“A betrothal has not been announced?” Eliza asked, a sick feeling building in the pit of her stomach.
“No. His Grace has spent much of the time at the country estate since he inherited. From what I understand, he was busy implementing the changes his father had planned but didn’t have the chance to complete before his death.” She tapped her chest. “I will admit that I was quite touched when I heard that.”
“As was I,” the other lady nodded with understanding.
“But I will be even more touched if he marries one of the Graham sisters”, the first one added.
Eliza took a sip of her lemonade to keep from saying something she shouldn’t. With effort, she focused on the good news—no betrothal was yet in place. That meant she still had a chance.
Suddenly, she couldn’t bear to hear anymore from the pair. “Please excuse me for a moment.” She smiled politely at her aunt and the other ladies then rose, needing a moment to collect her thoughts.
She kept her gaze away from Philip, not wanting to see him speaking with the sisters. How awful to hear this when she thought they were building a connection. Several slow breaths did little to ease the hint of panic that threatened. At least the glass of lemonade gave her something to do with her hands.
“Is something amiss?”
Eliza spun to find Philip behind her, her lemonade nearly sloshing over the glass at the movement. She pressed a hand to her thudding heart. “You startled me, Your Grace.”
He lifted a brow as if finding that amusing. “You must’ve been deep in thought to not realize my approach.” He glanced at her gown. “I hope your drink didn’t spill.”
She followed his gaze. How embarrassing if it had. She was supposed to be trying to attract him, not make him think she was still as clumsy as she had been in her youth. “No, it didn’t,” she said, relieved that she wouldn’t have to endure Aunt Frieda’s displeasure.
“Did you decide you couldn’t listen to your aunt for another moment?” he asked. Then his expression tightened as his gaze swept the room. “Or is the gentleman who caught your interest here?”
Her mind went blank at the last question. Would it be better to say he was or wasn’t? Yet as she realized how few men had attended the musical, the answer was clear. “No, he isn’t.”
“Oh.” Surely that wasn’t relief in his expression. “So the issue is your aunt?”
“It’s just that at times, she is less than optimistic.” Eliza nearly winced. While it was true, she didn’t mean to speak ill of her to others.
He nodded in understanding. “That can be difficult to bear. It must’ve made traveling with her a challenge.”
“Indeed. Few things meet her expectations and even fewer people.”
“Including you?” he suggested.
“I do believe I’m near the top of her list.” She smiled. “Directly behind Winston.”
Philip chuckled. “Your actions must pale in comparison to his.”
“True.” It was nice to speak to him about the issue despite her guilt. She glanced past his shoulder to where the three sisters remained. “I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure of meeting the ladies to whom you were speaking.”
Only too late did she realize that her remark revealed she’d been watching him. Another embarrassing misstep. If she weren’t careful, he’d realize how little she’d changed from the awkward girl she’d been.
But Philip appeared oblivious as his focus shifted to the sisters. “I’m certain you’ll meet the Graham sisters soon. The eldest, Lady Charlotte, was betrothed to my brother before he died.”
The flash of pain across his features caught her heart. “I’m sorry.”
He nodded and blew out a breath, then made a concerted effort to smooth his expression. “As am I.”
She waited to see if he’d say more—such as he intended to take his brother’s place. Was it wrong to hope with all her heart that he didn’t?
“I suppose I should return to them,” he said. “If all is well with you, that is.”
“It is. Thank you.” She was touched he’d come to check on her. While she still didn’t know his intentions toward the sisters, each day until he proposed to one was a chance for her to help him see another option—her. Somehow, she needed to continue to use the favor to move her plan along and hope her efforts would be enough.
Chapter Six
“Howunfortunatethattheweather isn’t cooperating for the charity ball,” Aunt Eleanor said as their carriage made its way through the wet London streets.
