Page 85 of How to Fall for a Scoundrel
“But do you really think people can change?” Ellie sighed. “They say a leopard never changes his spots.”
“They also say a reformed rake makes the best husband, so there’s clearly room to maneuver,” Daisy quipped with a laugh. “Have a little faith.”
“I think it’s absolutely possible for people to change,”Tess said earnestly. “Just look at Justin. When I first met him, he was adamant that he would only marry because it was expected of him. He certainly didn’t believe that he could fall in love. But miraclesdohappen, especially when we least expect them to. I have no doubt that he loves me just as deeply as I love him.”
“True,” Daisy sighed. “So there’s still hope for both of us, Ellie, my love.”
Ellie declined to comment. She couldn’t decide if she was excited about tomorrow’s event, or terrified. To watch from the side of the room while Harry was fêted and adored by a bevy of beautiful women would be almost impossible, but she had her pride. If necessary, she would prove she could act just as well as Harry. She would smile, and look happy, and generally behave as though her heart wasn’t breaking.
It would be the performance of her life.
Chapter Forty-Four
“I knew he’d cause a sensation!”
Daisy’s laughing comment forced a reluctant smile from Ellie. As predicted, Tess’s ballroom was filled to bursting with an avid crowd, all desperate to make the acquaintance of the newly minted Earl of Cobham.
Tales of his mysterious ten-year disappearance were rife with so much exaggeration and embellishment that Ellie was convinced he’d started most of them himself.
“Someone told me he’s been a spy for Wellington,” Daisy murmured. “And that he infiltrated Napoleon’s birthday party.”
“Iheard he had something to do with finding the French Crown Jewels.” Tess snorted from behind her fan.
Ellie rolled her eyes. “He couldn’t have been more than five years old when those were stolen. Wherever do people get these ridiculous ideas?”
“The best one was that he’d been kidnapped by Barbary pirates, negotiated his own ransom, and ended up at the court of the Bey of Algiers as his translator.” Daisy shook her head.
“I like the rumor that he helped the banker Rothschild smuggle gold to the army in the Peninsula.”
“To be fair, with Harry, any one of those could actually be true.” Ellie sighed.
All three of them glanced over to the opposite side of the room, where Harry was holding court at the center of a throng of rapt admirers, and Ellie’s heart squeezed painfully in her chest.
She’d expected him to wear something extravagant and flamboyant, like the powder-blue coat he’d worn to Willingham’s, but he’d surprised her yet again. His stark black evening jacket was so perfectly cut to accentuate his lean, muscled physique that he made every other man in attendance look scruffy and unkempt in comparison. His buff breeches and frothy cravat were the epitome of understated elegance.
At this distance, he was barely in focus, since she’d forgone her glasses in favor of not looking like a studious bluestocking.
“They couldn’t have welcomed Lazarus rising from the dead with any more enthusiasm,” Daisy said drily.
“Everyone loves a fairy tale.” Ellie shrugged. “He’ll be the toast of the town until someone else with a more exciting story comes along. They’re all so fickle.”
Tess slid her a sideways glance. “I’m so glad you wore that dress, El. You look sensational. Lord Ware’s asked me three times for an introduction, and James Coutts begged me for your name the moment you entered the room.”
“I’ve spoken to James Coutts on at least three separate occasions this season. He’s called me Sophie every single time. The man’s an imbecile.”
Daisy chuckled. “It’s a rare thing to find a man with moneyandbrains.”
“I have to say, I adore Harry’s uncle Hugo. The man’s an incorrigible rogue.” Tess smiled and waved at the man in question, who was flirting outrageously with Emma Sydenham, theton’s most eligible widow.
“It’s a shame your parents couldn’t come, Ellie. It would have been nice to introduce them to Harry.”
“It would, but my aunt Eliza fell and sprained her ankle while coming out of church on Sunday, so Mother’s traveled down to stay with her for a week.” Ellie shrugged. “And you know what my father’s like. He’d rather bury himself in depositions and witness statements than endure the agony of attending a ball. I’m sure he was delighted when that last-minute petition for clemency was delivered, needing his urgent attention.”
She glanced over at Harry again, and squinted. He seemed to be moving.
“Is Harry coming this way?” she muttered. “I can’t see.”
“He is,” Tess murmured. “And he’s looking at you as if you’re the key to the jewel chamber at the Tower! I’d say that dress is doing its job.”