She was ashamed to admit even to herself that she had opened the black velvet ring box every day since Eustace had given it to her on that birthday night and gazed down at the sparkling gem. Sometimes she put it on her finger before settling it back into the box.
But this morning, after her tearful talk with Aunt Glory in the kitchen yesterday, she had addressed a brown paper envelope to Eustace at the Mountfort mansion on Washington Square and had slipped the black box in it for Boston to deliver when he went on his morning errands for her father. She couldn’t bring herself to include any note; it would be clear enough to Eustace why she was returning it, without her having to say another word.
She hadn’t told Glory the whole story — she was still hoping she’d be spared from having to do that — but she’d told her enough to leave her precious wearied face looking brooding and somber.
“William Mountfort always was a hard man,” she said. “You’ve probably guessed theirs was never a love match. Connie’s father was certain he was setting his daughter up to found a dynasty by joining together her inheritance and William’s drive. And so it’s turned out. The only thing that was missing was love and intimacy. Respect, perhaps. But not much love. I think William regards marrying Constance as one of his business triumphs — and he’ll be obsessed about achieving a similar prize for Eustace.
“With Connie dead, I think you’ll have to surrender any hopes of marrying Eustace my dear. I know William too well.”
She’d been angered but not surprised by Amelia’s state. “Men like William Mountfort can pretty well please themselves,” she said.
“He enjoys the social status, but with the money he’s got, he doesn’t need it. And with the fortune he has, people are happy to act blind to his misbehavior. He might even get sneaking admiration for scoring a young beauty. My guess would be that Amelia will be installed as the new Mrs William Mountfort within the year.”
The next morning Elanora waved Henry farewell and set out for a month-long stay with Glory. She felt hollow inside as she kissed his stubbly cheek and said her farewells, but a sense of relief washed over her as she stepped into the street. At least she wouldn’t have to maintain her careful guard in front of him. She just prayed when she came back home she’d have nothing to hide.