Page 66 of The Earl’s Marriage of Convenience

Despite herself, Eliza felt the faintest smile touch her lips.

Yes…

Perhaps fate had not dealt her so poorly after all.

Pere led her into the parlor, then turned sharply, her expression alight with barely contained curiosity. “Tell me something,” she said. “I feel entirely in the dark, and it is driving me to distraction. If you do not begin at once, I shall be fit for Bedlam.”

Eliza could not help but laugh softly. “Well…” she began, then hesitated.

Where had it begun?

There had been so many small moments—missteps, realizations, shifts in understanding. She might have traced it back to the evening she had nearly accused Edwin of interfering with her plans regarding Langshire…

But no. The truth was simpler.

“It began,” she said slowly, “with a lie.”

Pere’s expression softened at once. “Oh?”

Eliza folded her hands together and drew in a steady breath. “When Lord Carver called several days ago, I told him that Lord Langshire was aware of my parentage.” She glanced down briefly before continuing. “I knew what he intended—to manipulate the situation to his advantage. I wished to remove that possibility. And so I told him what he did not expect.” She lifted her gaze again. “It unsettled him. I could see that at once. And for a moment … it worked.”

Pere nodded slowly.

“And the library?” she prompted gently.

“Yes,” Eliza said. “That was why I needed a moment alone. And why you found Edwin there with me.” She allowed that to linger, her expression warming slightly with remembered embarrassment.

Pere’s lips curved. “Yes,” she said. “I recall that moment quite clearly.”

Eliza smiled faintly. “At the ball this evening,” she continued, “I saw Lord Carver watching me. And it reminded me—he still believed Langshire knew. But Langshire had yet to … act. And I began to fear that Carver might test the truth of what I had told him.” She exhaled softly. “I was not prepared to risk that.” She lifted her gaze. “While I was speaking with Langshire, Lord Devon approached and claimed that you required me. When I turned away, I saw that Carver had been approaching us directly. The moment Edwin intervened he changed course.”

Pere’s brows lifted. “How very convenient.”

“Indeed,” Eliza said. “I was grateful for it.” She continued, her tone steady. “I asked Edwin to take me to the balcony. I needed air. But when others joined us, and I had not yet regained my composure, he led me to a quieter space nearby.” She reached forward, lightly taking Pere’s hands. “He was entirely proper,” she said firmly. “In every respect.” She paused. “However…”

Pere questioned, “However?”

Eliza exhaled slowly. “Lord Carver found us. At a moment … that could be misinterpreted.”

Pere leaned back slightly. “How misinterpreted?”

Eliza hesitated only briefly. “Lord Devon kissed me.”

Pere blinked. “And you did not strike him?”

“No,” Eliza said.

Pere’s expression sharpened. “And Carver saw enough to—”

“Become a nuisance,” Eliza said with quiet heat. “He made it very clear this would not be the last we heard from him. And before he left, he insulted both myself and my mother in a single breath.” She turned away slightly, her composure slipping just enough to reveal the sting beneath. “I believe that was the worst of it.”

Pere’s voice softened. “I did not know your mother,” she said gently.

Eliza turned back.

“But I know you. And I know the sort of man who would speak such words. I would choose your character over his—every time.”

Eliza smiled, small but genuine. “Thank you.”