“The pleasure is entirely mine,” Eleanor said politely.
“I suppose you must be excited,” Lord Barrington said. “With your sister getting married today, that means you’ll be next, doesn’t it?”
“I suppose it does,” Eleanor said, doing her best to keep an even tone and not betray the fact that this topic wasn’t one she cared to discuss. It would be better to accept the conversation and to get through it without objecting. She didn’t wish to make a scene, and it wouldn’t be a very long conversation.
“Do you have a lucky gentleman in mind?” Lord Barrington asked.
“Oh, no, not me,” Eleanor said. “But Father will select someone for me when the time is right. In fact, I believe he hopes to make his choice during this party.”
“Well, well!” Lord Barrington chuckled. “That is big news, I must say! And how exciting! I’m sure you must be looking forward to finding out who he’ll choose for you—this will be a week to remember for both of you young ladies.”
Eleanor was quiet. She knew a response was called for, but in that moment, she found herself struggling to think of anything at all to say. She was sure that shewouldremember this week. This would be the week she had lost her sister to a marriage, and it would very likely be the week she lost herself to one as well. Butexcitingwasn’t the word she would have chosen to describe those events.
The foyer was silent for a moment as everyone took in what was happening. They were waiting for Eleanor to speak, to break the silence—she was sure of it. But she had no idea what to say.
Finally, mercifully, her father broke in. “Lord Barrington, why don’t I take you through to the sitting room?” he suggested. “We have drinks ready for our guests in there. And one of my staff will show your man where to take your luggage.”
Lord Barrington turned away from Eleanor, which was a mercy, and allowed Eleanor’s father to lead him into the sitting room.
As soon as he was out of earshot, Eleanor’s mother grabbed her by the arm. “I don’t know what you were thinking,” she hissed. “Speaking to him like that!”
“What do you mean?” Eleanor was startled. “I wasn’t rude to him!”
“You as good as told him that you didn’t wish to marry?”
“Mother,” Marina said, “I don’t think Lord Barrington could have gottenthatfrom what Eleanor said. All she told him was that Father would be making her choice for her.”
“And you don’t think he’ll figure out the reason behind that?” Their mother still sounded angry.
“I don’t see how he could,” Marina said patiently. “I think we’re all very sensitive about this because we know Eleanor and Father, and we know what a point of tension this has been between the two of them. But I don’t see how anyone else could possibly know, just from the conversation we had, what was happening between us. All he heard was that Father hopes to pick someone for. Eleanor to marry. Everyone would have discovered that anyway.”
Their mother sighed. “You’re right, of course,” she said. “I worry too much about what others think. I know. That.”
Eleanor was amazed. Of course, she felt that her mother worried too much about appearances as well. But she’d never expectedto hear her mother admit it. Somehow, Marina had managed to make something miraculous happen.
And then the miracle became even more pronounced, for Eleanor’s mother looked at her and smiled. “You must forgive me, Eleanor,” she said. “I know you’re doing your best to behave. I can see that. I want everything to go perfectly this week. But I know what a struggle it is for you to fit in to social settings and to be polite to everyone.”
Perhaps it was intended as a kind comment, but Eleanor was hurt by it, nonetheless. Did her mother really think she lacked the capacity to mind her manners?
Well, it didn’t seem to matter what Eleanor did this week. It would have no bearing on her future—so she would behave as well as she possibly could. Then, perhaps, her mother would finally come to appreciate her. Maybe she would see that Eleanorcouldbe an agreeable person when she wanted to be.
Maybe.
She squared her shoulders and turned toward the front door. More wedding guests were beginning to arrive, and that meant more chances to show her mother how well-mannered she could be when she wanted to.
There was no time like the present to begin.
CHAPTER NINE
“Phineas!”
For the first time since the wedding weekend had begun, Eleanor felt a sincere burst off joy. Of course, as Jacob’s elder brother, it went without saying that Phineas would be in attendance at the week’s festivities. And yet, somehow, Eleanor had allowed herself to forget that fact. In all her thoughts about what would happen this week, the one thing she hadn’t given any thought to was the fact that she would be able to see her childhood friend.
He beamed at her. “Eleanor. What a pleasure, as always. And what a joy it is that my brother and your sister are to be married. Why, you and I will be like family now.”
“I’ve always thought of us that way,” Eleanor said with a smile. “But it’s been such a long time since we’ve seen one another.”
“Seeing you is like seeing a rare bird!” Phineas said. “Your parents never allow you out of the house, so how would anyone ever catch a glimpse?”
