Page 65 of Eliza and the Duke
Lord David looked her over before his gaze settled on Jenny. Something passed between them, but Eliza had no idea what it was. Some sort of shared knowledge. Jenny nodded once, and that seemed to release him. He turned to Mr. Hathaway and said, “I’ve come to make you an offer of marriage for Miss Dove. Contingent on the fact that Miss Eliza be allowed to marry whomever she chooses while given full control of her inheritance.”
Mr. Hathaway couldn’t have looked more surprised. His mouth dropped open comically, and he even took a step backward. Mainwaring’s face went from white to red. “Preposterous!”
Everyone ignored his outburst.
“But Jenny has refused to marry. She insists on a career in opera,” Mr. Hathaway said.
“She’ll marry me.”
Lord David appeared so certain in that statement that Eliza turned to her sister. “Jenny, is this true? Have you agreed to marry this man?”
“Indeed, I have.” Jenny’s voice was strong and unwavering. “On the condition that you allow Eliza to marry the man ofher choice and honor the inheritance agreement, I will marry Lord David. You won’t find a better offer than that. He’ll be a duke one day. His brother has already declared him to be his heir.” She took a deep breath as the import of that settled over the room. “Think about it, Mr. Hathaway. Having the ears of Strathmore and Lord David could prove useful to you, your daughter Agnes, and your son George as they reach maturity.” She referred to his legitimate children with his Society wife. The one he had left their mother to wed. “I’d go so far as to say a duke in the family could provevastlymore useful to you than a mere penniless viscount.” It was no secret that Mainwaring hoped to marry Eliza for the settlement. Lord David, however, came from one of the wealthiest families in the kingdom.
“How dare you, girl?” Mainwaring stepped toward Jenny, but Lord David’s golden-encrusted walking stick came up to stop him, settling heavily across his chest.
Eliza remembered the violence he was capable of and how he’d grabbed that man who had insulted Jenny by the throat. That warning was lurking beneath the surface now.
“You will not speak to her in that way. In fact, you should leave. This is a family matter,” Lord David said.
All eyes in the room turned to Mr. Hathaway. “Yes, please leave us, Lord Mainwaring. I’m afraid the betrothal is off.” Their father knew when a better offer had presented itself.
“I will not. That contract is binding—”
Mainwaring broke off and took a few steps back when Lord David turned to face him fully. “Leave now and I’ll see that you receive some compensation for your trouble.”
Mainwaring’s jaw tightened, but he was stuck and they all knew it. The fact was, even with a legal battle, no one could force Eliza to marry him. He might have lost out on a quarterof a million dollars and an annual income, but at least some compensation was better than none.
Still, he straightened his coat and said to Lord David, “You’ll be hearing from my solicitor.”
“I expect I will.” Lord David was completely unruffled by the idea.
Mainwaring scoffed and stormed from the room.
“I cannot let you do this, Jenny,” Eliza said. She grabbed her sister’s hand. “You didn’t want to marry. You can’t sacrifice yourself for me. I won’t allow it.”
“It’s too late. It’s done. Besides, Lord David has assured me that he won’t prohibit me from singing and performing.”
“That’s right,” Lord David said. “I only wish to wed her, not keep her captive. She can live her life.”
“And you will live yours.” There was a challenge in Jenny’s eyes as she said that.
Lord David inclined his head in acknowledgment before turning his attention back to Mr. Hathaway. “Shall we negotiate terms?”
Mr. Hathaway agreed and they all sat.
Energy buzzed through Eliza, but she forced herself to sit and not to fidget. She could hardly believe the turn of events. She would get to marry Simon and he would get the money he needed to pay Brody back. It would have been perfect had Jenny not been forced to marry.
As their father spoke, Lord David’s gaze traveled back to Jenny from time to time. It was soft in a way it wasn’t when he looked at anyone else, and undeniably hungry. Jenny did a good job of not looking at him again, her attention riveted to Mr. Hathaway instead. Eliza hoped that this marriage would be a good thing for her sister.
Thirty-Four
Liverpool, England
Two days later
The Compton Hotel in Liverpoolwas five floors of luxurious rooms and suites that had recently been rebuilt to accommodate the many Americans who had begun traveling to England. The rooms were as well-appointed as any at Montague Club, and the expansive first floor held an array of shops and restaurants ensuring that guests would find everything to satisfy whatever they might need.
This is not where Simon had imagined staying as they waited to board the ocean liner to America. Eliza had wired him the appointed time and place, and he’d arrived only a few minutes earlier. He’d left the train station to find a veritable castle of a hotel. After giving his name at the front desk, the clerk had given him a room number and he’d come upstairs.
