Page 55 of The Rake’s Convenient Bride

Elizabeth washed her face at the basin, the water ice cold and refreshing against the heat of her cheeks and eyes. The idea of getting away from London held great appeal to be sure. With that thought tucked nicely in the back of her mind, she hastily dressed and slipped into Grace’s room to help her sister prepare for her own engagement party.

Elizabeth couldn’t take her eyes off her sister, her chest swelling with pride.

Their father announced Grace’s engagement officially and she and Scorbridge had been inseparable throughout the evening ever since. Whether they were swirling over the dance floor or engaged in conversation, their eyes were starry with affection for one another.

Jasper had looked at Elizabeth like that.

His stare had been convincing even though she’d known he was acting. Yet there were so many moments she still recalled so vividly, like how he’d held her upright when they danced, after she’d so boldly teased him toward intimacy.

And how later, he’d deliciously obliged in the shadowed alcove of their patio.

“Have you told people yet?” Amy’s voice startled Elizabeth.

“I beg your pardon?” Elizabeth turned to her friend and found not only Amy, but also Lucy and Jillian staring at her expectantly.

“You don’t have to say anything, you know,” Lucy offered.

“He looked at you like that.” Jillian nodded across the room to where Grace and Scorbridge gazed adoringly at one another.

“Any way he regarded me was part of the ruse,” Elizabeth whispered.

“Was it?” Jillian arched a brow.

“Whose side are you on in all of this?” Elizabeth asked, incredulous.

“Always yours,” Lucy said vehemently.

“Which is why we want to make sure you are certain this is really what you want,” Amy said.

“Of course it is,” Elizabeth replied.

The three exchanged a dubious look.

“Then you will likely have your chance.” Jillian glanced toward Lady Hasselton as she approached, one of her ever-present feathers in her hair bobbing about behind her like an errant antenna.

Elizabeth steeled herself.

Lady Hasselton was keen on disproving the public love match between Jasper and Elizabeth for the scandal it was. There was a high likelihood she had been the source behind the scandal sheets finding out about Elizabeth being caught alone in the study with Jasper before Lady Gentry announced their surprise engagement. Lady Hasselton would certainly delight in hearing Elizabeth admit that she felt as though she and Jasper did not suit, and that she was strongly considering releasing him from his promise to marry her.

The countess paused in front of them, waving a fan in front of her face that set her feather bobbing at a frenzied pace. “I wager your father would be delighted if you have an engagement party soon,” she said to Jillian.

“I’d sooner announce the opening of an art school than I would a proposal.” Jillian smiled sweetly.

“Goodness, but you say the most preposterous things.” Lady Hasselton scoffed and gave a little snort of laughter. “An art school indeed!” To Elizabeth, the older woman nodded. “Your mother is lucky to be marrying off two daughters in one season.”

The moment was ideal for Elizabeth to share her unhappiness with Jasper, to lay the public fodder for an impending dismissal of their engagement.

Elizabeth opened her mouth.

Suddenly she wondered at Jasper reading the scandal sheets the following day, seeing their dissolution in bold print, detailed for all to see.

And would he be disappointed?

As disappointed as Elizabeth?

“Speaking of Lord Darington, he appears to be absent this evening.” Lady Hasselton made a point of looking about with great exaggeration.

Her purposeful demeanor in noting Jasper’s absence needled Elizabeth. “Mama is overjoyed at the prospect of two impending weddings,” she said finally, intentionally ignoring the opportunity to confirm Jasper was not in attendance, that they were preparing to part ways with one another.