Chapter 13

The next dance was more energetic, and they spent more time apart than together, but Nathaniel didn't mind. Lady Eleanor was smiling and appeared to be enjoying herself, but he wasn't so keen on the parts when they briefly changed partners. The other men seemed too eager to take her hand and practically leered at her like wolves stalking a lamb.

"Goodness," she cried as the music ended. "I need something to drink after that. The punch seems a refreshing choice, but I'm worried it will addle my mind before I reach the end of my glass. I wonder if they have any soda water? I wouldn't mind something effervescent to quench my thirst."

Her bubbly nature made him grin. "We could ask a servant to get you some soda water. I'm confident our host keeps it in their kitchen. I cannot imagine why he wouldn't."

"Shall we find a servant and try?" she asked.

"Certainly," he replied, giving her his arm. "I must say I'm glad I came here this evening. Or rather, I was dragged here. My brother wouldn't take no for an answer."

Lady Eleanor laughed. "Lord Richard sounds like my brother and aunt," she said. "I did not come here of my own volition, either. My aunt went as far as to secure an invitation to the ball. I do not think we were initially invited."

Nathaniel shook his head. "Family. One can choose their friends, but you certainly cannot choose your family. Still, I love my brother all the same. He only does it because he worries I'll never leave the house."

Lady Eleanor nodded as they walked away from the dance floor. "Their intentions are good, but I wish they would listen to us. I could have been at home reading a book and enjoying a cup of tea or a glass of lemonade, but here I am."

In this instance, Nathaniel was glad her brother and aunt had forced her to come to the ball.

"I must be truthful, my lady," he said. "The reason behind my decision to come here wasn't so much my brother's insistence as my hope that I would see you again. I rather enjoyed our little conversation at the Royal Theater, and I hoped we could speak again."

It was a significant confession that opened him to the vulnerability of rejection and disappointment. Perhaps he shouldn't have been so truthful with her.

"Indeed?" she replied, her eyes widening slightly. "I also wished to see you again. I saw it as my only consolation for being here under force. I'm glad you decided to come."

She blushed and lowered her head as though embarrassed by her confession, but Nathaniel was glad. He was about to say as much when he spotted Lord Egerton coming their way. He appeared livid.

"Your brother is approaching," he informed Lady Eleanor.

Her head jerked up. "My brother?" She looked around and soon saw him. "I suppose he found me."

"Were you hiding from him?"

"Not entirely."

Nathaniel laughed. "What does that mean?"

"Well, I'm out in the open, so I'm not hiding from him," she explained. "However, I am avoiding him and have successfully done so for over an hour. I do not regret it one bit."

"Then let me tell you I'm glad you did," he said. "If not, I might not have spent all this time with you."

Lady Eleanor smiled. "It was an activity well spent. Grant will undoubtedly scold me, but I would do it again."

Nathaniel inwardly shook his head in wonder at the fearless woman. Her stubbornness was attractive and daring, but he wondered if he would feel the same if it was directed at him. It took a moment to realize he probably would. Lady Eleanor had done nothing to repel him since their first meeting. If anything, he was worried he might not have another opportunity to see her again.

"Your Grace," Lord Egerton greeted once he reached them. "How are you this evening?"

"Very well, thank you," Nathaniel replied. "Especially in your sister's company. How are you?"

The marquess stiffened as soon as Nathaniel mentioned being pleased with his sister's company.

"I see," said Lord Egerton, glaring at his sister. "I'm afraid my sister will have to take her leave—she has other places to be."

Nathaniel looked on in shock as the marquess grabbed his sister's arm and pulled. He wanted to step in and scold the man for forcefully yanking her arm, but Lady Eleanor beat him to it.

"Grant," she cried, pulling her arm out of his grasp. "You cannot just lead me wherever you please. Also, it's rude to grab me like that. You could have asked me to follow you. I'm not a dog."

Nathaniel didn't know whether to laugh or be indignant on her behalf. Lady Eleanor's reaction was justified, but Lord Egerton was her brother. It might not have been best to scold him in public.

"Fine," the marquess snapped. "Please, come with me."

"No."

Nathaniel and Lord Egerton's eyes widened to nearly twice their size. They were both evidently surprised by her response.

"No?" Lord Egerton repeated. "I beg your pardon? Did you not just tell me to ask you?"

"I did because you grabbed me," she pointed out. "However, that doesn't mean I will agree. I am having a lovely time in His Grace's company. I see no reason to end it before I'm ready."

The marquess's face grew a mottled red as he likely struggled within himself to maintain his anger. Nathaniel didn't know how he would have reacted in Lord Egerton's shoes.

"I've had enough of this," the marquess said, leaning closer to his sister. "Excuse yourself and come with me. I will not say it a third time."

His tone and expression brooked no argument. Lady Eleanor must have been accustomed to her brother's temper because she didn't appear intimidated in the slightest. On the contrary, she seemed to be trying hard to keep the lid on her boiling pot of anger.

"You are welcome to turn around and return to your group of friends," she said. "Or you can go to our aunt—I do not care either way."

Lady Eleanor's tone was achingly polite, but it possessed an iciness that sent chills down Nathaniel's spine. This woman knew true anger and could control it far better than most. It was amazing to witness.

"Furthermore," she continued, "I am capable of leaving when I please—I'm not a child who needs to be led around by the hand."

Lord Egerton scoffed. "I thought you weren't a dog to yield at my heels," he replied sarcastically.

Lady Eleanor smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm not a child or pet," she said. "I might as well inform you that I intend to visit Julia for a few days. I leave tomorrow morning, so I hope you and Aunt Helen do not have plans for me."

Lord Egerton's mouth dropped open in astonishment. Nathaniel did his best to smother the laughter that rose within him, but he couldn't quite contain himself. Fortunately, the noise that escaped his mouth sounded like a cough instead, but Lady Eleanor paid him a side glance that hinted she knew what he was trying to hide. He would have chuckled again but wisely looked away and cleared his throat several times.

"You are being unnecessarily difficult," Lord Egerton pointed out. "You knew we had a plan for the evening. How can you do as you please?"

"I followed that plan to the best of my abilities," she replied. "Was I expected not to enjoy the evening at all? That doesn't seem fair." She turned to Nathaniel. "Is a ball not meant for enjoyment, Your Grace?"

Nathaniel sensed an ongoing sibling bickering. The wise decision would be to stay out of whatever was happening between them, but he didn't want Lady Eleanor to think he had no backbone. Sitting on the fence was worse than picking a side because both sides would be angry at the neutral person.

"A ball is a party," he replied. "Parties are meant to be enjoyed."

"Precisely my point," Lady Eleanor said, smiling in gratitude. She looked at her brother. "I deserve some time to myself, don't you agree?"

Lord Egerton's jaw repeatedly clenched and unclenched. Nathaniel's gaze traveled to where the man had clenched his fists by his sides. The marquess was bristling with anger and was in danger of erupting if a common ground was not found.

"Well, that time needs to come to an end because we're going home," he said. "Aunt Helen is not feeling well. That is why I came to look for you."

"Our aunt is not well?" she asked. She narrowed her eyes. "Are you using that excuse as a ploy to convince me to leave, or is she truly unwell?"

"Why would I lie about such a thing?" Lord Egerton demanded. "She mentioned a headache, so I suggested we leave. You may speak to her if you do not believe me."

Lady Eleanor still looked suspicious, but she nodded. "We should go home and let her lie down," she said. "Your Grace, thank you for your company. You made my evening bearable. No, not just bearable, but enjoyable."

Nathaniel bowed to her. He might rank higher as a duke, but Lady Eleanor was a woman among women. She deserved every inch of respect he could give her.

"The pleasure was all mine, my lady," he said.

"Your Grace," said Lord Egerton, bowing before him. "Please, excuse us."

Nathaniel took a step back at the look of sheer disapproval and accusation in the younger man's eyes. Lord Egerton took his sister's elbow and moved through the crowd, his head leaning toward her as though he were saying something. He was likely scolding her for her behavior, but her back remained straight as though she were unaffected.

"What on earth did I do?" Nathaniel muttered to himself.

One would think the marquess disliked him. It was an odd feeling to be disliked, especially considering his title and wealth. However, these factors didn't seem to matter to Lord Egerton. Nathaniel had a feeling the man didn't like him giving his sister any kind of attention, which was odd. Mothers and fathers usually clamored for his attention and thrust their daughters at him whenever they had the chance.

Looking around him, Nathaniel noticed people staring at him intently. He ignored them and went in search of his brother, but he continued to feel eyes following his every movement. He neared the staircase to get a little height to find his brother. Richard couldn't be far away—too many beautiful women milled around the room. He wouldn't have missed the opportunity to speak with them.

"...so much older," he heard someone say. "He must want a young wife to provide him with an heir."

"He is wealthy and handsome, so his age shouldn't be a problem," another woman commented.

They were talking about him. Some appeared against his interest in Lady Eleanor, while others found it perfectly acceptable. It didn't matter what others thought about him, not when he was uncertain about the course his life was taking.

Sighing, he rubbed the back of his neck. This was precisely why he liked to be at home. He didn't have to listen to the gossiping ton, but most importantly, he wouldn't have to wonder about what he was doing with Lady Eleanor. Nathaniel undoubtedly wanted to be around her, but that meant opening himself to more because his feelings for her were not content to remain stagnant. Still, he wasn't entirely confident about his readiness to begin anew and allow a woman into his life, but a feeling told him the matter was already out of his hands.