The Unsuitable Heiress by Juliane Karlis

Author:Juliane Karlis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mint & Romance
Published: 2020-03-10T09:05:37+00:00

10

Elnora’s fingers almost ached with the effort of releasing Edward’s coat sleeve, but she must let him go. Carew Fortham stood before her, eagerly holding out his hand to accompany her down the final stairs. Finally she pulled her hand from Edward’s elbow—or had he pulled his elbow away?—and slipped her hand into the unfamiliar crook of Carew’s arm. She turned for a last glance at Edward, but he had already sunk back into the shadows with silence born from long practice. After all, a secretary of her grandfather’s needed to be invisible, yet instantly available the moment they were called upon.

Suddenly she realized that Carew was talking to her. “Ah, please excuse me, Mr. Fortham,” she murmured, a rush of shame heating her cheeks. “I fear my mind was wandering.” This was no way to act at her first formal introduction to society! These people were her equals and would now be her friends and associates. She would not have them go home to shake their heads sadly—or in knowing delight—and say that the new heiress of Ashcombe was obviously an uncultured, tongue-tied little thing who had been allowed to run wild in the back of the garden.

A small smile quirked her lips. That much, at least, was true; she had been allowed to run wild in the garden, and she had loved every minute of those carefree days spent surrounded by nature. They had given her a resourcefulness, an independence, and a love of the estate that she still cherished. She would not be intimidated by a simple dinner party.

Carew still held her arm, his hand over hers. “Just say the word if you feel faint and I will arrange everything,” he said in a low tone. Something in his overly intimate manner made Elnora pull her hand away and look him squarely in the eyes. She felt her confidence grow at the surprise she read in his face at her unexpected action.

“Thank you, Mr. Fortham,” she said in an even tone. “I feel quite equal to greeting my guests alone, but I do appreciate your kind intentions.” Even though your intentions were to mark your claim as the future master of Ashcombe in front of your potential rivals, she added mentally.

As she gave Carew a little bow and swept away to greet the next group of guests she caught a glimpse of Edward, half-hidden by the long scarlet draperies. Their eyes met, and he gave her an encouraging smile before sinking further into the shadows. Somehow, the knowledge that Edward was watching over her—even if it was from the shadows—gave her courage as she approached the next group.

These must be the two young Mr. Rentsomes, she decided, for both had the same curly brown hair and identically tied cravats. The brothers—she forgot their first names, and indeed they were so much alike in looks and manners that she would have had difficulty telling them apart even if she’d remembered—jerked out a stiff bow as if they were wound up with clockwork and wished her a good evening almost in chorus.

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