How peculiar for a man who performed himself.
She nodded, and the duke jerked his head for her to follow him. “I noticed you had no carriage or horse outside, so I will see you into a hackney. I noticed you being worried about the time, so the sooner you return home, the better.”
Elinor bit her lip, grateful, and followed him to the back entrance as he hailed a hackney for her. He paid the driver more than handsomely, if the heavy look to the coin pouch was anything to go by.
“Do ensure Lady Elinor makes it home discreetly and safely. And make haste.”
He opened the door for Elinor, and she clambered in. As he closed the door for her, the duke shot her a wink, and Elinor quickly yanked the curtain closed before he could see how much she still blushed.
The house was still empty when she was dropped off and climbed up to her chambers, ensuring to leave the matches back in their hiding place for Natalie to collect before anybody noticed they were gone.
Stood in her room and let the weight of the evening settle over her. She had agreed to a deception with the duke. She had been caught trespassing on his property, and instead of reporting her, he had asked her to stay. To keep teaching. Whatever his reasons, however selfish the arrangement might prove, he had looked at what she did in that schoolroom and decided it was worth preserving.
That alone was more than anyone in this house had offered her in four years.
She stared around her room, dread pitting in her stomach when she thought about her stepmother finding out. Rebecca Caverleigh was a high achiever, pushing her daughters through the marriage mart, so Elinor knew that if she had approached the duke with Belinda …
Only to find out that it would be Elinor betrothed …
Her thoughts couldn’t complete, and she pressed a hand to her stomach, trying to breathe through the panic. The consequences would be severe, she knew, and if the duke could not see the engagement through to a marriage, then she would be forced to remain in Morland House, enduring the displeasure and cruelty of whatever would result of the news breaking.
The duke would come to the house. Her breathing quickening, Elinor did the only thing she knew would settle her, for her mind was too scrambled to read: she sat at her writing desk, snatching up a fresh piece of paper and pen.
My dearest, most-missed father,she began, and then she poured herself into the letter, letting him know how much she missed him.
I still wish to visit you, but I know you want me to stay here, in the ton, doing what young ladies should …
Her father could not know how ignored she was. Her stepfamily only acknowledged her when they wanted to be nasty, and Elinor had always protected him from knowing that.
Do write back and tell me of your recent reading materials, for I am in need of more. I have returned to Dr. Waylan’s journey to Greece and find myself captivated all over again, though I can never find any discoveries beyond that essay. Have you ever been successful in finding them? I miss our studies together. I wish we could have just one more.
Perhaps I can visit soon, just for a night or so, and we can indulge.
Once again, I miss you terribly.
Always your daughter, and most attentive student, Elinor.
She sealed her letter and tucked it beneath her pillow to discreetly hand it to Natalie. Although her stepmother knew she wrote to her father, Elinor went through lengths to ensure her letters were personally sent so her stepmother could not read them.
After all, her father had given his old friend, Mr. Penwright contact for Elinor to offer her the teaching opportunity. It was their secret, among many innocent ones.
Feeling calmer, having omitted anything about the duke of Fairmont beyond mentioning he had made an appearance as the new owner, Elinor climbed into bed, finding herself more tired than she realized.
Chapter Five
“See, I am curious about what tired Elinor out so greatly that she did not even hear us come home,” Belinda’s voice filled the breakfast hall the following morning.
Already, that mocking tone was present.
Elinor had slept deeply but briefly, always wanting to be awake before the others, so she had some time in the day to herself before they made themselves present.
Now, she sat with them for breakfast, trying to prepare herself for the boasting ahead.
“I entered your rooms,” Belinda continued. “But you were not responsive.”
Elinor stiffened. “You came into my room?”
“Yes.” Her stepsister blinked as if it was obvious and normal. “I wanted to tell you about my interaction with somebodymostspecial. I simply could not wait.” Although excitement made her voice jumpy, Elinor knew it was just to try to make her more jealous.