Page 11 of The Sea Siren of Broadwater Bottom
But this was not the moment to tell him.
So what she said was, “I’ve some pin money saved up—”
“We can discuss that later,” her mother said, gesturing to Edward. “Look at poor Lord Fauconbridge, drawn into her mess. Amelia,” she called toward the kitchens, “where is the water for his lordship’s bath?”
“Truly, I am fine,” Edward said. “I am most concerned about your daughter, however—”
“She got herself into this mess,” her mother said. “She’ll just have to wait.”
“Please, Mama,” Cassandra said, taking her mother’s arm. “Look at her lips. They’re blue! We’ve got to get Elissa warmed up.”
“Indeed,” Edward said. “I fear she is not yet capable of walking up the stairs, but if you will direct me toward your room, Miss Cassandra—”
“She is Mrs. Gorten now,” her mother interjected. “The only one of the four girls we managed to marry off, and she came right back to us a widow.”
“Mrs. Gorten, my apologies,” Edward said smoothly. “If you would be so kind as to—”
“And is it any wonder we haven’t been able to marry this one off?” Warming to one of her favorite themes, her mother did not seem to notice that she had interrupted a future earl, and several times at that. Elissa ducked her head as her mother began ticking points off on her fingers. “She can’t sew. She can barely dance. She wouldn’t know the current fashion if it came up to her in the street and trod upon her foot. Not that it matters, when she goes around looking like a drowned rat and smelling like pond scum.”
Elissa squeezed her eyes shut as her mother droned on. And to think, she didn’t even know about the water beetle!
Truth be told, her mother had the right of it. Elissa knew full well she would never marry, but not for the reasons her mother cited. Although none of those things were points in her favor, the sin that was truly unpardonable was that she was so bookish.
She might be able to find a man who would overlook the fact that she was a clumsy dancer. But no man could abide a woman who was more clever than him.
And so Elissa had abandoned dreams of romance and marriage years ago. But she didn’t need to marry to secure her future, and that of her mother and sisters. She had another plan.
Her translation work.
It seemed her mother had not yet finished. “And if she’s not boring a man to tears by droning on about some Greek poet who’s been dead for two thousand years, then she’s staring off into space, ignoring him.”
“Mother,” Cassandra said sharply, but her mother did not seem to hear.
With each passing moment, each additional humiliation, Elissa felt herself shrinking smaller and smaller upon the bench. The worst thing was knowing that her mother was correct. She did lack the feminine graces and had a rare talent for catastrophe to boot.
But did her mother really have to catalogue her failings before the one man whose good opinion she valued?
She chanced a glance up at Edward. He wasn’t frowning, precisely, but he had squared off his jaw. Twice he tried to interject, but her mother allowed him no opening.
Finally his eyes took on a flinty look, and he spoke over her mother. “Mrs. St. Cyr, I beg your pardon.” Elissa’s eyes widened, because this was a voice she had never heard Edward use before. It was impeccably polite, as he always was.
It was also a tone that brooked no argument. A tone that very much saidI am the future Earl of Cheltenham, you are going to do as I say, and you are going to do so right now.
“There seems to be some confusion. Miss Elissa has experienced an unfortunate mishap through absolutely no fault of her own. She has been wet and cold for far too long, and I fear she is chilled to the bone. She requires a hot bath and a warm fire. Immediately.”
“But my lord,” her mother interrupted, “what about you?
The look Edward gave her mother had just a hint of sharpness to it, though his tone remained cordial. “I am perfectly well and I require nothing. Thank you, Mrs. St. Cyr. Now, I will carry Miss Elissa up the stairs. Mrs. Gorten, would you be so kind as to direct me?”
“Right this way, my lord,” Cassandra said as Edward scooped Elissa up.
Cassandra led them to her own room and drew the chair from her writing desk close to the blazing fire. Edward set her gently upon it. The maids had already set a copper tub close to the hearth. Although Elissa remained well-covered in his coat, she felt her cheeks flush at the implication—that in a few minutes, she would be naked in that tub before the fire.
Edward seemed to share her sense of awkwardness. “I will take my leave so you can, er—” He cleared his throat. “Be well, Miss Elissa.”
She caught his hand as he started to turn. “Thank you, my lord. Foreverything.” She could hear her own voice shaking with sincerity.
There was a gentleness to his voice as he answered. “You are most welcome.”
