Fenella J Miller by Lady Eleanor's Secret Page A

downstairs. The tall clock on the landing struck midday. Good heavens! In the space of less than half an hour, she had irrevocably changed her life. She was tied to a complete stranger, had agreed to honour and obey him. What had possessed her to take such an impulsive action?
    The noise of someone entering through the front door spiralled up from the vast entrance hall and into the gallery a few yards from where she stood.
    Edward.
    The thought of meeting him shocked her into movement and she ran to her apartment. She burst in to find Lady Haverstock and her sister-in-law waiting for her.

    Somehow Alex found the fortitude to walk unaided to his own chambers. Foster knew better than to offer to assist, but he was aware his man was hovering beside him in case he collapsed. Fortunately, he reached his destination without disgracing himself.
    “If I lie down I doubt I shall be able to get up again today. I shall sit quietly in this armchair, Foster, and leave you to get things organized.” He gripped the padded arms of the chair and carefully lowered himself; any sudden movement made his head swim disastrously.
    He was seriously concussed. Foolish to think about travelling the fifty miles to his home, but it was imperative to remove his wife from the insidious influence of Thorrington.
    Once stationary, he risked opening his eyes again. Foster had vanished; he was alone. He settled back and let his mind drift over the last half hour. What must the poor girl have thought when she entered the room and he’d failed to recognize her? He hoped she had not been offended. He could hardly credit how different she looked this morning. Her gown was elegant, her hair transformed to a lustrous chestnut brown.
    After the ceremony when she had smiled up at him, she was another woman entirely. She had looked years younger, as if she was delighted to be his wife. No, it was more than that. She had looked triumphant. Why was that?
    He thumped the arms of the chair. Why could he not remember what had taken place the day before?
    There was something decidedly havey-cavey about this past twenty four hours. As soon as he was himself again he would make it his business to discover exactly what it was.

    “Eleanor, where ever have you been? I can see the children at the maze, so you were not with them.”
    “Jane, Lady Haverstock, I do hope you have not been waiting here long. I went up to the nursery to speak to the children, but as you so rightly point out they were not there so I stayed to talk to Betty” She kept her left hand firmly behind her back.
    “I do not recollect seeing that gown before and your hair is arranged differently this morning.”
    “I am amazed that you do not recognize it, Jane. I have had it this age. I have merely added fresh trimmings from my sewing box.” She smiled at her hostess. “I’m sure Lady Haverstock would not wish me to appear in my work clothes, not when I am sleeping down here.”
    The two ladies exchanged anxious glances. “We have come to speak to you about your accommodation, my dear.” Jane looked decidedly uncomfortable. Eleanor guessed what was coming next. “As you are now fully recovered from your unpleasant experience we thought you would not mind returning to your previous chamber. There are unexpected guests arriving later today. I’m sure that you understand, my dear.”
    “Of course. I shall pack my belongings immediately. If I could borrow a footman to transport them I should be most grateful, Lady Haverstock.”
    “Send the girl when you are ready, Lady Eleanor. You are most gracious, and I apologize for discommoding you in this way.”
    The reappearance of her brother had prompted this request. He would be furious if he discovered her mixing with the other guests. The ladies fluttered out and she rang the brass bell to summon the maid.
    “Sally, please repack all my belongings in my trunk, but do not have it taken upstairs. I am going out to speak to the children and shall