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)
‘Yes, yes,’ Father mutters. ‘I am fully aware of the pressure placed upon us.’ There is a certain element of exhaustion in his tone. It should not be a surprise. I know of the hour he and Mama arrived home from the party, and it is at least two hours before Father would usually awaken.
‘And Frank doesn’t seem to be producing any decent stories recently,’ Lymington adds. ‘He quickly lost his stride, didn’t he?’
‘Do you have any physical injuries?’ Father asks.
‘No,’ Frank answers, his voice tight. ‘I should like to know who this reliable source is.’
‘I do not disclose my contacts, Frank,’ Mr Porter says. ‘Rule number one of journalism. So you do not recall the incident?’
‘I do not,’ Frank sighs. ‘I remember walking home––’
‘From where?’ Lymington presses.
‘Gladstone’s.’
I recoil. Gladstone’s? But, of course, he cannot share his true whereabouts. The scandal would be catastrophic! And I seriously question whether Frank remembers anything after leaving Kentstone’s. Regardless, whatever is all this about?
‘And you were attacked,’ Porter states. ‘By Winters and an accomplice.’
‘Yes,’ Lymington agrees. ‘We all know he’s capable.’
‘What?’ I whisper.
‘I wouldn’t say attacked.’ Frank murmurs.
‘Mugged?’ Porter presses.
‘Have you checked your possessions this morning?’ Lymington asks.
‘Yes,’ Frank replies, albeit quietly. Reluctantly. ‘Everything is accounted for. I don’t recall much, if you want the truth. I fear it’s hardly worth printing.’
‘Nonsense!’ Lymington chortles. ‘You will write up the report immediately, Porter.’
‘What?’ Frank asks, alarmed. ‘But I hardly remember a damn thing!’
‘I have all the details I need,’ Porter says, smug. ‘My source.’
‘That is that. Now, Porter,’ Lymington says, ‘on the matter of notices, I should like Miss Melrose’s engagement to my son announced tomorrow.’
I twitch like I could have been struck by a bolt of lightning. An announcement? No one makes announcements prior to the actual wedding. It’s after. Always after!
‘And when is the wedding?’ Porter asks.
‘Four weeks from this coming Saturday.’
‘Excellent,’ he says as I stare at the door in utter disbelief. I am yet to make amends with Frederick after my shenanigans. It appears I need not. ‘Good day, gentlemen.’ His voice gets louder. He’s getting closer. Bugger it. I make a mad dash back into the dining room, just as Lymington and Porter emerge. Father goes upstairs, probably to return to bed, and Frank remains in the study.
Naturally, I go to him. ‘You lied,’ I say, my voice tight.
‘What would you have me do, Eliza?’ A nervous hand rakes through his hair. ‘Expose you? Expose me?’
‘We cannot allow it! It could ruin Winters.’
Frank laughs. ‘Come on, Eliza. The Duke is already ruined. What’s the harm in one more rumour if it saves our skin? What do you care, anyway?’
‘It’s immoral!’
‘You and your flaming morals.’ He comes closer, and I like not the questions in his eyes. ‘Tell me what happened last night,’ he demands. ‘Every detail.’
Absolutely not! ‘I was worried about you. So I went to Gladstone’s,’ – my head tilts in quite an accusing fashion. Good, it’s supposed to be! – ‘and, of course, you were not on the premises, but at a far less decent establishment across the street. I found you in a very compromising position with a… young lady.’ I scowl. ‘If I’d have known of the true happenings, I would never have stepped foot in there. I am scarred for life!’
He rolls his eyes. ‘You have found me in many compromising positions many times. Why is it a problem now?’ he asks, and I find my mouth snapping shut. That’s a very good question. Why do I care? ‘Continue,’ he sighs.
‘Try as I might,’ I go on, relieved he’s spared me the need for an explanation, but I really must think hard about it. Perhaps it’s because I’m worried for Papa’s well-being. Or perhaps I simply cannot stand the thought of Frank in the clutches of Lady Dare. ‘I could not move your lumbering, drunken body, and the Duke happened to see my struggle and offered his assistance.’
‘And you accepted?’
‘Would you rather me leave you in the gutter?’
‘He helped you?’
‘Yes!’
Frank’s lips twist. ‘Well, this is all rather unfortunate, isn’t it?’
‘Not if we make sure we tell the truth of the matter.’
‘And then, dear sister, your reputation will be smeared.’
‘Don’t forget yours. I was merely trying to save my brother from disgrace.’
‘And in doing so, you have risked disgracing yourself. For Christ’s sake, Eliza. What are you thinking, putting yourself in the company of such a character without a chaperone?’
‘I had a chaperone.’ I point out, a little too haughtily for a woman in my position. Frank gives me tired eyes. ‘Oh.’ I smile, and it is sickly sweet. ‘You mean a chaperone who was aware he was actually chaperoning.’
‘Ideally, yes.’
‘Well, the whole situation was not ideal,’ I reply, shaking my head in dismay, ‘so I was forced to think on my feet.’ It matters not that I am lying. The lack of the truth in this situation does not harm another. Porter’s lies, however, most certainly will cause harm. I will not allow it. ‘He says he has a reliable source.’