A Hasty Betrothal by Jessica Nelson

Author:Jessica Nelson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-11-27T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Three weeks later, Elizabeth studied her grandmother’s ballroom, admiring the sparkling chandeliers and shining fixtures. Their staff had done a magnificent job in readying the house. All of the previous days’ activities had been enjoyable. Tonight was the last night of the ball, and it was moving along without a hitch.

People milled about the floor as the orchestra played a quiet Mozart piece. She spotted Lady Danvers speaking with Mrs. Johnston, wife to one of the gentleman on Miles’s list.

“A varied guest list, my dear.” Grandmother’s perfume reached Elizabeth before the duchess herself did. “Were these...commoners...your choice or Miles’s?”

“What does it matter?” Elizabeth scanned the crowd for her fiancé. They had planned to make their announcement before dinner. “This is the last night, and not a person has complained of sharing the house with those of lower stations. In fact, this party has been everything I hoped for it to be.” And she prayed Miles agreed. If he ever showed up. She had much to tell him.

“Miles participated in the activities, I presume?”

“Yesterday he joined in the shooting.” Not an event Elizabeth enjoyed but many of the guests found it exhilarating, and they’d brought home a few grouse for their efforts. “He’s been at Littleshire much of the time.” She had not liked his haggard look yesterday. Her heart squeezed painfully as she recalled the circles beneath his eyes.

Grandmother put her quizzing glass to her eye and made a tiny sound that passed for disapproval. “He should be here with you.”

Elizabeth set her shoulders, prepared to defend him when she saw Lady Danvers floating their way. The elderly matron of all things respectable was a longtime friend of Grandmother’s and a titled woman. By her side was Lady Kimball, a marchioness with a reputation for kindness. One of the main reasons Elizabeth had invited her.

They greeted Grandmother and then turned to Elizabeth. Lady Danvers’s silvery brows rose as she inspected Elizabeth head to toe. Her gaze lingered on the birthmark, but no pity entered her expression. Then she met Elizabeth’s gaze.

“Imagine my surprise when I received your invitation in the post and learned that a duke’s granddaughter was to be married to a gentleman. A man with neither pedigree nor title.”

“He is a respectable man of honor,” Elizabeth said quickly, hardly thinking as the words poured from her mouth.

“Is that so?” A knowing look passed between Lady Danvers and Lady Kimball.

“It is.” She pressed her lips firmly together, little wanting to offend these women but unwilling to allow them to disdain Miles. Certainly, she could point out his flaws to him, but she was not about to let women who did not know him one tidbit damage his reputation.

“We have heard of his charitable bent,” Lady Danvers continued. “It is rumored he runs his factories with precision and fairness. His father had the reputation of being a gentleman and has obviously passed it down to his sons.”

“Are you acquainted with Mr. Hawthorne’s brother, then?”

“I am. He is quite the businessman.

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