Page 29 of Her Daring Earl
Fitz setthe letter down in front of him, steepling his fingers underneath his chin. So, she was under the impression he thought there was something wrong with her, then, did she?
Well, now that he had this information, he would have to show her that so many of her assumptions were in error.
Except for one – that she had made the right choice in propositioning him.
CHAPTER 10
“Imust have this meeting, Mother. If it is not safe enough for me to go to London, then these men will come here to me. They shall not be here long, and then they will be on their way again.”
“I do not mind hosting, Fitz, but will it not be odd, without women to balance out the numbers?”
“Perhaps, but it is just for a night. I meet with these gentlemen, sign some documents, host the dinner, and then they will be gone the next day. Easy.”
Eliza peeked around the corner. She shouldn’t be listening to Fitz’s conversation with his mother, but she had been passing by his study when she had heard their voices within. When she heard “hosting” she had been interested, and she paused outside the door, just out of sight.
“I wish your sisters were here,” Lady Fitzroy sighed.
“No, you do not,” Fitz countered. “There is no need for them to be in the house with unattached men. The only socializing will be during the dinner hour. The rest will be purely Parliamentry business.”
“Very well,” his mother said. “I suppose it will be exciting for the staff.” And for Lady Fitzroy, Eliza imagined, although she didn’t admit it. “When will they arrive?”
“Noon.”
“What day?”
“Today.”
“Today! Fitz, how long have you known?”
“Since we left London. But I didn’t want you to fret, so I never said anything.”
“But the Cook?—”
“I already told her, and the butler,” Fitz said. “Nothing to worry about.”
“Oh dear.” Eliza could practically hear Lady Fitzroy wringing her hands. “I shall have to go tell Lady Willoughby.”
“Lady Willoughby loves company. I do not think it should be an issue. Plus, it is your house. You can do as you want, no matter what Lady Willoughby thinks.”
“Yes, but?—”
“Thank you, Mother,” he said firmly. “I promise that you shall barely know they are here.”
“Very well,” she said, beginning to back out of the room, and Eliza scrambled away, glad for the carpeted runner over the floor and her kid slippers, which prevented her from making any noise.
When she turned around, however, pretending that she had just turned into the foyer, she didn’t miss Fitz’s expression as he watched her, one eyebrow raised as though he knew exactly what she was doing.
She lifted her chin, telling herself to stand strong as she marched by him down the hallway.
“Good morning, Lord Fitzroy,” she said, hoping she sounded normal. “Lady Fitzroy.”
“Good morning, Lady Eliza,” his mother said, joining her to walk toward the drawing room, where Eliza knew her mother awaited. “I hope you are having a nice stay.”
Eliza continued to chatter but couldn’t help looking behind her at Fitz. His eyes seemed to be burning a hole in her back, and a tremor of anticipation raced through her.
Forward or not, she was going to have to approach him again.
Unless… an idea began to form in her mind. One that had her lips curling up in glee.
