Page 41 of The Earl's Reluctant Bride
Elizabeth arched a brow. “Whatever do you mean?”
“He wanted you for himself. He is a cunning fox indeed,” the viscount smirked.
Elizabeth’s gaze held the viscount's stare for only a moment. It was clear from his words that he was only thinking of himself. The viscount had lost something that he wanted, her, and he was not pleased that this loss was to another man. He assumed she was well but he did not ask after her welfare. At that moment it hit her like a sudden downpour of cold rain on a winter’s day.
The viscount certainly did not love her and he never did. It was a cold, hard fact. The viscount was acting in his own interests without any regard for her. As such it would be genuinely impossible for the viscount to prioritize someone else’s need over his own.
Elizabeth had to face the stark truth. The viscount had manipulated her. He had gotten close to her very quickly but this was only to serve his end. He twisted the facts, twisted the truth and it made something that she thought they had ugly. He had almost ruined her and he had taken no responsibility for his actions for if he had he would not be here now. He would not be criticizing Alexander who had staked his honor to save her reputation. The viscount interrupted her thoughts.
“Why are you so pensive, my lady? Do you not see it?” he said with an all-knowing smug expression.
She did not comprehend how he could wear it and she wanted to wipe it from his face. He was not the least bit remorseful for his actions or for the pain that he caused her.
Elizabeth thought to retort but she decided against it. Instead, she gritted her teeth and gave the viscount a smile that did not touch her heart. At first, she did not believe the viscount was taking advantage of her innocence. She did not want to accept that Alexander and Barlow were correct in their assessment of the viscount. She even resented Alexander for it, and it had put a strain on their marriage, but how could she have been such a fool? It was a crushing blow to know for certain that he was pursuing her for her wealth and to elevate his position in society. The viscount was quite satisfied to do something she considered morally reprehensible in order to satisfy his greed. It was nothing more. What sort of life could she have hoped for with such a man of little character?
Not only was the viscount selfish but he was also reckless and impulsive, otherwise why would he be here? Alexander had most assuredly not invited him. She did not believe either Barlow or Alexander thought he would show his face here. The viscount was unpredictable so undeniably she would not create a scene and she hoped neither her husband nor brother would.
Elizabeth cast her gaze over the crowd and her eyes locked with Alexander. He was standing by the double doors leading to the terrace and the garden.
Good gracious!
She had a tête-à-tête planned with Alexander and no doubt he waited for her in the garden, only she did not appear. Rather than waiting Alexander had come in search of her only to find her in step with a gentleman he holds in no regard. Elizabeth studied his features and her breath caught in her throat. Alexander’s face was like thunder roaring furiously, sizzling, electrifying, with lightning flashing across the night sky. She imagined that the thunder made a rumble and she wondered if the sky would collapse down on top of her this night.
She watched as Alexander went through the double doors onto the terrace and she lost sight of him. She prayed that the waltz would end soon and to her consolation it did. The viscount led her to the side of the ballroom and she waited there for only a moment, just long enough for him to slither away. She had one thing on her mind, she must speak with Alexander. Immediately.
Elizabeth slowly worked her way across the room and where earlier she was happy to stop and have a chat about some mindless gossip, now she was not of a mind to do so. She was impatient. She held her reserve until she finally breathed in the cool air on the terrace leaving the suffocating ballroom behind. She carefully walked to the end of the garden where she found Alexander waiting.
“Alexander, I ….”
“Did you know that Salisbury would be here?”
“How could I ….” Elizabeth’s eyes widened in shock and her mouth went dry.
Alexander’s brows were furrowed in a deep scowl. “More importantly I should ask if this was the first time that you are seeing him.”
Elizabeth could not remain standing. She did not think her knees would support her. She walked over to the seat and collapsed onto it, her breath coming in shallow rasps.How could Alexander accuse her of such a thing? Did he think so little of her?She had snuck away to visit with her friends and even managed to see another freak show, but she had not arranged to meet Salisbury. She would never do such a thing. Alexander had asked about her escapades, but she had not been forthcoming. As far as Elizabeth was concerned it was not her fault that she had to skulk around. The dowager countess had all but accused her of being unladylike. Elizabeth was sure that Alexander too would object to a lady of her stature wanting to attend a freak show.
Her hands grew clammy and she thought she would faint. This cannot be happening. A series of unfortunate events accounted for this misfortune and it could not have come at a worst time. She was getting to know Alexander and she began to care for him. There was affection in her marriage, something that only a few weeks ago she did not think she could achieve.
“Damn it, Elizabeth. You will answer me.”
“I am confused and disturbed by your words, Alexander. I am at a loss for them myself.”
Alexander raised a brow. “At a loss you say. Were you not present when Salisbury was told he should never contact you again?”
“But Alexander, he did not contact me. I can assure you,” Elizabeth pleaded.
She wondered if Alexander was listening to her at all. It did not appear that he was giving her the benefit of at least hearing her explanation. He had jumped to his own conclusions.Good lord. This could only mean that while she was developing an attachment to him, he did not trust her. It was more than the bond they shared during love making, although she enjoyed it thoroughly, this bond was different. She could not quite explain it but she knew this bond was more. She enjoyed spending time with him outside of her bedchamber and she began to open herself up to him and to the possibilities of a happy marriage.
“Can you? I have just seen Salisbury’s arm around you. You flashed him a warm smile. One could never have guessed that he almost ruined you. You may have forgotten but I have not.”
Alexander’s words lashed at her. “The viscount approached me with Lady Clara Camden, Lord Cecil Garfield and his entire family standing right there, Alexander. There was naught that I could do. It would have raised suspicion if I were to refuse Lord Salisbury. I would have drawn more attention to myself. I thought to dance once with him and send him on his way and that was what I did,” Elizabeth uttered in one breath which left her feeling winded. “I cannot believe you would think that I have seen Lord Salisbury. What have I said or done to give you cause to accuse me of this?”
Alexander sighed heavily. “Lest you forget, this is the gentleman you said that you loved Elizabeth. I saw you smiling up at him with … with adoration.”
“I had to maintain my composure and act toward Lord Salisbury the very same way I did with any other gentleman this evening. I did not treat him any more favorably. I have not seen Lord Salisbury since we arrived in London.”
Alexander was towering over Elizabeth. He did not speak and Elizabeth interrupted the moment’s silence. She patted the seat beside her, “Alexander, please take a seat. There is something important that I need to tell you, although this was not the way that I thought to do the deed.”
