Chapter Twenty-One
As Eleanor sat across from her brother a remarkable sense of relief washed over her. Alex Larford had finally made his offer and Felicity would be married. Marcus would join the military, she would become a governess and at last she would not have to worry about trying to deal with their finances. She had been waiting for the relief of this day since Marcus had first told her about her father’s debt, and yet, now that the day had arrived, somehow it made her feel worse. Now that she knew, really knew, what she had really sacrificed for this day. If only she had never met Storm. If only she had tied her blasted bonnet ribbons. If only her heart would never have known what her future should have been.
Marcus rose and headed toward the brandy. She noticed he poured two glasses. Handing her one, he raised it to toast.
“To Felicity.”
Eleanor gladly raised her glass in return, allowing the brandy warm her body. It had been a long few weeks. She thought she was entitled.
“I will decline the Duke of Tomlin tomorrow.”
Eleanor smiled.
“Will you be okay? Her marrying for love will seal both of our fates.”
Marcuse smiled.
“It will be fine. You know we planned for this. It is a bit of a relief. It has not been easy scraping the funds together for her season.”
Eleanor refrained from rolling her eyes. Her brother really had no idea.
“I am going to ask Miss Westbrook to write a recommendation so I can find a position as a governess. I am sure a kind word from her will get me into a better home than I would have found without her friendship.”
Marcus nodded.
“We will have a few weeks until the wedding. I will not leave before then.”
“Of course.”
Eleanor took a sip from her brandy but before she could put it down, she heard Felicity’s voice.
“Why would you become a governess?”
Felicity looked furious.
“Felicity, dear, I thought you were still at the Westbrooks.”
“Clearly.”
That was all. Not even her usual “oh” at the beginning of her sentence. Marcus cleared his throat.
“You should be happy to know that Alex asked me for your hand this afternoon.”
“Yes, and when did Lord Tomlin ask for it?”
Eleanor got very concerned. Clearly her sister had heard most of their conversation.
“Felicity, it does not matter. You and Alex will be very happy together.”
Her sister moved further into the room, still with a lot of anger in her eyes.
“You still have not answered my question about why you would become a governess.”
Eleanor rose and crossed to the window. It was pouring out. At least she had the rain to comfort her even during the argument that was sure to arise right now.
“It is what I want dear. With you married, and Marcus going to defend our country, I cannot live here alone.”
“You have never spoken of becoming a governess before Eleanor.”
Dear Lord, no oh’s and her proper name. She had never seen Felicity in such a state before. Before she could respond though, Marcus spoke, and, as always, said the perfectly wrong thing.
“Felicity, when father passed, well… there was not much left of his fortune. We have scrapped by for the past few years, but I am afraid there is nothing further we can do. Eleanor and I agreed that you would have your season so that you would not have to sacrifice your own future.”
Tears rolled down her sister’s cheek.
“Were you ever going to tell me? All this time… you just let me believe that everything was fine. How could you do that?”
“There would not have been much you could have done Felicity. Why would we want you to suffer through it?”
Fury hit her sister’s eyes.
“So that you did not have to carry this burden alone. Do you really think I could not have survived or found a match without the finest of everything? Eleanor, I could have given up frivolous things. I cannot believe you both kept this from me!”
Eleanor looked to Marcus but he seemed as unsure how to handle this issue as he was about everything else. Eleanor was just so tired of being alone.
“I will marry Lord Tomlin. He has fortune enough to spare and I will pay off any debt that is still able to be paid off so that you will not have to go to war and Eleanor will not have to find a position as a governess.
Now Eleanor was angry.
“No. We sacrificed everything so that you can find a husband you love. You will marry Alex. That is final.”
For one moment, the room grew so silent that Eleanor wondered if any of them were even breathing.
“I will marry who I choose. Marcus, you shall escort me to Lord Tomlins estate first thing in the morning and decline Lord Derrington’s offer. And that is Final!”
With that Felicity scurried out of the room slamming the door behind her. For a moment the room was completely silent. Feeling an ache in her heart, Eleanor turned to her brother.
“Oh Marcus, you cannot let her marry Lord Tomlin.”
Then, for the first time in her life, Eleanor realized that her brother was a weak man.
“It is her choice. I will not force her to marry either of them.”
And with that he finished the drink and stormed out of the room and right out the front door. Eleanor sat there silently for at least five minutes when she heard the front door open again as her sister left the house. Tired, angry and disappointed Eleanor decided that neither of them deserved to be chased after.
His family was getting ready to leave for the evening’s festivities when he heard a commotion in the hallway. Both of these facts dragged Storm from his third glass brandy and into what he was sure would be a very long night. All he wanted was to spend the evening waltzing with the charming Eleanor Pinecrest and whatever the issue was he had a feeling that it would delay him from such pleasures.
“Oh Peaches, how could they have been so cruel!”
The sobbing voice of Miss Felicity Pinecrest floated through the air and a slight bit of alarm seemed to settle into his chest. Before he could enter the room however Bonnet was rushing forward to him.
“Oh Storm, it is all such a mess! Felicity found out about her family’s situation and now she is refusing to marry Alex so that she can accept the offer from the stuffy old Duke of Tomlin who will make sure the Pinecrests’ debts are taken care of. Apparently, he made an offer as well.”
“How did she find out?”
“She overheard Eleanor and Marcus talking about it. There was a huge argument. Felicity stated they all stopped speaking to each other. She came here because she did not want to stay at her home with everything that has happened.”
“Her brother is allowing this?”
“It would seem.”
Storm, for the first time in his life, worried that he may actually kill a man. Marcus deserved a good beating for this. It was cruel to force two people who were clearly in love to be separated over such foolishness.
“Bonnet, I am going to the Pinecrest residence. Please make sure the family is gathered first thing in the morning and do not allow Felicity to leave this house until I return.”
Quickly scribbling a note, he flagged down a footman advising the young man to deliver it with as much haste as possible or there would be hell to pay.
Bonnet touched his arm and she met his gaze.
“What are you going to do?”
He looked softly at his sister knowing he was about to seal his fate.
“I am keeping my promise to you Bonnet.”
Bonnet studied him for a long time.
“Are you sure? I know… I know that I have been pressuring you but….”
Placing a soft kiss on his sister’s cheek he smiled.
“You have wanted this since they arrived.”
His sister blushed.
“I want the best for you Storm. Do not do this if you are not sure.”
“I am sure Bonnet. Do not wait up. And calm Miss Pinecrest down. Tell her everything will work out and try to get those two to get some rest.”
“I will do my best.”