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 straighten myself and try with everything I have to find my composure. ‘Apology accepted,’ I whisper. ‘I am fine.’
I look at Frederick, who is hovering to the side, his face a picture of dread as he stares at the Duke, perhaps wondering if he will be murdered should he step in and check his betrothed is all right. ‘If you’ll excuse us,’ I say, prompting a poorly concealed growl from Johnny. ‘Good eve.’
‘Is it?’ he mutters, narrowing his eyes.
I quickly turn away from him, undoubtedly displeasing him further, but what does he expect from me in this moment, and everyone gets back to the business of partying so I am soon free from the looks of judgement. My God, what is he thinking? He cannot expect to dictate what I must do and how I must do it. Marry Frederick. Take a lover. Accept all of these injustices with a smile and no fight. ‘I need some air.’
‘Again?’ Frederick says. ‘Didn’t you just get some?’
‘I need more.’ I leave the room and, this time, I really do find air. Luckily, I also find Clara so I have some company and that will lessen the risk of being dragged off by an angry Duke. ‘You look thoroughly flustered’ she says, eyeing me. ‘The Duke of Chester is here, by the way.’
‘He is?’ I reply, sounding indifferent.
‘Yes. I saw him while I was fetching some lemonade.’
‘And you’re still alive?’ I gasp theatrically, and she throws a filthy look at me, her nose lifting.
‘You’ll go to hell, Eliza Melrose.’
‘I can’t,’ I say, sighing, positively done with this eve. ‘There are too many people there I do not wish to se… oh no,’ I murmur as Lady Dare flounces out of the ballroom scanning the crowds. I just know she is looking for me, and I expect what she has to say should not be said in front of my sister. ‘Must go,’ I squeak, picking up my dress and hurrying away before I am spotted. I am too late, damn me, and Lady Dare – how the hell does she move so quickly in such a dress? – intercepts me.
‘Are you late for something?’ she asks, her smile as false as I’ve ever seen.
‘Yes, actually, I believe my brother wishes to speak with me.’ Why in God’s name would I mention Frank to this trollop? ‘If you’ll excuse me.’ Of course, she doesn’t budge and, regrettably, I know it is because she is not done with me. ‘Lady Dare, we are all quite busy, so would you be so kind as to spit it out.’
‘As you wish. I will warn you, Miss Melrose, if you know what’s good for you, to keep your eyes off the Duke.’ Her friendly smile, albeit utterly false, has been lost and in its place is quite the look of threat. ‘I have seen the way in which you look at him.’
Deny it!
But…
If I know what’s good for me? I could laugh. I know what’s good for me, yet, somehow, I think that will be wasted on Lady Dare. How does she know? And what does she care? After all, she is hardly showing signs of being the devoted type. But, and it is a shock to be sure, I do care. I gasp to myself. Am I jealous? Christ, I am. I’m jealous that Johnny so much as looked at this woman, let alone…
I stop that direction of thinking rather sharply. Deny it! ‘And if I don’t?’ I ask, cringing. I must learn to control my mouth.
I’m protecting you from the truth, Eliza.
What is the truth? Is she the truth he speaks of? Should I pry more? God, I am forgetting that I am supposedly marrying Frederick Lymington in a fortnight, and I do not need Lady Dare complicating matters further with her gossip, even if what I share with her in a fit of jealousy isn’t really gossip.
Once you make a deal with Lymington, you do not renege on it.
The deal.
‘If you don’t,’ Lady Dare says, lifting her dress. ‘I will offer you the same kindness that I offered Annabella Tillsbury.’ She flounces away, and I am left with my mouth hanging open, my brain working fast to try and piece it together.
Yours, A
A is Lady Tillsbury? The letter Johnny received warning him of the story I wrote was from Lady Annabella Tillsbury? It has to be. She showed me some kindness at Almack’s, and she also helped us return to the rooms when it is always forbidden. And she issued the voucher in my name to the ball at Johnny’s request.
I lift my dress, intending to find Johnny and hit him with all of my questions, but I only make it a mere two paces before I am halted by the sight of Frederick appearing, searching for me. Uncharitably, I divert so as to avoid him, and I catch sight of Johnny, who has Lady Dare biting at his ankles, demanding attention. I watch in fascination as she talks to his uninterested form, and I see clearly that he is growing tired of her presence as he scans the room. He’s looking for me, and when he marches away from Lady Dare and disappears down a corridor, I go after him, checking to make sure I am not being watched. I hear his boots hitting the ground in even strides. ‘Johnny,’ I call. ‘I’m here.’