The Devil's Submission (Fallen series) by Nicola Davidson

Author:Nicola Davidson [Davidson, Nicola]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC (Scorched)
Published: 2017-02-05T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Five

The tea was hot and sweet, and a tiered selection of tarts and cream cakes and pastries sat within arm’s reach, but even a nibble would have her casting up her accounts. A carriage wreck was about to occur right before her eyes, and there wasn’t a thing she could do to stop it.

Eliza watched in utter misery as her mother finished a jam tart and dabbed her mouth with a linen napkin.

“Lord Grayson,” said Lady Brimley, fluttering her lashes. “While I never expected a son-in-law quite so mired in, er, trade, your social connections prove that nasty stain can be overcome. And as I said earlier, I have always admired your generosity toward my daughter. But now that generosity and giving, that caring concern, must go wider.”

Grayson’s expression eased. “Are you raising funds for a charity, Lady Brimley? A church or hospital or orphanage perhaps? I’d be pleased to donate if that is the case.”

“Something like that, dear boy. A most worthy cause.”

“Which is?” her husband said a trifle impatiently, and Eliza wanted to slide under the table.

“The Brimley Finishing Academy!”

He frowned. “I’m not sure I understand. I thought your school was well-placed financially, all those grateful families regularly contributing after a successful match, alongside all the term fees from current students.”

Lady Brimley’s smile thinned. “That was the case. Until my own daughter and her husband decided to live apart in a very public fashion after just a few months of marriage.”

“Ah,” said Grayson, clearing his throat. “I see. But surely the school’s coffers could survive that? And as we are currently reconciling, that shouldn’t affect the school’s reputation in the future?”

“Well, yes. And I applaud every sacrifice my daughter has made to achieve that reconciliation.”

Eliza clenched her fists. “I haven’t made any sacrifices, Mother.”

“Yes you have! Behaving like a strumpet in public just to please your husband. Oh, my dear, I saw what you did while looking at fabrics, and my heart broke for you. But rest assured that I forgive you, for it is a woman’s lot to endure distasteful things. Do you think I wanted to tak…er, borrow the money? No, I did not. But I must tolerate Brimley’s gross weaknesses as any good wife should.”

Grayson didn’t look at her, but she felt his shock and shame like a physical blow. The death knell to her fledgling happiness, delivered in a few sharp words.

“Mother,” she began, her temper barely leashed now. “Our situations are completely diff—”

“No need to explain, Eliza,” said Grayson icily, making her shiver. “As your mother rightly points out, it is the wife who suffers when her husband is inadequate. Tell me, Lady Brimley, how much were you compelled to borrow from the academy?”

“Ten thousand pounds. It made me feel ill inside, and I am ashamed to admit I felt scorn for Brimley when he confessed. Such abhorrent weakness, a man looking to a woman for guidance and salvation. But as I said, well-bred ladies like Eliza and I, we endure.”

“Indeed. I’ll

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