The next morning, Elinor was out for an early morning walk with Josie. Andrew had not been able to ride that morning, and she had promised not to go alone. By chance, they met Easton’s batman, Buffy, and he and Josie were deep in conversation. Josie and Buffy had been finding ways to meet by accident with some frequency. Elinor chuckled.
She wandered off a bit, but made sure to keep within sight of her companion for propriety’s sake. Propriety? Ha! Elinor had received quite an education with regards to London society, most of which confirmed her prior opinions to be correct. She could not care less for the opinions of the ton if her cousin was any representation.
There were rules about rules that were not written down, yet a social solecism if broken. Men were encouraged to whore, gamble and drink until at least the age of thirty. The only debts considered worth paying were gambling debts to other gentleman, church was merely another social event that was acceptable to be absent from, and breaking the Ten Commandments seemed to be part of the rules of successful society. In fact, Elinor thought she could rewrite them according to society:
- Thou shall not put anyone before yourself.
- Thy self shall be the ideal everyone seeks to worship.
- Thou shall only blaspheme if not around ladies.
- Remember the Sabbath day by contributing to your local parish with new organs and roofs dedicated in your name.
- Honour thy father and mother by only marrying another member of the aristocracy.
- Women shall not commit adultery before bearing an heir and a spare.
- Thou shall not murder unless in a duel against another gentleman.
- Thou may bear false witness against another until it is proven to be a falsehood.
- Thou shall not gallop in Hyde Park.
- Thou shall not waltz until given permission.
Elly had to laugh out loud. The sad thing was, these were all true. She needed to find something worthy to spend her time on and try to protect her soul until she was away from this Godforsaken place.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
Elinor jumped. “Easton, I did not see you there.”
“Beg pardon, I did not intend to startle you. I heard you laugh, and I would give almost anything to know what brought that smile to your face.”
“Truly? It is quite ridiculous.”
“I delight in ridiculosity.” She gave him a sideways grin for his peculiar word.
“Very well. You asked. I was thinking about society’s rules. I made up a Ton Commandments to help me remember. It is quite blasphemous, I am sure.”
“Enlighten me, please.”
“Do not say I did not warn you!” She then proceeded to regale him with her list of the commandments, ticking them off on her fingers as she recited.
Fortunately, he shared her wicked sense of humour. They enjoyed a laugh and continued walking through the park together. “I suppose we should not laugh. It is quite horrendous, though true.” He looked down at her with a grin.
She smiled back sheepishly. She wished he would not look at her that way. It made her insides feel like jelly. She blew out a breath and changed the subject. “How have you been otherwise? You seem to be healing well. I confess it feels odd to be so much in your company, then not at all. According to Grandmama, it is inappropriate for me to call on you, or to write to you or to be seen alone with you.”
“Yes, you should add that to your list.” He smiled, and they enjoyed a companionable silence for a while. “I have been staying away on purpose, so there would not be any cause for talk.”
“There is only one person who would talk, and Grandmama said she would take care of that.”
“You need a chance to get settled and make your own way. I am afraid if you are seen much in my company…”
“What, people will get the wrong idea? I am not trying to snare a husband, Easton,” she said, a bit more sharply than she intended.
“I know that, and you know that, but the gossips here will not give you another chance. They will not allow that we could only be friends.” And truthfully, he did not want to be only friends, not any longer. He would be a fool to let the one female he had ever had any interest in slip out of his grasp, now that he needed to marry. Seeing his father so ill had finally convinced him, but he needed to figure out how to convince her and learn how to be deserving of her. “The oceans are not as far apart as they used to be. Society here and there eventually catches up.”
“Then I am sorry for it. Believe it or not, I have actually missed you. It seems true friendships here are hard to come by.” She could not believe she said that! With that, she curtsied and turned away to collect Josie, leaving Easton standing there watching after her with an astonished smile and a sliver of hope gathering in his breast.
The day had finally dawned when she would be presented to the Queen. She was dressed in required court attire—an amazingly complicated gown of white crepe over satin with a long train, side hoops and a low neckline. This was followed by a headdress with a veil and three ostrich plumes attached at the back. She had almost mastered walking backward for the occasion, since you were required to back from the room in the presence of royalty. Though she was grateful for her grandmother by her side, she had never been so relieved as when she made it out of the room without falling on her face! The Queen had been lovely, at least, and had spoken kind words to her about her mother, then chatted briefly with the Dowager.
The presentation was over with quickly. All the work that went into the gown, practising the royal curtsy and walking backward, and she was not even in the room for five minutes. Most debutantes were not in there that long. If it had not been for her grandmother, Elinor would not have warranted more than a quick greeting from Her Majesty.
A tea was to be held in celebration for the few debutantes who were presented that day, as opposed to the large receptions normally held to mark the start of the Season in the spring. Her grandmother insisted that she attend these to start getting to know some of the prominent society matrons. Apparently, they would make or break her.
They entered another mansion as lavish as St. James’ Palace and Loring Place, then were led to a drawing room that was already full of matrons and debutantes, all sporting the tell-tale hoops and feathers. She was more than happy to remain by her grandmother’s side during her first foray into a den of dowagers, when she spotted Lady Dunweather she froze in place. Make or break indeed. Unfortunately, when she stopped suddenly, someone’s wayward ostrich feather got the better of her own headpiece, and a portion of her hair spiralled down over her face. She excused herself to the retiring room to repair the damage.
Still unknown to most of the others present, she sneaked into the room before her hair fell into any further disarray. She stopped short when she heard the shrill voice that could only belong to one person. Beatrice. She quickly ducked behind a door, hoping to go unnoticed. She had not realized Beatrice would be in attendance, but Elinor did not want to add any fodder for Bea’s gossip mill or have to even talk to her more than necessary. Thankful that the panelling matched her gown, she stilled herself and hid to wait it out as she heard:
“So tell me about this cousin of yours. I am dying to hear all about it.” Not her, it.
“She is gauche. You should have seen what she was wearing before Grandmother took her in hand. She is pretty enough, I suppose, but her manners are another matter entirely! You should hear how she talks!” She laughed the signature Beatrice titter. Elinor’s skin crawled when she heard her. Let Beatrice demean her. The more she was around Beatrice, she could not bring herself to care what she thought. She heard a sultry voice speak. Elinor peeked a bit to see a stunning brunette primping before the mirror next to Beatrice.
“You poor dear. I hope you are right. As long as she keeps her paws off our men. I will not let her come in here and destroy everything I have worked for. Her novelty should wear off soon enough.”
“Hear, hear! I am certain I can make sure that does not happen.” The laugh again. What was that supposed to mean? And would they leave soon? She did not want their men. She had experienced their paws, and they were nothing she coveted.
“Have you seen Lord Easton yet? He is back in town. I hear he is looking delicious.” Suddenly Elinor felt like pawing them, except with her claws.
“Dearest, you know I only have eyes for Rhys.” Beatrice examined her fingernails. “Easton was at dinner the other night. I suppose he is handsome enough for a tryst. I have never thought of him other wise, since he was a second son.”
“But he is not any more. Perhaps he is due more consideration,” the brunette said, with mischief in her voice.
“I thought you were looking higher. Is there something you are not telling me?” Her voice got even shriller, if such a thing were possible. “I told you Nathaniel was returning soon.”
“It is always wise to have an alternate plan. Besides, it might be worth settling for Countess if he was in my bed every night,” answered the gorgeous brunette with the voluptuous curves and husky laugh.
Elinor was going to be sick. She could not compete with the likes of her even if she ever thought there was a chance for her and Easton.
Elinor was finally left alone and managed to stuff the errant hair back into the headdress. Reluctantly, she made her way back toward her grandmother with a forced smile on her face.
“Ah, there you are dear. All repaired?” Her grandmother looked at her approvingly.
“I believe so.” Thank the heavens she at least had her grandmother. Then the fun truly began: the parading of Elinor as though she were a mount at Tattersall’s.
“Smile and play along,” Her grandmother whispered in her ear as she led her from one matron to the next. “May I present Gertrude, Countess of Dunweather. My granddaughter, Miss Abbott. Elinor, this is an old friend.” Emphasis on the word old. Never mind that they were the same age.
“Lady Dunweather.” Elinor proffered her best royal curtsy.
“She ain’t the Queen, gel.” The Dowager tapped her gently with her fan. Elinor only smiled sweetly. All old ladies liked to be flattered.
Lady Dunweather nodded approvingly. But she could not help herself. She spoke quietly to impart her worldly wisdom. “Did you know that ladies do not ride astride in England?” The Dowager groaned.
Elinor forced herself to remain silent and managed to look astonished. “You don’t say? How do you ride here?”
“Why side-saddle, of course.”
“Oh dear. It was kind of you to tell me so. I will ask Uncle to teach me at once.” She hoped she sounded sincere.
“I assumed you did not know, or you would not have done such a thing. I am surprised your chaperone did not see fit to tell you these things. If you need advice, I am happy to oblige.” She looked smugly at the Dowager, who bit her tongue for her granddaughter’s sake.
“You honour me, Lady Dunweather.” Elinor hoped she had managed to appear both repentant and humble, though she was neither of those things. To think that she gave up America for this artifice. Her grandmother turned to greet another acquaintance, and Lady Dunweather leaned in to speak.
“I have my eye on you, Miss Abbott. Do not disappoint me.” Without waiting for a reply, the old harridan sauntered off with her turban and skirts, leaving a sickening whiff of gardenia behind.
Easton strolled into White’s gentlemen’s club, nodding acknowledgement to the old doorman whose name escaped him. He had never been one to spend much time with the fashionable pastimes, but for some reason, he was not ready to go home yet. He needed time to think. He had to determine how to stay away from Elinor publicly, yet manage to convince her that he was worth staying in England for and make it seem like it was her idea. So much had changed in his life, yet he had not sorted much out for himself, his future. Seeing Elinor in the park this morning only made his resolve to win her greater. Never before had he been so unafraid of the thought of being bound to someone for life.
He had nothing personal against the simpering misses, other than their young age and seeming lack of intelligence. But he had been naught but disgusted by the calculating society misses and their scheming mamas. To be fair, there were a few who were intelligent and pretty, but none were Elinor. She was everything they were not. But how to convince her?
Easton mulled these things over as he sauntered past the bow window where some dandies were in heated debate over horse races. The library held the older pillars of the lords discussing Parliament’s latest Bill or the best strategies to end the war with America. He’d certainly had his fill of that. He nodded greetings, but kept walking. Another room held high-stakes card games—no thank you. He kept strolling past the notorious betting books that were surrounded by wild, young bucks with nothing better to do. Absolutely not. Then he heard the words to make his heart sink.
“Incomparable.” Wagging eyebrows.
“I hear she’s a bruising rider.” Rounds of chuckles and nudging each other.
“American…but not.” Someone remarked, followed by, “Not a shrew like our ladies.”
Dear God. News of Elinor had hit the clubs. Many had not had the good fortune to view her, much less be introduced. It was more the novelty they were betting on. There were relatively harmless wagers on whom she would choose to marry, all the way to the less harmless sort about who could do other various things with her.
Easton tried to control the rage he felt, but he did not want to bring any more attention to Elinor and end up making things more difficult for her. She was beautiful, but much more so than any of these shallow fools knew. No one was deserving of her beauty or goodness, himself included, but he selfishly did not want anyone else to have her.
Instead, he marched over to a quiet corner and plopped into one of the leather chairs. He ordered a drink, hoping for a few quiet moments with himself and his whisky. Surely wisdom lay at the bottom of the glass.
“Guinea for your thoughts.”
“They are not worth that,” Easton replied to the familiar voice without looking up.
“May I join you?” Easton waved toward the empty chair.
“Of course.” He signalled the waiter for another glass. Andrew sat down and leaned his head back toward the ceiling.
“What ails you, my friend? I have never known you to hit the drink so early.”
“Nothing to bother you with. Only adjusting to all of the changes.” He was not about to confess his intentions about Elinor to her brother yet, or inform him that he had been plotting how to cross her path more often. That did not mean he would not talk about her. “How fares your sister so far? She was rather clear she was not looking forward to being introduced to society.”
“Well, she is being introduced to the Queen as we speak, so it is official. Our grandmother is determined to give her a full coming out whether she likes it or not.”
“Well, she is quite a taking thing.” That was an understatement if he had ever made one.
“Let us hope they do not discover she’s an heiress,” Andrew said with a large sigh as the exasperated big brother. “I am taking her to the theatre for her first real outing tonight.”
“Ah. Then perhaps the speculation will die down a bit after that.” Thanks for the tip, Andrew.
“Speculation?” Andrew’s eyebrows shot up.
Easton cast a pointed glance toward the betting books.
“The devil!”
“My sentiments exactly.”
Both emptied their glasses. Easton smiled inwardly. It looked like he would be attending the theatre that night. His plans to leave her alone were looking less logical by the minute. When he thought of one of those betting idiots offering for her, he told himself he would be doing her a favour by keeping the more nefarious suitors away.
Elinor was grateful to ride alone to the theatre in the carriage with Andrew. Dinner with her family had been another painful affair all about the Duchess and Beatrice. Then the Dowager decided that Andrew was escort enough for Elinor, so she could return to her book. Oh, to be old enough to do whatever she pleased again, Elinor thought dreamily. They climbed inside, each took a seat in the carriage and she slumped from weariness.
Josie had beamed with gratification as she had dressed Elinor in a cerulean blue sarsenet gown with silver netting overlay. The gown had a peasant’s bodice and capped sleeves, with yet another indecent neckline that displayed more of her charms than Elinor wanted, though she looked modest in comparison to most ladies she had seen. She fidgeted nervously with her gloves, hoping she did not embarrass herself at the theatre.
“How are you faring thus far, Elly?” Andrew enquired, noticing her slump.
“I miss home. I miss Papa. It is wonderful to see you and Grandmama, but I am loath to stay in the house where I am not wanted.” She proceeded to explain her interactions with the Duchess and Lady Beatrice.
“Jealous as a mama cat, I bet. She does not stand a chance next to you, especially once she opens her mouth.” She chuckled at Andrew’s bluntness. It was one thing she adored about her brother. “I feel sorry for the poor devil who gets caught by her.” Elinor agreed. Completely. However, most men did not pay attention or notice anything beyond the physical attributes or the size of the dowry, and Beatrice was full of both.
“Andrew!” she admonished him while laughing. “She seems to view me as competition! I thought we were family, but they treat me as if I am a leper. Must I continue to stay with them? Can we not open up the town house?” She did not bother masking the desperation in her voice, and she did not want to tell him Nathaniel’s return was the main reason she had to get out of that house.
“That is the way of the ton. Best get used to it. Once you learn the rules, it will not be so bad. I was not planning on opening the house for only a few weeks. ‘Twould not be the thing for you to be at a bachelor’s residence even if it is your brother’s. Well, not with the normal goings on anyway.” He wagged his eyebrows at her.
Elinor gave him a half-questioning, half-reprimanding look. “Do not look at me that way, Elly. I am not a saint, but I ain’t as awful as that. If it gets that bad, of course we can open up the house. Grandmama will protect you. I am sure she is loving this.”
“I will try, but I refuse to get used to it. Family should be held to a different standard from the ton.” She said the last word with proper snobbish accentuation. “Any more word from Papa?”
“Unfortunately, nothing of note.”
“So this charade continues indefinitely.”
There was no reply as they pulled up in front of the theatre.
Elinor felt like a gawking tourist. The new Drury Lane Theatre was as opulent as one would expect, but the opulence she was trying not to stare at was the people. Her very being was repulsed by the extravagance contained within the relatively small space. Men wore large jewels in their cravats, and the ladies were dripping with them. Their gowns matched the gems in splendour, and their heads were dressed with elaborate concoctions of turbans, feathers and fruits. Elinor found herself fingering her new gown with guilt, and she was fascinated despite herself.
Andrew noticed the worried frown on Elinor’s face. “Now, what has got you in a pucker, sis? This is supposed to be entertaining, not disappointing. And the play has not even started yet.”
“It is so, so, rich. I feel guilty, especially knowing this is the type of thing the war is supporting.”
“Do not say that to anyone else, El.” She was not an idiot, her look said.
“Is all of London like this?” She glanced around with an expression of dismay as they made their way toward the ducal box.
“No, only the ton. There is a lot of ostentatious display. Sad thing is, many of the people are below the hatches. I agree it is vulgar, but you get used to it after a while. I suppose there is not much of this in the colonies, eh? I’ve met some nabobs from New York, and they reek of money.”
“There are rich people, I suppose. I have not been exposed to this degree of it. And it is not the colonies any more, Andrew,” she gently chastised.
“There are plenty of good things you can do here, El, if it makes you feel better. Easton’s family runs an orphanage in one of the slums, though he does not want everyone to know it. He’s a silent deeds person.”
Her estimation of Easton increased tenfold. What else might she have misjudged him for? “Interesting. Do you think he would mind if I went there? I would love to do something useful while I am here.”
“It would not hurt to ask.” They were interrupted by men down in the pit waving, furiously trying to gain Elinor’s attention. They wanted to get a better look at the new beauty in the Duke’s box. “You are supposed to ignore them, Elly, so they’ll leave you alone.”
“They are waving at me? Whatever for?” she asked as she waved back at the moonlings and they roared with delight. Then she turned with a questioning look to Andrew as he groaned.
“Do not wave, El. Not the thing at all. And do not mind people staring. Only want to see what the new gel in town looks like.”
Not the thing again—her theme for her society debut, Elinor thought.
Andrew did his best impression of mortification. She took stock of the people around them.
“How odd! And how nosy people are!” She gasped. “My goodness, those people are staring at me through their viewing glasses!” She turned away as she felt a self-conscious blush start on her chest and rise up. She hated that part about being fair. It was hard to hide one’s emotions when you blushed like a tomato.
“Oh, Elly. London society is all about the latest on dits and gossip. Ignore them, they will give up if you do not give them anything to blabber about.” Or wager on, he thought to himself. He turned his attention elsewhere, clearly not interested in the play any more than the rest of them.
Ignore them. Easier said than done. Thankfully the lights were dimmed, signalling the start of the play. She had never been to a fancy play or a fancy theatre, though she had read all of them many times. She tried to settle in and enjoy the drama, for the notorious Edmund Kean was playing Shakespeare’s lead character from Richard III. However, she was conscious of being ogled from every angle and lorgnette, and found a line of male admirers forming outside their box as soon as the first intermission began.
Beatrice, used to being the centre of attention, began talking louder and was more flirtatious than usual. It looked like she would either pull Lord Vernon’s arm off from hanging on it or maim it beyond recognition, the way she kept rapping it with her fan. This did not attract any more attention her way, merely made her attentions toward Vernon look all the more vulgar.
Elinor, unused to this kind of attention, was feeling overwhelmed, and this feeling was not helped by the sneers she received from her aunt and cousin. Did they think she wanted to be here? To be like them? Either her grandmother was going to have to put an end to this nonsense, or her foray into society would be over quickly. She forced herself to submit until the second intermission, and then begged Andrew to take her home.
He leaned in to speak quietly. “Let us try taking a stroll first. You leave now, they will only talk more. Try to act naturally and enjoy the play.”
She whispered back through her gritted teeth, trying to maintain a smile, “I cannot stand people looking at me. I do not want to be on parade like a freak show!”
“Touchy! Touchy!” He elbowed her in the teasing way brothers do, then dragged her to her feet to stroll about the Grand Saloon. “You have changed, El. The little sister who left here six years ago thrived on being the centre of attention.” Yes, being attacked had affected her.
Realizing what he said, “I am sorry. I do not mean to be insensitive about what happened. I am still trying to understand it all.”
“No, I am different. The reality is, our experiences change us, some for the better, some for the worse.”
“Agreed. And how you deal with them shapes you into who you are.” Profound. And true. She was trying at least. She squeezed his arm.
It did not take long for the group of rowdy gentlemen to take notice of Elinor. Andrew threw his best scowling look at them, and they kept their distance, but not their cat calls of approval or stares. He procured glasses of wine, then he led her in the other direction toward the terrace, and once they were out of earshot she started giggling.
“What, pray tell, is so funny, Elly?” He looked at her glass of wine and saw it was still full. No, she was not a trifle disguised. He cocked his head and looked at her. “Well?”
She waved her hand around. “This. Me. You. All of it. It is simply too ridiculous.” She laughed mockingly. “Considering how I spent my days before arriving here, I cannot quite reconcile myself to the fact that this is how I am supposed to spend my time.”
“Well, it is not a dream. Unfortunately, this is your reality for a while. You might as well try to make the most of it.”
“And put aside my practical, prudish, puritanical ways?” She cast a sceptical glance at him, mocking herself.
He shrugged and threw her a half-smile. “When in Rome?”
Elinor sighed. “I am doing my best. Now, can we please go?”
Andrew stared at her a moment. He threw up his hands in resignation, and grandly presented his arm to escort her. As they made their way to the carriage, he said, “You are different, El. I know you are a woman now, but try not to be so serious and hide that joie de vivre that enchants everyone.”
“I am not sure I still have it.” Elinor spoke softly, unsure if Andrew even heard, for Lord Vernon was calling out and coming after them.
“Leaving early? I hope all is well, Miss Abbott, Andrew?” His face held genuine concern.
“Thank you for your concern, Lord Vernon. I am still unused to crowds.” As she spoke to Lord Vernon, she spotted Easton across the saloon, laughing and charming a crowd. A crowd of simpering females—including the luscious brunette from the tea earlier—was hanging on his every word. A pang of jealousy burned through her, and she tried to shake it off, reminding herself that she had no claims to Easton and never could. If he did not enjoy this though, he had an interesting way of showing it.
“Well, after all the talk this evening, I wanted to at least secure a ride in the park while I have the chance. May I call on you and take you for a ride tomorrow?”
“I already have an obligation tomorrow.”
Lord Vernon held his hand up to his heart. “Already? I have been bested! Dare I ask for the day after?”
She smiled at his playfulness and consented to ride with him the day after tomorrow. “That is, if my grandmother does not already have plans for me.” She said as an afterthought, remembering what she had been told to say.
“But of course. Until then.” He kissed her hand and nodded his head to Andrew.
After they were back in the carriage Andrew believed he should warn his sister. He was not sure how he felt about all of his friends dangling after his sister. “Elly, I will try not to interfere too much, but I claim big brother’s privilege. Some of these fellows play hard and fast with money and women. Be cautious. London’s upper ten thousand play by different rules from everyone else.”
“Do you refer to Lord Vernon? Or Lord Easton? The lot of you have all been thick as thieves for ever!” She was surprised by his severe warning.
“Does not mean they are good enough for my sister. It is only you are already causing a stir.” He did not want to go into how much of a stir. “Besides, everyone knows Bea has been dangling after Vernon for ages. She’s only waiting for him to come up to scratch.” Elinor snorted. “Easton ain’t in the petticoat line. Doesn’t even dabble. Odd that.”
That news pleased Elinor. Exceedingly.
Easton watched from across the theatre as every wastrel libertine known to man fawned over Elinor. What was Andrew thinking to allow them near her? He would have to talk to him about that later. Surely he saw the danger? Or did he not realize how beautiful his little sister was?
During the intermission, he tried to make his way through the crowds to the Duke’s box, only to find Elinor and Andrew had already departed. Frustrated, he made his way out to the parlour, only to be trapped by Lady Lydia . He tried his best to smile at Lady Lydia’s coquettish behaviour, but it bored and disgusted him. He fumed as he spotted Vernon flirting shamelessly with Elinor. The cad kissed her hand and did not let go! Was Andrew completely oblivious? Lady Lydia Markham persisted in her attentions despite Easton’s obvious attempts to end the conversation. He ended up having to be abrupt and rude to break away, but he was not in time to catch Elinor. They were already gone.