Lady Yardley sighed heavily.
“It is a troubling situation.” Her eyes alighted upon Elizabeth. “That must have been very trying for you also, Lady Elizabeth. I can imagine it would have been a rather terrifying experience.”
Elizabeth nodded.
“It was,” she admitted, refusing to even permit herself to say anything other than the truth, having no desire to pretend that she had evidenced a good deal more bravery. “I did attempt to speak firmly, but the man was all too aware of how much power he had. My fear was obvious to him, I think.”
“You cannot know the depth of my regret in this matter.” Lord Winterbrook dropped his head forward this time, not looking at anyone as he spoke. “I did ask Lady Elizabeth to end our betrothal so that she might be free from this, so that she would be protected, but she has not accepted my suggestion.”
With his head lifting, he looked at her again, but she simply shook her head as well to confirm that no, she would not be ending their connection. Three pairs of eyes turned towards her. Lady Yardley, Miss Millington, and Lady Sherbourne all looked at her, questions written on every face.
“I would not allow myself to be so intimidated.” Understanding their silent questions, Elizabeth gave them her answers. “If I am to end the betrothal, then I will do it on my terms rather than on anyone else’s.”
This explanation had Lady Yardley smiling, though Elizabeth blushed a little.
“You have always been quietly determined, Lady Elizabeth.”
“Which I think is a very good quality.” Lord Winterbrook murmured, his eyes still haunted as he gazed back across the room toward Elizabeth. “Though perhaps in this, I would have preferred you not to be so!”
Elizabeth managed a smile, the edge of which touched Lord Winterbrook’s lips also.
“I do have an idea as to how this might be resolved, however.” She had not slept much the previous night, having had too many thoughts of Lord Winterbrook and his difficulties filling her mind. Slowly she was able to untangle the threads until a solution had presented itself. “From my perspective, it seems as though we only have two choices. The first is to refuse these men and thereafter, to see just how far they will go to bring Lord Winterbrook back to them. If they are honest, they do not wish to reveal him to society, even though they have threatened to do as much. They will lose the money he paid them - the wages they desire to have again.”
Lord Winterbrook nodded slowly.
“That is true.”
“It does not mean that they will not do what they must to force you,” Elizabeth continued with a wry smile. “And given that I do not want to put myself in any particular danger, there is a second option also.”
“Which is?”
“Which is to unmask these men instead.” Smiling, she tilted her head. “We must set up a scene where they believe that they are in charge, and that you are doing as they ask. However, at the end of it, they will be caught, and you will find yourself free of these men. They will be unwilling and unable to come after you, and instead, they themselves will be in fear of what consequences might fall upon them.”
Lord Winterbrook blinked slowly, then shook his head.
“If this is to put you in yet more danger then I do not want you to do anything at all,” he said firmly, only for Elizabeth to swipe the air with her hand, cutting him off.
“And I have already said that I am determined to see this through. I will not have anyone using me to blackmail you.Thisis a way in which we can force these men to reconsider, to have them see that their plan was not as well thought out as they believed it to be. Trust me, Lord Winterbrook, youwillbe free from this.”
“But I do not deserve it.” His voice and his words were so quiet, Elizabeth leaned forward in her chair, as though it might help her to catch them. “I am a gentleman who has almost ruined himself, and for no other reason apart from my selfishness. I do not deserve such kindness.”
“And yet you have it.” Lady Yardley spoke briskly. “There is no need for self-pity, Lord Winterbrook. Instead, I suggest that you consider how grateful you are that Lady Elizabeth is not only standing by you but willing to aid you in this manner.”
A slight hint of color came into Lord Winterbrook’s face, but rather than respond, he merely nodded. He did not smile but simply looked at her, and as Elizabeth held his gaze, she felt her heart begin to sing. There was a connection between them still, a connection she could not deny. She did not want to end this betrothal. Yes, she had always promised herself that she would marry a gentleman who loved her, and she had no doubts now that Lord Winterbrook was the man to do so. The truth was that he loved her in the same way that she loved him, even though those particular words had not been spoken as yet. But from his actions, from his words and from his expressions, she knew it was so. It seemed that Lady Sherbourne had been correct to state that her heart would still be full of him, regardless of what he had done, and in a way, Elizabeth was glad of it. If they were to work through this present difficulty, to work through his secrets, perhaps it would make their connection even stronger. Yes, it would take time, but she trusted that he would not keep such things from her again. There was still hope, and hope she would allow herself to cling to.
“Tell us of your plan.” Miss Millington reached forward to take her teacup. “I will help you in whatever way I can.”
“I thank you, my dear friend.”
With a broad smile, Elizabeth sat forward and then began to outline what she intended, as she watched every face begin to enliven with interest. By the time she was finished, even Lord Winterbrook was almost smiling.
“Remarkable.” Lord Winterbrook threw up his hands as she finished. “Absolutely remarkable. I find myself amazed by your wisdom.”
“As do I!” Lady Yardley agreed, laughing. “Now when do you plan to do this? When shall it take place?”
Elizabeth lifted an eyebrow in Lord Winterbrook’s direction.
“Shall we say in two days’ time? Will that give you enough opportunity to speak to Stafford?”
