Page 30 of Her Daring Earl
Fitz had agreed to this with her only when she had suggested that she would find another to take on the role instead.
Perhaps she could work this political visit to her advantage.
As it turned out,Eliza didn’t have it within her to contrive any games.
She had dressed in one of her favorite gowns that evening – a deep rose, one that her mother had suggested she should have ordered in a lighter shade, but Eliza had insisted that she far preferred the more jewel tone.
Flowers were softly inlaid along the hem of the gown, with blush pink ribbon lacing the bodice and the sleeves.
She hoped that Fitz’s friends might notice her, making it easier to flirt with them, but deep within, she knew the truth – that the only one she cared about noticing her was Fitz.
Betsy and Daphne, Fitz’s youngest sisters, remained upstairs with the governess when the gentlemen arrived, leaving Lady Fitzroy, Lady Willoughby, and Eliza to greet the visitors along with Fitz.
The two gentlemen arrived on horses, creating quite the dashing pair as they rode up Appleton’s drive. Eliza turned towhisper to one of her friends what she thought of them but realized quickly she was alone. Strange, for her. She sighed, catching Fitz’s attention, as he turned to look sharply at her.
“Something the matter?” he asked, with that crooked eyebrow that had more expression in it than most men held within their entire face.
“Not at all,” she said, forcing her lips into the most demure smile she could manage. He continued to stare at her suspiciously, but she simply shrugged as she considered this the beginning of her plan.
“Fitz!” one of the gentlemen called out as they neared. “You’ve made a few simple signatures rather difficult for us.”
“Could have sent a clerk or secretary,” he responded, a wide grin splitting his face, reminding Eliza of who he was and how much he meant to so many people who also had demands on his time.
“Ah, we’ve missed you, Fitz,” the other tall, bearded blond man said. “We also appear to be the lucky ones as you have greeted us with such beautiful ladies.”
That earned a blush from Lady Fitzroy and Lady Willoughby, each of whom laughed and waved him off, while Eliza wanted to roll her eyes. Another charmer. She was pleased, however, for this could work in her favor.
After handing off the reins of their horses, the two gentlemen ascended the stairs. Eliza recognized the first, a dark-haired man with a severe hairstyle, long sideburns, and angular features.
“Lord Whitby,” she said with a curtsy when it was her turn to greet him. “It is good to see you.”
“And you, Lady Eliza,” he said. “How is your brother?”
“He is… as prolific as ever,” she said with a grin, which had Fitz snorting beside her, although he covered it with a cough.
“I see,” Lord Whitby said politely, while he didn’t appear to understand why the other man wore a smirk.
“I do not believe we have had the pleasure,” said the second man who Fitz introduced as Lord Brighton. “I amverypleased to make your acquaintance, Lady Eliza.”
He took her hand, bowing over it before placing a soft kiss on her glove. Eliza’s eyes widened as Fitz practically bristled beside her. She smiled broadly. She didn’t have to play the game at all.
Truth be told, while these gentlemen should be as ideal candidates as any, whether it be for courtship, for attention, or even for her grand experiment itself, there was no plan for her to design.
They were handsome, they were charming, they were well respected.
But they did not seem to capture her attention as Fitz did.
Which was as disconcerting as anything.
Perhaps her intentions tonight had been ill-conceived. Perhaps, instead of trying to cause Fitz to notice her as a woman, she should see if she could convince herself to bestow her attention on another. A man who wasn’t Fitz. Who she wasn’t at risk of losing her heart to.
“Shall we go in?” Fitz asked, irritation lacing his usually jovial voice. When they all agreed, Lord Brighton offered Eliza his arm, which she quickly took, leaving Fitz to escort her mother in and Lord Whitby with Lady Willoughby.
“Fitz, before we go in, I have some news to share,” Lord Brighton said, unease on his face.
“Out with it, Brighton.”
“Lord Mandrake is also on his way.”
