Chapter 5 #2
Lord Ashcombe grimaced. "I want to ask you about the lady, yes," he said, "but it is not because I intend to question you or interrogate you as I did before.
It is to ask sincerely about how you came to be at the meeting that afternoon.
I do not understand what took place that brought you to Braithwaite Solicitors. "
Her shoulders lifted. "I received a letter, asking me to be present.
For a long while, I believed it to be a mistake, an error in judgement.
I was quite sure that it could not be that Lady Warrington had included me in the reading of her will, so I could not understand why I was required to be there. "
With a nod, Lord Ashcombe frowned, his gaze fixing to the ground at their feet as they ambled along. "I see."
"I must hope that you believe me when I say I have no understanding whatsoever as to why your aunt chose me to be included in her will," Eliza continued, aware of the whisper of desperation in her voice.
"I did not ask for her to show me any such favor.
Nothing I have done demanded it. She is not connected to my family line in any way.
When the solicitor read out my name, even then I was certain that there had been some sort of mistake...
but there was not." A twist of unease tightened her stomach as she saw his frown deepen.
Surely it was not to be that he would still refuse to believe her?
"It is confounding," he muttered, eventually, "to know that my aunt included you in the will but did not give you a reason for it."
Eliza opened her mouth to tell him that there had been something more connected to the will, that there had been a requirement given, only for Lord Ashcombe to let out a low exclamation of what sounded like frustration, his jaw working furiously.
"What concerns me, Miss Fairleigh, is that the implications of my aunt's good nature now affect a good many things — and a good many people also.
It brings upset and strain where before, there was none.
It brings tension and trial — and, as my aunt would have known for she was always a wise, considered lady — brings gossip and the threat of scandal. "
Eliza let the weight of his words settle on her shoulders, as if she had donned a cloak of iron.
It was not as if she herself had done such a thing, for she had acted properly in everything.
All the same, she knew he was right to speak so, for given how society had turned against her the previous evening — and that before she had even said a single word — was evidence enough.
"I can see the trouble this may cause, yes," she agreed quietly.
"The rumors that will, no doubt, spread mean that there will be whispers of favoritism, of being singled out for some hidden reason that the ton must now make certain to discover.
It could certainly bring many whispers to my own family's name.
" She winced; another thought kept in the quietness of her mind.
And that even when my father has shamed our good name enough already.
"Whispers and gossip are not easily silenced, Miss Fairleigh.
" Lord Ashcombe's words had grown heavier with the severity of what he was trying to share.
"The implications of this, if not given clarity and truth in good time, will follow you for the rest of your days.
Your reputation will be marked, and any family that you now have or may have in the future will also bear that shame.
Truth, after a certain point, does not matter.
Society will choose the answer it best desires and will cling to it, even if something more is revealed. "
Eliza went very still, then released a breath through her nose — slow, careful, losing nothing she could not afford to lose — at the picture he was painting for her.
"Because Lady Warrington was my aunt, I fear that any scandal that comes from this will, in turn, follow after both my title and my brother's title also.
That is how families are, is it not? What affects one also affects others, no matter how far removed they might be.
If there are whispers about my great-aunt, then when those in society speak of me, they will remark that I am the nephew of that Lady Warrington.
" His voice dropped low, his lips flat. "I must think not only of my own present circumstances but the future of my family line, of the title I hold.
It is of great importance to me, as I am sure you can understand.
The same holds true for you also, does it not?
" He drew in a breath, then let it out, long and slow.
"Whatever is said of you now, whatever clings to you will cling to your name for many generations to come. "
Without warning, the ground shifted beneath her feet, and Eliza reached out one hand, grasping his arm.
Too late did she realize that it was not the ground itself that moved but her own stumbling feet as she was hit with a vision of what her future might now look like.
Lord Ashcombe paused at once, ready to steady her further, and Eliza, shame-faced, did her best to quickly regain her composure.
"Forgive me. I stumbled on something." Her excuse sounded flimsy and thin, and her face grew hot as she kept her hand on his arm, feeling as if she might fall back should she withdraw her hand. "Might I be so bold as to ask — "
"But of course." Perhaps sensing her embarrassment, Lord Ashcombe straightened and then continued walking at his slow pace, allowing her to walk beside him with her hand still resting on his arm for support. "I hope I did not upset you."