A Pledge of Survival

III

Eleanor's weariness was palpable as she summoned the last shreds of strength within her to push open the door of their home. Her entrance was greeted by the sight of Thomas, her brother, seated comfortably.

However, However, situated next to him was a stranger, a man she did not recognize. The man was of medium height, possessed broad shoulders and was impeccably dressed.

Eleanor's exhaustion seemed to deepen as she regarded him, her fatigue-laden eyes narrowing slightly. The emotions of the day seemed to cling to her, and she instinctively positioned herself defensively beside her brother.

Pretending as if the man wasn't present, Eleanor looked directly into her brother's eyes, her brows furrowing in a silent demand for an explanation. The day's events had left her worn and wary; her stance was guarded.

"Thomas, could you kindly enlighten me as to why this gentleman is in our home and where are the girls?" Her words were clipped, weariness coloring her tone. Sensing her exhaustion, Thomas wasted no time introducing the man.

"Elle, this is Sir David Williams," Thomas introduced, his tone holding a note of conciliation. "Lord Williams, may I present my older sister, Eleanor Osborne."

"Miss Osborne, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Lord David Williams greeted, his voice polite. Eleanor's response, however, was far from warm. She offered a colder reply than she had to Lord Hayward and his companion earlier.

Despite her obvious displeasure, Lord David Williams seemed unaffected by her demeanor. His eyes, however, seemed to gleam with a keen interest that made Eleanor uneasy.

Eleanor was cautious of everyone, particularly men. Memories of past experiences cast a shadow over her, chilling her to her core.

In an effort to regain her composure, she focused her mind on the matter at hand. "Sir Williams, may I inquire about the job opportunity you extended to Thomas? He seems to have omitted this detail when I left earlier."

"I didn't forget Elle" Thomas responded almost defensively. "I visited the city while you went to the Hayward estate and Sir Williams happened to be passing by. He offered me a job as a head groom »

"You'll excuse my intrusion, Miss Osborne, but your brother is indeed well-suited for the role, and the compensation will be commensurate."

Eleanor's wariness only grew as she listened. She had learned to be cautious.

"I thank you for the opportunity, Sir Williams. However, Thomas and I will need to discuss it further alone," Eleanor declared, her tone final. "Excuse us, but it's late, and our sisters require care."

With an abrupt movement, Eleanor opened the door, offering a forced smile as she led Lord Williams outside. After seeing Lord Williams out, she turned to make her way back towards their home. But before she could carry out the action, an inexplicable urge caused her to turn, her body responding to a subtle intuition that something was amiss. There he stood, far closer than she had anticipated.

The proximity was unsettling, and she felt a rush of emotions swirling within her — surprise, unease, and a trace of irritation.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Osborne. I hope we'll have the occasion to meet again," his voice sent a chill down her spine, a sensation not solely attributed to the weather. His voice lingered a bit longer on the word pleasure and, in that fleeting moment, Eleanor held her ground, her gaze holding firm

"Good evening, Sir Williams," she uttered, her voice maintaining a courteous tone but tinged with a hint of frost. Her words were a dismissal, a reminder that she was in control of her space and her interactions.