Page 32 of An Earl Like You
Hugh also wished his father were here, to spare him the trouble of righting their ship. But then, Joshua was the one who had almost capsized it. He doubted his father would be any help at all to either of them.
“How soon do you expect to do this?” she asked when he said nothing.
“Within the fortnight, I hope.”
His mother flinched. “So soon!”
He had no choice. When he thought only of Eliza, he felt rather content with the marriage; Lord knew he was ready to take her to bed, and he thought they would get on amiably as man and wife. But the demands of his family and the smug smile of Edward Cross made him want to snarl and rage. It made him think too clearly and harshly about how he had been manipulated into courting her at all...
Once again he swallowed that anger and did what he had to do. “As soon as I can manage it.”
Chapter 13
Now, finally, there was no reason to argue with Papa when he hinted at the earl’s interest. Eliza didn’t even want to. It was no trial to relate every detail—well, almost every detail—of her visit to St. James’s Square. Her father did not need to know that Lord Hastings had kissed her and touched her and made her think wicked, wanton thoughts. Mrs. Upton, her very proper schoolmistress, would be appalled that Eliza had allowed such liberties.
Papa, though, was delighted. He listened with a fond smile as she recounted Lady Hastings’s beauty, her kindness, the excellence of the tea served. “I told you he admired you,” he teased. “Admit it—I was right.”
Eliza laughed. “With pleasure. I—I like him very much, Papa.”
He leaned forward. “Very much? The way you like strawberries in cream? Or that mongrel mutt?”
“More than strawberries, but less than Willy.” Papa scowled, and she wrinkled her nose at him and laughed. “It’s not the same thing, and you know it. I love Willy.”
“What about Hastings?” Papa raised one brow. “Could you love him?”
Eliza bit her lip. She thought the answer was yes. But she’d only known him a few weeks, unlike Willy. And he was not a dog, whose heart could be won by food and kindness, and who would return her love forever. Lord Hastings had never said he loved her, or even cared for her. He’d asked to call on her, and he’d kissed her. He’d said he wanted to make her mad with pleasure. Eliza hadn’t missed the omission, but then... she’d never told him her feelings, either.
“I believe so,” she murmured in response to her father’s question.
His face eased. “Good. The man did hint the other day that he had something more important than business to discuss with me.”
Oh goodness. That could only mean...
“He wants to marry me?” she squeaked out.
Papa’s mouth quirked. “I’m afraid so, Lilibeth. Shall I send the blighter on his way, brokenhearted and rejected?”
“No!”
He chuckled. “Then I must give him my blessing?”
Her fingers shook. “Yes,” she said softly. “If he asks.”
“He will, love,” said Papa with quiet confidence. “He will.”
And in spite of herself, Eliza began to believe it.
She told her friends. Sophie was entirely supportive, assuring her that Lord Hastings was the fortunate one and asking Eliza to recount every detail of the acquaintance. It even turned out Sophie had fallen in love herself, with the Duke of Ware. Their wager had indeed been scandalous, far more than Papa had told Eliza, but it had led to the happy result that Sophie lost her heart even though she worried that the duke wouldn’t marry her. Not only was she supporting herself at the gaming tables, she had no family connections to speak of.
Still flushed with joy at her own unexpected romance, Eliza urged her to tell the duke everything. Who could not love Sophie, with her brave, witty manner and her indomitable spirit? And if he loved her, the duke would cast aside any obstacle to marry her, Eliza was sure of it. Why, Lord Hastings had overlooked the very real difference between his station and hers. It gave Eliza goose bumps to think that she would be a countess, and Sophie a duchess.
Georgiana took it even better. When Eliza stepped down from the coach to meet her for a walk in the park, her friend rushed forward despite Lady Sidlow’s call of disapproval. She towed Eliza through the gates of St. James’s Park. “You must tell me all,” she commanded, tucking her arm around Eliza’s. “Do not leave out anything!”
Eliza laughed. They turned into the Mall. Lady Sidlow’s carriage followed at a slight distance; Lady Sidlow did not like to walk, but Georgiana declared she would go mad if she didn’t get some exercise. The compromise was that she was permitted to meet a friend three times a week and make as many circuits of the park as she liked. Eliza knew she was not the friend Lady Sidlow wanted most for Georgiana, but the countess had forbidden Georgiana to see Sophie after that scandalous wager, and Georgiana declared her other friends, members of theton, weren’t energetic enough.
“There isn’t much to tell,” she replied modestly.
Georgiana hooted in disbelief. “Not much! You write a trifling short note saying the Earl of Hastingsmightbe about to propose marriage to you. Imighthave fallen over in astonishment. You’ve never mentioned his name! And earls do not propose marriage on whims—this I know. So tell me everything!”
