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Simon was looking between Harriet and Edward with a growing sense of realization.
He sees that there is a connection between us. Too late though. I fear that whatever we had is burning under the heat of this bizarre situation. Who has done this to us? And why?
Simon turned away. Harriet saw the hurt and disgust on his face. She felt a pang of guilt but equally could not see what she had done that was wrong.
I’m sorry my old friend. But, my feelings for you are those of a sister to her brother. If believing me to be attracted to another man is painful, then you must bear that pain. What can I do?
Edward was frowning after them, then turning back to Harriet speculatively.
“I apologize for my anger and my intrusion,” he said loudly enough to be heard by Simon, who was staring out of the window, “I can see that my handling of the situation was far from ideal. But this is a grave matter, and I intend to get to the bottom of it. Someone has done this, deliberately. I do not know if I am being manipulated into marriage to the Worthingham family or if this is an attempt at creating scandal. But, I do not intend to leave until I have discovered the truth.”
CHAPTER 34
Edward stalked the room. It was sparsely furnished with mismatched items. The floor was bare, lacking carpet or rug, and there was evidence of long-hanging pictures having been removed from the wall. Along with similar evidence observed elsewhere in Erdington, he could see the situation Simon was in.
Things must be becoming desperate to sell so much. And nothing will have been bought for its true value. The kind of men he will be forced to sell to are vultures.
He felt sympathy for the Worthinghams in that respect, it could not be easy. But, whenever his thoughts returned to that scandalous newspaper, the fire within him ignited all over again.
Everyone thinks they can manipulate me! Rebecca and her scoundrel of a lover, and now someone in this family. Harriet? Simon? A servant?
His strides took him to the window, where he gazed out over the neglected gardens. The ancient majesty of the place was there to be seen, under the decay. He had wanted to speak to Harriet alone. The instinct within him was to believe her. But, the evidence seemed so strong. And seeing her desperate circumstances firsthand just reinforced that. A gambit to force a wealthy man to marry her could well have been conceived by a family in such dire straits.
But Harriet is too straightforward a person to be so devious. It is not like her.
But, then, how well did he know her at all? Edward was judging her based on instincts and, if he was honest with himself, on his strong attraction to her. But the idea that she or someone close to her was trying to manipulate him was infuriating. It made him want to run hard and fast in the opposite direction. A knock came at the door and he froze. It came again, tentative and delicate. Edward strode through the bedroom, dressing room, and into the receiving room that joined the suite he had been given to the passageway beyond. He flung open the door.
Eleanor Worthingham stood there. She looked down demurely, wearing a dress that left shoulders and an expanse of chest bare. Her fair hair was held up to reveal a swan-like neck. She cautiously looked up at him through long lashes.
“Your pardon, Your Grace. Forgive me for intruding on your solitude but…may I speak with you for a moment…alone?”
She was a different woman to the confident, bejeweled lady that had been surrounded by admirers at the Wrexham ball. She wore no makeup or jewels now and her natural beauty shone.
“I am not sure that would be appropriate, Miss Eleanor,” he finally said.
“It would be for the briefest of moments, Your Grace,” she said, putting a hand on his wrist.
He stepped out of the door and Eleanor came into the room, closing the door behind her.
“I have heard the reason for your coming. I feel I must assure you, for what it is worth, that this terrible lie was not put forward by me. I could not bear to think that you would suspect me. I have always been an ardent admirer.”
She stepped closer, once again putting a hand to his arm. Edward found himself looking into her round, blue eyes and becoming quite entranced. She was very beautiful but could not compare to her cousin. He supposed that most men would have chosen Eleanor over Harriet, but he was not them.
“I thank you for the compliment and accept your assurance. As of yet, I know not the identity or the motive of the person who has done this,” Edward said, patting her hand in an attempt to remove it.
She put her own atop his, taking the opportunity to step closer. Edward was very aware of her perfume and the shape of her half exposed bosoms which cried out for him to look down. They competed with those brilliant blue eyes for his attention.
“Please forgive cousin Harriet for her impetuous behavior. I cannot divine her motivation either but she is not a wicked person. She must have had a reason…”
Suddenly, she stopped, putting a hand to her mouth, eyes going even wider. They began to fill with tears.
“I have said too much. God curse my indiscretion but your presence wrings truths from me that I had thought to keep hidden for the honor of my family,” she wailed.
Eleanor turned away, burying her face in her hands. Edward felt awkward, not knowing how to react or how to comfort the distraught girl.
Good Lord, but she actually believes that Harriet was the one who had the notice sent to the newspaper. And now she is heartbroken for dishonoring her family. I fear I have misjudged this girl.
He went to her and put his hands to her shoulders, turning her to face him.
