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‘Is somebody ill?’
‘Doctor Burnett has come on a social call, although my papa has a cough. It is the time of year he says that makes his chest bad.’
Elise felt long fingers manacling her wrist, then Alex firmly led her to a door. ‘Will this do?’ He hesitated, primed to turn the handle on learning nobody was within.
She nodded. ‘It is the morning room; the others are taking tea in the back parlour.’ She remembered her manners this time. ‘Would you like some tea, sir?’
Alex felt a smile tug at a corner of his mouth at the way she continued to address him. ‘Perhaps later, Elise,’ he said.
‘I think we should leave the door ajar...’
‘And I think it’s a little late to worry unduly about etiquette.’
Inwardly wincing at his ironic tone, Elise clasped her hands behind her back to steady them out of sight of his hooded sepia gaze. ‘You have come to tell me Whittiker has done his worst? Are people already talking about us?’
‘Possibly.’
Alex’s blunt answer drained the blood from Elise’s cheeks.
‘He came to see me yesterday and made it clear he will not back down on this matter. Whether he has started to spread his poison...’ Alex shrugged his uncertainty, strolling to the square sash and looking out at his curricle parked on a dusty track.
Already the racing equipage had drawn a few curious lads to circle it while sending glances towards the house. The tiger balanced on the back remained unflustered by their attention. Even in town, where top-notch carriages and horseflesh abounded, his master’s various travelling stock drew admiration and envy.
‘I don’t believe Whittiker is bluffing, so if the news is not yet out it soon will be.’ Alex turned from the window. ‘He bears a grudge against me and has debts to settle. Now he has a means of extortion he’s confident of killing two birds with one stone. His quarrel isn’t with you, Elise. I have come here so we may discuss what to do to limit his spite.’
‘Thank you,’ Elise said with such heartfelt gratitude that it caused a smile to soften Alex’s chiselled lips.
‘You imagined I’d forget about the matter and allow him to do his worst,’ he stated. ‘Didn’t you?’
Elise flushed indignantly, feeling that somehow she was being reprimanded. ‘I’m not a fool, sir, and know this calamity might ruin my future and that of my sister.’ She took a few paces to and fro. ‘Whereas what awaits you?’ A slender white hand gestured the injustice of it all. ‘Clucking tongues and sly looks for a short while before you carry on much as before in all aspects of your life.’
Alex gazed at her relentlessly, making her avoid his penetrative eyes.
‘I have suggested a solution to this dilemma, not at a very appropriate time or place, I’ll grant, but then we are in an unusual situation.’ He paused, his mouth pursing while he studied her through narrowed eyes. ‘I know you have turned me down once. I also realise you were in shock at the time and had little opportunity in Regent Street to properly consider every implication.’ Again he paused, watching her. ‘Have you given proper thought to my proposal, Elise?’
Elise swallowed. She’d feared him asking her again. And she knew now why that was. If only it was truly meant and incorporated the sentiment that should attach to such a vital moment, she might have relived that blissful calm that had bathed her when first he’d mentioned a way to defeat Whittiker. He was too gentlemanly to allow his tone of voice to reflect his regret at being pushed into a corner. In fact, there was nothing at all in his manner to indicate his feelings.
‘I have thought about it, sir,’ Elise began briskly, ‘and will admit at first I thought you had spoken in haste and wished to reconsider.’ She lifted golden eyes to his face, allowing him now to express that intention.
‘I’ve no desire to withdraw my marriage proposal and, as we have most certainly run out of time, I should like to know your answer and speak to your father.’
‘It is good of you to act honourably and try to protect me,’ Elise said. ‘But I think we both know that fine intentions are not enough to make a satisfactory marriage.’
‘And what is?’
Elise shot a look at him, wondering if he was mocking her, but he returned her sparking gaze quite gravely. ‘Love and respect and loyalty,’ Elise uttered, edging up her chin again. ‘I know such things are not always so important to people with wealth and land to protect and augment, but they are crucial to me.’
