Page 3 of Saving a Scoundrel
“Uh oh,” Charlotte said.
Despite her anxiety, Ellie giggled. She glanced up and caught Olivia’s eye, and Olivia giggled as well.
Susanna huffed and crossed her arms at their laughter. “It’s a great idea. I just need to work out some details.”
“Your great ideas always lead to trouble.” Charlotte arched a dark eyebrow. “Whose great idea sent Daniel and me tumbling into the lake during my party last spring?”
“I will admit that plan was flawed.” Susanna bit down on her lower lip. “But I absolutely will not let Eleanor settle for Mr. Evans.”
Ellie sighed. “I don’t know; perhaps I should marry Mr. Evans. I do love Marbury, and it’s always been my home. Being the pastor’s wife is a respectable position in local society. I would be near all of you, dear friends.”
“But what about love? What about your plans for 1825 being your year of adventure?” Susanna prodded.
Ellie felt tears burn at the back of her eyes. It was a terrible, wonderful thing when your friends could clearly see all your secret wishes and not let you give up on them. All the things she had scribbled down last December after Henry’s funeral. Wishes she would have to pack away now. She swallowed the lump in her throat as she glanced around at the concern on her friends’ faces. “Please excuse me. I just need a moment.” Ellie rose and hurried from the room.
*
Lucius Grisham pattedhis horse’s neck and turned to his brother-in-law, Daniel. “Thanks, Weston. A good hard ride was just what I needed. Perhaps there is something to all your blather about fresh country air.”
Daniel chuckled and dismounted. “We are glad to have you. Charlotte complains that she never sees you. We will have to remedy that when we arrive in London at the end of the month. Where are you staying these days?”
Lucius dismounted and turned away from his friend to grab his horse’s lead. “With friends.” He shrugged. Better to be vague than to admit where he actually lived.
He and Daniel led their horses into the barn, where a stable hand came to take the animals. “I will meet you inside. I need to speak to Mr. Lincoln. Afterward, we can have a drink in my study.”
Lucius gave a small salute with his hand and walked out of the stable. Weston’s property was a pretty piece of land. Both Daniel and Charlotte had an interest in horticulture, and it showed in the beauty of their gardens. Lucius took off his hat and ran a hand through his hair. The breeze cooled the sweat on his brow. It did feel good to get out of London. The last few days, he had been able to relax and not have to rush from one thing to the next. He didn’t have to pretend to be anyone but himself when he was with his sister, a nice break from his usual life.
He strode through an arch covered in vines and into an area where neat rows of flower beds held the beginning signs of spring. Green leaves unfurled but no flowers yet.
“I deserve more…” a feminine voice rang out.
Lucius swiveled. To his right, Eleanor Spencer paced back and forth across the grass only twenty feet from him. Like the last time he saw her, she was agitated, her hands punctuating whatever conversation she was having with herself. He watched her for a moment. Her gray-striped cotton skirts swished back and forth as she paced. The straw bonnet shaded her face so he couldn’t see her expression, but she was in high dudgeon based on her body language.
“Ahem.” He coughed to catch her attention.
She came to a halt abruptly; her eyes widening when she spotted him. “Lucius? What are you doing here?”
“Visiting my sister. I would think that would be obvious.”
“Oh yes, of course.” She glanced down at the ground. “Charlotte didn’t mention that you were visiting.” Her gaze darted to the house before returning to the ground.
He hadn’t seen Eleanor since Henry’s funeral and the kiss they shared that afternoon. Lucius had chalked up the surprising gesture to the high emotions she must have been feeling that day. Clearly, she felt embarrassed by the incident, so he fixed a smile on his face as he walked toward her.
“What has you upset today?” he asked.
“What makes you think I’m upset?” she retorted but still she wouldn’t meet his gaze.
“Eleanor, you were just pacing and talking to yourself.” Her cheeks turned pink at his observation. “Can I help?”
She tilted her head up, and for the first time, he could see her eyes. The emotion swirling in them deepened the violet hue. She caught her bottom lip, pink and plump, between her teeth. His thoughts flew to the frozen graveyard when she had reached up and sweetly pressed her mouth against his.
Each brush of her lips had sent his senses spiraling. What a surprise it had been to find underneath those dowdy ill-fitting clothes were ample curves that fit just right against him. And that sharp tongue of hers had been soft and sweet as it explored his mouth. Kissing Ellie had been like sliding into a hot bath; the shock of the heat was so pleasurable you never wanted to emerge.
She had looked up at him with luminous doe eyes swirling with desire, and he’d wanted to kiss her all over again. But reality had blown through with the cold December wind. She was his sister’s best friend, the goddamn vicar’s daughter, and he was a rogue with not a farthing to his name except what was gifted by his lovers. Eleanor Spencer was far too good to be kissing the likes of him.
“Help?” She shook her head. “No, I have to help myself.” She paced away. “I just need to find the courage.”
He followed her. “What do you mean? What’s going on?”
