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Chapter Twenty-One
She wasn’t sure what she would do or to say to anyone, but all Elizabeth wanted to do was to get away. She hoped that the quicker she ran, the faster she could erase the image of Brea’s lips on Liam’s drawing him to her. And he did not push her away!
The man was just as much a cad as she had been told about. He was flirtatious and lustful, and he would never commit to one woman for the rest of his life. Perhaps that was what he wished to tell her tonight, and perhaps she should have heeded the words Fergus had said in drunkenness. Maybe Liam cared for her but could not, in good faith, make her an offer of marriage.
But why be so cruel as to have Brea there to add even further pain to his words? It seemed ungenerous to think of Liam being so heartless, but she had no other explanation. It was all so strange. She was a fool, and love had made her thus. She would have to be stronger for the future. Her return to London was inevitable, as well as the life she had to create. Tears were pushing against her eyes, desperate to be released in their flood, but she would not allow them. Instead, she simply pushed her shoulders back and walked stiffly back into the ballroom, knowing that there were still many hours, yet she had to play the part of the happy party guest.
No one noticed her reappearance with any alarm, and so she quietly put away her cloak and found herself a fresh glass of wine to relieve the sharp pangs of pain that were beginning to spread through her. Liam was lost to her, but she could not think of it now. There were many more things to be lost to her and soon.
Her eyes wandered around the various guests in the room. She heard laughter and saw smiles and envied every one of them. How could she have been so foolish as to think her future could have a different path? Her life had already been planned for her since she was young. Clutching to her glass, she kept away from the others, knowing that she would be unable to make any sort of pleasant conversation, and she hoped that her look of despair would keep others at bay. But in a few moments, General Andrews came up to her with an uncharacteristic frown on his face.
“My dear Elizabeth, I hope there is no bad news to report, but this letter has just come for you on the express post. And the man waits outside for your reply and if you wish to accompany him.”
Elizabeth put the glass down, staring at the letter in front of her. It was from Newgate prison. Glancing up at a worried General Andrews, she opened the letter.
Dear Elizabeth,
I hope that you have made your choice. Your aunt was forced to tell me that you left for Scotland to attend your friend’s nuptials. Perhaps that is for the best so that you will not have to see your father die in such a horrid place.
No matter, there are things to discuss. I feel that my death is very near, and I need you to fulfill the promise. Return to London, and we shall establish your marriage. If you have no suitable suitors to present, I have a list of which you may select one of them. That way, your mother’s money and all the rest of her dear possessions will become yours, just as she would have wanted.
Write word to me as soon as you receive this so that I know what your answer is. You have been a good girl your whole life, Elizabeth Darling, do not disappoint me now. I know you well enough, and you shall regret it forever if you do so.
Lord Darling
Elizabeth felt faint, and she teetered a bit before General Andrews caught her by the elbow. “Elizabeth! Are you well?” Once he stabilized her, he grabbed her wineglass and bid her drink.
“This will strengthen you.” As he watched her with concern, he said, “It is bad news, I take it? Let me assist you. What can I do?”
Elizabeth shook her head, feeling only slightly stronger in body but broken in heart. Her feelings were now numb with the constant waves of pain which had struck her this evening. “I need only to reply, but first, there is something which I must handle.”
General Andrews nodded with surprise at her determined voice, so different from the feeble one in her state of faintness. Elizabeth stared into the crowd, searching for John. She knew what she must do. Leaving the General behind and clutching her letter, she found John standing with one of his men.
She approached him calmly to not alarm him and said, “Laird Campbell, might I have a moment of your time?”
John, surprised but not displeased, nodded in agreement, taking leave of his friend. She slid her arm through his, and he took it gratefully, following her into one of the corridors off the side of the hall where the sound of the party faded away, and they could be left in peace.
John stared at her in the dim light. “Are ye well, Elizabeth? Ye appear flushed. Can I get something for ye?”
She shook her head, wanting to get on with it. This was truly the lesser of two evils. She had to fight to fulfill her mother’s promise and take what was hers since Liam was now gone to her. But she could not bear the thought of marrying someone on her father’s list of prescribed men. She knew just what they would be like, and she hoped that she could save herself from that at least. With John, she knew that she would find some modicum of happiness, and it would fulfill her mother’s wishes.
“I am ready to give you my answer, John.”
John smiled. “Are ye? So soon? Are ye certain?” He moved closer and took one of her hands in his. “What is it then, my love? What have ye tae say?”
“I will marry you.” The words were uttered in practically a whisper, but at least they were said, and it was done with.
John could not conceal the joy that stole over his expression. He kissed her hand again. “Elizabeth! Ye have made me the happiest man in the world. I know the clan will be proud tae have ye as their lady.”
She tried her best to smile, and John’s own smile faltered. “But ye dinnae look pleased. What is it that I can do tae make ye just as happy as me?”
She placed a light hand on his shoulder. She could get used to this man; she knew it. She could love him, make love to him, bear his children, and work hard to be a good wife and a lady to his people. It would take time, but it was not insurmountable, not as horrible as living a life with a man of her father’s acquaintance.
“It is only that I have received bad news from my father. I need to return to London quickly to see him before his imminent death.” She knew that she would receive no sympathy from John about the death of her father, but he had to know.
“I see. For yer sake, lass, I am deeply sorry for this. May I accompany ye?”
“No, thank you. I believe I shall ride this night back with the express coach to get there as soon as possible.” She looked up into his kind blue eyes. “But, I wanted to give you my answer before you left so that you were not left waiting.”
