“Very well, Lord Greywood, please speak your piece. But be expeditious about it. As my dear sister by marriage has said, we are expected at the Duke of Elkington’s Ball. The journey is quite long, and we must be on our way.”
Lord Greywood nodded, and then, in a rush of hurried words, confessed to helping Lydia Errington separate Lady Eugenia from Lord D’Asti, and explained and demonstrated how he’dmimicked Lord D’Asti’s voice perfectly. He left no room for excusing himself, professing that he knew himself to be the villain in this situation, as well.
“I only beg that you not blame my sister. Henrietta had nothing to do with any of this. She had no idea of it, until I told her what I’d done. I did this purely to hurt Lord D’Asti, in my somewhat excessive desire to avenge my sister, but I never meant to hurt you, Lady Eugenia.”
Henrietta spoke up, her expression open and earnest.
“I too need to apologise. I should have known, by Percy’s behaviour, that something was wrong. I should have looked into it, should have worked it out and demanded that he stop what he was doing. I was so lost in trying to enjoy the house party with the gossip about me finally dying down, that I didn’t think to pay attention to the way that Percy was sneaking around and spending so much time with Miss Errington. I’m so sorry. Please forgive us.”
“Of course,” both Susan and Eugenia replied in unison.
They were both somewhat in shock at the revelation. Eugenia took a calming breath before replying, wishing her words to convey a steadiness which was greater than she actually felt.
“Thank you for your honesty in this matter, Lord Greywood. We really must be going, now. Good day.” Then, Eugenia turned to Lady Henrietta and her expression softened a bit. “I should like to have you over to Thistlewayte Hall for tea soon, Lady Henrietta. I quite enjoyed your company at Lady Bellingham’s house party.”
Lady Henrietta’s mouth dropped into a shocked ‘O’ for a moment, then her whole demeanour brightened, and she beamed at Eugenia.
“Thank you, Lady Eugenia. I should like that very much. Enjoy the Ball.”
Neville helped Eugenia and Susan climb into their waiting carriage and the three of them sat in silence for a long moment as it drew away. Finally, Eugenia began breathing heavily as the truth flooded her mind and panic set in. She had been a fool, she had played right into Lydia’s hand.
Lord D’Asti.
She had simply ignored him, told the staff at Thistlewayte Hall that she never wanted to speak to the man again. What if he had given up, moved on? His debtors were pressing him to marry quickly, or they would strip everything from him that was not entailed to his title.
Oh, no.
Eugenia began to cry.
Neville looked over at his wife, distress at their friend’s upset written clear on his face.
“What are we to do? Lord Greywood may have confessed the truth, but—”
Eugenia moaned, shaking her head.
“Lord D’Asti must hate me now, I’m sure of it. I was a fool and let my wounded pride get the better of me. I should have listened to you, should have given him the chance to explain himself.”
“There, there dear.” Susan pulled Eugenia into a comforting embrace, rubbing soothing circles on Eugenia’s back as their carriage rolled away from Thistlewayte Hall. “If Lord D’Asti is at the Ball, you will simply tell him the truth and apologise. If he is half the man that you thought him to be, before Lord Greywood’s trickery, he will forgive you. If he is not, then you have lost nothing in apologising.”
“Yes, that is what I’ll do.”
Eugenia breathed out, calming herself. Neville visibly relaxed as Eugenia’s sobs turned to sniffles, then stopped entirely.
“And we will be there to support you no matter what.”
Neville offered her a reassuring smile.
When they arrived at Elkington Hall, the Ball was off to a grand start and the dancing had already begun. In the entrance hall, before Eugenia and Susan made their way through the receiving line and into the ballroom, they heard the Duchess of Elkington speaking loudly about her expectations of Lord D’Asti proposing to her daughter, Lady Catherine, this very night.
Eugenia turned as if to run away, but Susan held her arm firmly and pressed on, whispering in Eugenia’s ear.
“He is not betrothed yet, dearest. Do not surrender too soon. Talk to him.”
“Very well,” Eugenia agreed. She scanned the room for Lord D’Asti, but did not see him. “If he comes, I will speak with him immediately, before he has the chance to speak to anyone else.”
“Good girl,” Susan replied cheerfully. “Now, let’s get some orgeat. I’m simply dying for a drink.”
On their way to the refreshment table, the two of them came across Lydia Errington, who curtsied stiffly when she saw them, her lips pinched as if she’d just tasted something unpleasant. For the barest hint of a moment, Eugenia pictured herself throttling Lydia right there, in front of everyone in the ballroom. Instead, she took a deep breath and returned the curtsey with a graceful one of her own before stepping close to Lydia and speaking so quietly that only Lydia and Susan could hear her.
