, the set ended far too soon for his liking. Nathaniel wasn't ready to relinquish his hold on his pretty partner. What he would say next would undoubtedly send the tongues of the ton wagging, but so be it.

"Would you dance with me again, Lady Eleanor?" he asked.

Her moss-green eyes widened in surprise. "Again?"

The sound of disbelief in her voice made him rethink his intention. He just wanted to spend more time with her in this capacity, but another walk around the ballroom wasn't a bad second choice.

"Yes, but there's no need if you'd rather not," Nathaniel replied.

"No, I'd like to," she swiftly said. "I'm just surprised you would wish to dance with me again. People will likely wonder about it."

Nathaniel's shoulders slumped slightly in relief. He didn't realize they had grown tense so quickly.

"Let them," he said rather recklessly. "They will talk anyway."

Lady Eleanor chuckled, sending warmth straight to his chest. "I didn't take you to be so..."

"Daring?" he offered. "Nonchalant?"

"Both," she said. "I suppose I can also throw caution to the wind. As you said, they will talk anyway. Our second dance will be forgotten by next week."

Perhaps it might take a little longer than that, but he was willing to risk it. A widower duke dancing twice with an eligible young woman almost twice his junior would be cannon fodder for likely weeks. It showed interest, and Nathaniel had yet to decide if he wished to portray that to those around him. However, not dancing with Lady Eleanor was out of the question, so he would merely have to accept the consequences. He now realized what his brother meant when he claimed that some women were simply worth the trouble.