Chapter 2

Two

E lena smiled as she wandered through the hall. She was searching the house. Not for a place to hide, and Eli would have accused her, but for someone in particular. She had noticed that Eli had taken an interest in one of the ladies in attendance. Oh, he had tried to hide his interest, but he had not succeeded. Elena knew him too well. No one else would have noticed, but she had, and Elena would definitely take advantage of it. She wanted her friend to find love, and if this lady was the one that had caught his attention… Well, then she would ensure that the lady returned that attention.

Which was why she was currently wandering around the house in search of that lady. She wanted to introduce herself, and then become fast friends with her. Once she located her she would insert herself, as much as she was able to, into the girls life. Then she would encourage her to spend time with Eli and hopefully they would fall in love and live happily-ever-after. If such an ending existed… Elena had her doubts considering her own less than tasteful venture in marriage.

Elena entered a room and barely kept a grin to herself as she noticed the dark haired beauty sitting alone. She’d found her. Thank heaven. Now for her to begin her machinations. The lady glanced up and met her gaze. She was truly a lovely young woman and she could see why Eli would be intrigued by her. The question, of course, was she worthy of her friend. It was time to ascertain that very thing. Today she wore a gown of emerald silk that matched her lovely eyes. “Good afternoon,” The young woman greeted Elena.

Elena beamed at her. “I don’t believe we have been introduced,” she began. “I am Lady Dryden.” She waited for the young woman to address her. She wanted to be more forward, but didn’t wish to scare the poor thing. Undoubtedly, the woman wouldn’t be accustomed to such behavior. Elena was used to being more brash and bold. She’d had to be that way. It was how she survived after her husband had beaten her. She would have turned into a sniveling coward otherwise.

“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Dryden.” The young woman said, then smiled at her. “I am Lady Gabriella St. Giles.” She had seemed so lost in thought. Was she thinking about Eli as she sat alone in this room?

Elena nodded at her. “Do you mind if I join you?” She moved closer to Lady Gabriella with the intention of sitting regardless of what she agreed to.

As she made her way across the room she studied Lady Gabriella. She had luscious dark locks and brilliant green eyes. Her heart shaped face and full lips were features that most other young ladies would be envious of, and wish they could have. But features like hers were not so easy to come by or emulate. Elena wouldn’t want to be just like her, but she could see why others might wish to. Those ladies were not comfortable in their own skin.

“Of course,” Lady Gabriella told her. “I’m just lost in my own thoughts.” She gestured toward a chair near the settee. “Please sit. I could use the company.” Elena went to the settee and settled into the seat. She was prepared to stay as long as necessary. She had a plan and she would see it through.

“Are you experiencing a bit of the doldrums?” Elena asked. “The entertainments thus far have been tedious.” She suspected all of the entertainments would be much the same. Not that she’d been that much of a participant. They had not been at Lady Winston’s long enough to enjoy much of what had been planned for the guests.

“It’s been all right,” Lady Gabriella answered, though she did not sound enthusiastic. “My friend has taken a liking to one of the gentlemen in attendance and, therefore, left me to my own devices. Not that I mind.” Lady Gabriella shrugged. “The gentleman in question has to be far more appealing than her mother.”

Elena laughed. It was a rich throaty laugh. How interesting… She could not wait to learn more. “Am I to understand that her mother is insufferable?” She sighed. Elena had been around many unbearable ladies since she’d been married. No doubt Lady Gabriella’s friend’s mother was comparable to them. “I have my own experiences with people similar to that. I feel for your friend.”

“Clara will be all right,” Lady Gabriella explained. “Mrs. Adams seems to like her potential suitor and is encouraging the match. If it goes somewhere, then she’ll be free to do as she pleases.” She frowned. “Well, it might not be as simple as that. Some marriage are not so wonderful are they?”

“Quite true,” Elena agreed, remembering her days as a young wife. Her marriage had not been her choosing, but still, she’d had hope it wouldn’t be that terrible. Oh, how wrong he’d been. Those were memories she wished she could forget. Though that was unlikely. Nothing would completely wash them from her mind. Sometimes the more horrid ones sneaked in when she least expected it, and she struggled to breathe as they beat her internally. Almost as if her dreadful husband still drew breath. “But that is far too serious a discussion for a lovely afternoon. She leaned on the arm of the chair. Tell me about yourself.”

“What would you like to know?” Lady Gabriella asked. She stared at Elena expectantly. “There is nothing exciting about me.” Now that wasn’t the truth. The very fact that Eli had taken an interest in her was enough for Elena. She would be engrossing even without that to recommend her, but Eli’s fascination with her was the reason Elena had come to find her. So she would stay and she would learn all she could about the girl.

“That cannot be the truth,” Elena said. She had to make the girl talk more. But how? Then an idea struck her and she added, “Or you would not have caught the attention of my dear friend.” Surely that would be enough to make Lady Gabriella curious. She had to spark that within her so they could move forward. Elena had to push them toward a relationship and hopefully they would then fall madly in love.

Lady Gabriella narrowed her gaze. “Pardon me,” she began. “What friend?” The girl must not know of Elena’s friendship with Eli. How much did she even know about him? Elena would have to prod a little there as well.

“Lord Savorton,” Elena said, and then lifted her lips upward into a confident smile. “You are acquainted with him, are you not?” No young lady would forget meeting the Marquess of Savorton. He was handsome, titled, and charming. She waited for Lady Gabriella to confirm that she’d met Eli. From there she could move the conversation in the direction she wished for it to go.

“I met him in the conservatory,” Lady Gabriella admitted. “But that hardly means he likes me. He was polite, nothing more.” She frowned. Almost as if she couldn’t believe that Eli might find her attractive. How interesting. Elena didn’t think that Lady Gabriella would be so unassuming or modest. How could she not believe that Eli wouldn’t be interested in her?

“Ah,” Elena said. “I had wondered…” Her voice trailed off as her eyes glazed over as if she was lost in thought. This girl was quite naive. Much like Elena had once been. Back when she believed in love, and had willingly given her heart away. That young girl she’d once been no longer existed. She snapped out of it and met Lady Gabriella’s gaze. She couldn’t allow herself to revisit her past. It would not aid her now. “He pays attention to you.”

“I doubt that.” She nibbled on her bottom lip. Lady Gabriella doubted a man as handsome and titled as Eli wouldn’t want her. Why was that?

“Oh, trust me, he does.” Elena tapped her fingers lightly on the arm of her chair. “He is subtle about it, but I know him better than anyone. He’s interested in you.” She leaned a little closer. “Would you like to know him better?” She had to entice the young woman into accepting her help. Somehow she would bring the two of them together.

“Why would you be willing to aid me in this?” Lady Gabriella scrunched her eyebrows together in confusion. “Isn’t he your friend?” Elena could tell her about the wager, but she doubted that she’d understand. She might even be offended by it. That was not the most optimal way to handle this situation.

“That is precisely why,” she said, and flipped her hand dismissively. “I don’t expect you to understand. Eli—Savorton,” Elena corrected herself. “And I have been friends since we were children. He’s been struggling for sometime now to keep his family estates together, and now that he has succeeded he fears everything will somehow be snatched away from him. He’s miserable and doesn’t even realize it.” She tilted her head to the side. “He doesn’t notice women. They are not worth his attention when everything else is at stake, but you, my dear, are different. I want to encourage that if it is possible.”

“You’re only seeking his happiness?” Lady Gabriella’s voice held a hint of skepticism in it. Elena couldn’t fault her for not believing her. In her place she’d question it all as well. For that she respected the woman a whole lot more. That showed she had some intelligence, and Elena appreciated that more than anything.

“Exactly,” Elena said. “And I do think you might make him happy.” At least she hoped she would… Happiness could be elusive and fleeting. No one knew that better than Elena did. Her happiness had been far too brief, and painful to remember even now.

“I might not make him happy,” Lady Gabriella told her. “You can’t force something that is not there.” Truer words had never been spoken before… Nothing could be forced. Well that wasn’t exactly the truth was it? Her father had forced her into a marriage. True love and happiness couldn’t be though. That was what Elena wanted for Eli.

“Are you telling me that it would take some effort on your part to feel something for the marquess?” Elena lifted a brow. “Because I’ve seen you watching him, too. You’re not even sly about it as he has been.” Lady Gabriella didn’t fool her. She was attracted to Eli, and that attraction was completely understandable.

“I cannot do it,” Lady Gabriella told her. “I won’t scheme for any reason, and I don’t need to.”

Lady Dryden’s smile grew. She didn’t want her to scheme. All she wanted from Lady Gabriella was for her to be open to the possibility of something with Eli. That wasn’t too much to ask. At least she did not think it was… “I like you. You’ll do.”

Elena didn’t elaborate on that because right then Eli entered the room with the one man she’d been avoiding for years. He was as handsome as she remembered. His dark hair curled a little against his nape and those eyes of his… She had always been drawn to those beautiful blue eyes. She tore her gaze away from him and turned her attention to Eli. She glared at him. How could he have done this to her? He knew how she felt about the Earl of Northfield. Her smile faded as she turned and met the earl’s gaze and fought the urge to flee. He couldn’t really be there. Standing next to Eli and staring at her as if he still loved her. It couldn’t be possible... God help her, she couldn’t handle this. Pain shot through her and stabbed directly through her aching heart. She was not prepared for this.