For some reason, Eleanor didn’t like having her own secret misgivings reflected to her by someone else. She smiled and pretended the whole dramatic turn of events was just of the sort she expected. “Mr Ajit seems very well mannered, and I’m certain he will be an interesting personage to have about the house.”
“Quite remarkable indeed,” Officer Ellis agreed with a nod.
Eleanor smiled to herself and turned away. She walked to Miles side and cleared her throat. He turned and looked down on her as if he was only just remembering she was there.
“I’m sorry to interrupt,” she said, “but I was thinking of moving in to refreshments, and you might tell us a bit about your journey.”
He looked at her in silence for a moment, his expression unreadable, and then turned quite suddenly to the crowd and cleared his voice, speaking loud enough that the roomful of people stopped their laughter and the tinkling of crystal to listen.
“My dear guests,” he said with that same crooked smile. “While I am overjoyed to return home to such a thorough welcome, Mrs Fitzroy has just informed me that you were expecting something of a presentation from me this evening, and I’m afraid as late as it is that will be quite impossible.” Amid the murmurs of astonishment, including Eleanor’s own quiet gasp, he went on, “But fear not, I shall be back for some time, and I will be happy to share with you all that I have learned. As it is, I don’t know that you would much like such a dusty and weary traveller as myself telling you war stories. I pray you forgive me for my tardiness, and allow me now to excuse myself until such a later time as we might share a more intimate conversation on the matter of my travels.” He turned to Eleanor and gave her a slight bow. “I beg your pardon, My Lady.”
Then, amid the indulgent smiles of his disappointed guests, he bid his father goodbye, promised to see him in the morning, bowed briefly to Eleanor’s mother, and then took his leave with Ajit walking gracefully behind him.
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A Baron Worth Loving: A Historical Regency Romance Book Page 31
