Mama shut her mouth with a snap. “Is there anything else?”

Shocking her was not worthy of him, but he was having entirely too much fun. “I mustn’t forget. There are mandatory family gatherings every other Christmas and summer.”

His mother still looked to be in a state of shock. “Why would you be told that? You have not asked for her yet?”

“Four- and five-year-olds do not recognize that sort of nicety.”

“You do not think that Lady Eleanor would like to be a bit more, more . . . normal?” his mother asked weakly.

“I think Eleanor will run her household as she sees fit, and whatever she does is fine with me.” He drank some of his wine. “Are you all right?”

“Yes.” Mama straightened her drooping shoulders. “I suppose there is no need to dine formally among family. It merely never occurred to me.”

Aurelia glanced at Lytton. “Our baby is still too young, but you have given me an idea to consider.”

Now that surprised John. He thought she was set in her ways. “I find them delightful company. You never know what they will say.” He tossed off his wine. “If you will excuse me, I have a proposal to plan.”

John made his way to his study. He had to make sure Eleanor said yes.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

“Did you tell them?” Madeline asked.

The day of their come out ball had finally arrived. Dressed in their ball gowns, Eleanor and her sisters were being allowed one glass of champagne before they went downstairs to take their places in the receiving line. “Yes. Neither Matt nor Grace seemed surprised.”

“After yesterday, no one would,” Alice added. “I am happy for you.”

Eleanor was certain her twin was glad for her, but Alice did not look pleased on her own account. “How can we help you?”

“Unless you can conjure up a gentleman I like, there is nothing you can do.” She took Eleanor’s hands. “I will be fine. I promise.”

A light tap sounded on the door. Madeline answered, “Come.”

Theo, Mary, Gideon, Elizabeth, Constance, Hugh, Vivienne, and Alexandria crowded into the room.

Elizabeth stared up at them with wide lapis eyes. “Mama said we can see you dressed for the ball.”

The rest of the children nodded.

“You all look very pretty,” Gideon said.

“Beau-t-i-ful,” Hugh agreed. “You look like my mama when she is dressed to go out.”

Eleanor and her sisters had all taken a great deal of care in selecting their gowns for this evening, and she was very happy with hers. She curtseyed to them. “Thank you, sirs.”

“I am going to curtsey like that one day,” Mary said.

Eleanor remembered thinking the same thing about Charlotte, Louisa, and Dotty. “It just takes time and practice.”

Thorton opened the door and bowed. “My ladies, his lordship said it is time.”

Eleanor strolled beside her twin. “Will he be here this evening?”