Page 26 of A Question of Worth

He smiled. "And you also, Lady Sarah. I was hoping — " his gaze returned to Eliza, who forced a smile, a rush of joy beginning to speed through her, "that I might be able to dance with you both this evening."

Once more, Eliza considered just how much she had come to respect and value Lord Ashcombe's character. The way he thought of her, the complete lack of concern over what society might think, and his determination to elevate her in his company filled her with a warmth she could not name.

I fear I shall soon fall quite in love with him,she thought to herself, taking her dance card and tugging it from her wrist.And then what shall I do?

"You are very kind, Lord Ashcombe," she said, their fingers brushing as lightning jolted through her. "I would be very glad to dance with you this evening."

"ButIwould not."

Before Eliza could react, another gentleman — one that Eliza recognized but did not recall the name of — came to join them, his face twisted with obvious frustration. He put one hand on Lord Ashcombe's shoulder as if he wanted to pull him away from Eliza.

"This must end."

"Brother." Lord Ashcombe turned, his brow furrowing as Eliza, her heart beginning to quicken, looked to Sarah, who was now narrowing her gaze at this unwanted company. "This is not the time nor the place." He shot a look back towards Eliza, anapologetic look on his face. "Forgive my brother, Miss Fairleigh. He has no cause to — "

"You know very well I have cause!" Mr. Ashcombe interrupted, throwing up his hands and, as he did so, catching the attention of others around them. "I have spoken to you on multiple occasions about the lady, have I not? I understand that you say you are doing your best to protect the family name, as you have said, but can you not see that lingering in her company is doing us no good?"

Eliza's face grew hot, but she refused to drop her gaze, clenching her fingers into her palms as she steadied herself. Lord Ashcombe had come to her rescue once before with Lady Ravenshill, and she had absolute trust that he was not about to buckle under now, even if itwashis brother who was speaking to him in such terms.

"That is enough, James." Lord Ashcombe turned to face his brother, gripping his arm, his voice low as he attempted to quieten him. "Might I suggest that you leave me to my own endeavors and, as I have asked you to do before, trust my judgement in such things?"

Eliza hoped that this would send Mr. Ashcombe away, that he would listen and step back, but, much to her disappointment, his face only tightened with anger, his eyes flashing as he threw a look towards her. "You know as well as I that this inheritance matter has brought mortification to both herself and her father's name — such as it was. Why would you take such interest in her? Ought you not to be discreet?" His voice began to rise, and Eliza's face grew hot, sensing every eye near them turning to look at Mr. Ashcombe and all he was saying. "Staying away from this lady, this... thismanipulator,for she must be such a thing to gain this inheritance, is surely the only possible action for a gentleman of your standing, brother. To be near to her, to draw such attention towards both yourself and her will only addscandal and whispers to both of you — the very thing you are trying to avoid!"

Before Lord Ashcombe could speak further, his brother swung towards her, his eyes cold and accusatory. "I confess, I agree with all that society has said of you, Miss Fairleigh. There must be some reason that Lady Warrington gave you such an inheritance. You must havedonesomething to sway her hand. Tell me, Miss Fairleigh — tell us all, if you please — what did you do, or what did your father do, to gain such a gift? What manipulations did you use to have her offer you such a thing?"

Each word was like a physical blow, forcing her breath out of her body as she recoiled from him. She could practically feel every eye in the room settling on her, the whispers rising like a vast cloud closing in around her, threatening to choke her. Sarah was saying something, Lord Ashcombe was speaking angrily to his brother, his eyes narrowed, but she could hear none of it. The roar of blood in her ears was too loud, the weight of the crowd's judgement too great for her to bear. Without another word, she turned and fled from the room, pushing back the door with such force that it smacked back against the wall. The cool, dark hallway gave her no comfort, the tears spilling freely down her cheeks as she found an alcove in which to hide herself, alone in the empty silence.

It does not matter what we find,she told herself. She went still. Then a breath through her nose — slow and careful — as if she were rationing even that.Even if I were to discover the true connection between myself and Lady Warrington, thetonhave already decided what I am and what I forever shall be.Covering her face with her hands, she sank down, her back against the wall.I shall never be free of this shame, not for as long as I live.

12

"ButIwould not."

The hand that settled on Nathaniel's shoulder was not a welcome one. He had been just about to sign Miss Fairleigh's dance card, his heart warm and glad at the prospect of dancing with her, only for his brother to interrupt them.

He tried to check James at once — a low word, a warning glance, the plea that he leave the matter to Nathaniel's own judgement — but it did no good. He knew the shape of every accusation before it came; he had heard them across a hundred private arguments. Now James flung them aloud, for the whole ballroom to hear. That Nathaniel was foolish. That lingering near the lady would drag them both into scandal. That she was a manipulator who must have donesomethingto sway Lady Warrington's hand. Each word was pitched to wound and pitched to carry, and Nathaniel felt the cold horror of it settle in his stomach as the crowd pressed forward, greedy for more.

"Stop," Nathaniel said, his voice low with warning, reaching out as though he might shield her from the words themselves. "You will hold your tongue, James."

But his brother did not look at him. He looked only at her — and demanded, before them all, what she or her father had done to earn such a gift.

The sight of Miss Fairleigh was worse than anything James could say. She stood utterly still, her eyes flooded with unshed tears, her hands trembling, her face sheet white. Then she turned, her shoulder dropping low, her head bowed, and walked with quick, hasty steps away from them all. The crowd parted before her as if she were some plague to be avoided at all costs, and Nathaniel, his hands hanging open at his sides, made to go after her.

"Miss Fairleigh, wait — "

James's hand closed on his arm, tugging him back. "Will you not listen to reason? Tosense?"

The sound of the door opening and then closing echoed down the room. She was gone. It was as if she had shut herself away from theton, closing the door between them, never to open it again.

"You are the one who has disgraced yourself, James." Rounding on his brother with an anger he made no effort to disguise, he shook off his brother's hand. "And you have done so publicly."

"I have merely spoken the truth," James responded, although there was a flicker of unease in his eyes. "I told you to stay away from her, but you would not listen. You — "

"You have no right to determine what I will and will not do," Nathaniel interjected, ignoring the others around him. "Nor do you have any right to humiliate a lady in such a disgraceful, shameful manner. You are just as cruel and as foolish as those who believe whispers about Miss Fairleigh and take it as truth. I am utterly ashamed of you."

Without another word, without waiting for him to respond, Nathaniel turned on his heel and strode after Miss Fairleigh,pausing only to speak to Lady Sarah, who stood as if she were carved from marble. Her hand was pressed to her heart, her expression pale, her eyes wide with distress.

"Lady Sarah," he said, as she blinked back her own tears, "might you find Lady Newark? I do not know where she is — and if she is on the other side of the room, she may not know what has taken place. I am sure Miss Fairleigh will be in need of her comfort."