Page 20 of A Question of Worth

"It still does not answer the question as towhyshe gave you an inheritance, however," he said, trying to speak gently. "Mayhap it was so that you could be safe from your father's debts by having your own inheritance?"

"He is not permitted to touch even a single penny of that inheritance, should it come to me," Miss Fairleigh told him, a gentle glistening in her eyes telling him that she was now battling tears — although whether they were from relief at his understanding or sadness over her father's actions, he did not know. "But why would she have singled both myself and my father out for such generosity? We are not related, not in any way. It cannot be that I am simply favored because she chose me. I — " Pinching the bridge of her nose, she closed her eyes and let out a ragged breath. "I fear that if I offered that to the solicitor, it would not be what was required."

"Let me speak with my relations," Nathaniel said again. "I will find out from them if they know anything of Lady Warrington's generosity to your father. That will give us clarity, if nothing else. And it may lead to the next step on this path we now tread together."

Miss Fairleigh dropped her hand and sighed, but offered him a small smile which chased away the tears in her eyes. "You arevery kind, Lord Ashcombe. I thank you for your willingness to assist in this matter."

"But of course." Nathaniel resisted the urge to remind her that he had his own purpose in taking up her cause. "Now, are you to return to the ball?"

Her lips flattened, her back stiffening as she threw a glance towards the house. "I think it may be best to take my leave," she said, as her hand fell from his arm. "I do not know if I have the strength to paste a smile upon my face and go about the ballroom pretending as if none of their hard looks and unkind words do anything to injure me."

A sudden resolve pushed itself upwards, through Nathaniel's heart, dissolving his restraint and forcing him to a fresh consideration of all that Miss Fairleigh endured. Here he was, doing his utmost to protect himself and his family title whilst she, who had done nothing wrong, was being ridiculed and shunned by those who had chosen to whisper about her and make up their own story as to her good fortune. "I will go with you, if you wish it."

Her eyes flared, astonishment rippling into her face. "With me?"

He nodded. "Yes. There will soon be another dance, and I would be glad to stand up with you."

Miss Fairleigh went very still, a softness coming into her eyes.

"I know that you will wonder at my offering to dance with you," he said, his hands resting open and easy at his sides, his mind already made up. "Yes, we have danced once already, but that was before I asked to aid you with this challenge set by Lady Warrington. Since that time, I have had all of our meetings in quiet places without the notice of others — both, I told myself, to protect your standing and my own. But I see now that I have been somewhat selfish in that regard."

"Selfish?" Miss Fairleigh shook her head, her eyes glistening. "There is no selfishness within you, Lord Ashcombe."

"Yes, there is," he countered quickly. "I have seen thetonmove back from you, and instead of making it clear that I have no accord with them, I have done the same. But no longer." Lifting his chin, he looked towards the door that would lead them back to the ballroom. "If you would accept me, Miss Fairleigh, I would walk you to the center of the ballroom and step out to dance with you, without hesitation nor concern as to what others might think. Will you accept me?"

For a brief moment, Nathaniel thought she might refuse given the way she dropped her head and closed her eyes. Then, with a beautiful smile spreading right across her face, she lifted her hand and set it, lightly trembling, on his arm. "I shall go with you, Lord Ashcombe," she whispered, a light in her eyes that had not been there before. "I thank you. This means more to me than I can say."

9

Eliza glanced around St James' Park, her stomach knotting. "I am not entirely certain this was a wise idea, Aunt."

Her aunt did not immediately disagree with her, as Eliza had anticipated. "It may cause you some difficulty, yes," she agreed, walking alongside Eliza with her head held high. "I cannot pretend that there are not those in thetonwho are eager to give you the cut direct — not because you deserve it but because they wish to be seen doing it. And that particularly after you stepped out with Lord Ashcombe last evening."

Eliza's stomach twisted, and she looked away. The dance with Lord Ashcombe had been quite wonderful, filling her with a sense of happiness that she had not experienced in some time, but the moment he had stepped away from her, the dark cloud had returned, and she had once more sensed the coldness from the other guests present. To her very great relief, Lady Sarah had also been present and had come to her aid, standing by her side for the rest of the evening aside from a dance or two. Had it not been for her company, then Eliza was quite sure she would have returned home early.

"It is almost as if, by his notice of you, you have somehow sunk lower in theton's estimation," her aunt continued, her words bringing no light or joy to Eliza's heart. "I believe that they think someone who has a dark and secretive past should not have the joys of Lord Ashcombe's interest. After all, he is both handsome and wealthy, so would suit any number of ladies very well."

"Except I do not have a dark and secretive past."

Lady Newark offered a rueful, slightly apologetic smile. "Indeed you do not. I myself was caught up in an argument last evening whilst you were dancing with Lord Ashcombe, insisting to Lady Falkirk — a most prolific gossip — that your mother had not died in mysterious circumstances."

Eliza stopped dead, one hand going to her stomach as it began to writhe. "I beg your pardon?"

With a scowl, her aunt shook her head and then continued walking, taking Eliza with her. "Forgive me for speaking so bluntly, Eliza. I should mayhap not have shared such a thing." Her breath came out in a rush, with obvious frustration at the edge of it. "It gives me no pleasure to hear you and your family being spoken of in such a way. I had no choice but to defend you all."

"For which I am very grateful, truly," Eliza responded, her voice quiet as she tried to take in all that her aunt had just told her. Such rumors left a bitter taste in her mouth, reminding her that many would be more than willing to speak of her in such a calculated, cruel manner. Her skin prickled with nervousness as she looked around the park. Now, more than ever, she felt herself almost afraid of what would be said to her, should she linger. "Perhaps, Aunt, we could tell Sarah that whilst we are very grateful for her offer of a picnic here in the park, we now think it unwise." Seeing her aunt's frown, Eliza quickly tried toexplain. "I do not want her to be touched by the rumors that swirl around me so closely."

"I am sure she does not mind in the least," her aunt replied, taking Eliza's concerns and setting them aside. "Indeed, I am sure that since she was the one who came to your defense in front of so many others at the ball last evening, she will do the very same this afternoon." Her smile returned, although it did nothing to comfort Eliza. "There are still those in society who wish for your company and who will not listen to what the gossipmongers have to say. You must cling to those, Eliza, until you can find the truth of your connection to Lady Warrington. Then and only then will you be free from these unholy mutterings."

This did not give Eliza any great comfort, however, for whilst she was appreciative of her aunt's encouragement, it did not bring her hope. After hearing what had been said about her mother, Eliza feared that no matter what happened, no matter what connection to Lady Warrington was discovered, she would always have a low place in society. The rumors might not stop, the wagging tongues might continue, just as they had done. She might never be free at all.

"Eliza!"

A warm, vibrant voice reached Eliza's ears, and turning her head to the right, saw Lady Sarah rushing towards her across the grass, her hands outstretched. A smile spread across Eliza's lips as she gripped her friend's hands, leaning into Sarah's effusive welcome.

"How glad, howgladI am that you came," Sarah said enthusiastically. "I was so afraid that you would not step out, that the gossip would be too much — but look now, here you are, courageous and strong."

"I hardly feel strong," Eliza answered ruefully, as her friend looped her arm through hers and began to take her back towardswhere the picnic had been set. "My aunt has had to do a good deal of convincing me, but yes, we are here at last." She could not help but smile as Sarah led her to where a checked cloth was spread out across the grass, anchored at each corner so that it would not lift. The spot was pleasant indeed, with an outlook across the large pond so they might watch the ducks as they ate. There were three large baskets at the feet of both a maid and a footman, both standing ready for Sarah's instructions. "Goodness," Eliza remarked, gesturing to the baskets. "Have you prepared some sort of vast feast for the four of us? I presume your own mother is here somewhere."