Behind the Mask (House of Lords) Read Online Free PDF

watched her walk back towards the inn to rejoin her mother and sisters, was that she herself was a far greater danger to him than her enthusiastic younger sister.
     
    When Eleanor returned to the inn she found her mother waiting for her in the dining room. “Have some tea, dear,” Lady Sidney said. “The girls have gone upstairs to refresh themselves.”
    “Thank you,” Eleanor said, taking the cup her mother offered and a sandwich as well.
    For a few moments they sat together in silence. But then Lady Sidney, looking up at her over the rim of her cup, said, “Well?”
    Eleanor feigned ignorance. “Well what?”
    Lady Sidney sighed and set her cup down. “What do you think of him?”
    Shrugging, Eleanor said, “He seems to be a decent fellow.”
    “That is not what I meant, Eleanor, and you know it.”
    “Oh, Mama,” Eleanor groaned. “Leo has never acted as a matchmaker before, and he never will. I cannot imagine that he meant to set me up with Lord Pierce when he agreed to allow him to accompany us. Please, don’t look for more in this than is there.”
    “If you say so,” her mother said, though she smiled into her tea. “But you are a beautiful young woman, Eleanor. You are young and vivacious and intelligent, and it would be a shame if you threw away a chance at happiness because you feel you must do your duty to your family first.” When Eleanor opened her mouth to protest, she cut her off. “I know you refused Lord Marsh because he was not worthy of you—and I don’t blame you in the least. But Lord Pierce is not like him, dear, or like...other young men you have known. Surely you must see that. Perhaps it would be wiser for you to make time to spend with him at Sidney Park. Let me take over the preparations for the princess’s visit if you like. I don’t mind.”
    Eleanor shook her head. “But I know you do, Mama. And really, I don’t mind in the slightest. It gives me something to do, some active work to keep me occupied. You know that I cannot bear to be idle.”
    Her mother nodded. “Of course.” Eleanor finished her sandwich and rose. As they went out into the inn yard, Lady Sidney added, “Think about what I said, Eleanor. Do that much for me at least.”
     

FOUR
     
    They arrived at Starling Court late in the afternoon. As the carriage rattled through Southwold, Colin scanned the faces of the people who paused in their work to look up at the passing visitors. They were simple, honest country folk, or at least they appeared to be. Still, he couldn’t help but feel suspicious.
    Then he scolded himself for his rashness. Had he become so jaded in his years of foreign service that he saw sinister characters everywhere?
    Starling Court was a grand old house, built in the Jacobethan style, with a large, well kept park surrounding it. As they neared the house itself, Colin saw a tall, fair-haired man standing at attention on the steps, a woman with bright copper hair beside him. Though her dress was cut high at the waist, it was clear that the woman was mere weeks away from her confinement.
    Colin had gotten some intelligence on Charles Bainbridge, the Duke of Danforth, before leaving London. The man was a close friend of Leo’s, though he had attended Oxford and so was not known to Colin. Leo and Danforth sat in the Lords together, and had worked tirelessly during the session that had just ended to pass labor reforms and protections for the poor. Everyone Colin had spoken to had described Danforth as a hard and fast, lightning-witted campaigner, a man who always got what he wanted and rarely gave up until he was satisfied.
    Dismounting as a footman came to open the carriage door, Colin hurried over to hand the ladies out. Lady Sidney preceded them up the stairs. “Your Grace,” she said warmly, taking the duchess’s hand. “How well you look!”
    “Thank you,” the duchess said, smiling. “I feel big as this house.”
    “Well, you look lovely. Thank you for receiving us so soon