Reid stared at her in disbelief. “I’m so sorry you felt you had to do that. I know it’s hard for you to be around him. I should have talked to him myself so you wouldn’t have had to be in his presence.” He grabbed her shoulders, leaning his forehead against hers. “Please forgive me.”
“There’s nothing to forgive,” she said. “I knew you would never go to him out of a sense of honor towards me, but it was too important. And, honestly, it was freeing. I put him in his place and took back the power he had over me. He can never intimidate me or make me feel small again.”
“You are a marvel, and I don’t deserve you,” Reid said. He didn’t know how, but this incredible woman was his and wanted to spend her life with him, trying to make life better for those around them. And just like she had wanted to, she had changed the way Dorsten looked at her on her own terms.
“What am I going to do without you these next few months?” he whispered, pulling her against his chest.
“I don’t know,” Elise replied. “But you’d better give me enough kisses now to allow me to survive without them for that long.
Reid happily complied with her request.
CHAPTER34
Elise could hardly believe it was now March and she was finally heading back to London to make her debut. She was extremely nervous but also driven by purpose, as the final step of their plan would be put into action tomorrow night. Reid’s friends, her father, Lady Priscilla, and the Dowager Duchess of Carrington had all been working to lay the foundation for her return. Based on reports from Moira and Angeline, the plan seemed to be working, and she may find redemption in the eyes of polite society yet. According to Reid, her name had continued circulating in conversation and people everywhere were speaking in her defense.
The first ball of the season was being held by none other than Lady Wrexham, and it would be quite the event. Elise would accompany Reid, having not received an invitation of her own, with her father and sister in attendance for support.
The dresses she had ordered from the modiste would be waiting at her father’s house, and Elise was excited to see Moira and Angeline again. Both had become friends, exchanging letters upon her return to Dorset, and Elise was excited to meet Grace, who would also be making her societal debut as the Duchess of Carrington. Between Elise, Grace, and Angeline reentering society after her bereavement, it would definitely be an evening to remember.
* * *
Elise was a bundle of nerves the next evening and wondered why on earth she was voluntarily throwing herself back among the wolves. The work that had been done all seemed for naught as she remembered she would be back among people who for the most part she did not really like, and in a social scene she found to be superficial, repressive, and hypocritical at best.
Taking a deep breath, Elise reminded herself it was for her own happiness and for Reid. She knew she would marry him regardless of how tonight turned out, that decision had been made months ago before he returned to London on the night they had shared together. Seeing how deeply he cared and his willingness to fight for her made her more than willing to do the same. Even if she was not fully welcomed back into polite society this evening as everyone believed she would be, the work that had been done would still make things easier for her to be in London regardless. And she was willing to sacrifice and move among thetonagain if it meant she could spend the rest of her life by his side.
Looking into the mirror one last time, Elise assessed her appearance. Her gown was a beautiful green that worked wonderfully with her coloring and brought out the red undertones in her brown hair. Though not embellished with lace or sparkles, it had been cut in such a way that the back of the gown draped from her shoulders like she was wearing a cape or train in the old style, though it was not overly ostentatious and looked modern. Her braided hair wrapped around her head in a style she wore often, but tonight it appeared much more elegant with a silver headpiece of leaves tucked alongside the braid. Simple pearl earrings were the finishing touch, and she happily still felt like herself, only a much more refined version.
Hearing Reid’s carriage pull up outside, Elise hastened to make her way downstairs. She was only halfway down when she heard Reid catch his breath. “You look absolutely stunning, darling. If nothing else, you’ll certainly make an impression this evening.” Elise felt herself begin to blush. “Are you ready?” he asked when she reached him.
“Not at all,” Elise said honestly. “But I’ll be alright since you will be with me.” Reaching up, she kissed him passionately, not caring a whit that her father’s staff might witness them.
Reid rested his forehead against hers and looked deeply into her eyes. “I love you, and that will never change, no matter what this evening holds,” Reid said, before taking her hand and leading her towards the door.
The ride to the Marquess of Wrexham’s home in Grosvenor Square was short, and her father’s carriage pulled up right behind them. Marianne squealed when she saw Elise’s ensemble for the first time, and everyone wished each other luck as they made their way inside.
Elise sucked in a breath as they joined the receiving line, clutching Reid’s arm tightly as she spotted Lady Wrexham greeting guests and welcoming them to her home. If she did not accept Elise or made a fuss, the evening would be over before they had even begun. The closer they moved to the entrance, the more jittery Elise became.
“Relax, love,” Reid whispered into her ear. “We’ve already passed several society matrons, and no one has said a word. I promise I won’t leave your side, and regardless of what happens, I love you.” She needed to hear those words and remind herself that in the grand scheme of things tonight didn’t matter, and this man would become her husband. He had shown her everything she might need to endure in society was worth it to never have to spend another night without him by her side.
Finally, they stepped across the threshold as Lady Wrexham looked up to greet them. It took a moment for recognition to set in, but when it did, surprise crossed her face before quickly being replaced by disdain. “Lord Weston, why have you brought your neighbor with you this evening?” she said, not addressing Elise. “I’m not sure she’s an appropriate companion for you—what would your mother say?”
“I think she would be happy that after years of pestering, I have finally found a woman I am willing to marry,” Reid said without missing a beat.
Lady Wrexham looked horrified by his statement and had to visibly gather herself. “She is a ruined woman, and she is not fit company for those who are here this evening,” she announced loudly for all to hear.
“That’s rich coming from you,” Henry said, stepping up from behind them.
“Your Grace,” Lady Wrexham proclaimed before lowering into a small curtsey. “How wonderful to have you and your new duchess joining us this evening.”
“You mean my wife who you schemed against this past summer? A scandal that would have been much worse than what you accuse Lady Elise of, all in order to try and land a title for your daughter?”
Lady Wrexham spluttered, not knowing how to challenge the assertions of a duke without offending him.
“Oh, mother, really?” Lady Priscilla interjected, pushing her way through the amused spectators who were taking notes for gossip later. “You know as well as I do that Lady Elise did nothing wrong. She was helping an injured man.”
“She was found alone with a servant—without his jacket!”
“How else was she supposed to tend to an arm wound?” Priscilla persisted. “Really, the entire scandal was blown out of proportion, and it was my fault. I was jealous and saw a way to get a supposed rival out of my way so that I could please you, mother. I regret that I caused such harm to Lady Elise, and it stops now. Allow her in, mother. The only one creating a scene is you.”
