Free The Scandal of Lady Eleanor by Regina Jeffers

duke’s total control of Ella bothered Kerrington.
    â€œNo, Aunt.” He watched Ella’s countenance glaze over in remembrance. “I was ten and Velvet nine. Our governess took us for a picnic in Hyde Park.”
    â€œMrs. Holden dash Smythe.” Velvet giggled. “Remember, Ella? That is how she would say it: Holden dash Smythe.”
    Ella nodded her head with the memory. “The lady was an odd bird, but we had fun on that holiday. Mother came to see doctors who might help her, while Mrs. Holden-Smythe escorted Velvet and me to see the Tower of London. If I had known the seriousness of her illness, I would have stayed with Mother instead.” The conversation reminded James of Fowler’s drunken confession that his mother suffered from the great pox—a “gift” from the late duke.
    â€œAmelia would never have allowed it, Child. She wanted to protect you and Brantley as long as she could.” Agatha set forward to emphasize what she imparted. James appreciated the woman’s sensitivity for Ella’s sake.
    â€œWhere was I when the two of you were playing about the London streets?” Bran teased.
    â€œI imagine you were at school.Young boys have more freedom than young ladies,”Velvet reminded him.
    Ella’s making her decision to join him thrilled James. “Would it be rude of us to accept His Lordship’s offer,Aunt? After all, you had planned to begin our training for our Presentations.”
    â€œNo, Child,” her aunt thankfully agreed. “You and Velvet deserve some time to enjoy the city. God only knows we will be busy enough once the invitations pour in. Besides, we have all day to
practice. A few hours with Lord Worthing will not jeopardize your Presentation.”
    â€œIf you are sure, Aunt?” The corners of Ella’s mouth quivered, but her response spoke of eagerness. A tender need to protect her spread through James. “Miss Aldridge and I would be pleased to join you,Your Lordship.”
    â€œExcellent.” James beamed with how well things turned out. He could actually breathe again. Eleanor Fowler would be beside him, a place he instinctively knew was hers for the taking.
    Velvet turned to Bran. “May we convince you to join us,Your Grace?” Ella had become more aware of the standoff between them over the past few weeks.
    Ella thought her brother foolish when he refused. “It truly sounds like a delightful afternoon, but, as I wait for Sonali and Mrs. Carruthers, I must decline.” Ella thought Bran and Velvet quite childish to fight their natural attraction to each other.
    â€œOf course.” Ella heard the disappointment in her cousin’s voice and noted her brother’s obvious chagrin.
    Recognizing her chance, Ella stood before Velvet could change her mind. “If you will excuse us, Lord Worthing, my cousin and I will freshen our clothing and join you in a few minutes.”
    â€œI will enjoy your aunt’s company until your return, Lady Eleanor.”
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    Velvet tapped on the door before entering. “May I help you, Ella?”
    Eleanor smiled with her cousin’s entrance. “Would you mind lacing me up?”
    For the next couple of minutes, her cousin dutifully pulled the laces tighter on Ella’s corset and dress. “Lord Worthing is quite handsome,” Velvet spoke the words as if they were an afterthought, but Ella immediately wondered at her cousin’s interest in the viscount.
    â€œDo you really think so?” Ella faced the mirror and tried to use it to see Velvet’s true expression. Of course, she thought Worthing
the most handsome of men, but she worried now whether her cousin might have set her sights on him. If so, Ella knew she would not stand a chance;Velvet outshone her in looks.
    â€œMy Heavens, yes, and he does admire you, Ella.” Velvet tied the strings.
    Forgetting her desire to appear uninvolved, as well as the worry of only a