Page 46 of Saving a Scoundrel
Susanna turned from the shelf. “But what about our game? We aren’t finished.”
“And I must return to the Termage. Castell needed me for an important task,” Lucius interjected.
Both men gave a bow and quit the room like the hounds of hell were on their heels. Ellie crossed her arms in front of her chest and stared at the empty doorway.
“How do you like that?” Susanna said. Then she sneezed.
Ellie turned to her. “How are you feeling?”
“Oh, all right. Except my nose is still stuffy.” She gathered the love letters and went to the wingback chair next to the fireplace. “Did you read these yet?”
“Yes, a few. They are from the summer and after. Their love affair was quite passionate.”
Susanna unfolded one and began to read. Ellie settled across from her. Then, glancing at the table next to her, she spotted her name on a letter. “What’s this?”
Susanna’s head popped up. “I’m sorry I forgot. You received a letter from your father in today’s post.”
Ellie picked it up and slit the seal with one finger. This was the first letter she had received from her father since leaving Marbury a month ago. She had sent him two already, assuring him everything was going well here in London. It was a long newsy letter but by the end, her stomach felt ill.
“What’s the matter? Is it bad news?” Susanna asked, setting down the letter she had been reading.
“Everything is fine with him. Dandy, in fact. He loves having Mr. Evans around. What a fine young man he is, how helpful, how meticulous. Most of the letter is him singing the praises of Mr. Evans. Then here in the last paragraph, he asks have I met any prospective suitors? I shouldn’t worry if I don’t get any offers, Mr. Evans is very keen to have me as a wife. He and Mr. Evans have discussed it at length!”
“Oh, dear.” Susanna grimaced.
“Oh, dear is right. Susanna, what am I going to do!”
“How did things go with Lucius today?”
Ellie buried her face in her hands. “Wonderful. There was some more kissing.” She raised her head back up to face her friend’s open mouth. “But afterward, he seemed unnerved. Like he regretted it, maybe? Or regretted it with me? I don’t know.”
“Eleanor, if you want to bring Lucius up to snuff, you are going to have to get serious.”
Ellie thought about how very serious all that had transpired in his office today had felt. Like a turning point. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, I think you will need to make him jealous. The only way he will realize his feelings for you are serious is if he thinks he will lose you to someone else.”
That made sense. Maybe Lucius just needed to think she could be snapped up by someone else. She leaned forward. “How would I do that?”
“Let’s start with Ascot this Wednesday. Everyone will be there. I’m sure you can find someone to flirt with in front of Lucius. I bet he’s so confused by his feelings for you he’ll fly into a jealous rage.” Susanna sighed dramatically.
That didn’t sound like Lucius at all, but what did she have to lose? Ellie looked down at the letter from her father. She would not go home with her tail between her legs and marry Mr. Evans. She’d had a taste of choosing her own path, and she still had adventures left to achieve.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Miles Weston feltabout ten years old, standing in the rain outside his aunt’s house. Indecision kept him from ringing the bell. He’d left the Dearborn’s and decided to walk home so that he could gather his feelings at the startling news he had heard. And as it started to rain, somehow he had ended up on Fenton Street standing outside number five with his hair damp from the drizzle. He must have an answer, and his aunt was the only one who could give it. He reached up and rang the bell.
“Lord Hawksridge!” Aunt Diana’s butler ushered him inside with alacrity. “We were not expecting you.”
“Yes, I’m sorry I did not expect to visit. Is my aunt home?”
“For you, I’m certain she is. Follow me, my lord.” Hughes led him to a cheerful receiving room. “One moment, please.” The man hurried away to find his mistress.
The small room held a settee and two chairs set around a low polished table. A fire burned in the grate. The walls and window dressings were in shades of blue that lent the space a cozy, intimate feeling. He walked over to stand in front of the fire in hopes of drying his damp jacket.
“Miles, my dear. What a lovely surprise.” Aunt Diana swept into the room.
He leaned over to buss her cheek as she approached him. “I apologize for coming unannounced. But I heard something this afternoon that I must ask you about.”
