A few hoursafter returning home from the ball, Eleanor still could not sleep. Pushing the coverlets from her body, she sat up and clambered off the bed. Walking over to the mantle, she noted that it was four in the morning. As per the dowager countess’s instruction, they had retired early from the ball after Eleanor had danced with Mr. Hayford a second time. It had created some sort of buzz in the room, and their grandaunt had not wanted to ruin the effect by her dancing with anyone else.
Stifling a yawn, she tugged on her wrapper and made her way from the room. The wall sconces were lit and provided ample light for her to walk without worrying about tripping. In the hallway, she faltered as the sound of muffled giggling and a masculine voice reached her ears. Ellie hesitated at the top of the stairs, her hand fluttering to her throat when she recognized Colin coming up the steps with his wife in his arms. Correction, with his wife wrapped around him like a vine, her legs hooked at his lower back and her hands around his nape. They were kissing…most salaciously.
Eleanor must have made a sound, for Colin broke the kiss and glanced up.
“Bloody hell,” he cursed.
Hermina gasped and clutched at his shoulders. “Is someone behind us?” she asked, clearly too mortified to look herself.
He rubbed a hand reassuringly over her back. “Yes.”
“Oh, no,” she wailed.
The sound oddly pulled a smile to Ellie’s mouth. “I am covering my eyes,” she said on a light laugh, backing away so they might pass her.
“It’s Ellie,” Hermina whispered.
“Yes.”
Hermina sniffed. “I told you, Colin, that you should not be so naughty when your sisters live with us! How do I speak to her tomorrow about etiquette and sensibilities?”
“I am quite happy to forgo lessons for a few days,” Eleanor said as Colin walked past her with his wife’s face buried in the crook of his neck. “Just think of how mortified we both will be, countess.”
Her sister-in-law wailed something that was muffled, and Colin’s laughter echoed in the hallway. Thankfully he was too caught up with his wife’s mortification to question Eleanor as to why she was up and about at four in the morning. Hurrying down the stairs, she made her way to the library that still had a pleasant fire roaring. She spied two empty glasses and a decanter of amber liquid on the floor in front of a chessboard. No doubt Colin and Hermina had been playing and drinking together before they got intimate.
Her cheeks heated at the memory, and Eleanor went over to the sideboard and poured sherry into a glass. Walking over to the large sash windows facing the gardens, she took a sip before resting her forehead on the cool pane.
All my thoughts and restless dreams have been with you, Lucien Glendevon.
“How long does it take one to fall in love?” she whispered, bringing her fingers up to touch her lips. A thrill chased down her spine at the memory of their kiss. Eleanor swore she could still feel Lucien’s mouth on hers and the taste of him, cool yet fiery.
To fall in love with a man of his standing and reputation was ill-judged, yet it frightened Eleanor to know that she could not stop thinking about the dratted man. The door creaked open and she whirled around.
“Oh,” Lizzy cried, clutching the cloak close to her throat.
“I startled you,” Eleanor said with a smile.
“I never expected anyone to be here,” her sister replied with a sheepish grin, shrugging from her coat.
Eleanor noted she was dressed in a rather scandalous gown with a far too revealing neckline. Her sister appeared rather beautiful and far too sensual in the dark green ball gown seeded with pearls.
“I gather you are sneaking back home,” Eleanor said softly. “I recall you retiring to bed early with a headache.”
Her cheeks blushed crimson. Ellie never expected such a reaction from her sister. “Oh, Lizzy, the risk you take is too much. Can you bear the consequences if you are discovered?”
“I was careful,” she said, coming further into the room. “A…a friend of mine was leaving town, and I wanted…I wanted to bid a farewell.”
“So it is true then,” Eleanor whispered. “The Duke of Ravenswood…he…he is your lover?”
Lizzy lifted her chin. “Yes.”
The shock of that reply rattled Eleanor deep to her bones. Here she was shaken up by a kiss, and her sister had taken a lover outside the bonds of marriage.
“I know what you are thinking,” Lizzy said, taking a seat by the fire and removing her gloves.
“Do you?”
“Yes, and I will not share a similar fate like Fanny, who had a child outside of marriage and was shamed for it.”