Scandal of the Season by Liana LeFey

Author:Liana LeFey [LeFey, Liana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: justice, ton, Earls & Countesses, scandal, Historical romance, reunited, crime, Entangled, Regency, Friends to lovers
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Published: 2017-05-29T18:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Eleanor forced herself not to squirm as the Dowager Countess of Wincanton inspected her. Her gaze was not unkind, but it was penetrating. Just outside, she heard Sorin issuing commands concerning pillows and such. Desperate to escape the intense scrutiny of her new traveling companion, she peeked out from between the curtains.

It afforded her a rare opportunity to observe Sorin’s profile for a moment unseen. Or so she thought. Turning, he caught her eye and smiled. At once she dropped the curtain and looked down at her lap, unwilling to expose her burning face to the carriage’s other occupant. The door opened again, causing her to flinch, but it was only a servant bringing in blankets.

Once everything was in place and the servants gone, the carriage lurched into motion, forcing both ladies to steady themselves until the rocking settled into a more predictable rhythm.

“Thank you for inviting me to join you,” Eleanor said at last, breaking the deepening silence. Her face once more cool, she risked raising it.

“You are most welcome,” replied Lady Wincanton with a brief smile. “I can well imagine how uncomfortable you must have been. Four together in one carriage seems to me unbearably crowded.”

“Yes. It was quite close,” she said, trying to sound nonchalant.

“Even more uncomfortable when confined with an individual for whom one has little liking,” added Lady Wincanton, a knowing twinkle in her eye.

Eleanor felt her cheeks again grow warm. Just how much had Sorin overheard? And how much of it had he told his mother? “No doubt,” she finally replied, her voice coming out sounding choked.

The woman’s smile returned, and this time it was warm and genuine. “I think we can agree that a journey may be either lengthened or shortened by the quality of one’s traveling companions.”

“Indeed we can,” Eleanor replied, half laughing at herself. Ironically, it seemed she’d jumped from the boiling pot directly into the fire.

“Then let us shorten our journey, shall we?” said the older woman with relish. “I have not bothered to keep up with the news of the county for an age. Nothing has seemed worthy of my interest—until now. Tell me of young Sir Yarborough,” she demanded. “Sorin says you knew each other as children. What think you of the lad and his mother?”

Again, Eleanor wondered just how much the woman already knew. “I, ah…”

The Dowager Countess chuckled. “I’ve put you on the spot now, but you needn’t worry, my dear. For your sake, I shall for the moment forego polite speech and tell you that my own impression is not a flattering one. The woman is garish and coarse, and her son is no better than a puffed-up fool of a peacock.” She sat back and pursed her lips. “There. Now you may proceed without concern for my delicate sensibilities.”

A laugh borne purely of surprise escaped Eleanor and she clapped her hands over her mouth, horrified.

But Lady Wincanton merely smiled. “I can see I’ve shocked you. I should have perhaps waited a bit longer before so freely offering my opinion, but I cannot help thinking you share it.

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