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)
‘Oh, Lady Blythe!’ Mother sings, delighted. ‘How wonderful you look this eve.’ She comes closer and hisses in my ear, ‘What was the name of her new novel again?’
‘No idea, so perhaps talk about your twilight sneaky baking sessions.’
‘Hell,’ Mother spits, and I laugh.
‘Is there anyone who isn’t here?’ Lady Blythe says. ‘It would seem the whole of Belmore Square is in attendance.’
‘Not the whole of Belmore Square,’ I blurt, once again my mouth taking on a mind of its own. ‘I mean…’ I’m without words.
‘Oh, you mean the wily Duke?’ Lady Blythe purrs, and something in her eyes speaks to me. Oh no, surely not?
‘You know him,’ I say, this time my words spoken with intention. I ignore the sharp nudge I receive from my mother.
Lady Blythe waves a hand in a manner that is meant to be flippant but is falsely so. ‘I knew his mother. She was quite unbearable.’
‘Unbearable, you say?’ I ask, moving in closer, appearing much too fascinated by news of Johnny Winters’ mother. ‘Aren’t all mothers?’ I wince as a result of yet another sharp nudge in my ribs, and my mother laughs loudly, making me flinch.
‘Eliza,’ she says, her eyebrows forming sharp arches. ‘Earl Lymington wishes to speak with you.’
‘I look forward to it.’ I smile sweetly at my mother, whose jaw is as tight as the most unbearable corset one could find. The warning in her eyes is lethal but completely harmless. ‘Excuse me.’
‘Excused,’ she grates, turning her full attention back onto Lady Blythe. ‘I’ve nearly finished your book.’
I breeze off on a roll of my eyes, joining Frank as Lizzy Fallow is summoned by Mrs Fallow, who looks unimpressed by the prospect of my brother courting her daughter, for he bears no title. It is the one asset he is without, but it is the one asset every mama in search of a husband for their daughter is looking for. He is handsome. Tall. Impressively built, thanks to the years of manual labour between Father’s old factory and our old country estate, not to mention plenty of exercise on various women, and now, thanks to Papa’s hard work and sheer determination, he is the heir of a wealthy, successful industrialist.
It’s a pity all of those impressive possessions and advantages fall short of what really matters around here. Not that I am much bothered about that while Lizzy Fallow is the subject.
‘I fear she does not approve of you,’ I say as I join him, nodding politely at Mrs Fallow, who, rather unnecessarily, lifts her nose and ignores me. ‘It’s probably a good thing, as Mama does not approve either.’
He looks down at me tiredly. ‘Why are you not with Frederick?’
‘Do you want me to die of boredom? Besides,’ I look at my brother accusingly. ‘I don’t believe you are in a position to judge with whom I spend my time.’
‘It is expected, Eliza. You are courting.’
‘And what are you doing?’ I ask, disgruntled. ‘You too should be courting. How is it that you can converse with whomever you choose, and I cannot?’
‘Who else would you like to converse with? Apparently, you cannot abide anyone here.’ He laughs a little as he sips his drink, his eyes falling onto Lizzy Fallow. She tries desperately to hide her smile, her cheeks blushing as her eyes drop to her feet.
‘She’s flirting with you,’ I say, observing the unspoken between Frank and Lizzy Fallow.
‘She is?’ He shrugs. ‘I didn’t notice.’
‘You’re quite funny, brother.’
‘As are you. When will I get another story? Lymington is putting pressure on Papa and I need to get them off my back.’
Another story? Lord, I have a few, but none I can tell. ‘I’m working on it. And what of Lady Dare?’ I fire my question like a cannonball, and much to my horror, Frank snaps a rather concerned expression my way. Damn it, it is true!
‘What of her?’
‘Oh please.’ I sigh. ‘I do wish people around here would stop treating me like an imbecile.’ I take a glass of Champagne and hit it on the side of Frank’s tumbler. ‘My acute observations should be celebrated.’
‘And what observations are they?’
‘That you whiffed decidedly of lavender,’ I say, enjoying seeing my brother’s eyes widening, ‘and I have since discovered that it is the delightful Lady Dare’s scent of choice.’
‘You have, have you?’
‘I have.’ I reply haughtily. ‘Whatever are you thinking, Frank? That woman is a man-eater.’
‘I know.’
I cannot hold back my recoil. ‘You do?’
‘Of course I do, Eliza. Fear not. I am not about to fall in love with her.’
‘Oh, well that’s a relief.’ I return my attention to the room. ‘You would do well to avoid her.’
‘Thank you for’ – he frowns down at me – ‘the advice, but what do you know of Lady Dare?’
I scoff. ‘There are whispers.’
‘I thought you did not care for whispers.’