A Duke for Lady Ellen

Chapter 21

All the family had met together for breakfast, Aunt Flora and her mother whispering among themselves while Aunt Lottie and her father were discussing the old haunts and hollows on Bright Vales that they played in as children. That left her to make conversation with Cousin James. Not that she did-she was too busy glaring at him as he ogled her. Thank goodness she was wearing a rather opaque fichu today. He was still looking, but not seeing much.

Peterson entered the room. "Pardon me, but the Earl of Hambidge has arrived. He is in the peach salon."

"I'll go meet him," Ellen volunteered, barely keeping the excitement from her voice.

Her mother looked up sharply but nodded her assent, especially when the Marquess also stood. "Let's go see him together," he invited.

As they wound their way to the front of the house, Ellen kept thinking how wonderful it would be to see him after all this time. She didn't want to rush her father, but he seemed to be lolly-gagging, and it was everything she could do not to grab his hand to pull him after her. But they arrived in the foyer just the same, and then she turned off around the corner to the peach salon.

What greeted her when she raced inside caught her up short. Ethan stood examining a display of miniatures, concentrating, but his expression was difficult to read. His hair was even more gray at the temples than she remembered, and he looked leaner and harder somehow. Those few months with his cousin must have been difficult ones for him. He bowed; the Marquess bowed too. Ellen curtseyed, but not gracefully, stumbling in her hurry. She couldn't quite take her eyes off him. It was so good to see him. While he seemed changed outwardly, she hoped that inwardly he was just the same.

"Lord Eastforth, Lady Ellen."

"Hambidge, good to see you, man," said the Marquess, offering his hand to shake, which the Earl took. "Welcome to Bright Vales. I trust Peterson has taken care of you and your valet."

"Indeed." He turned to stare at Ellen as if he couldn't quite believe she was real. "How have you been, Lady Ellen?"

Why was she feeling shy? Had she ever felt that way with him before? After a moment of wool-gathering, she remembered he'd asked a question. "I'm well, my lord. How was your trip?"

His mouth turned up at the corners. "Troublesome, but I am glad to be here. Do you mind if I sit?"

"Of course, of course." The Marquess eased into a wing chair and waved at the Earl to do the same.

Ellen kept standing, though, unsure what to do. "Shall I ring for some tea? Or would you like to come to the dining room? We were eating breakfast and there's plenty."

"No, thank you," the Earl said. "But I appreciate-"

Just then Aunt Lottie, the Marchioness, Aunt Flora, and Cousin James bustled into the salon. Introductions were made, and Ellen noticed that her cousin seemed to preen when his rank was announced, especially when he learned that the newest guest to Bright Vales was merely an Earl. As if he could ever win in a competition with Ethan, who was kind and strong and generous in spirit. Her cousin might be a Duke, but he had all the class and polish of a suckling pig. Maybe less.

"You've missed a marvelous conversation these last few minutes at breakfast, Lord Eastforth," said the Marchioness.

"We were just discussing how Prinny's scintillating style is influencing men's fashions both for day wear and court," simpered Aunt Flora, as if this were a revelation.

"Not me," said Aunt Lottie, "I find this subject to be a dreadful bore."

The Marchioness winced and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Some of us like talking about culture and art and the monarchy. What say you, Lord Hambidge?"