LITMIR.BIZ

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at her absolute conviction. She believed in him, unquestioningly, when his own father had not.

      ‘Come.’ His voice was gruff. ‘We must go back inside. I do not want you to catch a chill.’

      * * *

      ‘Cousin Eleanor, how are you?’

      It was some time later when the familiar voice roused Eleanor from her reverie and she turned to see James standing over her, Ruth clinging to his arm. Eleanor’s heart faltered. She studied James’s face. Could he really be responsible for those attacks? But, if not him, who? And why?

      ‘I am delighted to see you without that guard dog of yours in tow,’ he continued.

      At least he hadn’t noticed her new guardians. Despite her earlier annoyance, the sight of Lord Derham and Lord Vernon Beauchamp, hovering watchfully, eased her apprehension. They had appeared shortly after Matthew—with a wink at Eleanor and a whisper of ‘Think of Almack’s’—led Lady Cowper on to the dance floor. Eleanor, grateful for a respite from dancing, and for some time to ponder Matthew’s earlier revelations, had sunk into a vacant seat next to Aunt Lucy and several of her friends.

      Conscious that Aunt Lucy had stopped talking and was looking over in a none-too-friendly fashion, Eleanor rose to her feet, keen to avoid a repeat of the unpleasantness when James had called into Upper Brook Street.

      ‘I am very well, thank you, James, and Mr Damerel—for I must presume that is to whom you refer—is merely a friend concerned with my well-being.’

      ‘Damerel?’ James’s brow wrinkled. ‘I thought he was called Thomas. You don’t mean to tell me there are two of them?’

      Eleanor inhaled deeply, determined to remain calm. ‘He is the son of Lord Rushock,’ she said. ‘He uses another name for his business.’

      She ignored the disdainful curl of James’s lip. ‘It is delightful to see you both,’ she said, including Ruth—who looked pale and anxious—in her smile. ‘I was about to take a turn around the room. Would you care to join me?’

      They fell into step, with James in the centre, and made their way slowly around the edge of the dance floor.

      ‘Have there been any further incidents?’ James asked quietly.

      ‘Yes.’ Eleanor told him of the man she had seen outside the house, and the man who had accosted and threatened Agnes, and described him to James.

      Rather than further the conversation, James turned monosyllabic, his arm under Eleanor’s hand rigid. What had caused him to clam up? A guilty conscience? Matthew would surely say so if he were here. Eleanor gave up trying to make conversation and spoke across James to Ruth, who clung to her husband’s other arm.

      ‘I trust you are fully recovered now, Cousin Ruth.’

      Ruth shot a nervous glance at James before replying, ‘I am quite well, thank you, Eleanor.’

      James nodded approvingly at Ruth, who smiled tremulously. What did that look mean? The tension that simmered between husband and wife was palpable, but Ruth appeared to gain in confidence and proceeded to chat to Eleanor in an unusually friendly manner. She quizzed Eleanor about the forthcoming parties and events to which Eleanor had received invitations and offered advice as to which were likely to be the most enjoyable and which might prove a bore. Eleanor began to wonder if she had misjudged Ruth at their previous meeting. Perhaps Ruth had simply been on edge due to her imminent visit to the doctor, as James had claimed?

      ‘James,’ Ruth said, fanning herself, ‘it is exceedingly hot in here and I do not see any footmen nearby. Would you be so good as to fetch us some wine?’

      James hesitated. ‘I don’t...are you sure you will be all right?’

      Eleanor stared in puzzlement. As James met her gaze, his jaw clenched. ‘Eleanor?’

      ‘A drink would be most welcome. Thank you.’

      ‘Very well.’ He found them two vacant chairs in an alcove. ‘Do not move from here,’ he said in a warning voice.

      Eleanor raised a brow. James caught her look and reddened. ‘It is very crowded. I am afraid I will not find you easily,’ he said before hurrying away.

      As soon as they were alone, Ruth turned to Eleanor and, taking her hand, regarded her earnestly.

      ‘I am pleased to have this opportunity to apologise to you, Cousin Eleanor, for I fear I might have appeared unfriendly when last we met.’

      ‘Think nothing of it, Ruth, for it is quite forgotten.’

      Ruth’s intensity unnerved Eleanor. She leant so close as she spoke that Eleanor had to force herself not to recoil. She could not help but look around for reassurance that her guardians were in view. They were. She relaxed.

      ‘I was anxious about the appointment with my doctor.’

      ‘Yes. James did explain.’

      ‘Oh, James.’ Ruth chewed at her lip, momentarily silent. ‘He has changed, Eleanor. I do not know... Oh, it is nothing really.’ She swayed closer and Eleanor, despite her best efforts, drew back. Ruth tightened her grip on Eleanor’s hand and lowered her voice to a whisper. ‘I know I can unburden my heart to you, dearest Eleanor. If only things had been different, we would be sisters now and I know my beloved Donald would urge me to trust you. I know that you love James and will not allow my worries to alter your regard for him, but I have no one else I can talk to.’

      Eleanor swallowed hard. Where was James with their wine? What was Ruth implying? She had never liked Eleanor and had blamed her for her brother’s death, yet here she was, introducing Donald into the conversation without a blink of emotion or blame.

      ‘It is a sensitive subject—’ Ruth continued.

      ‘Then I implore you to say nothing,’ Eleanor said, pulling her hands free. ‘To be honest, Ruth, if you and James have problems, they should be resolved between the two of you. Do not forget I have loved James from childhood— I am unlikely to take your side in any marital squabble.’

      ‘No, no! You misunderstand me.’ Ruth grabbed Eleanor’s hands again. ‘I do not seek to drive a wedge between you, but I need to talk of this, in case...in case...the worst comes to pass.’ She gave a low sob and held a handkerchief to her lips. ‘I am sorry. I am a little overwrought.’

      ‘Very well.’ Eleanor saw that she was unlikely to escape Ruth’s confidences. ‘What is the matter?’

      ‘James is desperate for a son. But...but...I have been unable to get with child. Oh, Eleanor, he blames me, I know he does. Our appointment the other day was to determine whether anything can be done to help, but the doctor offered no hope. And now...I am so afraid... What if he should...what if he decides he wants a new wife? Mayhap you can understand the strain I have been under and forgive my unwelcoming attitude?’

      ‘I am so sorry to hear that, Ruth, and of course I forgive you.’ Eleanor buried her instinctive dislike for the other woman under her very real sympathy and patted Ruth’s hand. The woman was so brittle it felt as though she might shatter into a thousand pieces and there was still a fervent glitter in her eye that made Eleanor uneasy. ‘I am always available, if you should feel the need to confide in someone, but I am convinced your worries are without foundation. James is an honourable man. He would never cast you aside.’

      ‘It is not being cast aside that I fear,’ Ruth said.

      ‘Then—?’

      Ruth turned her head away and Eleanor strained to hear her words. What she said made Eleanor’s blood run cold.

      ‘It is James.’

       Chapter Twenty-Four

      Matthew cursed—with fluent inventiveness—under his breath as he watched

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