Patrick's Arrangement: A Regency Romance (The Harcourts Book 4) by Penny Fairbanks

Author:Penny Fairbanks [Fairbanks, Penny]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-04-22T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

“Do not look so nervous, ma chérie!” Mère teased, gently rattling her daughter’s arm.

“But I have never done this before, Mère,” Eloise grumbled, nervous butterflies swirling around her stomach. A small smile appeared on her anxiously pale face regardless. At least Mère seemed to be in high spirits today.

“Everyone must start somewhere,” the older woman said, nodding her head at her own wisdom.

Eloise sighed as she stared up at the Harcourts’ townhome. “Yes, my dear Mère, but most people here started when they were children, or at least much younger than I am now.”

Mère simply chuckled, her voice slightly raspy from a sore throat she had been battling for over a week now. “You are a fast learner, my wonderful fille. Besides, I do not think anyone here will judge you too harshly.”

That thought did little to ease Eloise’s mind as they slowly made their way up the front steps, a footman lingering nearby should Mère need extra support. She greatly appreciated the fact that Patrick had even thought to invite her mother to today’s lesson.

As much as Eloise saw herself as her mother’s caretaker in many ways, even she knew that the stubborn woman could not be dissuaded once she had set her mind to something. Mère had absolutely refused to miss the chance to see her daughter dance for the very first time despite Eloise’s insistence that it would be far too embarrassing for her.

“Good afternoon Mrs. Beaufort, Miss Beaufort. Right this way.” The austere butler greeted them immediately in the foyer, which was larger than the Beauforts’ entire home. Though they had been here before, Mère still gazed around in amazement, a welcome spark of vivacity in her sunken eyes.

Unfortunately, Eloise’s apprehension rendered her incapable of appreciating the beautiful architecture and decor surrounding her. How could she, when she likely faced imminent humiliation?

When they reached the ballroom door—a room Eloise had yet to visit and had not ever expected to visit—she dug her heels into the immaculately clean hardwood floor of the hallway.

“It will be fine, ma chérie, I promise,” Mère coaxed gently, giving Eloise’s hand three quick squeezes. It was their signal, started long ago when they still lived in France—long before either of them had even thought to dream of standing outside an English baron’s ballroom.

“I can bear many things, Mère…” Eloise whispered, “but dancing?”

Mère ignored Eloise’s quiet protest. She nodded to the footman, signaling for him to open the door. Eloise held her breath as the incredible room came into view, distracting her for one blissful moment from the terrifying journey she would soon undertake.

Had Eloise ever seen a room this large? Her feet carried her forward of their own accord as her eyes traveled across the ballroom, from the perfectly polished floor to the delicate molding to the large windows on the opposite wall.

“It is even more beautiful when all the chandeliers are lit.”

Patrick’s gentle voice coming from just beside Eloise did not surprise her. Instead, she found it welcoming, comforting. She turned to find him already smiling at her with warmth and anticipation.

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