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"You are a hopeless ro to her feet, Elizabeth collected a tiny brocade pillow and tucked it behind her sister-in-law’s back She deliberately kept her gaze diverted froement Marcus had implied that his interest was both professional and carnal, and she’d been as prepared as possible for such engagement This soft assault on her feminine sensibilities was a surprise attack
"I’ed more comfortably "Not an invalid"
"Allow s me such pleasure"
"I’m certain I will appreciate it later, but for theto aret settled into the pilloith a sigh of pleasure, the soft glow of her skin displayed to perfection by the dark red of her curls
"I beg to differ You look nancy than you did before"
"Nearly five aret corrected "And it is difficult to eat when you feel wretchedher lips, Elizabeth reached for a scone, set it on a plate, and offered it to Margaret "Take it," she ordered
Margaret accepted with abooks are filled agers on whether Lord Westfield still has matri tea, Elizabeth gaped "Good God"
"You are a legend for jilting him--an earl so handsome and desired that every wonore A tale of a rake’s love thwarted"
Elizabeth snorted derisively
"You’ve never told me what Lord Westfield did that caused you to break off your engagement"
Her hands shook as she spooned the tea leaves into the steaaret, and as I’ve said many times before, I see no reason to discuss it"
"Yes, yes, I knoever, he clearly is desirous of your company, as witnessed by his repeated attempts to call on you I admire Westfield’s aplomb He does not even blink when he is turned away He si, and takes his leave"
"The ree Women flock to his side and make fools of themselves"
"You sound jealous"
"I aued "One lump or two today?" Never-e the subject Tell me about your jealousy Women found Hawthorne attractive as well, but it never appeared to bother you"
"Hawthorne was steadfast"
Margaret took the offered cup and saucer with a grateful smile "And you’ve said Westfield was not"
"No," Elizabeth said with a sigh
"Are you certain?"
"I could not be aret’s reen eyes narrowed "You took the word of a third party over that of your fiancé?"
Shaking her head, Elizabeth took a fortifying sip of her tea before answering "I had a rave enough that I ventured to his ho--"
"Alone? What in heaven’s naaret, do you wish to hear the tale or not? It’s difficult enough to talk about this without you interrupting"
"My apologies," came the contrite reply "Please continue"
"I waited several moments after I arrived for him to receive me When he appeared, his hair was damp, his skin flushed, and he was attired in a robe"
Elizabeth stared into the contents of her cup and felt ill
"Go on," Margaret prodded when she didn’t speak
"Then the door he’d coh opened and a woman appeared Dressed sirief! That would be difficult to explain How did he atteave a dry, huh "He said he was not at liberty to discuss it with aret set her cup and saucer on the end table "Did he attempt to explain later?"
"No I eloped with Hawthorne, and Westfield left the country until his father passed on Until the Moreland ball last week, we’ve never again crossed paths"
"Never? Perhaps Westfield has collected his error and wishes to ested "There edly"
Elizabeth shivered at the use of the word "pursuing" "Trustas"
"Flowers, daily visits--"
"Discuss soaret," she warned "Or I will take my tea elsewhere"
"Oh, fine You and your brother are a stubborn lot"
But Margaret was never one to be denied, which is how she’d convinced Williaency life and marry her Therefore, Elizabeth anticipated the aret would return to the subject of Marcus and was not surprised when it ca
"He is such a beautiful aze across the crush of guests at the De with Lady Crahter, Clara Elizabeth pretended to ignore hi about our past, how can you be taken by the earl’s pretty face?"
She’d deliberately avoided social events for the last week, but in the end had accepted the Dempsey invitation, certain the Faulkner ball up the street would beman had found her anyway, and dressed so beautifully His deep red coat fell to his thighs and was liberally decorated with fine gold eht as did the rubies that adorned his fingers and cravat
"Beg your pardon?" Margaret turned her head, her eyes ith bemusement She pointed her fan across the room It was then that Elizabeth saw Williaaret laughed "Theycouple, your Westfield and Lady Clara"
"He is not ht his eye" She lifted her chin and looked away
The telltale swish of heavy silk skirts announced a new participant in their conversation "I agree," murmured the elderly Duchess of Ravensend as she completed their circle "She’s just a child and could never hope to do that man justice"