Chapter 3
Eliza lifted her tea cup but then set it down again, having not even taken a single sip.
"Eliza?"
She looked up at the door to the parlor, seeing her aunt step inside. "Good afternoon, Aunt. Did you find what you were looking for in the bookshop?"
Lady Newark nodded and smiled. "I did." She tilted her head, her lips pressed thin as if considering. "I think it only fair to make you aware that you may find some of the ton whispering about the inheritance."
Her fingers found the edge of her saucer and gripped it. "The ton know of it?"
"I believe so. I did receive a look or two and heard a whisper that confirmed to me that someone from the group present that day has been speaking of it to others.
There may well be rumors very soon — but there is nothing that can be done about that.
" With a small smile on her face, her voice lifted as she gestured to the tray, clearly desiring to change the subject. "You have tea and cake, I see."
Given that the cake had tasted like ash in her mouth and the tea was now growing cold, Eliza could barely muster a smile. "Yes. I do."
"Might I join you? I have informed the staff that we are not to be disturbed for at least an hour, so that we might speak openly and without restraint."
Eliza nodded but then grimaced as her aunt made to lift the tea pot. "You may wish to ring for a fresh tray, Aunt."
Lady Newark frowned, sighed, and then walked across the room to ring the bell. "You have not drunk any, then?" Eyeing Eliza with a sharp look, she closed her eyes as Eliza nodded. "You did not break your fast nor eat luncheon. Eliza, you will soon be wasting away!"
"I hardly think so, Aunt," Eliza replied, with a wry smile. "But I am grateful for your concern."
Sitting down, Lady Newark reached across and took Eliza's hand in her own. "Did you sleep at all last night? You are still very pale."
With a shake of her head, Eliza looked down at her lap.
"I could do nothing but toss and turn. I cannot understand what Lady Warrington was doing in offering me such a thing.
To be given such a great inheritance is extraordinary indeed — but this condition that has come with it is profoundly confusing.
I do not know where to begin, and every time I even think about it, my thoughts tangle and leave nothing but an ache in my head. "
"Then do not think about it, not yet." Her aunt sighed again and then sat back, releasing Eliza's hand. "You must give yourself time to calm your heart and your thoughts before you begin to pursue the connection between yourself and Lady Warrington. It was a great shock for you, I am sure."
"And for you?"
Lady Newark let out a quiet but wry laugh.
"I was greatly astonished, to be sure. At the same time, however — and this before I knew of the condition attached to it — I was overwhelmed with joy and relief for you.
" Her smile faded. "I thought that you would finally be free of the shadow lingering over you, courtesy of your father's foolishness.
" Her shoulders lifted a little. "Mayhap you still shall be. "
Eliza swallowed thickly, aware of the tears that were threatening her still. "I do not know, Aunt. I am all of a confusion."
"Let us think with both hope and belief in our hearts," came the firm, encouraging response.
"I am certain that you will fulfil all that Lady Warrington has said and shall be free of your father's selfish, grasping hands.
You will rise in society's estimation and will be able to make your own choices as regards your future...
and shall be free to live just as you please, once you are of age, if you choose to remain unwed.
Your father will not be able to take hold of a single penny of your inheritance, Eliza. That is a blessing, surely?"
Thinking of her father, Eliza shook her head, waiting until the fresh tea tray had been set out and the maid gone from the room before she spoke again.
She could still remember the evening her father, in something of a drunken state, had informed her that she would not have a debut, would not be able to step out into society, though that was what he had promised her.
His debts were too great, and the townhouse in London was no longer available to her, having been let out to another charming gentry couple.
Eliza had not known how to respond, her emotions had been too varied and too strong for her to give him any clear answer.
She had watched him as he had slumped down in front of the fire, his head lolling to one side of the chair, his other hand propping up a half-empty glass of brandy on his chest.
"Have you written to father, Aunt Letitia?" she asked tentatively. "Will he know of this?"
Her Aunt Letitia drew herself up. "Most certainly, I have not!
My wastrel brother can do you no good, and to inform him of your great fortune would not only bring him to London.
His presence would also shame us both, no doubt.
No, my dear. We will keep ourselves quite silent on the matter until it is confirmed, one way or the other.
And, I think it would be wise to have a solicitor present when he does arrive, once you have your inheritance secured.
That way, they will be able to inform him that he has no claim upon it.
" She let out a small breath, a hint of a smile about her lips.
"I think I should very much like to be present for that moment.
Perhaps that will show him just how grasping he truly is.
Mayhap that would be the catalyst for him to change his ways. "
Eliza was about to state that she very much hoped that her father might one day become the considerate, careful gentleman she always prayed he might be, only for there to come a quiet knock at the door.
She frowned.
"Come."
A footman stepped inside. "My apologies, Lady Newark, I understand that you were asked not to be disturbed, but a gentleman has come to call."
Eliza's stomach twisted uncomfortably. "His card?"
The footman held it out to her, and taking it, Eliza studied it carefully. "I am not acquainted with the Viscount Ashcombe."
"Nor I." A note of interest wound through Lady Newark's voice. "He wishes to call, did you say?"
The footman nodded. "He is waiting at the door, my lady."
"Then I think it best that we speak with him, at the very least," Lady Newark said, as Eliza sighed inwardly and rose to her feet, straightening her gown as best she could and hoping that her chignon was still neat.
"Have him step in." She shot a quick look towards Eliza.
"I understand that your thoughts are elsewhere but it is important that we see what it is this gentleman wants.
Mayhap he has come to call upon you out of interest! "
Eliza shook her head. She knew such a thing could not be. She had only made her debut and attended one ball thus far. No gentlemen had danced with her, no one had paid any great attention to her, and thus far, no one had once come to call. Whatever this was, it was for an entirely different reason.
"Lord Ashcombe, my lady." The footman stepped to one side just as a broad-shouldered, dark-haired gentleman stepped inside.
He entered with a quiet authority that Eliza felt at once.
Tall and refined in his dress, his presence filled the room with a weight that had not been there moments before.
She dropped into a curtsy as he bowed, aware of his brief, measuring glance.
A wave of uncertainty washed over her, and she licked her lips as she sat down, throwing a glance to her aunt and hoping that she would speak first.
"Lord Ashcombe." Lady Newark cleared her throat and smiled, gesturing for him to sit down. "We are not yet acquainted, I do not think."
"No." His smile was brief, his voice low and measured but formal. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Newark." Again, he turned to Eliza, who tried but failed to smile. "And you also, Miss Fairleigh. Please forgive me for my unexpected visit. I felt it... necessary."
Eliza could not quite place the tone in his voice. There was no kindness there but an underlying coolness, as though he were determined to keep distance between them.
Was this about the will?
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance also, Lord Ashcombe," she replied, keeping her voice as steady as she could.
"An unexpected visit but not unwelcome." She formed her lips into a smile, but Lord Ashcombe looked away, turning his gaze again to Lady Newark.
A silence settled over the room, a silence that Eliza did not know how to break.
It was unsettling, making her skin prickle.
She went still, then breathed out through her nose — a small, controlled release.
Helpless, she looked to her aunt, seeing Lady Newark give her an almost imperceptible smile.
"Is there a purpose to your visit, Lord Ashcombe?" Lady Newark, unflinching in her directness, lifted an eyebrow. "Since we are not yet acquainted, I must wonder at your presence here."
Lord Ashcombe cleared his throat, nodded, and then looked again to Eliza, his expression steady.
"I must confess, as you have suspected, that I did not come here for idle conversation.
" His tone sharpened slightly, and Eliza felt her stomach tighten.
"I am here because of my great-aunt and her will.
A lady you were also acquainted with — Lady Warrington. "
The name struck Eliza like a blow to the chest. Her breath caught in her throat, and she felt the heat drain from her face.
She had not recognized the gentleman, had not seen him at the reading of the will, but he must have been there, and must have been present to hear of the inheritance that was given to her.