Page 21 of Lady Elizabeth's Winter Stranger
Papa always made the most noise in the house, but when Mamma spoke in that tone, nobody dared to disobey.With varying degrees of reluctance, the guests trailed out of the drawing room.Scandal scented the air, along with all the fresh greenery, and nobody wanted to miss anything.A few Christmas carols as entertainment paled in comparison.
Mamma shut the door and turned to face her family and that duplicitous viper Stanton Morley-Bridges.She addressed herself to the duplicitous viper.“My lord, I must apologize.You must think you’ve come to a madhouse.None of this will make any sense to you.”
Actually, there her mother was wrong.Elizabeth was sure that Tom knew exactly what was going on.She might have overestimated most of his qualities, but even now, she couldn’t doubt his intelligence.In the hall outside, the singers broke into an energetic rendition ofGod Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.
“I regret to my soul that I seem to have offended Lady Elizabeth.”Tom sent her another of those meaningful looks.Again, she refused to respond.He was trying to create a conspiracy of two, but she wasn’t falling for his tricks again.
Her eyes narrowed on him, but she remained silent.Guy cast her a questioning glance, then spoke to Tom.“Sorry, old man.I’m to blame for this mess.When you said you were coming back to England and that you hoped to seek a wife, I couldn’t help thinking of Elizabeth.”
“Who is obviously at her last prayers when it comes to finding a husband,” she snapped, heat flooding her cheeks.How much more mortification could she bear?
Her mother cast her a quelling glance.“Elizabeth, not helpful.”
“And obviously not true,” Tom said.Once the compliment might have charmed her, but she was no longer susceptible to his wiles.Or at least she didn’t want to be.
“No, it’s not true.You’ve broken hearts all over London,” Guy said.
Elizabeth’s hands formed fists at her sides.She needed to stay angry.Otherwise, she’d cry her eyes out and that would be the last straw.Tom’s double-dealing had cut her to the bone, but if she thought too much about how betrayed she felt, she’d collapse in a sobbing lump.“So I’m a witch, as well as past my prime?”
Guy ignored that.He went back to addressing Tom.“I thought the two of you would like each other.My mistake was telling Papa, who has clearly been up to his old tricks in trying to get his daughter wed.I’m sorry, Tom.If you and Elizabeth met without all the drama, you’d get on like a house on fire.I’d wager the crown jewels on it.”
A house on fire was a disaster, which was how everything felt to Elizabeth right now.
Angry, stay angry.
“Her father decided to give Elizabeth an ultimatum before your visit,” Mamma said with the fond exasperation that her husband’s antics tended to arouse.
Tom’s mouth turned down with a wry amusement that was so familiar, it set Elizabeth’s heart cramping in regret.She’d been so happy in the park.She hated that he’d spoiled her treasured memories of their time together.“I’m guessing some dire punishment was on offer, should her ladyship decide against having me?”
Looking hunted, her father mumbled a reply.“I was going to send her up to Aunt Agatha in Caithness.”
Guy looked appalled, as did her mother.“Not the incontinent pugs.Father, you wouldn’t be so cruel.”
“Henry, Aunt Agatha?I didn’t know about that,” her mother said in horror.“No wonder our girl’s kicking up like a half-broken horse.”
“I am here, you know,” Elizabeth pointed out.
Her father rocked on his feet, as if preparing to slink away from the confrontation.“Well, she won’t settle down.Four seasons.Acknowledged as a diamond of the first water.Proposals from a hundred good men.And no sign that she means to take a husband.It’s…unnatural.”
Tom surveyed them all with a thoughtful expression.Elizabeth might want to break a vase over his head, but she had to give him credit for his calmness in a storm.“I realize that I’m a stranger to all of you except Guy, but I’d dearly love the chance to speak to Lady Elizabeth alone and apologize for the trouble I’ve caused her.You have my word of honor I’ll behave as a gentleman should.”
“It’s not your fault, Fairchild.”Papa still sounded as cranky as a bear with a sore head.“It’s the fault of featherbrained chits who don’t know what’s good for them.”
“Henry,” Mamma said in a warning tone.
Her father emitted a long-suffering sigh, as after a spatter of applause, the carolers moved on toDeck the Halls,including handbells.“Very well.It’s a little unconventional, but perhaps you can talk some sense into her, Fairchild.My wife and I need to get back to our guests in any case.We don’t want people talking.”
Elizabeth could tell him that the family’s behavior had already created a stir, but she remained silent.Having a few minutes alone to tell Tom what a nasty game he’d played with her suited her just fine.She couldn’t do that with the family listening in.
Nonetheless, it would be nice to be consulted.“Do I get a choice?I don’t know this man.”Which was true in the most essential sense.The engaging gentleman who had flirted with her in Hyde Park would never set out to deceive her like this.
“There’s no need to be afraid of me,” Tom said at his most benevolent, although he must know that her turbulent mixture of emotions didn’t include fear.
“I’d trust Tom with my life,” Guy said stoutly.
“I’m not afraid,” she bit out with a glare at both young men.
“Then what can be your objection?”her father asked.“Don’t be difficult, Elizabeth.”
