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“It has worked. Oh, I wish we could just run away,” Eloise mumbled, as Jackson poured them each a glass of punch.
“No, that’s just what they’d want. We’ve got to hold our heads high. There’s no scandal in what we’re doing. Don’t you see that? We’ve just proved it. We’re courting, and we’re to be married. We can make the announcement as soon as we wish. There’s nothing to prevent us, is there?” He handed Eloise her glass.
She nodded and took a sip. The evening had been meant as a happy one, but the appearance of Lord Crawford and his sisters had soured it. She shuddered to think about what they were saying about her, even though she knew she should not care. The dancing had now begun, and the other couples were joining in the waltz.
“I’m sorry. It’s just… the sight of him reminds me of what happened before. It’s not a nice feeling,” Eloise sighed.
“Then don’t allow him to upset you. Come, shall we dance?” He offered Eloise his hand.
She smiled at him and nodded. She would be only too happy to dance with him. Every moment, she was falling more in love with him. She pushed her thoughts about Lord Crawford away, determined to enjoy the moment they now shared. As they danced, he smiled at her, their eyes fixed in a loving gaze, which no one could doubt was real. They were no different from the other couples who had joined the procession, and Eloise could not imagine any of the other women feeling different from her. Once again, she was reminded this was no ruse, but a very real and true feeling, one she delighted in.
“I’m sorry I got upset earlier,” Eloise said, as they stepped out of the throng and returned to the refreshment table.
“I understand why you did. There’s no shame in it. It’s just unfortunate to have his shadow hanging over us. But it won’t be forever. Once we’re married, there’s nothing he or anyone else can do to prevent us from being happy. I’ll have my inheritance, and you’ll have the freedom to search for your sister. We’ll both search. We’ll go to the ends of the earth if we have to,” he vowed.
“You’re so very understanding.” She smiled, as he slipped his hand into hers and squeezed.
“Because it’s the right thing to be, Eloise. You’ve lost something precious to you, a treasure beyond compare. We must find your sister and make you happy again.”
Eloise felt tears welling up in her eyes. But they were not tears of sorrow, but happiness. Here was a man who understood her feelings, who did not dismiss her search for Alice as idle, but who embraced that search and wanted to help her.
“I… I am happy. With you, I mean. You make me very happy,” she breathed, and he smiled at her.
“And you make me happy, too. I’m going to go and find us a bottle of claret. This punch isn’t to my taste. Stay here, I won’t be long. I’ll find a steward to fetch it for us.” Jackson stood up, and Eloise nodded.
He hurried off in the direction of the pavilion, and she watched him go, smiling at his retreating form and reminding herself just how lucky she had been to meet him.
“How touching,” a voice behind her said, and Eloise startled, turning to find Lord Crawford sneering at her.
CHAPTER13
Eloise tried to walk away but found her path blocked by Penelope and Claudia, who advanced on her, causing her to shrink back in fear.
“I… I don’t want to speak to you,” Eloise stammered, as Lord Crawford grabbed her by the arm.
“You’ve no choice. It’s I who’ll speak to you. Now listen to me. I don’t take kindly to insults, and I’ve let it be known to your father just what I think of your little games. I know all about what you’re doing,” he snarled.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. You’ve no right. Let me go!” Eloise yelped, shaking off his hand from her arm.
But now it was Penelope who spoke, barring Eloise’s path as Claudia blocked her from behind.
“Did you think we’d allow you to humiliate our brother in such a way?”
“He hurt me, he humiliated me, didn’t you see it?” Eloise argued.
She was terrified but was determined to hold her own against their onslaught. Penelope scowled at her.
“You little slut!” she exclaimed and struck Eloise across the cheek with the palm of her hand.
Eloise reeled backwards, and Lord Crawford caught her in his arms. What he would have done next Eloise could only imagine, but a cry came from the terrace steps. It was Jackson, and he charged forward, seizing Lord Crawford and striking him across the face. The errant aristocrat fell backwards, as Jackson seized Eloise by the hand and pulled her away.
“My darling, are you all right? What did he do to you?” He scanned her face for injuries.
“Only what she deserved,” Claudia retorted.
“Stay out of this. Get away, you hag. The witches of Macbeth, that’s what the two of you are,” Jackson cried, as Penelope and Claudia drew themselves up and sniffed disapprovingly.
“And we know precisely what the two of you are, hardly Romeo and Juliet,” Penelope scoffed.
