Page 42 of How to Tempt a Duke

“Forgive me, Mother,” Eleanor said. “I feel I would benefit from more of Lottie’s instruction. I should like the opportunity to meet a suitor who appeals to me more than Devonington...one whom I might find happiness with.”

Goodness, but her knees had begun to tremble, and she found herself wishing to be seated still.

The Countess’s eyes sharpened with perceptible shrewdness as she regarded her daughter for a long, stifling moment. “You aren’t dressed properly and your hair has not yet been done.” She relaxed and sighed. “I daresay you wouldn’t be ready in time. Almack’s closes its doors to all patrons in the next hour. If you will agree to sup with Devonington at Vauxhall, I believe I might forgive your absence tonight.”

Eleanor’s heart leapt at the opportunity. “I agree.”

Her mother gave a smug smile. Apparently they had both just won a victory.

The Countess of Westix brushed at her immaculate gown. “I shall inform Devonington tonight of your decision to dine with him, and convey your disappointment at not being able to attend Almack’s. I shall say that you have truly been overly exerted by the events of today and last night. I will also see if Aunt Lydia and your cousin Lady Violet might be free to act as chaperons for you.” She turned to leave and stopped. “You are smiling, daughter.”

Eleanor pursed her lips to quell her blatant display of delight.

The Countess softened slightly and nodded. “I like it.”

“Thank you, Mother.”

The Countess of Westix swept from the room without further comment, letting the door shut quietly behind her. Eleanor rushed to her dressing table and pulled out the journal she had obtained from her father’s study earlier that day.

But the eagerness of her joy was dampened by the presence of guilt. Her mother trusted her, and Eleanor intended to spend the evening with the very man her mother most despised. Eleanor bit her lip and slid the battered book into a bag. Her mother wanted Eleanor to be happy, though, and this made Eleanor far happier than anything else ever could.

Amelia appeared in the room once more and bobbed a curtsey. “The Countess has departed and the hackney has arrived for you.” She glanced at the bag.

Eleanor resisted the urge to pull it behind her back.

Amelia winked. “You needn’t worry, my lady. You could hide a body in here and I’d not tell a soul.”

“You knew?” Eleanor asked.

“Nothing in your room goes unnoticed by me. It’s my job, my lady. It’s all part of protecting you.”

Eleanor had never thought of Amelia as a protector. A maid, yes, but never a protector. The idea was a nice one—to know Amelia was on her side should she need her.

“Thank you,” Eleanor said with genuine gratitude, before slipping away.

Only when she was inside the hackney did she notice a similar hired coach just pulling away from the home opposite her own, with a lone man sitting inside. Eleanor peered through the darkness at the face in the other coach’s window. There, lit by only a sliver of moonlight, was a face she would recognize anywhere—Hugh, the Earl of Ledsey.

Charles arrived early to Lottie’s by special request, and filled her in on the events of the ball—including Lady Sarah’s preposterous costume of an angel. Lottie’s smile wavered, however, at the mention of Charles dancing the waltz with Lady Eleanor.

The clop of hooves came to a stop outside and he glanced behind the window covering to see a woman in black slip out of a hackney. His pulse kicked up a notch in wicked delight. Lady Eleanor had arrived. And no doubt the journals with her.

Or one of them, at least.

Lottie twirled one dark curl thoughtfully on her finger and pursed her lips.

He dropped the curtain. “What is it?”

Lottie’s brows lifted in feigned confusion.

Charles pointed to the hair curled around her digit. “You are twirling your hair and pursing your lips. Which you always do when you have something you want to say. So speak your piece and be done with it.”

She sighed and spread her hands over the green silk gown she wore. “Have a care for why you’re here, Charles. Why you’re helping.”

He frowned. “I am not following...”

The footman appeared at the door and announced the arrival of Lady Eleanor.

“Bring her in,” Lottie said to the footman before turning back to Charles. “She is meant to wed, not to be distracted by you.”