Page 116

Granville swallowed and tried to find some semblance of control. It was, it seemed, his day for miracles.

‘You… have my heart,’ he croaked.

She stroked his face as a tear fell from his eyelashes. ‘Then I shall take great care of it.’

He touched his forehead to hers, then, taking her beautiful face in his hands, kissed her.

When he pulled away, she ran a thumb over his cheek. ‘Was there anything else?’

He took a breath and nodded.

She waited as he gathered himself.

‘I know the truth about Eliza Courtney.’

Chapter 57

ELIZA

London

In the days that followed the assassination of the Prime Minister, it felt like the whole of London was stunned. In the immediate aftermath, parliament was suspended, with balls and parties halted, and Christmas festivities were curtailed. In the upper echelons of society, everyone was devastated. In poorer areas, however, there was much celebration. Eliza found that hard to bear. She had met Mr Spencer and his wife on a couple of occasions and knew he was a good man and a good father. Charles was distraught. Although they did not share political opinion, they had liked each other. To think that someone could walk into the foundation of British democracy and murder the Prime Minister was beyond anything anyone could imagine, and it affected everyone.

Immediately afterwards, a man had been apprehended for the act, and indeed, the man had been looking for Lord Granville because of a feeling of ill will from something that happened years ago in Russia when Lord Granville was the ambassador.

She sat with Hannah and Edward, with Robert, and tried to make sense of what had happened. It meant that they had post-poned the announcement of their betrothal again, but neither minded given the awfulness of the events that unfolded.

The man apprehended for the murder was named John Bellingham. He had been imprisoned in Russia following a dispute and believed that the Government had not rendered the assistance he felt he was due. Now, he sought Lord Granville to punish him. When he could not find him, he settled on the Prime Minister and murdered him in front of everyone.

A trial took place at the Cat and Bagpipes on the corner of Downing Street, and a week later, they executed the man. London remained in a state of shock, but eventually, Lord Liverpool formed a new government and cautiously, things settled. It was close to Christmas, and everyone felt the need to brighten their days and push away the darkness of recent weeks. Eliza’s birthday was only a day away, and then Christmas would be upon them.

One good thing to come out of all the horror was that Lord Granville and Haryo had agreed to marry. Lord Granville had secured a special licence, and the wedding was to be a small, quiet ceremony on Christmas Eve. It was just the thing to restore everyone’s spirits after such tragic events.

Eliza stood with Charles and Mary, watching as couples twirled about Lady Carrington’s ballroom and Robert danced with a Miss Cartwright. She had encouraged him to dance with other ladies so as not to arouse too much speculation about them, but she feared it was a feeble ruse.

She watched as he moved. For a soldier, he had a good deal of grace and elegance, though if she mentioned it, she was sure the observation would merit one of his spectacular frowns. She was so lost in her contemplation of his broad shoulders as he bowed to his partner at the end of the dance that she did not see Lord Somersby approaching until he stood before her.

‘Goodness, you startled me, Lord Somersby,’ she said, hand to her chest.

‘My dearest Miss Courtney, would you do me the honour of dancing with me?’ He held out a hopeful hand.

Eliza sighed inwardly. She had managed to not dance with his lordship for most of the season, but here he was again. She dipped a short curtsey and accepted his hand. He led her to the dance floor, and they took up their place. He was regarding her with what looked alarmingly like adoration. It made her think that the sooner she and Robert announced their betrothal, the better. She hadn’t liked the man during the summer, and her opinion had not changed with time.

He made polite comments as they danced, and she replied with equal politeness, and she was glad when it came to an end. He took her hand to lead her back to her party.

‘It is very pleasing to see things return to the normal way after the terrible events in the houses of parliament,’ he said.

Eliza murmured her agreement.

‘Things can return to normal and people can go about their lives once again now that we can dance and celebrate.’

‘Indeed.’ She wondered where Robert was.

‘I shall look forward to renewing our acquaintance with some vigour.’

She glanced up at him, wondering what on earth he meant. She could not think of an appropriate response, and they had arrived at Charles and Mary’s side, so she simply responded with a smile. He bowed low over her hand and turned to Charles.

‘Shocking business with the Prime Minister. Good to see things are back to normal,’ he said.