“I am sorry—what?”
Elinor’s blood froze when she heard Belinda’s voice from behind her. A horrible ringing started in Elinor’s ears, and she swore that the entire ballroom drew closer, even if nobody else could hear the conversation being had.
At least not yet.But they will. They all will, and they will speak.
“But … but—but her dance card,” Lady Morland spluttered. “It isfull.Surely yououghtto let her have the chance to?—”
“I ought to do nothing,” the duke interrupted again. “Not when my mind is made up. I have made my intentions clear, Lady Morland. Do they not come across as such?”
It was a challenge, a demand that she collect herself, and her stepmother fell silent. Too silent, and Elinor felt the fear creep up her spine as she waited for the outburst.
What awaited her was only a shrill laugh, disbelief and hysteria combined to mask into something resembling a delayed, contented response.
“Gracious me.” Her stepmother pressed a hand to her chest and glanced down at the shattered glass at her feet. Elinor felt a strange satisfaction when her stepmother winced at the evidence of her shock. “Well, I am certain that Lord Morland will be delighted to have the Duke of Fairmont as his son-in-law.”
“And yourself, Lady Morland, as you are most present in Lady Elinor’s life?”
Her stepmother’s mouth opened and closed like a fish. “I—I would, too, be delighted.”
“Excellent.” The duke straightened, grinning, and turned to Elinor. His eyes narrowed slightly.
Elinor cringed, but fingers brushing her wrist discreetly had her realizing: she had let her focus on her stepmother overshadow her response to his proposal.
“I—I am honored, Your Grace,” she continued. “I would be, erm, honored to be engaged to you, but I am certain there are other ladies you would look at?—”
“There are not,” he corrected immediately. “You are certain of this, surely.”
His knowing look had her snapping into better focus, and Elinor smiled demurely, playing the role of the perfect, blushing debutante who had just received the most eligible proposal of the Season. Once, she had dreamed of such a thing. It came with heartache, for her father had retired to the countryside just before debut, and he had never overseen it, leaving her to her stepmother’s orchestration.
But she could imagine, just for a moment, that she had been a different lady. A less invisible one.
“I cannot wait to see what our future has in store,” she mustered, hoping that her joy was faked enough, even as she drowned inoverwhelm and confusion. “And—and it will be an honor to plan to become your Duchess.”
“His Duchess?” Belinda repeated, but Elinor had still not dared to look behind herself at her stepsister. “HisDuchess? What do you know of being a?—”
“I affirm this engagement, Your Grace,” Lady Morland cut in, stopping Belinda before she caused a scene. “Whatever your wishes, allow me to grant them, whether Lord Morland is present or not. Although, I shall write to him with the … the good news.”
“Please, allow me to send the correspondence,” the duke said. “It is only right that it comes from the future husband. I know of Morland Hall, so no need for the address. But I thank you for the offer.”
Her stepmother did not know what to say. Elinor’s focus was snatched away by Joanna moving into her vision, embracing her tightly.
“I am terrified of Belinda’s rage,” she whispered, “but I am happy for you. You are the most deserving lady here of his attention. Congratulations, Elinor.”
Elinor was not certain of any of the sentiments, knowing they were false, and she had not truly done anything to deserve the duke’s attention other than pique his curiosity by tutoring orphans in a workhouse he had not asked to inherit. But she embraced her stepsister tightly, nonetheless.
“Thank you, Joanna,” she whispered right back. “And I am also scared of Belinda’s rage.”
“Between us, she has been dancing with Lord Alexander, and she seemed very smitten with him. Less false than usual. I think she strives for the notoriety of the title His Grace could have provided, but her heart’s attention may already be snagged elsewhere.”
Elinor could not help but hold Joanna tighter, a brief moment of kindness she did not want to lose.
When she pulled away, the duke took her hand, and kissed her knuckles. He held her gaze, and when he spoke, his words rang with sincerity. “I will send word to Lord Morland, and we shall be engaged, Lady Elinor.”
“We shall,” she affirmed softly.
“Then let us share the good news.”
And, with that, the ballroom came alive with their news. That the bespectacled wallflower had somehow won the hand of the most eligible suitor in the ton. Whispers picked up, and even Belinda had stalked off to likely gossip about the situation. Elinor was only grateful that she had not been on the receiving end of her anger.