“I promise we’ll explain everything tomorrow, but for now, just let me kiss you.”
Not inclined to argue, Elise pulled away from him only enough to raise her face to his, granting him access to her lips. He bent down at the same time, kissing her passionately. She thought she might drown in his kiss, but it would be a happy death. Finally breaking away when the need for air became too great, she clung to him.
“We should probably rejoin the party so our absence doesn’t look too suspicious,” Reid said reluctantly once he was breathing normally again. “But just wait until I can get you alone with more time.” His smirk belied how deeply they both wanted one another, but Elise knew he was right, and they needed to rejoin the others. That said, letting go of him and the comfort of his hold was almost impossible to do. Finally, they separated and readjusted mussed clothing before calmly walking into the library together to start the new year.
CHAPTER30
Reid was still buzzing from seeing Elise again after over a month apart when he returned to her father’s townhouse the following day. He was glad she had agreed to her father’s invitation to join her family over the holiday, but her presence in town meant he needed to come clean about the actions he had taken on her behalf. In all his letters, he had not informed her of the plan that had been put into action with both the dowager duchess and Lady Pricilla to ease her return to society, but Reid could not be around her and continue to keep her in the dark. Without her knowledge it felt like scheming, and he respected her too much to do something completely behind her back.
At first, when he had not known if it would be possible, Reid had not told her because he didn’t want to get her hopes up if it seemed like rehabilitating her reputation would be too difficult. But now, with Hester’s plan and her father’s support, he was entirely optimistic regarding their chances.
Reid was let into the home and shown to Lord Pelham’s study where he found the man waiting for him. “Good morning, Pelham,” Reid said, in greeting, shaking his hand enthusiastically. “I hope I’m not calling too early after the celebrations last night.”
“Not at all,” he said with a warm smile. “I was glad you joined us last night. It made me happy to see Elise’s affection for you. I could tell how much you both care for one another.”
“I just hope she still feels as warmly toward me when I tell her what we’ve been working on. I don’t want her to feel blindsided or like we were acting without her permission.” Reid knew how proud Elise was and that she did not like feeling handled or managed by others. He could only hope she would see the kind intent behind his actions. Before he could worry too much, Elise entered the room.
Her face lit up at seeing him, and his heart skipped a beat. “You came back, you’re here,” she said, as if she was worried yesterday had been a one-time occurrence.
“I did,” Reid replied with a chuckle. “I promised you answers and I’m here to deliver.” Elise made her way over to her father’s side and kissed him on the cheek before taking a seat next to his own.
Settling in, Elise shot them each a sharp look that meant she wasn’t about to accept anything other than full and clear answers to her questions. “How on earth did this come about? Father, have you suddenly switched your allegiance to the Whigs?”
“Absolutely not. Though your man speaks sense regarding the current frenzy to quell rebellion, the Whigs are much too progressive and will destabilize everything if they get their way,” Pelham said with a grin, winking at Reid. While the two of them primarily discussed Elise when they were together, Reid sharing about her life on the coast and Pelham telling stories from her childhood, they frequently would also discuss current events and their political philosophies. The two men had become genuine, if unlikely, friends and held lively but good-natured debates. He was happy that such a man would be his father-in-law.
Reid stifled a smile before turning serious again. “I approached your father several weeks ago, asking him for his support in a plan I was undertaking,” he explained. “When I returned to London, I had hopes of a campaign separate from my political work, and I’ve been enlisting the help of willing individuals.”
“What are you working on?” Elise asked, clearly curious. “Is there any way I can help?”
“Well,” Reid said, clearing his throat nervously, “I’ve been trying to see if your reputation might be repaired so you could return to society exonerated, clearing the way for us to marry.”
Elise stared at him for a moment, her face stony. “How could you do that without asking me first?” Her voice was deadly calm, belying the emotion he was sure raged within her.
“Please don’t be upset, love,” her father spoke up. “Weston was only acting from a place of care. None of us want you to continue hurting over something that was not your fault.”
“I’ve always thought, from the moment I heard your story, that you never should have been cast aside. I suspected there were many others who might feel that way, and as I’ve made some inquiries, it turns out I was right.” Reid took a deep breath before continuing, as he could see Elise was trying hard to keep silent before exploding at them. “It seems that many people thought the extreme nature of your ostracization was too much given the circumstances. Yes, you technically broke the social standard that an unmarried woman should not be alone with a man, but you were perfectly proper and there was a clear reason for why you ended up in those circumstances. It was only a few adamant voices insisting you be labeled as ruined that turned it into a scandal at all.”
“None of that is new information, Reid,” Elise said, clearly annoyed. “Why would you believe anything would be different now?”
“Because he loves you, and you’re too stubborn to let yourself be happy,” her father said. “There are obstacles that must be overcome before you can realistically start a life together, and he’s only trying to do something to clear those obstacles. He has a good plan—just hear him out.”
Elise did not look at all happy. “He’s acting like a commander in the army again, deciding what needs to happen and informing the troops without bothering to listen to anyone else or seek input,” she directed at Reid through gritted teeth. Pursing her lips, she leaned back with arms crossed, waiting for him to justify his actions.
Chagrined, Reid recognized she was right. He had come in like a wrecking ball trying to fix the situation for her. Nevertheless, the groundwork had been laid, and he believed they were on the right track.
He told her everything. About Hester’s plan and her influence with the ladies who controlled thetonas the dowager duchess. About how Lady Priscilla was enthusiastically on board and the wives of his friends also wanted to help. And finally, he told her about how he had already started to hear people discussing the injustice of what had happened to her, and her father’s unwavering vocal support of her whenever the subject came up. “Soon your name will be out there, floating in the ether, nobody knowing how you reentered the latest gossip, but it will all be in your favor.”
“You really think this will work?” Elise asked incredulously.
“I really do,” Reid said. “It’s already working, and Hester and Priscilla have just started. I believe it will only grow and spread from here.”
“Our job now,” Pelham interjected, “is to staunchly defend you and speak the truth whenever you arise in discussion. I’m happy to speak in your defense now, in the way I should have from the start,” he said with tears in his eyes.
“Thank you,” Elise said quietly. “I don’t like that you did this without telling me, and I’m frustrated how you both went about it, but I do appreciate the effort you are making. I’ve been trying to come up with a plan myself. I know you may not understand this, but it’s something I need to fix for myself. That being said, I appreciate you standing up for me.” She reached across the desk and grasped her father’s hand, and Reid felt like he was intruding on the emotional moment between the two.
Pelham cleared his throat and wiped at his eyes before turning to Reid. “Now, why don’t you tell her the next part of the plan,” he said gruffly.
“I’d like to take you to meet Fitz’s wife, Moira, and his sister, Angeline. They are eager to help and support you, and they will assist you in preparing to join them for the first ball of the season in March.”
