Embracing Ashberry by Serenity Everton Page B

Ellie waited for Ashberry to arrive on the
ninth afternoon of his courtship, wondering if he would again touch
her cheek that morning with his warm hand.
    With a smile on her face, she remembered the
conversation they had two days earlier. He hadn’t been bragging
about his wealth, only answering her questions. On that day, the
eyebrows of the grandes dames had begun to change from questioning
to approving. The marquess had not been circumspect at all,
flagrantly advertising his intent during the daily drives with his
proprietary attitude before the matrons, though each outing had
been properly chaperoned. For the first few days, he had ignored
the hostesses altogether, even choosing a morning hour for their
outing, but later he had taken to escorting her later in the
afternoon and stopping long enough to answer a few pointed
questions with ease, sometimes even intercepting arched questions
aimed specifically at Ellie.
    Unable to stop him without causing a scene,
Ellie would be forced to sit through the consideration, until the
eagle-eyed were no longer considering but patronizingly
approving.
    Not even his hand covering her gloved one
had raised an eyebrow the day before.
    Some days Edward and Charlotte had followed
them while other days Lady Whitney and Lady Westhouse paraded
behind them in the countess’ fine crested driving coach. At no
point had Ashberry been inappropriate in his attentions, though
Ellie was sure he was aware that her hand trembled when he kissed
the back of it and there was no denying that he was quite able to
compliment her. He had taken to calling her ‘my dear’ without a
second’s pause, though the endearment continued to make her flush.
She concluded he said it purposely whenever he first greeted her,
for her blushes always caused an appreciative gleam to appear in
his eyes as he wrapped her pelisse about her and pinned it
closed.
    Ellie was still thinking of Ashberry and his
gentle manner when her father entered the drawing room. Whitney’s
frown caused Ellie's stomach to tense expectantly, but his words
made it turn over completely. “It’s time, Ellie. Tell him you will
not suit and that the flirtation is at an end. To continue on in
this vein will only infuriate him later, and cause much more
speculation among society.” He sighed, “I do not wish to risk
Edward’s marriage because of this nonsense.”
    Ellie’s posture was impeccable and her chin
stiff as she faced her father. She knew she could not confess it to
him but she had no desire to cut a connection she was beginning to
cherish.
    “Why?” she asked, a surprising challenge in
her voice. “He knows quite well that I have not agreed to marry
him. We enjoy driving in the park together.”
    Whitney sighed, narrowing his eyes. Ellie
identified the irritation growing in him, so when he continued
doggedly, she was not unprepared. “Do not make this harder than it
is, Ellie. I am not excited about my daughter refusing marriage to
one of the most respected noblemen in England. You do not have my
permission to drive in the park with Ashberry. If you wish me to
communicate your regrets, I will do so and spare you the
anguish.”
    Ellie tightened her jaw and mouth as she
turned away, hiding her reaction from her father’s astute eyes.
“No. I am perfectly capable of speaking with the marquess.”
    Whitney noted the chill in his daughter’s
voice and his jaw tightened, a clear indication to anyone who knew
him well. He was familiar with his daughter’s tone, for it reminded
him vividly of his wife, and he was not pleased to hear it from
Ellie. “You will do it when he arrives,” he said unequivocally.
    “Yes, Papa,” Ellie said softly, not moving
until he turned and left the room.
    He narrowly missed Ashberry, who was being
escorted in by the butler. Ellie tried not to look directly at the
butler, murmuring only, “Thank you, Fields,” when Ashberry was
announced. She pretended to have an intense interest in the
landscape