Eliza sat in her room staring at her tea. It was mid-afternoon and nothing could shake the feeling that she still needed to return to her cottage. Yes, the earl had helped her see all the more reason why, but if he desired her so terribly, then he’d have to consider the length of travel. Eliza had no desire to stay in town whilst the chandelier came crashing down, nor to be subject to his ex-lover’s cruelty.

She decided to hire an independent coach to wait for her until the ball was over, then departure after Lord Haversham’s sister’s ball. Mary wouldn’t understand. however, Eliza couldn’t compromise any possible future Mary had with his lordship. If she was doomed to have scandal follow her to the country, at least it would be away from any prospects Mary had.

Whether or not the earl being the man for her was yet to be seen but, Lord, was that man handsome. Before she could wander further in thought her cousin entered.

“So, this is where you’ve been hiding. Why do you insist on secluding yourself in your quarters and not plan an outing?”

“I’m tired and not feeling up to dinner.”

Her cousin raised a brow. “Tired, huh? I suppose catching a ride home with your earl must have been quite invigorating.”

Eliza stiffened.

“I saw you with my own two eyes getting into his carriage,” Mary went on. “Also, I observed that his former mistress was watching you both quite intently. I am not certain she can be trusted.”

“Of course, she was. You know…Evan has no interest in the woman. Yet she follows him everywhere. When she finally spreads the news of their affair and his sister’s intended running off to America with an heiress after ruining her; she will fully have made herself a pariah. No one will want her, much less an aristocrat.” She laughed. “And to think she fancies herself a countess.”

“That may be so, Eliza, however, a woman that bold can be dangerous.”

“Indeed.” Eliza rose from her chair and retrieved a book from her bookcase, then faced her cousin. “Tell me, Mary, how long was it in your mourning before Haversham paid regular visits?”

Her cousin blanched.

“Rest easy, Mary. It is only a question, and will not leave this room.”

“I suppose it will soon be found out with that hateful woman sniffing at your earl’s heels. Our affair began long before my husband’s death. He was away at business in Jamaica, and Christian had begun his commission with the regiment. Haversham’s wife had recently died, and we were both lonely.”

Eliza sat at the end of her bed. “I see. When your husband returned did he suspect anything of the affair?

Her cousin sat on the chair she sat in moments ago. “He knew, and I suppose he felt defeated that we couldn’t have more children. We were lucky with Christian; we almost lost him. When my Edward was in confinement before his death, Haversham saw him and my husband gave his blessing. The two, while from different classes, always supportted each other over the years.”

Never in a hundred years did Eliza think her cousin was capable of such an affair, but a heart’s true desire should not be ignored. Eventually, love found its way into the hearts of men and women separated by such a fickle thing as marriage.

“Does Haversham plan on marrying you?” Eliza asked.

“I’m not certain. He is acting quite peculiar. I have to wonder if he is uneasy with bringing us to his sister’s ball with this nasty bit of business.”

“Unless he says so, it would be rude to decline after you’ve accepted, Mary.”

“So be it. I will not decline, but the slightest bit of uneasiness and you have my word we will depart straight away. I suppose with being exhausted I will leave you be and we can continue our discussion at breakfast tomorrow. We really should decide on when to bring your belongings from the cottage.”

Mary left her in peace to her own thoughts and misery.  Her cousin could discuss all she wanted, however, Eliza was quite decided she’d return to her simple country life.

No man, woman, or child would change her mind.

* * *

Evan lounged around in his library for what seemed hours, and for the life of him he could not quit grinning. Eliza would be his, and there was nothing anyone could say or do. As he sat stared out the window, he watched as servants moved his mother’s belongings to the dower house.

He had to move her things while she was out for the afternoon. By the time she returned home, ragged him out over that display in the street with Eliza and realized her things were now in the dower house, he was bound to have an excellent rest for once.

Annabelle barreled into the library more jittery than an invalid on opium. “Dear God! She will be home at any moment, and the roof will collapse with her wailing over being moved, Evan!”

“My dear, dear sister. The woman will live. She has no choice, as I am certain she will not breathe her last breath until the both of us are married.”

It was then his mama’s carriage rolled up the drive.

Evan turned to his sister and grinned. “If you would rather not hear a thing, I suggest you head into the conservatory and practice your pianoforte. I can already see some servants running off to hide themselves from this battle.”

His sister paled, lifted her skirts, and raced from the room. ‘Twas such a site to see everyone shudder over his mama’s reaction. For him, he would remain calm during her fit of rage that she so often unleashed upon everyone in this house. Perhaps it was her arranged marriage to his father, or the fact that his father kept his attentions elsewhere. The simple fact was, his mother would no longer order his servants around, much less have any say with who his sister would marry. She’d lost the right the moment his sister was ruined. The woman was no longer head of this house, he was, and that was that.

He braced himself for the library door to swing open. The mere thought soon became reality when the tall, white-haired woman raced through the door.

“What is the meaning of this, Evan? Why have my things been moved?”

“It is simple really, as a dowager, you are now entitled to an entire abode to yourself, and your own servants. From this moment on, I will be seeing over Annabelle’s marriage arrangements, and while you will be consulted on garments and the wedding breakfast, I do think Annabelle’s prospects will better without your constant shadow and hover.”

She straightened. “Is that the how it is to be? Well! You should know, earl or not, that widow you have been seen with will be nothing but trouble. I reckon you will soon learn that for yourself.”

“What has you so vexed, Mama? The fact that she has already been married and is five years older than I, or the fact that she could outrank you?”

His mother struck the floor with her cane. “I will not tolerate this insolence.”

“I do believe you will. Now go and have a rest, madam, before your heart gives out.”

She slammed the library door as she departed. He chuckled. Did she honestly think that little threat of Eliza ruining them would be their undoing? She could not be further from the truth.

His sister returned a few moments later and whispered from the door. “Is she gone?”

“Yes, yes, come on in.”

“My word! I thought she would never leave. A part of me thinks you are wrong for casting her to the dower house, but I can certainly appreciate why you did so.”

“Annabelle, it is my hope that we find some respectable man for you to marry. Toss in the fact that Amelia will unleash her fury upon us all, Mama’s interference is unwanted.”

Not that he owed his sister any explanation, yet his sister ought to understand the odious scrutiny she’d be subjected to once the ton had been made aware of what really happened to her intended.

Annabelle sat down across from him and pouted. “Brother, did you know Mama was going to bring me to Lord Jameson’s ball on Friday? She is quite vexed with you and I suppose she will not wish to attend now. Do you think you could escort me?”

Evan pondered the request and did not think it was wise to risk attending with the scandal of the season ready to expose them all.

“If you won’t take me, I may ask Emberly,” she said.

He stiffened. “You wouldn’t dare!”

“Of course, I would. Besides, I have heard a certain lady will be in attendance, and I long to see her again, brother.”

Evan sighed with contempt. “If that is what you desire, then I will take you.”

She beamed. “Most excellent. I always knew you had redeeming qualities, even if Mama brought out the worst of you.”

“You little…”

His sister smiled and ran out of the library before he could utter the word ‘brat.’

Patience…it was all he needed to get through one more event before he decided on a proper fellow. By then, a full month would have passed since Wickham ran off with her virtue, and they would know with the utmost certainty if a quick wedding was required or a traditional engagement.

He suspected she was not with child, but nonetheless, that fact did not ease his thoughts. Any man of a reasonable age would suspect her lack of virginity on their wedding night. So, the scandal and more funds in the dowry would have to be added to make her prospects favorable.

Then there was the matter of how those would view his affair with Amelia whilst she was married. If anything, the minx had to be held accountable for her actions. The thought that worried him most was Eliza, and how well received she would be at Lord Jameson's ball.

If memory served, Lady Jameson was Lord Haversham's sister, so if Eliza had been invited, she'd be a guest of Lord Haversham and Mary. At least she would have a familiar person to converse with, and with Annabelle in attendance, there would be some comfort in knowing she was not alone.

Evan's nerves began to make him rattle. An affliction when he worried of events that could spiral beyond his control.

Yes, there were times even God could not control events, but a jilted doxy was one that he’d brought upon himself. He was all the more a fool to be played by a pretty face and beautiful willing body.

There was not much he would not do for his sister, or for Lady Eliza if she asked, yet a part of him wondered what the grand allure was to the beautiful widow. He would never take her for granted. Never. There was a sense of calm and responsibility with the dear lady that it was truly an unfortunate matter that her husband never gave her a child. Not that it would have mattered if she bore a son. Her son would have not held up to the eldest gaining his entire estate. At least the baron possessed the sensibility to see that she had a roof over her head and an income, though he wondered how much she truly had in the cottage she called home.

A small part of him reveled in the fact he would see her again at the ball. They would no longer hide in the shadows or in his carriage. He could dance, walk and talk to her for all the ton to view in their displeasure. Any mistreatment of Lady Eliza would immediately earn his wrath and a sound tongue lashing.

Yes. The ball would provide them both with an opportunity to find some middle ground, and yet behave as proper adults in the presence of society. Not that he gave two figs what the women of London thought of him, much less his mama.