Page 58 of The Earl’s Marriage of Convenience

Eliza watched her father retreat, each step echoing like a sentence passed—like the strike of a judge’s gavel.

Her mind spun, searching for something—anything—it could anchor to.

She drew in a steady breath through her nose and, glancing down, realized she was still holding Edwin’s arm. Slowly, she released him, one finger at a time, until her hand fell away entirely.

There was no question—her father would use this for his benefit. No matter who it ruined in the process. That could not be allowed.

Resolute, she lifted her gaze to Edwin. “We have a problem,” she said, her tone far calmer than she felt.

He met her eyes directly, his expression steady, though not easily read. “Yes,” he said.

“We must find a solution,” she continued. “There must be a way to turn this—to control the narrative before he does.” She pinched the bridge of her nose, racking her mind for options, for ideas.

Edwin’s brow furrowed slightly, and he nodded once, as though confirming the direction of her own thoughts.

“Let us begin with what he has,” she said, releasing her nose.

“A sound approach,” Edwin replied. “I do not know how much he saw,” he admitted. “But whatever it was, it is sufficient to create a scandal.” He hesitated briefly, his gaze flickering—just for a moment—to her lips before returning to her eyes.

Eliza pressed her lips together, the memory of the kiss sending an unwelcome shiver through her.

She forced her attention back to the matter at hand. “He knows we are both involved—at least in appearance—in other pursuits,” she said. “Do you think he will go to them?”

“Possibly,” Edwin replied. “But that alone does not serve him. No—he has an angle. Something that benefits him directly.” He paused. “My guess is blackmail.”

Eliza let out a quiet, almost humorless laugh. “Well, that is the most obvious choice, is it not? A threat to expose us unless we meet his demands—whatever form those may take.” She shook her head faintly. “He could approach Lady Molly or Lord Langshire regarding the … imprudence … or simply allow the insinuation to spread.”

Edwin inclined his head. “Let us call this an imprudence, then.”

“Indeed.”

Despite everything, a flicker of shared understanding passed between them.

“Regardless,” Edwin continued. “He holds the power to damage both of our prospects with a single word. And yet…” He paused, considering. “I do not believe that is his immediate intention. Not here. Not now.”

“No,” Eliza agreed quietly. “He is calculating.”

Edwin tipped his head slightly, as though following the thought through to its conclusion. “Then that gives us something.”

Eliza’s brows lifted, hope—dangerous, fragile—stirring within her. “Yes?”

“Time,” Edwin said simply.

She repeated it softly. “Time.”

“Yes. Enough to decide our course—and to move before he does.”

Eliza exhaled slowly. “I would take even half a step ahead at this point. But you are right—we must be the ones to shape the narrative. If he speaks second, his version will hold far less weight.”

Edwin nodded.

“So—what do we do?” She searched his gaze, her mind whirling with possibilities but settling on one that would be the simplest and yet boldest fix.

He frowned slightly. “I am considering several options.”

Eliza drew in a breath. “As am I. We could attempt to explain matters to Langshire and Lady Molly. If they understood—”

Edwin gave her a look of polite disbelief. “I fear Lady Molly would not receive such an explanation well,” he said. His gaze flicked briefly to her lips again before returning to her eyes. “It would be a difficult case to argue, even for someone as persuasive as myself, Lady Eliza.”