“I knew it! You have feelings for him! What sets have you saved him?”
Eliza fought to keep the disappointment from her face as she said, “He won’t be here tonight. He is otherwise engaged.”
“That is disappointing. But he told you himself?”
“Yes, when he called.”And again last night under the stars.
“I am so delighted for you! Tonight will disappoint both of us though.”
“Miss Wayland, it’s so good to see you,” a feminine voice called from behind her.
She turned to find Lady Arabella approaching. Eliza backed up a step so Rose could read Lady Arabella’s lips. “You as well. I trust your family is well?”
“If you mean my brother, yes, he is well at present. Whether he will be later this evening is less certain.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand,” she said aloud, signing as well for Rose’s benefit.
“He did not tell you? My foolish brother is at the match tonight.”
“The match?”
“Boxing. He’ll not be satisfied until his ears resemble cruciferous vegetables.”
Eliza’s heart dropped to her stomach. He’d mentioned that he boxed, but she hadn’t considered the consequences—injuries were not uncommon in the sport. And some could be serious.
“Do not worry, Miss Wayland. My brother has no brain to be damaged.”
“I take it you do not approve,” Rose said.
“I rarely approve of anything my brother does. In fact, I can only name one recent choice he’s made that I approve of.” Lady Arabella’s gaze slid to Eliza pointedly. Rose made an excited squeak before recalling that others could hear it and breaking out into a coughing fit that was no less subtle. Usually, Eliza found such habits charming. In that specific moment, they were less so.
“His fight is in an hour. He forbade me from attending. So, naturally, I plan to leave after the next set to arrive in time to glare disapprovingly.”
“Have you attended before?” Rose asked.
“It is not a place for ladies. As such, I often attend.” A smile settled over her lips, a scheming glint in her eyes. “I do not like to be told no.”
An idea took hold, a terrible one, but it wriggled its way into her mind and planted itself there, growing like an invasive weed.
“Could I— That is, would it be an imposition if I…” Eliza fumbled through her inarticulate question, trailing off as the words abandoned her.
“Do you wish to join me?”
Eliza’s heart jolted with giddy anticipation. “It would not— You would not mind?”
“Not at all.”
“You were just telling me about your headache, Lizzie,” Rose added, nodding in encouragement.
“You will not be lonely?” Eliza asked her cousin.
“If you leave, perhaps Mama will allow me to leave too.”
Eliza’s stomach flipped. She couldn’t possibly… Except… What had following the rules ever gotten her? Breaking the rules—the way she had last night—felt so right. She nodded, mostly to herself, but Lady Arabella seemed to accept it as affirmation.
“Should I collect you from your house?” she asked. Eliza agreed eagerly.
Lying to her mother was shockingly simple. Eliza felt a pang of regret for Rose. Instead of allowing her to flee, Rose’s mother suggested that they bring Sophie home after the ball. Harder was masking her jittering, glittering anticipation on the ride home and then while May was readying her for bed.
