Page 16 of A Question of Worth

"And if Lady Sarah was present, then her own mother and father must have been also."

Eliza looked back at her aunt, a thrill running up her spine. "Yes, that is so."

"I am still well acquainted with Lord and Lady Hargreaves," her aunt said, setting her needlepoint aside and rising to her feet. "They are not inclined towards gossip, so you need not fear that they will reject you, Eliza. I will write to them this very moment — even though it is late — and ask if we might come to call very soon. I am certain they will be glad to accept us."

With relief and hope cresting like a wave in her heart, Eliza clasped her hands together at her heart. Closing her eyes, she set her head back and sent up a silent prayer that this meeting, somehow, would reveal to her the truth of her connection to Lady Warrington so that the whole matter could come to an end — and she could return fully to society once more.

"I thankyou for allowing us to come to call."

Eliza smiled as her aunt spoke, having found Lord and Lady Hargreaves pleasant in their welcome of her, which given her present rejection from society as a whole, was a welcome relief.

"Oh, but I am very glad that you did so," Lady Hargreaves replied, as she set out the tea. "We have heard some strange things about your niece, Letitia, but I have told Hargreaves that none of it is to be believed."

A breath of relief dropped Eliza's shoulders. "I am deeply appreciative of that trust, Lady Hargreaves."

The older lady smiled at her whilst her husband — a quiet, imposing figure with sharp, calculating eyes — said nothing.

"We both are aware that gossip runs rife through London," Lady Hargreaves said sympathetically. "Might I ask, however, if there is any truth to what has been said? Rumors usually begin at the well of truth."

Eliza glanced at her aunt, who nodded. "I am to receive an inheritance from Lady Warrington," she said, "but I must first find the reason for her consideration of me. There is a connection that has yet to be uncovered, and it is my duty to discover it. Then, and only then, shall I receive what she has granted me."

"I see." Lady Hargreaves clicked her tongue, her eyebrows tugging together. "That seems somewhat unfair, given that you are not related to the lady in any way. It does also turn society against you, does it not? They have immediately come up with all manner of fabrications as to why you have been so singled out."

Lady Newark nodded fervently. "Yes, indeed they have. Lady Warrington, however, is the reason that we came to call."

Lord Hargreaves harrumphed, catching everyone's attention. "If it is because you think we might be able to offer you an answer, Miss Fairleigh, I am afraid you will be gravely disappointed."

Eliza forced a smile, finding the man's low voice and considered gaze somewhat unsettling. "No, indeed, Lord Hargreaves." Another look to her aunt told her she should continue. "As I have set my mind to finding out why Lady Warrington has blessed me in such a manner, it was suggested that I try to recall who it was who introduced me to the lady. I am afraid my mind has not done as well as I might have hoped in this, however, for whilst I can recall the occasion and the meeting itself, I do not remember who brought me to meet her. However," she continued, barely pausing for breath, "my aunt suggested that I should think of who else might have been present."

"Which is when she mentioned you," Lady Newark interjected, gesturing to Lady Hargreaves. "Might you be able to recall? I understand it was many years ago, but perhaps you would still remember?"

Lady Hargreaves began to nod slowly, lines between her eyebrows as she considered, offering Eliza a faint whisper of hope. It certainly looked as though the lady remembered something, but whether or not it would be beneficial, Eliza could not yet say.

"I do believe I have some recollection," she said, her gaze flicking to her husband, who only shrugged. "Lady Warrington was a very dear friend of mine for a long time, and I had many an enjoyable afternoon with her. On that occasion, if I remember rightly, it was an afternoon picnic we had been invited to — Lord Lyme's estate, I believe."

Eliza's eyebrows lifted. "The Marquess of Lyme is situated less than a day's ride from my father's estate."

"Then that must have been the occasion, I am sure of it, for he would have invited all the local gentry," Lady Hargreaves replied, her gaze centering on Eliza now. "Yes, now that I remember it, the details are returning to me." Her eyebrows lifted as memories came to her. "Yes, yes, I recall now. It was a Lord Graves who introduced you to Lady Warrington — and that was only after she requested specifically to be introduced to you."

"Lord Graves?" Eliza's heart quickened. "Do you think that he might know something more about Lady Warrington's interest in me?"

Lady Hargreaves shook her head. "No, no more than I, my dear. The only reason he did such a thing was that he was standing near me when Lady Warrington made the request. When I said to her that I was not acquainted with the family, he stepped in and offered to do so." She smiled gently, hereyes full of memories. "Susanna was always so considerate," she continued, her voice softening. "When I asked her as to why she had such an interest in your company, she told me that she was concerned for you, for she had heard of your situation at that time."

Lady Newark set her tea cup down on the saucer with a clink. "You speak of my brother's debts."

"Yes, although... " Lady Hargreaves frowned and looked away from them all, her gaze going to the window as if somehow, it would offer her answers she did not have at present. "When Lord Graves went in search of you, Miss Fairleigh, Susanna remarked that she was glad to know your father's situation had improved of late, knowing that it would also bring you some relief. I believe she hoped you would do well in society and that your father's debts would not be a weight to pull you down."

Eliza blinked, taken aback by the straightforward manner with which Lady Hargreaves had spoken. "I — I did not know... " Her thoughts began to tumble through her mind, memories slowly rising to the surface and catching her off guard. Pausing, she put a smile on her face that she did not truly feel, telling herself that such things could be considered when she was no longer in Lady Hargreaves' company. "I thank you, Lady Hargreaves. That is profoundly helpful."

"Is it?" The lady beamed at her as Eliza looked to her aunt, seeing Lady Newark's brow furrowed in thought. "I am so very glad."

As the conversation turned to other things, Eliza lapsed into silence, praying that they would soon be able to take their leave so she could talk with her aunt. How had Lady Warrington known of her father's financial standing? Yes, there were ways and means, but evenshehad been unaware of it all... hadn't she?

Mercifully, Lady Newark, perhaps aware of Eliza's eager desire to step away, soon rose to take their leave. With profoundand genuine thanks, Eliza bid Lord and Lady Hargreaves farewell and followed her aunt back to the carriage. The moment the door closed, however, she pinned her aunt to the seat with questions.

"How could Lady Warrington have known of my father's debts? Were they that well known at the time? I am sure that I knew something of them, but I am not certain that I fully understood them. And what was this she said of a lessening of the financial considerations that bound him? I think... " She closed her eyes, gripping her hands together tightly. "I think that I might be aware of something that took place regarding that, but I cannot be certain. It was so long ago and — "

"Eliza." Her aunt reached across from where she sat and set one hand on top of Eliza's, forcing her to open her eyes and look into her aunt's steady gaze. "Take one moment at a time. We know now that Lady Warrington asked to be introduced to you. That is a good thing. Lord Graves introduced you, but that was not purposeful in any way, so it holds no significance to you." She paused. "You ask how Lady Warrington could know of your father's debts, but that is easily answered." Her lips pressed together. "Your father gambled a good deal, and your dear mother wrote often to me asking how she might go about encouraging him to end it. I am afraid that most of society knew of his inclinations, given that he owed many an amount to many a person."