But before they could return to their own chambers, a voice came from downstairs, calling out a greeting.
As soon as she heard the deep, male voice, Elinor’s stomach dropped. She thought perhaps her stepbrother would meet his family at the ball directly, but Gilbert swiftly made his way upstairs, appearing in her doorway behind his sisters.
“Good evening, sisters,” he greeted. “You are both looking exquisite, as always. Are you ready to dance your pretty shoes off and let me chase away all your ineligible suitors?”
Belinda giggled, looping her arm through Gilbert’s offered elbow. “I ammostready. Everybody knows that Lady Morrow throws the grandest balls.”
“Indeed, it is a highlight of the Season.” Gilbert flashed her a grin, but his gaze snagged on Elinor, and his smile turned a little sharper. “Oh, Ellie, I did not see you there. You really do blend in with the background, do you not?”
Elinor bristled at the nickname he had been giving her for years and she had long stopped protesting.
“Good evening, Gilbert.”
“Surely you are not attending the ball wearing … whatever that is.”
Before Elinor could answer, Belinda cut in. “She is not joining us tonight, Gilbert.” She turned her nasty, smug look towards Elinor. “She has been misbehaving, so Mother has forbidden her from attending.”
“Ah.” Elinor tried to ignore the satisfied look on Gilbert’s face. “Well, I would say it a shame, but given that you would likely not speak to any suitors, and if you did, it would be about things you do not really know about but enjoy pretending as if you do … it is not a shame in the end, is it?”
Clenching her jaw in frustration, Elinor only forced a polite smile. “I am certain you will all do plenty fine without me.”
“Of course we will.” Belinda gave a pleased hum. “Perhaps we will do evenbetterwithout you there, if we are being honest.”
Elinor’s stepmother’s words rang through her thoughts.
I will not have your inconsiderate outbursts jeopardize my girls’ prospects. It is bad enough they are associated with you through my marriage to your father.
Before she could force another polite response, biting back anything sharper she wished to say, knowing she no longer had the courage to after years of this treatment, her stepmother appeared behind her children, standing alongside Gilbert.
Like this, they looked like the perfect family: two beautiful daughters, a Marchioness with her chin lifted and not a single hair out of place, and her son, Baron Henleigh, average in his looks with his brown hair the same shade of Joanna’s, but it was clear he had inherited his father’s features, whereas the girls had taken after their mother’s striking features.
It is just a shame those features are mostly marred by their sneering and displeasure.
“My darlings.” Elinor’s stepmother cupped Gilbert’s face before placing her hands on each of Belinda’s and Joanna’s shoulders. “We must leave, or we shall miss the reception drinks.”
Gilbert nodded, already stepping back as he inclined his head towards Elinor. “Good night, Ellie. Do not die of boredom herealone, and I understand those spectacles of yours are rather funny to look at, but you must try to seepeople.”
Belinda sniggered as she pulled away. “Farewell, Elinor. I shall tell you all about it when we return, and I amcertainI will have many dances tonight. It is a shame about your own evening, but perhaps you may dance with the cat.”
“Belinda.” She turned around to look up innocently at her mother. “Do behave. Focus on yourself tonight, and Elinor might join us next time, if she proves herself.”
Gilbert snorted, as Belinda giggled at her mother’s fake consideration. She only ever stopped Belinda’s nasty comments so she could make more herself. It was a terrible game of switching authority, and whenever she got the chance, Belinda loved stepping into her mother’s shoes of cruelty.
“Is it really any use for her even to be considered coming with us? She does nothing except stand there.”
Before anybody could answer, Newton poked his head out, hissing at him. Gilbert laughed until Newton hopped up on the bed, claws extended, and Gilbert startled back, his face going pale for a moment before he composed himself with a hard yank of his lapels.
“I hate that thing,” he muttered, but it was clear he did actually fear Newton’s threats.
He made a quick retreat, Belinda hastily tottering after him, talking about how at least Elinor was one less lady to compete with for suitors’ attention.
Gilbert’s voice was low as he answered, but Elinor didn’t hear his response. She was not entirely sure she wanted to.
Their laughter faded out as they headed downstairs, out of sight, mercifully. Joanna gave her a sympathetic look as her mother guided her away, but Lady Morland glared down at Elinor.
“Control that rat of yours,” she seethed. “You are lucky I have not given it to the local hounds to play with.”
Protectively, Elinor scooped her beloved tabby into her arms, tucking him into her chest. “He ismine.”