"We have met."
Eleanor’s gaze remained on him for a moment longer before she drew it away, the movement deliberate.
"Some time ago."
"Time has not diminished the recognition," Halford said. "It is good to see you, and to see how well you have done for yourself in spite of… well, in spite of everything."
Eleanor did not respond to that directly. Julian wondered if it was a slight, but then he reasoned that it was in reference to her family’s finances. It was clumsy, if so, but perhaps well meaning. Regardless, he would not pass judgment: Eleanor knew the gentleman, after all, and he did not.
"I was not aware we had a guest," she said, her first directly spoken words to him in a while.
"He arrived only moments ago," Julian replied.
"I see."
Halford’s attention remained on Eleanor, though he did not press the moment.
"I hope I do not intrude upon your morning."
"You do not," she said. "If my husband has invited you in, then you are most welcome."
The words were correct, entirely so, and yet as Julian observed the exchange, it was impossible to ignore the fact that whatever had just passed between them extended beyond simple acquaintance.
Eleanor had not expected him, that much was clear, and her reaction to his arrival had not been indifference.
It more closely resembled, Julian considered, fear.
CHAPTER 25
“Ishall leave you both to it.”
It was all Eleanor could say before she quickly left the room, closing the door behind her and taking steady breaths.
Sebastian Halford.
The name alone had been enough to unsettle her, but seeing him had brought everything back to her. The memory had not faded with time as she had once hoped it might. Instead, it felt as though it had happened mere weeks before.
He had been attentive without being overwhelming, thoughtful without appearing calculated. He had listened, or at least had given every impression of doing so, and she had believed him. That had been the mistake.
She slowed slightly, her hand brushing lightly against the wall beside her.
He knew what he was doing. He had known she would believe him, and when the truth had come out, when it had become impossible to maintain the illusion, he had not attempted to soften it. He had not offered an apology or an explanation in any form that carried sincerity. He had dismissed her, not caring what became of her.
Her husband had not been much better.
Eleanor exhaled slowly, forcing the memory to leave her be, though it did not retreat as easily as she would have liked.
Footsteps approached, and she knew who it would be before she turned.
“Lady Harrowby.”
She stopped, and she did not face him. The sound of his voice carried the same tone it always had, and again it felt as though no time had passed at all.
“Mr. Halford.”
“I had not expected to find you here.”
“Nor I you,” she replied.