Yet curiously, around her, suitors did not see through her as usual. For once, their gazes lingered in a way Elinor was not accustomed to, in a way that made her feel as though the world was hanging upside down.
Before her stepmother could select a target, two lords approached, their attention flickering between Elinor and Joanna.
“Lady Elinor,” one of them said, and she recognized him as Lord Callum. “Lady Joanna. I was hoping to put myself on both ofyour dance cards, if that is all right. My father is the Earl of Tellingham, and we own a great deal of land.”
The message was not subtle:I would make you a wealthy countess.
“Of course,” Joanna spoke up first, much more used to this sort of thing. “Thank you, Lord Callum.”
“And yourself, Lady Elinor? I fear I have overlooked you in the past, but I do not intend to do so tonight.”
Her thoughts drifted to a certain duke, and she smiled, pretending it was for Lord Callum as she offered him her dance card. Hand trembling, she watched his signature swirl across the paper before he returned it with an inclination of his head.
It was strange: the duke had been right. His public interest in her was enhancing others’ interest. She tried not to care if their curiosity came only because of him, but that foundation remained. Hehadchosen her. He could have dismissed her, reported her to her family, but he had seen something in her worth risking his public reputation for.
For now, he had associated himself with her.Her.The strange wallflower who had shouted at Lord Thompson, who had not had one suitor visit after a ball. Until now.
Lord Callum took his leave, and Elinor and Joanna drifted to the refreshment table. Joanna’s cheeks were flushed. “Is this not exciting? You have been missing out by lingering on the edges.”
“I believe I have,” Elinor admitted, still reeling.
Joanna leaned closer, her voice dropping. “I am slightly concerned about Belinda, though. She can be wrathful even without instigation. Do tread carefully, Elinor.”
“I will,” she assured her stepsister, but it was a lie. In truth, she had dived into dangerous waters, and she did not know how to swim through them.
But before she could say more, a hush fell over the ballroom.
Her eyes went in the same direction that everybody else’s did: to the main entrance of the ballroom, where the Duke of Fairmont had just entered, that winning smile already fixed on his face as he buttoned up his tailcoat.
The motion had the air ofI am late because I did not want to be here, but I suppose I could fit it into my schedule, and Elinor found herself following his hands’ movement.
“Heavens,” Joanna whispered. “I have not seen a man command a room so absurdly.”
Elinor’s brows rose in silent curiosity. She couldn’t help wondering if he liked so much attention. Did it please him, ordid he loathe it? Was the charming personality really a mask, or was he truly the man who cared about orphaned children and rickety, dangerous staircases? Could he be both?
“He appears to be looking for someone,” Joanna commented.
His eyes found Elinor, and his smile brightened. Through the crowd, the duke strode toward her, already holding his hand out. Elinor extended hers, and he kissed the back of it, his mouth a brief brush on her skin.
“Lady Elinor.” He straightened, nodding to her stepsister. “Lady Joanna.”
His focus returned to Elinor. “Let me see your dance card.”
She stiffened. “Why?”
He did not answer. He only made an impatient tap on his palm with his fingers. She pulled the card out but held it back.
“Most gentlemen would ask how I am before making demands,” she continued, the boldness of the night making her too confident.
Joanna laughed, a nervous edge to the sound.
“I am not most gentlemen,” he said in a low, even voice, his eyes piercing into hers so fiercely she lost her breath for a second. Then, the corner of his lips curved. “How are you, Lady Elinor?”
“I am well, thank?—”
“Good, now let me see your dance card.”
Elinor surrendered it with a helpless sigh. His eyes darkened as he took in the names.