Henry propped both elbows on the table and laid his face in his palms. “I was a coward, Eliza. I should have chased him down. Demanded satisfaction.”
“You were racked with grief. We all were. During those dark days, you were never a coward, but Edward is a marksman of skill. We would have found a way to stop you from risking yourself even if it involved locking you away somewhere. Mama and I needed you. We still do.”
Straightening, Lord Henry drew his fingers through thick silver hair and flattened his well-sculpted lips. As a child, she’d thought her father the most handsome man in the world. He was still handsome despite his age and the grief that marred his features. Tall and distinguished, his black slashing brows and hawkish features drew the eye and were capable still of catching the notice of ladies both young and old.
“I have let you both down while wallowing in my selfish grief. Eliza, I realize I have neglected you over these past years. This must change. We must continue on and a part of that means I must begin to deal with things.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Well, I plan to take back my seat in Parliament, for a beginning. Then your mother and I must reenter society once again. It is not fair for her to remain so isolated as she is a creature who abhors solitude.
“Along with this, I have resumed my interest as a trustee for The London Museum. I regret I have not mentioned it but I had to be sure I was ready to rejoin the world. Each morning, after you leave for your ride, I hie myself off to deal with museum acquisitions. I must admit that I have enjoyed myself.”
“Papa, you could not give me better news.”
Henry arched a brow and stood to regard his daughter. “This brings me to other, very interesting news.”
Knowing what was to come, Eliza gazed into her cup of tepid tea. “Mmm?”
“Weston appears to have set his eye on my very charming, marriageable daughter. Is it true that he danced with no one other than you at last night’s affair?”
“I wouldn’t know.” Eliza dreaded this conversation but knew it must be dealt with at once. She set her cup into its saucer with a decided clink. “Furthermore, I could care less. The man is arrogant, presumptuous, and all too forward. He is not for me.”
“Hah! Then why do you blush? You need not lie about your interest in him. I know you too well. You are lying. Over and over again, you have said you would never marry, yet your expression, that nervous twitch in your fingers, tells me otherwise.”
“I never twitch.”
“Ah, but you do when you lie. Tell me that you do not still insist on remaining unmarried. Why ever would a young woman as lovely as you not want all the usual things? Family, children, a man who will take care of you?”
Eliza bristled. “Take care of me? I thought you respected me more than that. I resent this, Papa. I truly do.”
Henry settled his hands on her shoulders and bent to stare into her eyes. “Never have I met a more self-sufficient female and you know this. I just do not want a life of loneliness for you. I know something of the Duke. He is rich in his own right, wealthier even than myself, and that, as you well know, is saying much. This is not a man who, like Edward, searches for an heiress to fatten his bank account. You should consider his suit, if he presses it. Like myself, you must begin living again.”
Millicent chose that moment to enter the room. Lovely in a rich chocolate brown that complemented her auburn hair, she went smiling into Henry’s arms. Theirs had been a love match, the talk of London many years ago, and Eliza watched them a bit wistfully. It was odd, that, considering she’d imagined her heart hardened to the notion of true love.
Vengeance had ridden her so long and hard, she’d almost forgotten that deep inside she was a woman with a woman’s emotions.
“Ah, darling, there you are.” Her mother embraced her. “Have you quite survived your horrid ordeal?”
“Yes, Mama. As you well know, I shall survive with my usual aplomb.”
“Wonderful.” Millicent beamed. “Then you shan’t object to a visit to Madam Costanza’s shop. Several gowns are due to be finished and I need a new bonnet as well. Something to match my yellow walking dress.”
Eliza found her mother’s excited smile difficult to resist, so she nodded, but as they turned to the door, it suddenly opened.
“Goodness me, James,” Millicent gasped with a hand over her heart. “You gave us a startle.”
The servant bowed with a sheepish look and turned his attention to Eliza. “M’lady, something just arrived for you. It’s in the foyer.”
Lord and Lady Grayson went with Eliza to see for themselves and together they smiled at the sight that greeted them.
Eliza blinked in awed delight at the vision of so many gorgeous orchids. “Ohhh, my,” she whispered, reaching for one of at least a half dozen white baskets.
“Orchids!” She plucked one up from the nearest basket and drew her cheek along a velvety petal. Dozens upon dozens of dark violet flowers, utterly perfect, were trimmed with greenery and bright pink ribbon. “My favorites, but who would have sent them?”
While Henry motioned to the servants regarding distribution of the blossoms, Millicent waved an embossed card beneath her nose.
Almost dreading the truth of the matter, Eliza read aloud. “For the most exotic flower in England. Your Servant, Duke Weston.
“Oh no. I cannot have this. I simply cannot.”
“Whyever not, darling?” Millicent asked. “Is this the young man connected to you in the papers?”
Eliza longingly studied the perfection of the bloom she held before setting it aside and resolutely turning away. “We are not connected in any way at all nor will we ever be. The man is a menace.”
Exotic. He thought her an exotic flower.
Heaven help her. Everything about the man thrilled her. Utter dismay launched itself at her head.
Millicent sniffed. “Excuse me, daughter, but a man that rich, charming, and handsome could never be a menace.”
“How do you know? That he’s handsome, I mean.”
Her mother twittered her fingers as if swatting a pesky gnat. “Well, I do not know precisely, but I have heard it from the very best sources. The ladies in my little afternoon group all speak of him. I suspect many have the young Duke picked out for their debs. He has been from society for years; just returned from China, I hear.” Millicent gave Eliza a wicked wink. “Appears I shall have much to discuss when next we meet. Such fun I am going to have!”
“Oh, please, Mother.” Eliza scrunched up her eyes at the thought. “Do not say a thing. I shall never marry, and well you know it.”
Millicent’s romantic heart shone in her eyes. She smiled dreamily. “We shall see, won’t we?
* * * * * * * *
Nicholas stepped onto the walk in front of his club and went straight to his parked carriage. “Rawlins, what have you learned?”
His man stepped forward and opened the carriage door. “A great deal, Your Grace.”
“Excellent.”
Once inside and on their way, Rawlins gave Nicholas an account of his efforts, outlining every move of his prey. “She rides nearly every morning in Hyde Park and again in late afternoon. As Lady Henry Grayson doesn’t ride, Eliza takes a groom. She is a very fine rider from what I’ve learned.”
“That’s convenient, Rawlins. Makes it quite simple to run her to ground.”
Rawlins grinned. “Quite right, m’lord.”
“Her social engagements?”
“For tonight, she has accepted an invitation to a musicale at the home of Lord and Lady Howard Smythe. Her mother will attend with her. Then she shall be off again, without her mother and only a maid to chaperone. Lord and Lady William Glenwallace are hosting an engagement party for their daughter at their home near Trafalgar Square. Have you an invitation for that one?”
“Of course. It seems I have an invitation for everything. The lady will not escape me so easily. I believe I shall forego the musicale as I detest
them.” Nicholas stared broodingly out the carriage window.
It seemed imperative that he haunt every move she made, though it irritated him to have to move so quickly. His birthday was but a month away and already there was news of Park’s arrival in London. The cretin was no doubt drooling over the notion of taking over his title. If he was to claim his birthright, he did not have much time to court Eliza as she deserved. He wondered if she liked the flowers.
* * * *
Knowing she must look her best to face the most dreaded gossips of the Ton, Eliza entered Hyde Park that afternoon dressed in a new riding costume. The crimson-colored gown, done in the military style, was trimmed with a double row of shiny jet buttons. A matching hat, featuring a jaunty black feather, sat atop her head.
The morning rain might never have happened at all, she thought as she looked out over the green-drenched park. The sky was blue and the air was fresh as the Haute Ton took in the scenery from within open carriages or on horseback.
Drawing upon her personal stores of courage, Eliza lifted her chin and rode deeper into the throng. She spotted Duke Weston almost immediately. Every muscle in her body tightened at the splendid figure he made. Dressed to the nines in buff trousers, brown boots, and a bottle green coat, Nicholas was the epitome of the proper English gentleman, despite the rakish tilt of his beaver hat and the rogue’s grin on his gorgeous face when he saw her.
She tried to ignore his effect on her feminine senses but it was no use. Her heart began a mad thumping in her chest and her palms grew damp within the confines of her kid riding gloves.
Eliza could do nothing but reign in her mount as he approached with a purposeful expression. Several gentlemen paused to nod and smile at her but Weston had captured her attention completely. He turned a wicked grin in her direction. Her hands began to tremble, and she tightened her fingers on the straps she held.
“Good day,” he said in a deep voice. “May I join you?”
The aura of power and sensuality that surrounded him threatened to send her reeling, but she recovered quickly.
“Hello, Your Grace. I suppose.” She wanted him gone, but polite behavior demanded the answer she gave. Her heart stuttered at the sight of him. She shouldn’t have ventured forth today because she had known there was a possibility she might see him. Surely the papers would once again link them. Blast it!
After this morning’s floral offering, she should have known the man would stalk her every move.
“Did you receive my gift?”
Thinking of all those baskets of orchids softened her mood and though she knew she shouldn’t encourage him, she could not help the faint smile she cast his way. “They are lovely. Thank you so very much but you shouldn’t have.”
“Why not?”
“We have only just met and I was embarrassed in front of my family.”
He frowned. “Embarrassed? How? Why?”
Eliza huffed as she guided her horse around a sharp curve in the path. “They are not used to my receiving gifts. Now they have ideas about my marrying and that is not to be borne.”
“Obviously they only want the best for you. Why should you be so appalled?”
“Because it is ridiculous! I’ve made clear my stance on marriage. You are going to ruin my life. I just know it.”
He smiled. “Hm. There is always that possibility. Still, flowers are innocuous enough. During our courtship, I shall demonstrate other ways of showing affection as well.”
She bestowed what she hoped to be her iciest stare, wishing him to Perdition. Lifting her chin, she looked away, vowing to ignore him though other ladies on the promenade did not. Each one who passed seemed to devour the man with their eyes. Like a bevy of lap dogs, they fairly drooled at the sight of him. Silly twits! Could they not recognize the devil behind that bold face?
Nicholas drew closer. “You think me too forward,” he murmured. “Perhaps one day you will appreciate that particular quality.” He sighed and gazed upward at the glimpse of sky shining through a leafy canopy of green. He seemed to come to a decision and pierced her with a look.
“Please, let us not quarrel any longer. All teasing aside, I could not help but send the flowers. Their color reminded me vividly of your remarkable eyes. I simply could not resist. And yes, I realize that often I am far too forward.” He shrugged guiltily. “A fault I developed while living in the Orient. I mean no insult.”
Eliza looked into the clear gray of his eyes, the boyish slant of his lips, and felt herself softening. Being a bit forward was a fault of her own that she’d always recognized, so how could she be so harsh?
She managed a smile. “Perhaps you should tread more carefully, Your Grace. One day a young lady may take a bite out of your hide.”
Weston laughed, causing a number of people to glance their way.
She looked at his face, gentled by humor and finally relented. “I sent a card for the gift. They truly are very lovely. Orchids are my favorite flower and I still wonder how you knew. Or did you guess, Your Grace?”
“Merely a lucky guess, I suppose. Have you received many flowers from gentlemen of late?”
Eliza looked away from his penetrating gaze. “Not since my coming out several years ago.”
“When you came out with your sister, the Lady Charlotte?”
She gave him a glance. “Yes.”
He watched her quietly for several moments. His smoky eyes were soft with what she suspected was compassion. Suddenly, he reached out to lay his hand over hers. He gave them a gentle squeeze before withdrawing the brief touch. “I am sorry. Forgive me. I did not mean to make you sad. Come. Let us ride together and enjoy this beautiful day.”
For several moments, they rode companionably together, side by side. Approaching around a bend in the trail, Eliza saw Lord Darlington whom she’d briefly met the night before. He was accompanied by an older woman. Lushly built, though petite in stature, the lovely brunette resembled the young lord and Eliza presumed her to be some relation. Beside her, Nicholas Delaford stiffened, giving the newcomers a cool look. By all appearances, he wasn’t pleased to see them, making Eliza wonder at their relationship.
Hmm.
Odd that she should care considering her staunch anti-marriage stance.
Still…
“Ah, Lady Eliza, what a pleasure to see you again.” Darlington drew up on his impeccable chestnut gelding and nodded his head graciously. “Weston.”
“Darlington.” Nicholas nodded brusquely before turning his attention to the older woman. “Lady Beatrice. You have changed very little over the years.”
The air seemed suddenly chill as the woman turned dark eyes in Eliza’s direction. The quick piercing glance was touched with a snobbery she often saw among members of the Ton. Eliza bristled as Lady Beatrice quickly regarded her from top to toe.
Lord Darlington made quick work of introductions. “Mother,” he said, eyes narrowing, “this is the young lady I spoke of meeting last evening.”
Her eyes widened slightly then she suddenly beamed a smile. “Ah yes. Lady Eliza Grayson. I do remember. How delightful to make your acquaintance, my dear. Over the years, everyone wondered where you’d retreated. Such a shame to waste your youth on mourning.”
Eliza gasped at her bad manners. “I assure you, madam, my mourning years were not wasted.”
Darlington cut his mother an angry look.
The Lady Darlington blushed becomingly despite the flash of temper in her eyes. “Please, my dear. I did not mean to offend. It’s just that you are so very young. I have been widowed several years now and I feel it’s best to continue on. Surely that is why you are in London for the Season?”
“Mother, she is in Town to enjoy herself. And are you, my lady?”
Lord Darlington was a very handsome man, Eliza noted, and his interest in her seemed sincere. Very pleasant man! Beside her, however, the Duke looked a bit like a thundercloud. Could he be jealous? Imagine that. Hmm.
“Oh yes, surprisingly, I am.
I love my country home but the change has been quite invigorating. Tonight I plan to attend Lord and Lady Howard Smythe’s musicale. Will you be there, my lord?”
“Now that I know you will be in attendance, I will make a point of it.”
Eliza nodded politely. “Wonderful, my lord. I shall anticipate seeing you there.”
Once Lord Darlington and his mother said their good-byes, Nicholas and Eliza resumed their ride. An uncomfortable silence fell between them and she knew it was, no doubt, due to the slight flirtation she’d indulged in with Darlington. The imp inside her twirled around as the arrogant Duke Weston positively seethed. Good. Let him pursue other, more interested prey. A muscle twitched in his jaw, prompting Eliza to lift her chin and stare straight ahead.
“Tell me, my lady, why you did not inquire whether or not I plan to attend the musicale?” he said in a low voice.
“Why should I?
“Mean little witch. Do you think to make me jealous?”
“All right then, I shall ask.” Adopting her coolest expression, she met his gaze. “Will you, Your Grace, be attending the musicale at the Smythe home this evening?”
“Absolutely not,” he drawled. “Musicales bore me to tears.”
“No? But I thought—”
“You thought I should pant after you like a favorite hunting hound, did you? Well, my dear, I never pant after a woman, at least, never in public. You are without doubt the most interesting female I’ve met in a very long time but I refuse take your abuse.”
Eliza’s temper unfurled. “I am finished with this ride and I am finished with you.” Snapping the reins of her mount, she vaulted off Hyde’s Rotten Row and launched herself down one of the parks many side trails. It was a particularly narrow, seldom-used trail, overgrown with tree limbs and vines.
No one was about but she heard Nicholas call out to her. “Wait! Eliza!”
“Hah!” she shouted just as a nasty branch seemed to reach out and pluck her from atop her horse. Her back met the ground and every bit of air pushed from her lungs at the impact. Gasping for breath, Eliza opened her eyes to see Nicholas leaning over her, a concerned expression on his face. A buzzing set up in her head and surely she must be slightly insane because it seemed more natural to think of him as Nicholas. She shook her head. “But I’ve just met you.”
Silk and Scandal Page 6
