Eleanor sat outside her father's study in the small hallway of the rectory. Her feet swung back and forth since they didn't quite touch the floor. She was waiting patiently to hear what would be happening. Ever since her mother had died a year ago, her father had been withdrawn and when he did talk to her, he spoke of leaving for India to do missionary work.
Today, a Lord Belfour was visiting in regards to her father's trip. Lord Belfour scared her a little. When he arrived he had been scowling fiercely like something about her angered him. She couldn't recall having seen a man as tall and broad in the shoulder as he was. Her father was much slimmer and graying at his temples. He had the air of a scholar, not a caged bear. Even his Lordship's hair gave the impression of bear-like ferocity even though he wore it tamed back in a short tail. He was a bit younger than her father and it was evident by his dress that he was a man of wealth and power. Altogether his imposing physique had thoroughly intimidated her when he had looked her up and down and told her to turn around. Then he sent her out of the room to wait. Her father had been smiling pleasantly during this interaction, so she tried to ignore the feelings in her stomach of falling off a high wall his Lordship created.
Shortly, the door swung open and Lord Belfour swept into the hall and out the door. Eleanor rose quickly. She watched Lord Belfour swing up onto his horse and ride away.
Quickly, she ran back to her father's study. Her father looked up when she entered. "Oh there you are my dear. Go and tell Nan to make me some luncheon, like a good girl."
Eleanor nodded. "Papa, what happened? Are we going to India?"
Her father smiled. "Go tell Nan and then I will tell you what is to happen."
With that Eleanor skipped off. She returned as swiftly as she could. She had been reading about India for a couple of months now and she really wanted to see an elephant.
"Well, my dear girl, Lord Belfour has agreed to pay my passage to India. Part of the condition of the trip is that I must do some studies for him and he suggested strongly that you should remain here in England. He has agreed to pay for you to attend Miss Hyde's School for Girls until you turn 18. Then he will pay your passage to see me." Eleanor was appalled. She tried to beg, scream, and cry, but her father would not be swayed.
Less than a week later, Eleanor found herself standing on the docks watching her father's ship drift away. Lord Belfour took her by the hand and led her to his carriage. "Come my dear we must see you off to your new school. I think you will enjoy your time there." Eleanor sniffed her tears back and entered the carriage.
For six long years, she lived at Miss Hyde's School for Young Ladies. For the Christmas holidays, she was sent to one of Lord Belfour's houses, where she stayed with a governess. Lord Belfour would arrive right before the holiday and they would have a nice meal and exchange presents. He was always very thoughtful to her.
On her 18th birthday, Eleanor was called down to the Miss Hyde's parlor. She was nervous, but hoped this meeting would be about her father coming home or whatever new fate Lord Belfour had decided for her. She remembered her father saying that Lord Belfour would help her go to him when she turned 18.
When she entered the room, she curtseyed elegantly to Lord Belfour and Miss Hyde.
Miss Hyde gestured to one of the chairs. "Sit my dear and have some tea. Lord Belfour has graciously come to talk to you about your future. Now that you are 18, you are well over the age at which I usually keep girls as you know."
Miss Hyde's dull horse face drew back into a rare smile. Eleanor had to fight not to flinch. Every night before she had gone to bed Eleanor had prayed she would never end up like stiff stick-like Miss Hyde with dull eyes, a drooping figure, and oily grey hair.
In an effort to physically remove herself from that future, Eleanor turned politely to Lord Belfour and sipped her tea.
For his part, Lord Belfour contemplated the beauty who now sat before him. Her messy long black hair of childhood was now sleek and tamed in a beautiful but simple plait with soft curls framing her ivory smooth face. Her gangly childish body had given way to a short and curvy body that was definitely that of a woman. She looked exotic sitting in the boring little school parlor.
Belfour noted immediately when she entered that her old school gowns that resembled sacks to him would need to be replaced to show off her womanly frame and soft round breasts. He was looking forward to seeing just how big she had gotten. He speculated that her breasts probably wouldn't be able to neatly fill a champagne glass with what she had been given like the Queen of France had boasted. Rather he guessed they would fill a large soup bowl or better yet his hands.
Belfour leaned forward. "When was the last time you have heard from your father?" He began softly.
Eleanor blinked those soft blue eyes framed with long dark lashes that contributed to her exotic sultry appeal. "About four months ago, his letters take awhile."
Lord Belfour nodded. "As have I. In my letter, your father gave specific directions. It appears he moves a great deal and so he feels that it would be safer for you to remain here in England. I'm sorry my dear but your father is not a wise man. I am not sure how he can expect me to continue to take care of you at my own expense without any repayment."
Eleanor blinked at that. She had a sinking sense and she was beginning to feel very befuddled. "I...I don't understand..."
