Page 8 (1/2)

Da look that Villiers felt nauseated

Louise caught his eye and laughed "I gather you plan to indulge in e is for the courageous, but love is for the foolish," Villiers said "I have doubts regardingbeen convinced that I have at least a ence"

"In that case you will fall in love quite soon," Roberta announced "Such ods"

Villiers walked away thinking ofht fall in love with hiht lower himself to worship a woman the way Gryffyn apparently did his wife

A civil, practical union was far preferable to aadoration

That was an obvious point in favor of Lady Eleanor She was in love with someone else There was a courteous indifference about her that was remarkably peaceful

It could be that he’d found his perfectas she decided to pay a visit to Kent, of course

If not, he’d be stuck with the lady rather indelicately referred to as witless

Chapter Four

Eleanor found her mother in the refreshment tent, surrounded by her friends The hter, she rose with the air of akittens and bustled Eleanor to the corner

"Well?" she demanded

"It seems quite possible that Villiers will offer for me," Eleanor admitted "He implied as rip on Eleanor’s arm "Astonished!" She dropped into a chair in a draht you were a fool"

The response that sprang to her

"All these years, I thought you were a fool," hera duke, just as you always insisted you would I suppose one is never too old to correct one’s mistakes"

"I suppose not," Eleanor murmured

"I made a mistake!" the duchess announced, patently dumbfounded at the very idea "It never occurred to me, not even once, that you would have a chance at Villiers For goodness sake, child, he is adoitiht to herself

"He iven his search for a wo that he will have to widen his focus to include the daughters of marquesses But I always insisted that you should be the one, even given your age Oh Eleanor, I arateful to you!"

"For what, Mother?" Eleanor sat down

"For not putting him off, of course When I think of all the matches you could have made over the past four seasons! Here you are, past your first blush, and still dodging gentlemen I was fearful, Eleanor I know I kept htened for your future"

Eleanor smiled, as much from the idea that herelse

"I just couldn’t bear the idea that I, the most beautiful wohter!"