Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 97740 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97740 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Is that sarcasm in her tone? ‘Very kind,’ I grate. I look nothing like the siren she is. In fact, I look noticeably dreary beside her in my blue simple gown.
‘You look frightfully cold, Miss Melrose,’ she says as she reaches for my arm.
‘I was forced to step outside for some air.’ I smile the sweetest smile I can muster, withdrawing from her outstretched hand.
‘Be warned, Eliza,’ she says, wiping my sweet smile away. ‘One only ever gets one night with the Duke.’
I baulk. ‘Excuse me?’
‘Every lady, and there are many, has only ever had one night. You will be no different. Or have you had your one night already?’
‘I have no idea what you are talking about, my lady.’ My God, how does she know? ‘Excuse me. I’m being summoned by my mother.’ I edge past her, fighting back my guilty blush, leaving behind, I’m sure, a face full of thought. She can think all she likes. It shall never be confirmed. Though, of course, there is nothing to be confirmed. There have been no nights.
I leave the room and to my relief bump into Frank, but my relief wanes when I see he is engaged in conversation with Lizzy Fallow, another unsuitable candidate for my brother’s affections, but perhaps the lesser of two evils. I look back and find what I hoped I would not, which is Lady Dare sporting a scowl as she too spies Frank with the pretty younger blonde. I predict a rather ugly outcome to this situation. I cannot imagine Lady Dare is familiar with rejection. First the Duke, and now Frank? Assuming the Duke has rejected her. Has he rejected her? Yes, on the evening I was witness to her calling upon him, but what of the nights since then? What do I care? And if she is right, and I know she probably is, then she, too, will only have been granted one night, although, and I’m certain of it after her backhanded warning just now, she wants more. Regardless, it is none of my business, but I do need to be careful of rumours that could cause me a headache with Papa, or anyone for that matter.
‘Eliza, dear,’ Mother intercepts me, taking a worried scan of my thawing body. ‘I have been looking for you.’
‘Apologies, Mama. I came over a little hot and thought it best I step outside to take in some air.’
‘Oh?’ Her hand is immediately on my forehead, her motherly concern shining past her newfound status. ‘Are you ill? Should I call for a doctor?’
‘Worry not. The fresh air worked wonders.’
‘Oh good.’ Joining my side, she reinstates her smile. ‘Earl Lymington was looking for you too.’
‘Oh good,’ I groan, finding Frank and Lizzy Fallow again. Let us change the subject. ‘What do you think Mama?’ I ask casually, setting us off on a circuit of the party again.
‘I think your brother needs to marry suitably, and Lizzy Fallow is not suitable.’
‘I’m glad we can agree on that matter,’ I tease, earning a playful slap on my hand where it is resting on her forearm.
‘Stop it, Eliza.’
‘Is it not enough that I am marrying suitably.’ Not that I want Frank to marry Lizzy Fallow, of course, she radiates supremacy without being supreme, but she’s a good tool for my demonstration.
‘Frank is our oldest and only heir.’
‘Therefore, the most important, which means I should be left to marry whom I choose.’
Mother laughs. ‘And whom would you choose?’
‘No one.’
‘Exactly,’ she sings. ‘We cannot have you single for an eternity, Eliza. People will––’
‘What? Assume I am living in sin? Perhaps entertaining women instead of men. Or raising my skirt for any fellow who may flash me a suggestive smile?’
‘You will go to hell.’
‘Good. Perhaps it’s warmer there.’ I look over my shoulder, my nose rising higher. ‘What thinks you of Lady Dare?’
‘I think she thrives on shocking people.’
I think Mother is correct. One could call her an attention-seeker. ‘I caught her with her sights on Frank.’
As expected, Mother gasps. ‘Say it isn’t so.’
‘I cannot.’
I hope Lady Dare is ready for the ugly side of my mother. She is a force to be reckoned with, and, naturally, I would not usually tolerate or encourage such behaviour, especially when it is our futures in question, but, well. Lady Dare is all that needs to be said.
‘I will soon solve that little problem,’ she seethes. ‘I can assure you.’
‘I’m sure.’ Speaking of problems. ‘Where has Clara got to?’
‘Ah!’ Mother chimes, as if she has just recalled something forgotten. ‘I thought she must have been with you. Was she not?’
I frown. ‘She was not.’
‘Then where the devil is she?’
‘That’s a fine question,’ I murmur, removing myself from Mother to seek her out, though I fear I have the answer. It would appear that all three of us are having dalliances with highly unsuitable members of society. ‘I will find her Mama,’ I assure her.