Free Lord Dearborn's Destiny by Brenda Hiatt Page A

assented that it was, for the most part. "There are a few card games to be had, but the stakes are too low to tempt the better players," he informed her.
    "And ladies do not indulge in them?" she asked half-seriously.
    He shook his head, regarding her curiously. "Not at Almack's. Do you play at whist, by chance, Miss O'Day?"
    "It has been two or three years, my lord, but I was once considered quite tolerable at it. I would be interested to discover if I retain any shred of my skill." She gave an exaggerated sigh. "But 'twill have to be another time, I apprehend."
    "None of the Winston-Fittses play?" he asked, glancing back to Rosalind, who stood listening to their banter in silence. She silently shook her head even as Ellie responded.
    "No, my aunt has an aversion to cards and so has never encouraged Rosie to learn. My uncle may possibly play, but never at home, I assure you." She glanced quickly over her shoulder to ascertain that Aunt Mabel was not attending.
    Lord Dearborn chuckled. "Well, it is to be hoped that you might receive an opportunity to revive your skills in the near future, Miss O'Day. Miss Winston-Fitts, I shall return for you when the orchestra signals the first set." Bowing, he moved away, leaving Ellie to calm her unruly pulse, which had quickened without her permission during her brief conversation with the Earl.
    For her part, Rosalind had been surreptitiously watching the door during the Earl's conversation with her cousin. Several of her erstwhile admirers were arriving, to her mother's gratification, if not her own. After Lord Dearborn moved off, she turned to Ellie.
    "He seemed very kind, don't you think?" she asked. "You were right, Ellie, that Lord Dearborn is most handsome. Do you not look forward to your dance with him?"
    Had Ellie noticed Rosalind's uncharacteristically sly expression, it might have warned her that her cousin was hatching some sort of plan. Instead, Ellie's heart sank at her cousin's praise of the Earl. It appeared that she was not immune to his charms, after all!
    "Certainly, Rosie," she managed to reply. "But do not forget that it was you he engaged for the first set. Surely that is a signal honour, and one he has paid you before."
    Rosalind smiled enigmatically. "Yes, I suppose so. Look, here come Mr. Wilshire and Lord Gresham."  
    Private conversation became impossible after that, for Rosalind was surrounded by her usual throng of eager beaux and forced to pay shy attention to each. Ellie was similarly besieged by admirers, though not in such great numbers. By the time the first strains of music sounded, both young ladies were engaged for the first several sets.
    "Miss Winston-Fitts, my dance, I believe." Lord Dearborn appeared as though by magic, skilfully extricating Rosalind from the crowd about her.
    Ellie, on the arm of Lord Pelton, followed them onto the floor to take her place for the opening minuet. Lord Pelton flirted with her at every opportunity during the old-fashioned dance, but Ellie's attention kept wandering farther down the set to where Rosalind and Lord Dearborn were dancing.
    Was her cousin finally softening towards him? she wondered. Her earlier remark certainly had implied that. Ellie had little doubt that if Rosalind were to show herself receptive to the Earl's attentions he would offer for her without delay. She suspected that it was only an admirable reluctance to press his suit in the face of her apparent indifference that had prevented him from doing so already. He must know that Rosalind would not be permitted to refuse him, and would not wish to force her to an unwelcome match.
    Ellie steadfastly ignored the heaviness that had descended on her heart and smiled brilliantly up at Lord Pelton in response to his next outrageous compliment. He was a baron, after all, and she could scarcely afford to whistle such a suitor down the wind in her present situation, even if he was well past forty. Despite her brave words to Rosalind last week, Ellie was by no