Lady Catherine Stewart's skin was crawling with the desperate need to get out of the country and return to London. She was dying to catch a glimpse of Edward again, to be able to murmur something to him in passing at a Ball, or to accidentally bump into him at a musicale and discretely pass a slip of paper from her palm to his.
More than that, she was desperate to make sure that he had not made any special visits to Miss Wingfield or any other young women during the summer, for courting purposes. She knew, of course, that his Mama was pressuring him heavily to marry, but she couldn't bear the thought of him marrying anyone but her. She just didn't know how they were ever going to manage to make that happen, when their mothers hated each other so passionately.
The sooner they arrived back in London, the better. If she could have, she would have dragged her trunks down to the carriage and loaded them herself. As it was, she was doomed to pace impatiently until they finally departed to return to Elkington House in London.
* * *
BITTERWOOD HOUSE, LONDON
Edward Melthorn’s mother was circling him like a carrion bird, her grey eyes sharp and assessing.
“I was pleased to see you associating with Miss Eliza Wingfield at the end of last Season, before we had to retire to the country for the summer.”
Edward gave a noncommittal shrug, not sure what his mother was getting at, but certain that it was something. His mother always had a point, and she never did anything without a purpose in mind.
“Miss Wingfield is a very pleasant and amusing young lady. I was happy to make her acquaintance. Speaking with her almost made going to that Ball bearable.”
His mother rolled her eyes and sighed.
“Really, Edward, society functions are not as bad as all that, but I am glad that you find Miss Wingfield’s company so pleasant.”
“Why?” He eyed his mother suspiciously. “What is this sudden interest in Miss Wingfield all about, Mother?”
“Miss Wingfield would be an excellent match for you, Edward, and you need to marry. You are a third son and, as such, your prospects are limited. Miss Wingfield has money and very powerful connections, in addition to being a pleasant girl and good company.”
“Mother—”
“You need a wife, Edward, and Miss Wingfield would make a fine one. She is a tad plump, but really, one can overlook that when you consider that she has a considerable income, and she is connected to the Calthorpes.”
“I do not mind that she is ‘a tad plump’, as you so obnoxiously put it, Mother. I mind that I am not particularly interested in marrying at this particular moment.”
“I am not a fool, Edward. Do not think that I missed who Miss Wingfield was speaking with, or that you also spoke with Lady Catherine Stewart, even though the two of you have not been introduced. May I remind you that there is a very good reason you have not been introduced? Lady Catherine’s mother hates me, and to be frank, I hate her, too. I forbid you to form any kind of friendship or attachment with Lady Catherine Stewart and do not wish you to speak with her ever again. Pursue the Wingfield girl. She is the better choice.”
CHAPTER7
LONDON, A SOCIETY MUSICALE, SEPTEMBER 1812
Eliza was thrilled to be back in London. Despite her love of life in the country and the quietude it provided, this past summer had been different. Meeting the Duke of Elkington — and him saving her life — had changed things somehow, and Eliza had not been able to get him out of her mind no matter how hard she tried.
Now, as she made her way into Lady Hartsham’s Musicale, she found herself searching the droves of society faces hoping to catch a glimpse of him. She had also missed Lady Matilda, but the two of them had written to each other often, and so had not fallen completely out of touch.
Even if she did not manage to catch sight of the Duke of Elkington, for the first time since Eliza came out in society, there were others whom she had an interest in seeing and speaking to. She did not wish only to hide in the shadows, hoping never to be noticed. There were a select few among the ton whose company she looked forward to, like the Calthorpes, Lady Catherine Stewart, and that nice Lord Edward Melthorn that she’d met at the Manningfield Ball at the end of the previous Season.
She still coveted her privacy and had no particular interest in notoriety, of course, but things felt quite different for Eliza this season.
“Eliza!”
A bright voice called out, and she turned to see Lady Matilda waving at her.
Smiling, Eliza rushed over to join her friend. Matilda embraced her warmly, kissing Eliza on each cheek.
“I have missed you terribly.” Eliza squeezed Matilda’s hands in hers. “How was your summer?”
“It was... diverting. We spent quite a bit of time at Galleon Chase, taking in the sea air. I’m afraid I did less than I should have with my riddle from grandfather.”
Eliza nodded.
“Georgiana told me that she wanted to enjoy the seaside and do as much traveling as she could before she is too far along to travel. I hope you all enjoyed Galleon Chase.”
