Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 95222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
I can relate and am yet to release my story, so yes, I recognise her plight and my heart goes out to my sister. Always so energetic and passionate, sometimes about things that should not require her energy or passion. ‘You must take care of yourself. You can write again, just as soon as the baby is born.’ I know she has no desire to mingle with the lords and ladies, to frequent the parties and be seen showcasing her new status. Rank means nothing to Eliza, even though she is nearing the very top of the status tree. She is not and never will be high in the instep. ‘I’m sure His Grace will have an army of staff to take care of your children and teach them all that you could possibly desire to fill their little minds with. And with their mother’s genes?’ They will be little geniuses!
Eliza gets up and comes to me, her clenched fists pushing into my chest. ‘That’s just it, Frank. Everything I want my children to know, I should like to teach them myself. I do not want them to have a governess. I should like to nurse them myself and enjoy raising our children with their father to help me. And Mama and Lady Winters too.’
I smile softly. She wants to eat her cake and have her cake. Do all of those things but work too.
‘But I wanted to wait at least a year,’ she says quietly. ‘I have only just begun to truly enjoy the thrill of journalism, and I am yet to finish my story too.’
‘The Fates have other ideas for you, Eliza.’ Taking her hands where they remain on my chest, I lift each one to my mouth in turn and kiss her knuckles. I must say, I have always abhorred seeing sadness and despair on Eliza. Now more than ever. ‘How about we compromise?’
‘How so?’
‘I keep the pages of the newspaper warm for you while you grow in belly. You can remain Editor-in-Chief, if you so wish. I will merely hold the fort while you’re busy being fat.’
She swats my arm, and I smile. ‘Papa told you of his gift?’
‘No, Grant told me when I visited the printworks. It was a shock, I confess, and just because I am disappointed for myself does not mean I am not delighted for you.’
Eliza appears to soften everywhere, from her face to her body. ‘Really?’
‘But of course! You really do need to stop seeing me as you do all other men who have and still do question your strengths.’ If there are any, they must be brainless idiots. ‘But the fact of the matter is, Eliza, you married a duke and times may change, but men will never be able to bear heirs. It is a matter of science, not politics.’
She laughs lightly, looking down at her flat tummy. ‘I suppose you are right. And will your focus on work keep you busy?’ Her eyebrows lift, and mine lower with a scowl.
‘And what is that supposed to mean?’
‘It means, will you take your eyes off the ample new female flesh that’s within your grasp?’
I scoff. ‘You speak as if I am an out of control rake, Eliza. And if you must know, I have not so much as sniffed a woman for some weeks.’
‘I don’t believe it.’
She shouldn’t because it’s not technically true. A strong waft of honeysuckle overcomes me and I find myself holding my breath to avoid it until my lungs scream for air. ‘You should believe it,’ I say on my exhale. ‘I have seen the drive in you, Eliza. And I always wondered where it came from. I realise now. You had passion for your stories and how you told them.’
‘You’re really rather captured by these highwaymen who might not be men, aren’t you?’
I shrug, appearing nonchalant. ‘A little, I suppose. But not only that, I saw Papa build everything up and watched as it was very nearly taken away – everything he had worked so hard for, the business, our name. It must be protected, and, frankly, I feel quite guilty for not doing more sooner, instead of seeking more instant, unrewarding gratification.’
‘So you will be married?’
‘He’s spoken with you on matters of marriage?’ I ask, shocked.
‘I would love nothing more than to see you settled down, Frank. Happy!’
‘I am happy,’ I laugh. ‘I do not need to be married to achieve that.’
‘But your rakish ways will be no more.’
‘That is quite a promise to make.’ I pull a hand through my hair, starting to sweat. Am I expected to make a vow of celibacy in order to be taken seriously? Surely not!
‘All right, promise not that, but you will promise me that you will stay away from Lady Taya.
‘Taya?’ I snort, sounding wholly disgusted, when on the inside I am really rather alarmed.