“Yes.” It had not taken much to convince Grace to have more waltzes after Matt threw his support behind the idea. “My sisters and I agreed that we should have the dances we wanted at our ball.”

“I wholeheartedly support that idea.” Montagu’s smile grew wider. “Shall we?”

Eleanor had never enjoyed a waltz more. She was completely comfortable in Montagu’s arms. It was like coming home. What would it be like to be able to dance with him for the rest of her life? Thinking about her life, where would it be lived? “Tell me about your home.”

A sudden light appeared in his eyes. “My main estate, Montagu Hall, is an hour or so south of Birmingham. Legend has it the house was built on the ruins of an old Viking hall. My family has been there for several hundred years. Well before the marquisate was granted to my ancestor. The country is fairly hilly, with streams and a few small lakes.”

The area sounded like a nice place to live. “Is the house very old?”

“No. My great-great-grandfather tore down the original house and built a more modern one. Unfortunately, no one bothered to do much to keep it up-to-date between then and now. Since I took the title, I have been renovating it a little at a time.”

That sounded a bit like Stanwood House. Her father had only gone to Town when he absolutely had to. He much preferred to remain in the country. Mama remained home with the children. “Grace renovated Stanwood House before we came to Town for Charlotte’s come out to make it more comfortable for all of us and fit our needs. After they married, Matt renovated Worthington House in much the same fashion. I found the process extremely interesting.”

“Did you?” Montagu appeared surprised. “My mother detests the bother.”

“I saw nothing to dislike about it. Of course one must relocate sleeping quarters for some changes. But in the end it is worth the trouble.” Eleanor was excited about the possibility she might be able to renovate a whole house. It would be a dream come true. “My sister and I were allowed to choose the colors and furniture for our bedchamber when we were on the nursery floor in both Stanwood House and Worthington House, and then again when we moved to our own bedrooms on the main family floor.” She smiled, thinking of drawings she, Alice, and Madeline painted on the walls of their first bedchamber so that she would feel included in the decoration. “Naturally, our tastes have matured since then.”

“And that doesn’t bother you?” She shook her head, and he grinned at her. “I suppose they must have. What colors do you prefer?”