“How charming,” she said in a tone conveying that it was anything but.
Guy regarded her in startled dismay.“Tom’s in London for Christmas, sis.I thought it would be just the thing if he celebrated the season with us.”
“Yes, I only arrived a few days ago.It’s a long time since I’ve been home, so I’ve been exploring old haunts.”
And making fools of gullible girls who should know better.
“I can imagine.”With jerky movements, Elizabeth stepped further into the room.She wished that everyone wasn’t looking at her.She wished that the floor below her feet would open up and swallow her.She hated to think that the man she so liked – who had kissed her, for heaven’s sake – had taken her for such a dunce.Coming downstairs to meet an unknown suitor, she’d felt sick.She felt sicker now.Humiliation had that effect on a person.
“May I get you some champagne, Lady Elizabeth?”Tom sounded urbane, like the international sophisticate that she now knew him to be.But she couldn’t help noticing the muscle that danced in his cheek.He was feeling uncomfortable.
So he jolly well should.
“That would be very nice, thank you, Lord Fairchild.”Her tone remained wooden.
Tom reached to grab a glass from the tray that a passing footman was carrying.He passed it to her with a meaningful look that she refused to return.Instead, she raised her glass and drained half of the wine in a single draft.
The wine helped to clear her head.“Thank you,” she said without a trace of genuine gratitude.
Tom looked even more troubled.“My lady, I’m truly glad to meet you.”Looking hunted, he glanced to either side and lowered his voice.“It’s not what you think.”
She plastered an insincere smile to her face.It was a nightmare, trying to conceal her devastation.“Isn’t it?”
Her father strode across with a thunderous expression.The softness in his voice in no way hid his rising temper.“Elizabeth, I hope you’re aware of the courtesies due to a guest in this house.”
Her mother followed and spoke in a carrying pitch.Lifting her glass, she addressed everyone in the room.“What fun to have you all here for Christmas.Old friends.And new friends we hope will become old friends.To the Christmas season.”
Everyone raised their glasses, although Elizabeth couldn’t ignore the sidelong glances directed toward the Tierney family group.
“Mamma…” she began, not sure what she could say.She could hardly fling her champagne in Tom’s face and tell him that he’d broken her heart.
Anyway, she refused to accept that was what had happened.One eventful day in Hyde Park couldn’t change a person’s life.Even if it might feel that way.Even if it had involved kisses that had promised to steal her soul.
Well, her soul remained her own.And also her kisses.Right now, servitude with Great-Aunt Agatha seemed preferable to any further contact with the loathsome Viscount Fairchild.
Her mother sent her a lowering glance, even as she kept her smile in place.She spoke in an undertone.“Behave yourself, Elizabeth Isabel.We’re not going to spoil Christmas just because you’re having a tantrum.”
“That’s right,” her father growled.“I expect you to behave as befits a lady.”
The countess shot her beloved husband an inimical look.“I’d err on the side of discretion, my darling.The least said, the soonest mended.I told you that letter was only going to get Elizabeth’s back up.And she’s as stubborn as you are when someone tries to push her in a direction she doesn’t want to go.”
“What letter?”Guy asked with a frown, his blue gaze moving from his parents to Elizabeth and back again.
A low growl escaped Mamma.“We can’t talk here.”
“Perhaps I should make the acquaintance of some of your other guests,” Tom said, a reminder that he’d been in the diplomatic service.
“No, I think you should be part of this discussion,” Elizabeth said.If her tone wasn’t exactly one that a lady would use to address a stranger, she was past caring.
Plaisted, the butler, opened the door.“The carolers are here, my lord.”
Her father looked like he wanted to explode.Her mother shot him another worried glance and turned to Plaisted.“Please ask the singers to line up on the staircase.Our guests can stand in the hall and listen.”
Plaisted bowed.“Very good, my lady.”
As he left, Mamma spoke once more to her visitors.“We’ve arranged a treat for you.Some Christmas music to get us all in the mood for the evening.Please go through to the hall and enjoy the carols.”
Elizabeth set her glass on a table and prepared to follow, but Mamma caught her arm.“No, you’re staying here.And so are your father, your brother, and Lord Fairchild.”
