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)
But then he surprises me and speaks for the first time since I arrived and he claimed me from my mother to join his awful father. I could see Mother’s poorly concealed guilt as she smiled politely at Frederick and sent me off with her blessing. ‘Would you like a drink?’ he asks.
‘No, thank you, I am not thirsty,’ I reply, catching the murmur of a name that is surely going to win my attention.
‘I have my doubts,’ Lady Rose says, her white-gloved hand lifting her Champagne to her lips. ‘Winters is at the top of my suspect list.’
‘It’s just that small matter of evidence,’ Lymington muses, pouting in thought, as if he’s contemplating where he might find some of that evidence.
‘Indeed,’ she replies. ‘His name and presence are a constant black cloud over Belmore Square.’
I laugh out loud, and I absolutely did not mean to, but… oh please. The Duke casts a black cloud? I step forward to speak, but jump when Frederick more or less dives in front of me to block my path. I look up at him in question. ‘Excuse me, Frederick.’
‘Please, Eliza,’ he begs.
‘Please what? Keep suitably silent?’ I move him aside with physical force and find the stuffy, crabby faces of Countess Rose and Lymington. ‘I believe it is, in fact, the importunate mutterings of old, decrepit members of the ton who cast the shadows over Belmore Square. Need I remind you that the Duke of Chester has an alibi?’ I have no idea why I am defending his honour. I shouldn’t be wasting my breath. But still, injustice is injustice, and, well… I can’t bear injustice.
Lymington’s eyes narrow dangerously on me. ‘You will shut your mouth,’ he hisses. ‘Before I shut it for you.’
‘Father!’ Frederick gasps, startling me as much as he does Lymington.
‘And you can shut yours too. Come, dear,’ he lifts his nose and motions for the Countess to lead on. ‘We must wish the Prince well for his birthday.’ One more warning look flicked my way before the Duke is off with the Countess, both holding each other up.
‘What’s going on?’ Frank asks, joining Frederick and me.
‘I believe I need a drink,’ Frederick says, wandering off, looking a bit pasty.
‘I think Frederick just defended my honour,’ I say.
‘Good for him.’ Franks seems genuinely impressed. I am, too, I have to admit. ‘God, isn’t this hideous?’
‘I have every reason to find this eve hideous,’ I say, scanning the crowds, ‘but I am struggling to understand your grievance.’ I motion to the room full of eager, ruthless mothers, many of whom, unsurprisingly, have their sights set on my handsome, most eligible brother, their daughters waiting in the wings to be shoved his way. ‘You have the pick of the bunch.’
Frank hums noncommittally, and I follow his line of sight to the other side of the ballroom. I spot Lizzy Fallow with Viscount Millingdale. ‘I tried, Frank,’ I whisper.
Frank does not answer me, so I peek at him, seeing a solemn look as he follows the path of the couple across the ballroom. And then to Lizzy Fallow, whose sad eyes are low, as if she dares not look up from her feet. My god, is he…?
‘Frank, are––’
‘My lady,’ Frank says, bowing his head as Lady Blythe breezes towards us, cutting my intended question dead in its tracks. ‘How wonderful you look on this eve.’
‘And how wonderful you look,’ she replies, coy, turning her deep brown eyes my way. ‘Eliza Melrose,’ she says with a little too much interest for my liking. ‘As do you.’
‘Lady Blythe.’ I smile tightly. Has she been calling upon Johnny again recently? ‘Your dress is spectacular.’
‘You’re too kind. Now, tell me,’ she casts her eyes over Frank and me, ‘have you read my latest novel and, if so, what did you think?’
I swallow, coming over a little hot. Lady Blythe is clearly feeling a little insecure after Lady Rose disparaged her latest offering to the literary world. More fool Lady Rose, I say. Lady Blythe soon used her influence as a patroness to put the old Countess in her place, although, if Mother has heard the whispers right, and I suspect she has on this occasion, and also hasn’t embellished them, Lady Rose overturned the decision and has had her subscription reinstated. Still, Lady Blythe had her fun. I’m not about to be her next game. There is only one right answer to her question, unless, of course, I should like to be banished from the ton. I pause for thought. I absolutely should like to be banished from the ton.
‘Actually, I––’
‘I do believe I spotted it on Eliza’s nightstand.’ Frank says, interrupting me, a blatant move to halt my blatant move. His look dares me to say the words that’ll turn Lady Blythe’s face from friendly to fierce. ‘And I’m sure I heard her mention that it was utterly wonderful,’ he adds.