Page 59 of The Earl’s Marriage of Convenience

She could not help the faint, rueful smile that followed. “You are not wrong. And I suspect I would fare no better with Langshire.”

“We could deny it,” Edwin offered. “His word against ours.”

“It might suffice,” Eliza said slowly. “But I would not wager anything of value upon it. Not with my current situation. Langshire already hesitates—and this would only deepen his doubts.” She shook her head. “No. That path leads nowhere,” she continued. “And to pretend nothing has happened is simply to wait for the blow to fall.”

“Yes,” Edwin agreed. “It invites him to act.”

Silence settled briefly between them—

Then Edwin’s gaze sharpened. “Then we give them something else to speak of.”

Eliza studied him closely—his tone, his expression, the deliberate weight of his words. Was he suggesting what she believed he was?

“If the narrative is already compromised,” she said slowly, “and there are no other viable options…” She did not finish the thought.

But she did not need to.

Edwin reached for her hand. “A private understanding,” he said.

Eliza’s fingers tightened around his. “That becomes a public intention.”

His expression softened—just slightly. “We marry.”

Eliza did not hesitate. “It is the most effective solution,” she said quietly. “And the most complete.” Her gaze dropped briefly to their joined hands.

“It gives me what I need,” she admitted. “You are already aware of my situation—my parentage. It protects my past, prevents scandal, and removes Carver’s leverage entirely.”

Edwin nodded once. “And it resolves my position equally well. A marriage—particularly one framed as protective—recasts my reputation entirely. From rake … to something rather more respectable.” He allowed himself the faintest hint of humor. “A man who steps forward in defense of a lady—especially one connected to his family—tends to be viewed with a certain degree of admiration.”

Eliza gave a soft, fleeting laugh. “My knight in shining armor.”

He smiled in return—but it faded quickly. “We must be precise,” he said. “The narrative must be flawless. If there is even the slightest inconsistency, Carver will exploit it.”

“And then we are in a far worse position than before,” Eliza agreed. She drew in a breath, steadying herself. “You said it yourself—family protects family. That is our foundation.”

“Yes,” Edwin said. “We have been in close proximity since your arrival. It is entirely reasonable that affection might develop.”

“And deepen,” she added, “into something more substantial.”

He inclined his head. “We might even suggest,” he said thoughtfully, “that observing one another in the company of others forced a realization neither of us could ignore.”

Eliza smiled despite herself. “That is almost poetic.”

“And useful,” he replied.

“Yes,” she said. “It provides us with a natural means of withdrawing from Langshire and Lady Molly—without causing undue suspicion.”

“Bollocks,” Edwin muttered under his breath.

Eliza glanced at him.

He shook his head slightly. “I believe Lady Molly may already have been … uneasy regarding you. Something she said earlier now takes on new meaning.” He exhaled. “But in truth, it serves us well. It allows her to believe her instincts were correct. That she read the situation accurately.”

“And spares her greater harm,” Eliza said quietly.

Edwin nodded.

“Langshire might be less understanding, however it cannot be helped. And his own hesitation has, in a way, added to this, oddly enough.” She gave a low sigh.