Ruthless (The House of Rohan 1)

“But no geese. They bite. ”

“What about swans?”

“That depends whether we’re on water. It would be nice to be near a river or a pond or something,” Elinor said.

“Since we’re making this up out of whole cloth, let’s simply decide we’ll have water,” Lydia said. “I say a stream leading into a pond, where we can have swans and ducks and absolutely no geese, and we’ll live very happily, two old-maid sisters. I do think we should have cats, a great many of them. They won’t go after the ducks, will they?”

“We’ll have cats that are afraid of ducks,” Elinor said. “But I’m not certain how long we’ll get to be two old maids together. You’re sure to get married. ”

“Not if I don’t want to,” she said firmly. “And I suspect I’m not going to. I’ve always been stubborn, you know, and faithful in my affections. Once given, I don’t change my mind. ”

“The trick to that, darling, is don’t give your affections,” Elinor said lightly. “Just wait until we arrive home and you catch the eye of some dashing gentleman with comfortable means. I’m going to want nieces and nephews, you know. ”

“I’m afraid it’s too late, love,” Lydia said. She quickly changed the subject before Elinor could respond. “I’ll agree to go to the country if that’s what you wish. A little seclusion would probably be good for me. As long as you absolutely swear to me that you aren’t staying behind to be a…a…” Words failed her.

“Fallen woman?” Elinor suggested helpfully. “Courtesan? Lady of the night? Don’t be ridiculous, child. Do I look like a light-’o-love?”

“You look very beautiful,” Lydia said truthfully. “I don’t want you staying behind to be hurt. ”

Elinor had deep reserves of calm good sense, and a remarkable ability to weather crushing blows. She smiled at her sister. “I’ll be fine, you little goose,” she said with a laugh. “When have I lied to you?”

Lydia just looked at her. “More often than I suspect. ” She didn’t want to leave Elinor. She didn’t want to go out to the countryside, far away from the temptation of Charles Reading. Not that he was any danger—though he’d held her so tenderly the night of the fire she hadn’t seen him since, and she doubted she would. Going out of town would ensure that, doubtless one of her sister’s reasons for encouraging it.

Elinor was still looking at her, anxiety beneath her calm exterior, and guilt swamped Lydia. “I’ll go,” she said, and Elinor’s relieved smile was reward enough.

As long as her strange, irrational faith in Lord Rohan wasn’t misplaced. He wouldn’t hurt Elinor. He wouldn’t dare.

If he did, he’d have Lydia to deal with, and she would ensure that he was very, very sorry.

Elinor slept late the next day, waking with a guilty feeling. She dressed quickly, not waiting for Jeanne-Louise to assist her, and started out her bedroom door only to run into the oversize footman from last night. Before she could say a word he’d scooped her up. “His lordship said I was to transport you, mademoiselle. ”

“I’m entirely capable of walking on my own,” she said. She refrained from squirming for the sake of the poor footman, who was pink from either embarrassment or exertion.

“I have my orders, mademoiselle. His lordship bade me carry you and I will do just that. If you please, mademoiselle. ” There was just the faintest note of pleading in his voice, and Elinor took pity on him. Disobeying Rohan was not something to be done lightly.

“I want to see my sister. ”

The footman looked even more uncomfortable, as if he was struggling with something a great deal more weighty than her not inconsiderab

le body. And then he nodded, starting off.

“You’re going in the wrong direction,” she said.

He nodded again, signifying God knew what, and Elinor took pity on him. Lydia must be waiting for her elsewhere.

The vastness of the house once again startled her, as they seemed to tread through miles of halls, many of them decorated with black cloth. It was a good thing she wasn’t walking herself—she’d doubtless get totally lost. Once Lydia left, Elinor had every intention of staying in her room. With luck Rohan would be so distracted by the lascivious temptations of the Revels that he wouldn’t remember she was there.

Except she recognized the last hallway they turned into—she’d been there before, two weeks ago, when she’d confronted him in a righteous fury. “I don’t think my sister is in Lord Rohan’s bedroom,” she said, beginning to struggle. “At least, she’d best not be. ”

The footman ignored her, knocking gently on the door without losing his grip on her, and then pushing the door open.

Rohan stood there, still in shirtsleeves and small clothes, as two valets dressed him. He glanced at her, unmoved. “My dear Elinor. What a delightful surprise. What brings you here?”

“Your so-helpful footman,” she said in a tart voice. “And I didn’t give you leave to call me by my name. ”

“I thought you might prefer it to endearments,” he purred. “But if you want me to use more intimate terms…”

“You may use my first name,” she said hastily, just imaging the terms he could come up with. “I asked the footman to take me to my sister. He brought me here. If Lydia is anywhere around your bedroom, I’ll cut your liver out. ”