The Unaccomplished Lady Eleanor Read Online Free Page A

and I’ve never known a man turn his nose up at one of those. ’
    Eleanor ’s eyes widened as colour flooded her cheeks.  N ever before had she been spoken to in such a frank and open manner – and in front of a gentleman .  As the gentleman in question emitted a snort of laughter, Eleanor flashed him a reproving glare . His a nger appeared to have completely dissolved as he now leaned nonchalantly against the wall , one leg propped up behind him , his arms crossed over his broad chest.  From t he annoying smirk playing about his lips , he was obviously finding the spectacle very entertaining. 
    Eleanor c ringed again as she realiz ed that her humiliation was not yet over .  Lady Ormiston was unreservedly continuing her speech:  ‘ … but as to your behaviour, my girl, y our step mama informs me it is reprehensibly unbecoming and that your accomplishme nts are gravely lacking.   I f I recall, I warned your father what would happen if you were not taken in hand .  A nd I am rare ly wrong in such matters.  O ne only has to look at the results of his child-rearing to see how right I was. ’
    Criticism of her self, Eleanor could suffer .  C riticism of her father , she could not.  She opened her mouth to protest , but her godmother raised an admonishing hand. 
    ‘ I have neither the time nor the inclination to discuss the mat t er further, Eleanor .  N ow return to your chambers and dress for dinn er.  We will eat at eight o’ clock sharp. ’
    With her closing instructions, t he old woman turned on her heel and marched bris kly back down the corridor, skirts rustling .  Desperate not to be alone with the repulsive young man , Eleanor, her head high, spun around and made to return to h er chambers.  Why the very nerve of him sniggering at her like that. Call himself a gentleman?  Eleano r , courtesy of her time spent with Zach, the farmer , could think of many words to call him. ‘Gentleman’ was not amongst them.  Obviously he was some annoying nephew of Lady Ormiston ’s.  Who hopefully wouldn’t be staying long.  Indeed hopefully she wouldn’t have to have anything else to do with-
    The sound of Lady Ormiston’s voice booming at her from the opposite end of the corridor interrupted her thoughts. 
    ‘ Oh , and Eleanor …’  
    With some effort, Eleanor affected a pleasa nt expression as she swung around to face her godmother. 
    ‘ … do watch wher e you’re going in future .  The last thing I require is to hear of any of my servants being discomposed as a result of your antics. ’
    Another irritating snort of laughter came from the direction of the young man who had not moved from his position against the wall.  Eleanor whisked around again before he could see the colour returning to her cheeks with renewed heat.  With the exception of Hester Scones, she did believe she had never disliked anyone more in her entire life.

TWO
     
    T he expedition to the dining- room a half hour later was relatively uneventful with onl y two wrong turns and , thankfully, no humiliating collisions.  Congratulating h erself on locating her destination well ahead of time and any other guests, Elea nor was directed by a footman in to a square , pale- green saloon, adjacent to the dining- room .  Judging by its modern, elegant décor, this room, too, had undergone a recent redecoration . Ag ainst the back wall stood a mahogany sideboard with two silver chandeliers, a tray of crystal decanters , and a vase of pink lilies.  In front of the blazing fir e stood an ormolu table and a sofa and s everal chairs all upholstered in invisible green silk . With an unladylike flounce, Eleanor slumped down into a high-backed armchair and accepted a glass of ratafia from the footman.  Completely exhausted, s he would have liked nothing more than to have taken dinner alone in her room before retiring early.  She had briefly contemplated proposing such an idea but, given the unfortunate incident in the corridor