The Return of Lord Avondale (London Season Matchmaker 1)

Eliza’s brows rose and she planted both hands on her hips, glaring at Lord Montrose as he walked past her. “You have no need to do so,” she said, loudly, “for, as I have said, you do not own this house and, as yet, we are not husband and wife. You have no right to dictate whom I am allowed to meet within this house, Lord Montrose.”

Much to her shock, Lord Montrose ignored her entirely. He continued on his way, his hands tightening into fists as he made his way past her, his face slowly turning a deep, angry red.

“Eliza!”

Titania was on her feet just as Lord Montrose quit the room, leaving Eliza staring after him.

“Eliza, you must go after him!”

Eliza jerked suddenly as Titania grasped her arm, having hurried over from across the room.

“You cannot allow Lord Montrose to force an end to this discussion,” Titania said, urgently. “You have not yet informed him that your engagement is at an end and, should you not do so soon, I fear that Lord Montrose will find some way to ensure that you remain his.”

Eliza blinked, her heart suddenly slamming into her chest painfully.

“There was a reason for Lord Avondale’s treatment of you, Eliza,” Titania continued, physically tugging Eliza towards the drawing room door. “Can you not see it? Can you not understand?”

Slowly, Eliza began to walk towards the door of her own accord, understanding slowly beginning to creep into her heart as though it were an unwelcome guest.

“Lord Avondale married his cousin, Eliza,” Titania said, urgently. “There was to be nothing said of her pregnancy, nothing said of what had gone before.”

“Rebecca,” Eliza whispered, forced to lean against the doorframe for a moment as a bout of weakness took hold of her. “Lord Avondale married his cousin, Rebecca.”

Titania smiled and let go of her arm. “Yes,” she said, softly, a small smile etching itself across her face. “Yes, that is it entirely.”

Eliza shook her head, dismayed. “And Lord Montrose…..”

“Is the man responsible,” Titania finished. “That is, I believe, what Lord Avondale is trying to say. You must go to him now, Eliza. Show Lord Montrose where your loyalty lies. Bring this to an end.”

Eliza nodded and made to thank her sister, only for a furious shout to echo all through the house. She gasped and pushed away from the door, hearing the yelp of pain that came soon after it. Titania hurried after her as the shouts of rage and anger continued to grow in number, sometimes mixed with a cry of pain.

“Eliza?”

Lady Whitehaven appeared out of nowhere, her face a little pale as she hurried to Eliza’s side. “Whatever is going on?”

“Lord Avondale is here, Mama,” Titania said, hurriedly. “He came to speak to Lord Montrose. Who is –”

“Determined to silence Lord Avondale, it seems,” Eliza breathed, coming to a sudden stop as the sight of Lord Montrose brandishing his cane at Lord Avondale came into view.

“Good gracious,” Lady Whitehaven breathed, one hand fluttering towards her mouth. “Whatever is going on?”

Titania’s expression was grim. “The truth has made itself known, Mama,” she said, firmly, grasping Eliza’s hand and encouraging her towards the two gentlemen. “And it is time that Lord Montrose knows that he is no longer welcome in this house. Is that not so, Eliza?”

At her sister’s sharp look, Eliza found a new sense of strength enter her frame. She nodded firmly, lifting her chin as determination began to burn in her soul. She was finally going to be able to hear the truth from Lord Avondale and, in doing so, send Lord Montrose from her life for good.

Chapter Thirteen

“Lord Avondale!”

Jeremy turned to see Lord Montrose hurrying after him, his steps determined and a dark gleam in his eye. Jeremy allowed a sneer to tug at his lips, turning around from where he had been headed to face the gentleman.

“Yes, Lord Montrose?” he asked, knowing that the rest of his precious evidence – the letters between Lord Montrose and Rebecca – were still safely in the hands of one of his loyal footmen waiting in the carriage outside. “Is there something that you wish to say to me?”

Lord Montrose’s expression grew ugly, his face wreathed with anger and frustration.

“Why did you come?” he asked, stopping only a few steps away from Jeremy. “Why must you bring the past back to my door?”

Jeremy lifted his chin, not at all intimidated by Lord Montrose’s fury. “I have been determined to discover who left my cousin in such a dreadful circumstance,” he replied, softly, recalling just how pale and sad Rebecca had been on the day he had married her. “I confess that in my own grief and pain, I had lost some of the determination and anger I felt, but when I had the chance to go through her things, I found my determination and anger return to me. You cannot imagine what I felt when I saw your name written so clearly.” He took a step towards Lord Montrose, his hands tightening into fists as he battled to keep his temper. “There is nothing I can do for Rebecca now, but one thing I can do is ensure that Eliza knows precisely the sort of gentleman you are. I will do all I can to save her from such an unfortunate marriage, Lord Montrose, for I am quite certain that you yourself have not been honest with her.” His eyes held onto Lord Montrose, refusing to look away or show even a flicker of weakness. "Lady Barclay has, I assume, already agreed to be your mistress?”