Page 19 of The Devil’s Submission

“Something like that, dear boy. A most worthy cause.”

“Which is?” her husband said a trifle impatiently, and Eliza wanted to slide under the table.

“The Brimley Finishing Academy!”

He frowned. “I’m not sure I understand. I thought your school was well-placed financially, all those grateful families regularly contributing after a successful match, alongside all the term fees from current students.”

Lady Brimley’s smile thinned. “That was the case. Until my own daughter and her husband decided to live apart in a very public fashion after just a few months of marriage.”

“Ah,” said Grayson, clearing his throat. “I see. But surely the school’s coffers could survive that? And as we are currently reconciling, that shouldn’t affect the school’s reputation in the future?”

“Well, yes. And I applaud every sacrifice my daughter has made to achieve that reconciliation.”

Eliza clenched her fists. “I haven’t made any sacrifices, Mother.”

“Yes you have! Behaving like a strumpet in public just to please your husband. Oh, my dear, I saw what you did while looking at fabrics, and my heart broke for you. But rest assured that I forgive you, for it is a woman’s lot to endure distasteful things. Do you think I wanted to tak…er, borrow the money? No, I did not. But I must tolerate Brimley’s gross weaknesses as any good wife should.”

Grayson didn’t look at her, but she felt his shock and shame like a physical blow. The death knell to her fledgling happiness, delivered in a few sharp words.

“Mother,” she began, her temper barely leashed now. “Our situations are completely diff—”

“No need to explain, Eliza,” said Grayson icily, making her shiver. “As your mother rightly points out, it is the wife who suffers when her husband is inadequate. Tell me, Lady Brimley, how much were you compelled to borrow from the academy?”

“Ten thousand pounds. It made me feel ill inside, and I am ashamed to admit I felt scorn for Brimley when he confessed. Such abhorrent weakness, a man looking to a woman for guidance and salvation. But as I said, well-bred ladies like Eliza and I, we endure.”

“Indeed. I’ll arrange a draft to pay the debt,” he replied in a voice so dead and flat her heart pounded in warning.

“No!” she burst out. “Grayson—”

“Be quiet!” her mother hissed.

Grayson tilted his head, his eyes an emerald abyss. “I’m unsure why you protest, Eliza. I needed the reminder that for the ton, it is always about money. Money to pretend, money to extract from difficulty, money to risk anew. Of course you aren’t any different.”

“Don’t, darling—”

“My lady. Please, there is no need for this, the debt will be paid and the academy will survive. Actually, I must commend your performance. And your tactics of course, the timing of the request was impeccable. Enough to ensure I heard it in a very amiable frame of mind, but not so long you couldn’t stomach your unwanted duty for another minute. Now, who would like a cake or pastry? They certainly look delicious.”

For the first time in her life, Lady Brimley hesitated, perhaps finally realizing all might not be well. “That is very, very kind, Lord Grayson, but I must rush to tell Brimley the good news. He’ll be so relieved. I know this has weighed heavily on his mind. The man has barely slept for the past few weeks.”

And with a quick smile and pat on the hand, Lady Brimley scampered out of the tea shop in a flurry of cream skirts.

The silence was agonizing, but Grayson didn’t meet her gaze, just methodically dissected a raisin pastry and sipped his lemon-infused tea.

“I’m so sorry,” she choked out eventually.

He stood, the scrape of the chair on the wooden floor an even more painful sound than usual. “Hate to break up this tea party, but I’ve just remembered an urgent appointment I must attend. Do you wish to stay here? I’ll send another carriage to fetch you later if you want to continue shopping.”

Terror engulfed her. This was the Devil society whispered about: the man of ice for which money remained the only consideration, the only thing that didn’t let him down. She’d shoved him back into that lonely, broken hell because she couldn’t stand up to her blasted mother.

“No,” Eliza said firmly, pushing back her own chair. “I’m coming with you.”

Grayson ambled out of the tea shop, and when she hurried after him and curled her hand around his arm, he flinched away.

“Ah, excellent,” he said, as though she was a distant acquaintance. “Coachman’s managed to pull up just over there. Thought for a moment the number of people might prevent him stopping and we’d be walking all the way back to Portman Square.”

“Don’t be Devil and shut me out,” she whispered. “At least give me a chance to explain.”

“Please get into the carriage, Eliza. We’ve had enough public discussion for one afternoon, don’t you think?”