Lord Montrose snorted, as though he did not quite believe any of them. Then, he gestured towards Eliza, holding out one hand to her.
“Step away from Lord Avondale, Eliza,” he said, firmly. “You are not to stand beside him for a moment longer.”
Eliza shook her head and then looked up at Jeremy, her gaze soft. “No, Lord Montrose,” she said, her gaze still fixed upon Jeremy’s. “No, I shall not.”
“You are to be my wife!” Lord Montrose shouted, the sound echoing around the room and causing Eliza to start. “And I shall not allow you to spend even a single moment in Lord Avondale’s company! He shall no longer be considered a friend, Eliza. I have told you!”
Eliza smiled softly at Jeremy, the look in her eyes sending a wave of hope crashing through him. She turned her head slowly, her hands tightening even more on Jeremy’s arm as though she feared that, if she let him go, he might disappear from her for good.
“Lord Montrose,” she said, plainly, her voice strong and determined. “I have spent a good many days considering our engagement and, if you had called some days ago, as you said you might, then you would understand that I do not wish to marry you any longer.” Tilting her head, she gazed at Lord Montrose, who, to Jeremy’s eyes, did not appear surprised at this turn of events.
“I have heard,” Eliza continued, “that you have been seeking the company of Lady Barclay. I have heard that you have sought her company over my own. I feel as though I do not know you at all, Lord Montrose, and for that reason, I have been deeply unhappy over our engagement.” She held up one hand as Lord Montrose began to bluster and, to Jeremy’s astonishment, the gentleman fell silent.
“You will recall, of course, that I did not actually agree to our marriage,” Eliza stated, shrugging her shoulders. “And now to hear that you have treated another so terribly….” Trailing off, she sighed heavily, her expression sorrowful. “I can never allow myself to become the wife of someone so cruel, so heartless and inconsiderate. You are not a gentleman, Lord Montrose, and I shall be glad to be rid of your company.”
Lord Montrose’s jaw was set, his lips twitching for a moment or two as he struggled to find something to say. Jeremy settled his free hand over Eliza’s as they rested on his arm, feeling as though that, finally, he had managed to find his way back home.
“This shall have consequences for you, Eliza!” Lord Montrose retorted, beginning to pace backwards and forwards, as if he were lecturing Eliza in the hope she might return to him. “You are crying off from an engagement! That is severe indeed! Do you know what will be said about you? Do you understand what this may do to your sister
s? I am surprised that you would be so unfeeling towards them!”
Before either Eliza or Lady Whitehaven could speak, a light peal of laughter came from Titania. Her eyes twinkled as she threw a glance towards Eliza and Jeremy, her lips pulled into a wide smile.
“I can correct you on that matter, Lord Montrose,” she said, brightly. “To be removed from town, to be freed from society and all its expectations, is something that my sisters and my cousin will be glad of.” Her smile grew and she spread her hands out wide. “For myself, I will be sorry to leave London, but I am young and certainly more than able to enjoy a few more Seasons before I settle my attentions on anyone particular. So, in that particular regard,” she finished, “you need not worry. Eliza, you need not worry. This is what each of us want.”
“You see?” Lady Whitehaven said, softly, wrapping one arm around her youngest daughter’s shoulders. “You have nothing to hold over any of my daughters now, Lord Montrose. They are stronger than you imagine, braver than you have even considered. They show sound judgement, despite your attempts to deceive.” Her voice became harder, her expression stern. “I suggest that you quit this house, Lord Montrose, before I have someone throw you out.”
Eliza let out a shuddering sigh of relief as Lord Montrose’s face paled, his eyes no longer holding that defiant look. Jeremy let his other hand settle about her waist, pulling her a little closer to him and, much to his delight, she came to him willingly.
“Go, Lord Montrose,” she said, settling against Jeremy’s side. “Our engagement is at an end. You can have nothing more to say.”
With a small smile, Jeremy watched as Lord Montrose stammered as he stumbled back, still trying to find something to say, some excuse to make. The butler appeared out of nowhere, picking up Lord Montrose’s cane and, along with his hat and gloves, handing it to the gentleman. The door was held open for him and, within a few minutes, Lord Montrose was gone from the house.
The door was closed tightly behind him and, as the butler melted away again, silence settled over Jeremy, Eliza, Lady Whitehaven and Titania. Jeremy allowed himself simply to take in what had occurred, feeling the happiness that was settling over his soul as he held Eliza close. His body still ached with pain, his head burning with agony, but it did not take away from the relief and joy that he felt. He had found the man responsible for what had occurred with Rebecca. He had managed to prevent Eliza from marrying Lord Montrose – even though it seemed that she had already had every intention of ending their engagement regardless! The hope of what might now be in his future settled a bright light in his heart; a flame that began to flicker and burn with an ever-increasing strength.
“Goodness,” Lady Whitehaven murmured, one hand pressed against her heart. “That was most unexpected.”
“I am sorry for the trouble, Lady Whitehaven,” Jeremy said at once, releasing Eliza as he turned towards her. “When I discovered the truth, I had no other choice but to return to London.”
Lady Whitehaven frowned. “The truth?”
Titania stepped forward, looping her arm through her mother’s. “I shall explain to Mama,” she said, with a smile in Eliza’s direction. “Eliza, you should ensure that Lord Avondale’s injuries are taken care of.” A small flicker of concern entered her eyes. “Your head looks quite painful, Lord Avondale.”
Eliza turned towards Jeremy and gasped, having evidently been unaware of it thus far. “Good gracious!” she exclaimed, reaching for him. “Of course. At once. Then we shall join you, Mama.”
She did not wait for Lady Whitehaven to accept this but grasped Jeremy’s hand and pulled him in the direction of the small parlor, speaking sharply to a passing maid. Jeremy followed her without hesitation, glad that he would be in her company alone for even a short time. There was so much he wanted to say, so much that he wanted to explain, and now, finally, he was going to be able to do it.
“Just in here,” Eliza said, quickly, gesturing for him to sit down in a chair by the window. “I can have someone light the fire, if you are cold?” Her eyes looked into his anxiously, the door wide open as she waited for the maid to return with what she would need to take care of his injuries. “I am truly sorry for what Lord Montrose did to you, Lord Avondale.”
He shook his head – and then immediately regretted doing so. Wincing, he held up one hand as she rushed towards him, looking more than a little concerned.
“It is nothing,” he lied, trying to smile. “But please, Eliza, I would not have you apologize for something you did not do.” He sighed and reached for her hands, which she gave to him willingly. “There is a good deal of pain between us, is there not?” Holding her gaze, Jeremy saw the way tears immediately began to flood her eyes, feeling his heart grow heavy over what he had done to bring such pain to her heart. “Perhaps now we might find a way to work through what has happened, both now and in the past. I have so much I want to tell you, Eliza, if only you would be willing to listen to me.”
Her hand tugged from his and, for a moment, Jeremy feared that she would pull away from him for good, only for her to raise it gently and rest it against the side of his face, her fingers soft. A thrill ran through him at her touch, the promise it bore bringing a flood of relief and joy to his heart.
“I would be glad to listen to you, Avondale,” Eliza replied softly, looking deeply into his eyes as a single tear tracked down her cheek. “Tell me everything and I shall listen without interruption.”
Jeremy smiled and was about to speak – only for the maid to hurry in with a bowl of steaming water and some rags.