Page 83 of Snowbound Surrender

Charlotte patted her knee. “Ignorance is a terrible state, isn’t it?” Then she proceeded to explain how a woman could find herself with child.

“He did not spill inside of me.” Eleanor was surprised she did not burst into flames with embarrassment.

“Thank goodness for that. It means you still have choices.”

“What choices?”

“Marriage or not. You can write your own future.”

Eleanor sat back against the headboard next to her sister. “Callum wants to court me. Properly.” For some reason she found the word distasteful.

“Is that what you want?”

It was the second time she had been asked the question. Eleanor’s mind whirled around possibilities. Life with Callum and life without. It was difficult to imagine the latter, and yet marriage seemed oppressive. “I don’t want to rush into anything.”

Charlotte burst out laughing. “Too late for that, methinks.”

Eleanor elbowed her sister but laughed right along.

“So you plan to stay in Warlock, then?”

Eleanor turned her head to regard Charlotte. “If that’s acceptable? I should have?—”

“It’s more than acceptable. I’m thrilled. I was hoping to convince you to turn your visit into permanent residence.”

“I will need something to occupy my time though.”

“You could assist me with my dressmaking venture,” Charlotte said.

“Yes, I suppose.” She said vaguely, feeling like Newton finding inspiration after being struck by an apple. “But something you said earlier has given me an idea.”

“What’s that?”

“You said I could write my own future. What if I wrote a primer? Not for teaching letters or sums to children, but to teach young ladies what to expect from marriage and the marriage bed. Knowledge is power, and power is something women seem to lack in great measure.”

After a long moment, Charlotte spoke, sounding more thoughtful than outraged. “It would be considered scandalous. You’ll need to use a nom de plume.”

“You’re not going to talk me out of it? Will you help me?”

“I wish I had known more on my wedding night. I loved Daniel, but I was terrified. We wasted too much time fumbling about.” Her smile was mostly rueful with only a tinge of sadness. “Although…”

The leading way Charlotte looked at Eleanor made her sit a little straighter. “What?”

“One night’s experience is not sufficient. You’ll need to conduct extensive research.”

Eleanor hadn’t thought of that. The previous night had exposed her to so many new experiences that she hadn’t imagined there could be more. A zip of anticipation and excitement made her tingle from the roots of her hair to her toes.

“You’re right. Do you think Callum would be willing?”

Charlotte burst into laughter so hearty she folded over and wrapped her arms around her stomach, unable to answer.

CHAPTER 7

Callum saton the edge of the settee in the drawing room with a delicate teacup. The mood of the ladies was an odd mix of amusement and chagrin. There was much throat clearing and stilted small talk. His mother sat in an armchair next to him, and his sister stood by the pianoforte, having a whispered conversation with a lady he did not recognize.

“Lady Westhorpe has apologized profusely, of course. What a fiasco.” His mother leaned toward him to not be overheard.

It had been a miracle in Callum’s estimation, but the truth of what happened would have only added to his mother’s distress. “The snow would have made the journey home treacherous. It is just as well you stayed the night. In fact, you might be stuck here a while longer. Is everyone accounted for?” He tried to keep his voice casual.