“Lord Montrose, Lord Avondale,” Titania continued blithely, unaware of all that he was experiencing. “What do you know of him?”
Jeremy cleared his throat, curling and uncurling his hands into fists in an attempt to gather himself. “Lord Montrose,” he repeated, knowing just how much that name had haunted him of late. “Ah, yes, your sister did mention him to me.”
Titania’s scowl remained. “I thought him quite charming and Eliza did seem quite taken with him – although she still spoke of you, Lord Avondale.” Her brows rose, as though to confirm that yes, she was speaking the truth. “You have often been in her thoughts, Lord Avondale. It has only been in the last few weeks that she had chosen to set you aside and turn towards Lord Montrose – and yet I have the impression that he is not as genteel and amiable as he pretends to be.”
“And what reason do you have for such thoughts?” Jeremy probed, trying to recall the gentleman from the few times he himself had been in London. “Has he said or done anything untoward?”
Titania shook her head, appearing frustrated. “No, he has not, but an acquaintance of mine spoke of how Lord Montrose used to be something of a rake, and I fear that he still may be so.”
Jeremy frowned, seeing the concern in Titania’s eyes and knowing that she was truly trying to do her very best for her sister. “I wish I could be of some aid to you, Miss Wells.”
Titania’s eyes lit up. “Oh, but you can be, Lord Avondale!” she exclaimed, suddenly caught up with delight. “I have the most marvelous suggestion! You may, in your own way, discover what you can about Lord Montrose and I shall do the same! After all, we both have dear Eliza to concern ourselv
es with and, if Lord Montrose is not the gentleman he appears to be, then we shall have saved her from a truly terrible fate.”
Jeremy shook his head. “I think that your sister would not be particularly pleased to hear any criticism of the gentleman who is to court her, particularly from me.”
A tinkling laugh came from Titania. “Then, you shall simply inform me and I shall speak to her of it,” she replied, patting his arm in that familiar way. “You see? There is no need to concern yourself in that regard. You shall simply be doing your best for Eliza.”
In the hope that she might throw Lord Montrose aside and return to you, Jeremy told himself, knowing that, as much as he tried to rid himself of it, such thoughts continued to dog his mind.
“I – I do have other matters that also must take some of my attention,” he said, slowly, remembering Rebecca and his newfound determination to find the gentleman responsible for her utter disgrace. “I am not quite certain that I….”
His eyes were suddenly caught by the sight of Miss Eliza Wells walking into the room with a gentleman by her side. They both held a glass of champagne and the gentleman was pointing something out to her that Jeremy had to resist the urge to turn to look at. He let his gaze rest on Eliza, finding her dark hair, green eyes and gentle curves as beautiful and as delightful as he had before. She looked utterly breath-taking, in a gown that drew attention to the creaminess of her skin and her emerald eyes.
Jeremy felt himself suddenly overwhelmed by jealousy, his face growing hot as he saw Eliza look up at the gentleman and laugh, her eyes alight with good humor.
He wanted to be the only gentleman who could make her laugh so. He wanted to be the only one permitted to put his arm about her, to draw her close to him….and yet, he knew, she was gone from him forever. Her face would not be alight with smiles when she looked at him. No, instead, her expression would darken, her brows would lower and ice would fill her eyes. There was no warmth left for him.
“That is Lord Montrose,” Titania murmured, seeing the way Jeremy was looking at Eliza. “Tell me, Lord Avondale, do you recognize him?”
Jeremy had not yet looked closely at the gentleman and finally forced himself to do so. The man was fairly tall and appeared quite distinguished although not particularly handsome, Jeremy considered – although he was well aware that such thoughts could easily stem from his own prejudice against the fellow.
“I vaguely recall him,” he said, remembering faintly a few evenings in Whites when Lord Montrose had been both loud and overly indulgent in the liquor that was always available. “From what I recall, he was something of a rake, as you yourself have said.” He shrugged. “Not that that is any measure of a man, for those with titles and wealth are more inclined to behave in such a reckless manner for the first few years in London.” Seeing Titania’s eyes glitter darkly, he struggled to explain himself. “I confess that I never permitted myself to do so, but it is not uncommon for gentlemen to become utter rogues until they have lost that wildness and chosen to look at matters with a much more serious eye.”
“And yet, you never did so,” Titania commented.
“No,” Jeremy replied, his eyes back on Eliza. “No, I did not permit myself to do so. Why should I? I had everything I required in Eliza.” The only reason he had come to London – albeit briefly, each and every one of his visits short – was simply to further some acquaintances and to have a taste of what society had to offer. He had enjoyed the balls, the soirees, the card games and the liquor, but his heart had always yearned for Eliza.
“Did you tell her so?” Titania asked, softly.
“I did,” Jeremy replied, heavily. “I told her the truth of what was upon my heart, never thinking that I should have to break my word and turn from her. If only I had not given her my promise, then she might not have been so broken by my sudden refusal.”
Titania sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping. “It is done, however, is it not? And instead of looking to the past and allowing regret to fill us, we must, I think, choose to press forward.”
“Indeed,” Jeremy replied, hearing the determination in Titania’s voice and allowing it to fill him. “In that case, Miss Wells, I shall consider what you have said and attempt to do what I can to aid you.”
A grin spread across Titania’s face, as though she had always known that he would agree in the end. “I am delighted to hear it,” she said, practically. “And you simply must join us for dinner tomorrow. We are to have a small gathering at the house and I insist that you attend as my guest.”
Warning rose in Jeremy’s chest. “I do not think that Eliza would be pleased to see me present,” he replied, hoping he was not about to offend Titania. The invitation was kind, of course, but he did wonder if she was a little unaware of just how much pain her sister would be in to see him seated there. “Although I do thank you for your invitation.”
“No,” Titania replied, with a toss of her head. “No, you shall not refuse me, Lord Avondale. You and I shall work together to discover the truth about Lord Montrose – and how are you meant to do so if you will never even speak to the gentleman?”
“He will be present also?”
“Of course,” Titania laughed. “But if you are there too, Lord Avondale, then my sister may find herself a little distracted from Lord Montrose’s attentions, do you not think?”
Inwardly, Jeremy battled with the choice set before him. He could not deny that going to dinner and pulling Eliza’s attention from Lord Montrose in some way was something of a pleasurable thought, but then again, he did not want to distress Eliza further.