Miss Goodhue Lives for a Night by Kate Noble

just about to leave.”
    Birmingham sighed. “I’m so sorry, my dear, but it was a bit of a long shot. Come by the Horse Guards tomorrow morning and we’ll see what we can— Ah! There you are!”
    Birmingham turned and beckoned over a young couple. “You almost missed dinner. My dear, Mr. Hudson, may I introduce to you my nephew Victor and his new bride—”
    â€œEleanor?” Cecilia’s voice was sharp, incredulous.
    The girl hanging off Victor Birmingham’s arm was small, with dark hair and a smooth, pale complexion, just like Cecilia’s. That, however, was where the resemblance stopped. Because while Cee looked worried, harried, and absolutely miserable, Eleanor radiated happiness.
    â€œCousin Cecilia!” Eleanor cried, coming off her husband’s arm to take Cee’s hand, embracing her with a smile. “Oh my goodness, whatever are you doing here?”
    â€œI . . . I . . . I’m looking for you,” Cee blurted out, much to the astonishment of her cousin.
    â€œFor me?” she glanced up at the noble and concerned countenance of her new husband. “But why?”
    â€œEleanor, you ran away from home!” she said. For the first time that day, Theo noticed that Cee did not attempt discretion about her cousin’s circumstances. Indeed, she had flat-out abandoned decorum. If there had been a crowd in that hallway, no doubt it would be rapt.
    Thank goodness for the promptness of military mealtimes.
    â€œYour father wrote us, telling us you were lost forever!” Cecilia continued. “I could not allow that. I . . . I came to find you, and . . . save you.” Her voice petered off at the end, lost.
    Eleanor gave a sparkling peal of laughter. “But, Cecilia, I’m in no need of saving! May I introduce my husband, Mr. Birmingham?” she said, putting particular relish on the word “husband.”
    The young man gave a deep bow. “I take it you are my cousin, Miss Goodhue, ma’am. My Ellie has told me all about you.”
    â€œYou have?” Cecilia said, turning a stark white as Eleanor turned an embarrassed pink.
    â€œWell, I . . . I wanted him to know why I was so nervous about running away to him,” she said with chagrin.
    â€œYes,” Cee said dully. “Of course.”
    â€œI think,” Theo said, clearing his throat, “there is a great deal of concern as to why you ran away, Miss . . . er, Mrs. Birmingham.”
    â€œThat, I’m afraid, is my doing,” Victor said, stepping in for his wife.
    â€œI’m afraid it’s a bit mine as well,” Colonel Birmingham added.
    â€œMy father is Lord Birmingham. My parents are very aware of the consequence due to them,” Victor said.
    â€œSticks up their—” Colonel Birmingham grumbled. Then he remembered he was in the presence of ladies (and a civilian gentleman) and quickly curbed his tongue. “My apologies.”
    â€œWhen Eleanor and I met, we fell in love immediately,” Victor said. “We met while riding, and she was just a vision in the saddle.”
    â€œWhile riding,” Cee echoed, shaking her head. “Of course.”
    â€œBut my parents would never agree to a marriage with someone of no property. No offense, my love.”
    â€œNone taken,” Eleanor said, looping her arm around his again, presenting a united front. “And while my parents knew I liked Victor, they had no idea of the depth of my feelings. That he was the one. More than once I overheard my mother say that I was far too young to have a true connection to any of the officers.”
    â€œSo we decided to run away. With my uncle’s help, we procured a special license, and we were married in London the day she arrived.” Victor raised Eleanor’s hand to his lips. “It’s been a week of wedded bliss. And even my parents love you. Although not