“Your sister has no interest in those suitors.”
“I danced with the man once! I don’t even know that I have a serious interest in him. Or if Sinclair has designs on me. But the entire family has decided that I’m head over feet. Do you think me so foolish as to fall for a man who is manipulating me? Or so pathetic as to fall for the first man to throw me a scrap of affection?”
“Elizabeth Wayland! I think it is my duty as your father to ensure your safety and security in any relationship you choose to enter into. And I think it a privilege to do so. Now, I told you my answer was not no. Though if you continue to speak to me in this way, that may change. I do not trust him— I do not know him. And neither do you.”
The fight seeped out of her at the broken note in her father’s voice. After a moment, he wrapped an arm around her, urging her to rest her head on his shoulder.
“I used to be one of the most respected and feared men in town. Now look at me… shouted at by two daughters in as many minutes. Tell me truthfully, am I even slightly intimidating any longer?”
“I threatened him with your wrath while we danced.”
“Good. Always use me to threaten suitors.”
“Thank you, Papa.”
Eliza’s head rose and fell with the force of his sigh against her cheek. “Have we done something? To elicit this misbelief you are operating under—that Sophie is more deserving of suitors than you?”
“No, it’s only— I have eyes.”
“There is so much of your mother in you. I should be offended not only on your behalf, but hers. Your mother is unequivocally the most beautiful woman to walk the earth—almost lost her to a duke, you know.”
“You almost lost her to Uncle Xander—quite a different matter.” Whenever Eliza pictured her uncle’s husband, in the eyes of all but the law, and her mother as husband and wife, she giggled.
“I’ll make a deal with you,” her father said. “If your Lord Sinclair has honorable intentions, then he will be all too willing to court you—properly. It seems from our conversation this afternoon that he is willing. I do not want you to choose him because you feel he is the only option. You spend too much time on the wall at these ridiculous events. Look around at the next one. Perhaps there is another gentleman who catches your eye.”
Eliza rather thought he was wrong in that assessment, but she agreed nonetheless.
“Now, to bed with you, before you and your sister give your poor papa a fit of apoplexy. No one told me raising daughters would be so difficult.”
“You really ought to have anticipated that.”
He turned, giving her a false, sharp look that spread into a smile. “Bed. And no giggling with Sophie either.”
“Goodnight, Papa.” Eliza dropped a kiss to his forehead before setting off up the stairs.
Without explanation,Eliza’s mother had insisted on a promenade two days later. It wasn’t until May buttoned Eliza into her finest dark teal walking dress and took extra care with her hair that Eliza suspected an ulterior motive.
Primped, Eliza descended the stairs to the entry where her mother awaited her with a matching parasol. And Sophie was nowhere to be seen.
Eliza’s expression must have reflected surprise because her mother answered her unasked question. “It’s just us this afternoon, darling.”
“Thank you,” Eliza said, pressing a kiss to her mother’s cheek.
“Of course. Let us hope your gentleman is everything amiable.”
Mother and daughter set off, arm in arm, for Hyde Park. The day was pleasant, with a gentle breeze that dragged the wispy clouds across the sun’s facade at its leisure.
“I’m given to understand there was a commotion at the club?”
“I should have thrown one more game; I knew our mark was becoming agitated. But Lord Sinclair arrived, and I just…”
“Wanted to impress him?”
“Yes,” Eliza admitted, feeling a flush climb her cheeks.
“Did it work?”
“I believe so.”
