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)
‘I do not understand.’
‘Of course, you are young. You have many years in which to learn what is necessary, and what is not.’ She stops and turns to me, and I know now her soft smile is because of my obvious perplexity, as I am certain my face must be a picture of confusion. ‘Sometimes in this world, Eliza, we, as women of the ton, must do what is expected in order for us to do what is unexpected.’ She strokes my cheek fondly, and I gather a sense of motherly concern for my well-being. ‘You are here on a stranger’s ticket, are you not?’
‘Yes, I am,’ I say. ‘I know I look like a perfect stranger around these parts, too.’
‘I think not. I think you could fit right in, if you have patience and find your place.’
‘My place, apparently, is in Cornwall where I may never leave.’
‘Oh?’ She recoils, and it is a relief to see such a reaction from the apparently composed character of Lady Tillsbury. It also tells me that perhaps Lymington did not order my entry, and actually, if he had, would she have obliged? Something tells me not. ‘Never?’
‘Not ever,’ I confirm. ‘I find myself in this mess through no request or fault of my own, to serve as little more than a hatchery for the Lymingtons in order to guarantee the survival of their name.’
‘Oh, how frightfully disastrous.’ Lady Tillsbury is sporting her own frown as she looks past me, now thoughtful in her expression.
‘Isn’t it?’ I agree, my heartbeat increasing once again, my panic revived.
‘May I offer some advice?’ she asks.
‘Please do.’
‘A woman with her own mind is a dangerous creature, sweet Eliza.’
‘You don’t have your own mind?’
‘Oh, indeed I do, but I also have the sense to hide it. As I said, do what is expected in order to have the luxury to do the unexpected.’
I have no idea what she is talking about. ‘I think I should like that air now.’
Lady Tillsbury whips out her fan and starts flapping it before my face. ‘I’m afraid, as Lady Weatherby was kind enough to mention, the rules, as stringent and unnecessary as they are, are, in fact, the rules, and one must be careful not to break them.’
The fan is actually doing a rather fine job. I smile as she continues to flap. ‘I’m surprised you do not have my mother trailing you.’
She laughs. ‘Your mother is the sweetest, Eliza. I see where you get it from.’
‘She will be pleased you think so.’
She waves a hand flippantly. ‘I understand she is searching for her place in this new world, a lot like yourself. She needs to be accepted to feel validated.’
‘Don’t we all?’ I ask quietly.
‘Indeed we do,’ a man says.
I inhale too quickly and crick my neck with the speed of my head-turn towards the gruff voice. ‘Your Grace,’ I murmur, reaching for my nape and massaging the flash of pain away. ‘You are here.’ My voice rises into a rather alarmed shriek, that I expect might have pierced the eardrums of many partygoers.
‘I am here,’ he mutters, not looking all too happy about that. ‘And you look a little pale again.’
Now he mentions it, I am feeling a little suffocated once more.
‘I am sure,’ the Duke says, his attention on Lady Tillsbury, who appears wholly unflustered by his presence, ‘given the circumstances of this unfortunate situation and the fact that we are perhaps at risk of causing quite a spectacle should Miss Melrose fall flat on her face, that an exception can be made on this occasion.’
Lady Tillsbury can only smile. ‘I am sure,’ she says in a coy way women would, should they be delighted. I’m certain she is not delighted about being forced to break the rules, which leaves only one other explanation. Her fan comes up and wafts slowly as she bats her lashes. ‘Your Grace may have quite a valid point.’
‘I’m glad we agree,’ the Duke says in that low tone that sends most men into panic but ladies far and wide into bedlam. ‘I will escort her.’
‘You cannot!’ I blurt.
‘Why?’ he asks. ‘You would rather me leave you to collapse?’
‘I’m feeling much better, thank you.’
‘You are yet to master the art of lying, Miss Melrose,’ he snaps, taking my elbow and leading me to the door.
‘I must not be alone with you,’ I hiss.
‘I am terribly sorry to bear such bad news,’ he says, looking down at me with a scowl coating his handsome face, making it far less handsome than I like to see, ‘but you have been alone with me on a few separate occasions.’
‘Be that as it may, no one knew of those times.’
‘If it will settle you,’ he grunts, stopping and looking back at Lady Tillsbury.
‘I didn’t see a thing,’ she says on a smile, flapping her fan slowly. ‘Remember what I said, Miss Melrose.’