Secrets of Sloane House(84)
Which, of course, only made her tears continue.
Seconds later, Reid walked in. “Mother? Eloisa? What is wrong?” he said, then added in a rush, “Rosalind? Rosalind, are you all right?”
She lifted her head just as he rushed to stand in front of her, his hands outstretched.
And she knew right then and there that if they’d been alone, he would have pulled her into his arms. And she would have gone. Gratefully.
She lifted her head and met his gaze. Forgot about his mother and Eloisa. Was only aware of Reid Armstrong. And knew that she’d fallen in love.
“Ah,” Mrs. Armstrong murmured. “Now I understand.”
Eloisa stood up and stepped toward the door. “I believe I do too.”
Reid looked confused, but Rosalind was not. For better or worse, her heart had made a decision. And even if she spent the rest of her life on a farm in Wisconsin, she knew she would only give her heart to one man.
Reid Armstrong.
CHAPTER 30
It was probably best to be philosophical about the recent developments with Reid Armstrong, Eloisa Carstairs decided the next evening as she alighted from her carriage and walked into yet another black tie event. This one was hosted by the McCormicks, and their beautiful home was glowing from the number of gaslights and crystal chandeliers. The walls were lined with paintings, each worth thousands of dollars. They were widely known to be fans of portraits. Dozens of pairs of eyes watched the event, giving one a slightly elusive feeling of constantly being under surveillance.
All two hundred of the privileged guests.
The function was a charity gala, its purpose to raise money for Salvation Army orphans. A noble cause, indeed.
But as she studied the variety of men in black tie, escorting women wearing thousand-dollar brocaded gowns and snow-white gloves up past elbows, each dripping with enough jewels to pay for food for whole blocks of unfortunates, Eloisa couldn’t help but be struck by the absurdity of it all. Surely more good would come from money donated to the cause instead of being spent to look good while supporting the less fortunate.
But perhaps that was why a man like Reid was so important to her. He was one of them, there at the gala tonight. She could see him talking intently with some friends nearby.
But he also had his toes in his parents’ former pool. He understood better than most in the room the consequences of the reforms and how much good even a dollar donation could do.
It was too bad that she couldn’t seem to summon more feelings for him than friendship.
After being announced, she walked down the stairs, greeted several friends, then looked up to see Douglass Sloane quietly studying her.
Douglass was everything Reid wasn’t. He was vaguely dangerous and had no more concern for penniless orphans than he did for a splinter in his thumb.
Her mother thought he was eminently suitable, and resolutely had paid no mind to any of the rumors floating about him. Eloisa, however, knew better.
But because she’d promised Reid to do what she could, she smiled in Douglass’s direction.
He approached, his handsome face as perfectly composed as always. “Eloisa, you look as stunning as ever.”
“Thank you, Mr. Sloane.”
He leaned closer. “Why will you never call me by my Christian name?”
“I’m afraid we don’t know each other well enough.” Then, remembering her mission, she smiled at him softly and added the one word that changed everything. “Yet.”
“That can be rectified. Walk with me.”
She’d arrived rather late. The ballroom was crowded. Crowded enough for her not to fear his company. In addition, she knew that she’d just been given the perfect opportunity to help Rosalind. Setting her hand in the crook of his arm, she smiled. “I would like that very much.”
Something new glittered in his eyes, and she felt a flicker of unease. With a mental shake of her head, she brushed it aside. Surely her imagination was running away with her.
Douglass’s smile broadened into a full grin when several men and women watched them. “Eloisa, who would have imagined the two of us could create such a stir?”
She played along, mentally calculating how long she should stay in his company for propriety’s sake. And how many questions she could pepper him with without giving away her true motives.
“Not I,” she replied. “Though it shouldn’t be a surprise. We are much alike.”
“Perhaps that is the reason, though I would put the blame solely on you.”
“Me?”
“You are the most beautiful woman in the room, Eloisa.”
“You flatter me.”
“I speak only the truth. Your beauty is blinding.”
His effusive flattery embarrassed her. They continued walking to the side of the ballroom. To her surprise, Douglass bypassed several groups of their friends. “Where are we going?”