Page 141 of Unwilling Wolf

Aunt Elizabeth offered a predatory smile. “Why dear,” she said with an air of innocence, “it appears you have been invited to a party. By Mr. Faraday, hmm? I feel as if you should go. Respond with her acceptance immediately,” she barked at the servant.

“Please don’t,” she asked Beatrice.

But the servant shook her head slightly and dropped her gaze, and Eliza understood. This was her job. She owed nothing to Eliza.

Aunt Elizabeth’s pale smile over yellowing teeth was too much for her to bear. Eliza whirled and left the room before she lost her temper further. As she tramped out the doorway, she was accompanied by Aunt Elizabeth’s weakened but chilling, cruel chuckle. Even the long fit of coughing which followed the soft laughter didn’t diminish the callous delight that had been in the woman’s voice. Logically, how many battles did one have to lose before losing the war altogether?

Eliza hated losing, and the worst part?

It was herself she was losing.

Chapter Forty-Nine

The party was indeed as boring as promised. The guest list comprised a collection of singles and newlyweds of similar age seeking the company of others who shared their interests. Eliza was so dislike them now, she felt awkward and flustered. Likely, a rancher’s wife who knew how to skin a rabbit, and had pulled the trigger on a few werewolves wouldn’t fit in here anymore.

She wore her most unexciting dress in a dull chocolate-brown material that, though it fit well enough, left much to the imagination, and not in an interesting way. Robert Faraday didn’t care in the least. He toted her around all night and introduced her to everyone at the gathering as if she were his betrothed. It bothered her, but it was infinitely rude to ignore the host, much less leave the party unannounced. She grew increasingly suspicious that her meddlesome aunt had sent correspondence encouraging his affections.

Robert finally left her in the company of Lady Redding and Elizabeth Devocourt to fulfill his hosting duties. Both were wealthy and young. Lady Redding was recently married, and Miss Devocourt engaged to be wed in the fall.

“You must be ecstatic at the attention of Mr. Faraday,” exclaimed the blonde, petite, and bubbly Miss Devocourt. “He is undoubtedly the wealthiest and most fetching man at the party. He has come into a great deal of money since you have left, and he is the talk of the town. The only one who could try to keep up is my Simon, who couldn’t make it tonight. He has important business meetings he just couldn’t get out of,” she said with a pout, though she looked quite proud.

“I am not interested in more than friendship with Mr. Faraday. I’m married, and happily so,” Eliza said. “My husband was also unable to attend as he is out of town.”

“Oh,” Lady Redding said in confusion. A loaded look passed between her and Miss Devocourt. “And how far out of town is he, now?”

“Very far, I’m afraid. He is in Texas at the moment. I’m only in Boston temporarily to care for my ailing aunt.”

“And does Mr. Faraday know this?” Elizabeth asked, a hint of excitement in her tone.

Eliza sighed. There was no help for it. “I assume so, as I’ve told him on several occasions.”

“Well, he seems quite taken with you despite your married status. You must have given him some clue you were available. You must be careful with that sort of thing. It is fair and common for a man of his status to take a mistress, but the scandal will never leave your reputation. A man such as him has needs. A woman doing such is unacceptable, you know.” Elizabeth sidled closer to her. “It’s all right to flirt, but to get a man that interested in you is downright wanton.”

“Lovely,” she replied, and finished her champagne in one long gulp. “Lovely to have met you, but I must excuse myself.” She plopped the flute onto a servant’s tray and bustled off, refusing to look back.

Searching in desperation for the exit, she tried to navigate the crowded hall. Everywhere she turned, groups talked about mundane and unimportant things: politics, hats, marrying wealthy, the importance of money, the latest fashion. And everywhere, the cruel chatter of women who had found a victim to laugh at. Everything seemed so different. She couldn’t find it in her to stomach such conversations anymore. Her head spun as she tried to escape the masses.

These topics weren’t important! Didn’t they know? Didn’t the pampered wealthy have the slightest clue there were more pressing matters out there? The plight of Lenny’s people, running a business in the country with no money, starvation, working blistered hands to the bone for little pay, marriages of love over convenience, rough country with little medicine, locusts, drought, livelihood dependent on storm clouds, happiness. Happiness? These people could never be truly happy, for none had known hard times. They could surely only know mediocrity in life because they hadn’t seen how hard things could get. It was so obvious! She felt reckless for an escape.

Just as she hurried to a wall and made her way to the hallway that would lead her to the front entrance, someone grabbed her by the arm, surprising her into stillness.

Robert examined her with concern. “Are you all right?”

“Yes. No. I’m feeling unwell and fear I must take my leave.”

“No, you are feeling bored. It has been written on your face all night. Dance with me.”

“You don’t understand. I really must leave. My apologies, and thank you for the invitation, but I must go,” she said.

“One dance, and then you may leave. I won’t stop you, but I beg you grant me one dance before you leave me here to navigate this party alone.” He stared at her, clearly unwilling to give an inch. “One dance.”

With a sigh of frustration, she bowed slightly. Her tongue would be less mannerly than he deserved.

“Excellent,” Faraday said, excitement tingeing his voice. “Come with me.”

He led her onto the dance floor, begged her remain there for a moment, then jogged over to the quartet playing softly and talked to the violinist for a moment. The first notes to a waltz sounded, and Robert guided her around the floor. Others joined with their partners in turn.

“I remembered how well you danced, and knew I must waltz with you before the evening is done,” Robert said, smiling. He sidled up to her and took his stance.

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