The very same duke who hadn’t sent word or called upon her, leaving her heart heavy with uncertainty.
It is still quite early, she reminded herself. There is no need to get discouraged now.
“I know it is your decision, Elaine,” Lorna went on to say. She took a sip of her tea, then continued, “But Lord Penly has landed himself at the bottom of the already extensive list of potential suitors, in my opinion.”
“Extensive?” James repeated incredulously.
“Not Lord Weatherby?” Elaine asked, eyes widening at her aunt.
“Lord Weatherby seems like a decent match,” the dowager viscountess explained. “Despite his age, he is still of sound mind and is rather able-bodied. Not to mention the fact that is wealthy. Though by no means is he near the top of the list. And yes, James, extensive. Elaine was quite a hit last night and I have it on good authority that a number of the gentlemen she met have taken a liking to her.”
“Including the duke?” Elaine couldn’t help but ask.
“Especially the duke; he is at the top of the list.”
“Oh, for goodness’ sake.” James rolled his eyes. “Surely you jest.”
“I do not,” Lorna maintained, straightening her spine. “I know you do not approve but—”
“It is not that I do not approve. I simply believe that there are far better options for Elaine than a disgraced duke.”
“That is because you did not see them last night, James. They couldn’t look away from each other! The energy between them was magnetising.”
“Was it?” Elaine murmured. She felt heat on her cheeks as she thought of the way he’d held her during their dance. She quickly finished her tea and went about making herself another, needing the distraction.
“I felt a little bad pulling you away from each other last night,” Lorna sighed. “And he escorted you to the carriage! How romantic.”
“It is not romantic,” James grumbled. “It is polite.”
Lorna shifted in her seat, fixing her son with a hard glare. “Why are you so against the duke? Is it because of—”
The rest of her sentence was cut short by another knock on the door. This time, Paul entered with nothing in his hands. “Please forgive the intrusion, my lord, my ladies. Lady Elaine, you have a caller.”
Lorna shot to her feet. “She does?”
“Yes. Lord Weatherby is here to see you.”
The hope that had blossomed to the ceiling dissipated into thin smoke. Elaine felt horror wash over her in its stead. Not only was it not the duke, like she’d hoped, but it was the aged Lord Weatherby of all people. She would much prefer to sit and listen to Lord Penly talk about himself for hours than endure another moment with that gentleman.
The silence that followed Paul’s announcement was palpable. James was the first to break it. “Show him in.”
Paul nodded and left the room. Elaine braced herself. She knew she was in no position to turn him away. If things had been different, if her circumstances had not backed her into a corner and turned her desperate, then she would have given Paul an excuse to give Lord Weatherby without a moment’s hesitation.
But sadly, that was not the case.
He entered the room with the help of a cane. Elaine’s heart sank even further. In the light of day, he seemed even older, burdened by the years gone by.
She remembered her manners a second later than she should have. She got to her feet, sinking into a curtsy as Lord Weatherby slowly made his way over. In her peripheral vision, she saw Lorna and James retreat to the corner of the room to act as quiet chaperones.
“Lady Elaine,” Lord Weatherby grunted. “What a lovely sight you are. How have you been, my dear?”
The term of endearment sent shivers across her skin. Elaine fought her disgust from her expression as much as she could. “I have been well, my lord,” was all she could manage to say.
“Good,” replied gruffly.
She sat and watched as he struggled to take the spot next to her. She wasn’t sure if she should help him, not certain if he would appreciate it.
Finally, he sank heavily into the sofa and set his cane aside. “I should have sent word of my intention to call on you, my lady,” he said. “I was busy this morning, you see. Far too many meetings packed into the morning and I did not get the chance to.”
