Page 20 of Lady of Providence
She took in a deep, shaky breath as she forced herself to calm down, to conceal her emotions. Allowing him to realize just how much he had hurt her would do nothing but leave her even more vulnerable in front of him. She was far better off to keep all of their interactions to business, which was why she would never allow them to be alone like this again.
“I know,” he said softly. “And I am very sorry for that.”
“Those are but words, Gabriel.”
He nodded. “If I could change the past, I would. But alas… I cannot. The man I was five years ago, however, is not the man I am today. Can you not see that, Elizabeth? Realize that I am here for you?”
“Those are pretty words, Gabriel, but mean nothing.”
“Then look beyond words,” he said, stepping back toward her. “Tell me that you didn’t feel something when I held you in my arms, when my lips touched yours. Tell me and I will go and never speak of it again.”
Elizabeth did all she could to force her racing heart to slow as she looked up at him.
“I— I,” She couldn’t say it. She had to, needed to, and yet… the words refused to roll off her tongue. Damn it all. The worst part about it? He knew.
“Goodbye, Gabriel. I will see you at the next meeting. My apologies about your nose.”
CHAPTER10
Elizabeth, ever the perfect hostess, poured tea for the three women who sat in a circle around the service in the middle of her grandparents’ drawing room. Which was also hers now, she realized, though it was all still rather incredulous.
“Besides everything that has happened, how are you feeling?” Sarah asked, her brown eyes soft as she gazed upon Elizabeth, as perceptive as ever to Elizabeth’s emotions.
Elizabeth paused for a moment before she poured the third cup, looking up at her friend. She had been so busy and so concerned with taking on all of the responsibility awaiting her that it had been some time since she had stopped and considered how it was all affecting her. In fact, she preferred it that way. She hated to dwell on her emotions, to allow grief to creep in. It only left her feeling drained and desolate.
“I miss my grandfather, that is for certain,” she said slowly, putting down the teapot for a moment. “Though it has helped both me and my grandmother for us to be together in this time, I believe. And yet somehow, being here, in his home, in his office at the bank, has allowed me to feel as though he is still with me, if that makes sense at all.”
She hastily blinked away the tears that suddenly threatened as her friends nodded in understanding.
“It’s good to give yourself time to react to tragedy,” Sarah said encouragingly, but Elizabeth shook her head, dismissing her words. To allow the emotion in now, at this moment, would only cause her to lose all control, and that, even in front of her closest friends, she would never do.
Julia, her tiny frame already becoming slightly round with the child she had just discovered she was expecting, laid a hand upon Elizabeth’s. “You know if there is anything we can do, we are more than happy to help. I know that sounds trite, but it is the truth.”
Elizabeth smiled at her. “I appreciate that, I do. But you have much to worry about yourself.”
Julia waved a hand. “All is well with us. Lots of travel, to be sure, but the timing could not have been better, for the racing season will be over by the time this babe is to be born.”
“I can hardly wait to see how you fare,” said Phoebe with a sigh, already having one at home herself. “I do hope yours sleeps.”
They smiled the shared smile of understanding between two mothers before returning to the matter at hand. Elizabeth rather wished they would continue speaking about children, for she didn’t have much interest in continuing their previous conversation.
“How is everything at the bank?” Phoebe asked, coming to the business side of Elizabeth’s life which was, of course, unsurprising as she was involved in business herself, secretly runningThe Women’s Weekly, a publication for women.
“It all seems well so far,” Elizabeth said slowly. “We have not had any clients leave — yet, although I have heard some rumblings that there are a few who are not exactly content with a woman at the helm of the financial institution holding all of their wealth. My plan is to try to meet with as many people as I can, to allow them to see that I am knowledgeable and competent, that there is nothing to fear.”
“Which is wise,” said Phoebe with a nod.
“I hope so, though it means a lot of work to come soon,” Elizabeth agreed. “As for the partners, there is certainly much doubt there as well, though I hope our last meeting solved some of that. Though it brought about one more issue with which I had not thought to have to contend.”
“Which is…?” Julia asked.
“Henry,” said Elizabeth, rolling her eyes, and then proceeded to tell them about his entry into the bank, how he had found a share for himself, and his vow to bring about her downfall. “How he would do so, I have no idea, but he seems quite intent on winning for himself the senior partnership. Why he would think it is attainable to him, I have no idea. His ideas for the bank, told to me himself, are ludicrous and would destroy everything my grandfather built up. I cannot allow it to happen.”
“And you won’t,” said Phoebe, determination in her eyes as she sat up straighter and poured the last tea that Elizabeth had forgotten.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” she said, reaching for the teapot, but Phoebe waved her away.
“You have much on your mind.”
