She slipped into the room and indeed six pairs of eyes fell on her. Unable to help herself, her gaze went directly to Michael.
He was by the window, a deep frown gradually fading as their gazes locked. Elaine broke eye contact before he made it to his next expression, not wanting to see it. She lowered her head, stepping deeper into the room.
“Pardon my tardiness,” she apologised in a soft tone.
“It is quite all right, darling,” Lorna quickly chirped. “Shall we all make our way to the dining room then?”
Her energy was met with a decisive lack of it. Elaine felt a twinge of pity for her aunt, the sole source of positivity in the tense room. Even the Earl and Countess of Belington seemed not to know what to do with themselves.
Clarissa came to her side as they began filing out ofthe room, laying a gentle hand on Elaine’s arm. “Good evening, Elaine,” she greeted with a soft smile. “How are you faring?”
Elaine managed a smile but it fell just as quickly as it came. “I am well, Clarissa. It is nice to see you again.”
Clarissa’s smile slipped as worry set into her blue eyes. “Are you certain? You do not look well. Perhaps it would be best if you rest for this evening, I’m sure your aunt would not mind.”
“On the contrary, she would be quite upset with me if I did not attend this evening,” Elaine confessed. She’d hoped her words would be taken in jest but she couldn’t even manage a forced laugh.
Clarissa, bless her heart, laughed for the both of them. “I understand. My brother was quite adamant that I attend.”
The brother in question was an overbearing presence behind Elaine. It took every ounce of her strength to keep from turning and looking back at him.
“Would you not have wanted to attend without his coercion?” Elaine asked. “Perhaps for another reason?”
“What do you…” Clarissa trailed off, following Elaine’s eyes. Her cheeks turned pink the moment they landed on James, who was oblivious to their conversation. “Oh.”
This time, her smile came easily to her lips. “I wish you two the best.”
Clarissa only blushed further, clearly not knowing what to say. She was saved from having to think about it much longer as they arrived at the dining table. Elaine moved quickly, wanting to claim the seat next to James. But Lorna had other plans.
“Why don’t the future married couple sit together?” Lorna suggested loudly, with a broad grin.
Elaine gritted her teeth. Perhaps she should just take Clarissa’s suggestion and feign illness. She could manage a convincing fainting spell if necessary.
Then the smell of his cologne washed over her and all those thoughts fled her mind. Elaine froze as Michael brushed by her and pulled her chair out. He said nothing and simply waited for her to take the chair. He was so close she could almost feel his breath brush against her neck.
“Thank you,” she breathed, sinking into the chair, every nerve in her body sparking with life.
He didn’t respond. He simply claimed the seat between Elaine and James, a bold decision considering that James had been shooting daggers at him the entire time. The quiet and observing Lord and Lady Belington sat next to Clarissa.
“Well,” Lorna began in a cheerful tone. “Isn’t this lovely? I think this is the first time our families have gotten the chance to sit and have a meal together. And considering that the weddingis on the morrow, it is long overdue, wouldn’t you say, Your Grace?”
“Pardon me,” Michael responded, his voice polite. “I found myself rather busy during these past few days.”
“We understand, Your Grace. The duties of a duke must keep you rather occupied. Hopefully, some of that responsibility will be relieved once Elaine becomes the duchess.”
“Aunt Lorna,” Elaine murmured but her aunt wasn’t listening. It was as if Lorna would stop at nothing to stop the uncomfortable silence that would inevitably descend if she stopped talking.
“She is quite dependable, you see,” Lorna went on, daintily poking the beans on her plate. “Ever since her mother’s death and the decline of her father’s health, she has shouldered the burden of the house. Of course, James and I do whatever we can to assist but she can be quite stubborn and she rarely ever asks for help.”
“That sounds oddly familiar,” Clarissa spoke up. “Wouldn’t you say, Michael?”
“Oh, His Grace is the same?” Lorna asked in surprise. At Clarissa’s nod, her eyes began to sparkle. “Well, that is wonderful to hear! That would mean they have something in common.”
“I do not think stubbornness is a good trait to share, Mother,” James spoke up. Or rather, grumbled, since he seemed to care more about glowering at Michael than eating his meal.
“I’m sure they will balance each other out,” Lorna answered with a dismissive wave of her hand.
Elaine held back her sigh. She glanced at Michael, noting the fact that he did not seem to be paying them any mind. Gathering her courage, she leaned slightly towards him and whispered, “It seems they are content to talk about us as if we are not in the room.”
