Harlequin Historical: November 2022 Box Set 2 of 2 by Christine Merrill

Author:Christine Merrill
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

After supper her mother settled in a chair, prattling with some other ladies, probably about the latest on dit. Which might have been about Nate. Her father seated himself near her mother and nodded off from all the drink he’d consumed.

At least he was not playing cards.

The next set was announced and the room was busy with gentlemen collecting their partners.

A voice sounded at her side. ‘Lady Varden?’

She looked up.

It was Crafton. ‘Will you do me the honour of this dance?’

She bristled. She had no doubt that it had been Crafton who’d enticed her father into the card room. Had he also plied her father with drink? Drink and cards was a lethal combination for her father.

‘I am not dancing, sir,’ she said.

He did not leave. ‘Well, that is a shame, my lady. I was hoping to be your partner.’

She did not even attempt to sound cordial. ‘How unfortunate for you.’

He laughed, a dry, wheezing sound. ‘I will recover,’ he said. ‘And may I presume to ask if I might call upon you tomorrow?’

Call upon her? No!

‘Whatever for, sir?’ she asked.

‘A matter I wish to discuss,’ he replied.

‘Whatever would you need to discuss with me?’ she retorted.

His smile turned slippery. ‘Something I must see you about.’

Eliza was curt. ‘It is not convenient for you to call upon me. Tell me here.’

Crafton smirked. ‘Believe me, you would not wish this to be overheard. I will call tomorrow. Be available at ten.’

He bowed and sauntered away.

When he was far enough away she had a sudden need to escape the crowd and the noise. She headed for the door, as if escaping the ballroom would rid her of the ill feeling Crafton aroused in her.

What did he want with her? What could he possibly have to say to her?

When she reached the hallway, Nate caught up with her. ‘Eliza?’

She turned to him.

He took her arm and pulled her into one of the rooms off the hallway.

‘Nate! What are you doing?’ she cried, but she was not unhappy to see him.

‘Forgive me, Eliza,’ he said. ‘But what did Crafton say to you?’

She did not want to tell him, but she was unsure why. ‘He asked me to dance and I refused. That was all, Nate.’

He peered at her and she knew he could tell she was not telling him the whole of it.

She turned the subject on to him. ‘You should not have forced me to be private with you.’

He looked unchastened. ‘I needed to warn you. Crafton can be a dangerous man.’

‘I know how he is, I assure you.’ She’d not tell him why she knew. ‘But I am able to deal with him.’

If Crafton did call upon her on the morrow, she’d face him. Like Nate had taught her to face all unpleasant things.

‘Let me help you,’ he insisted.

She put up a hand. ‘If I need help, I will ask.’

How nice it would be to hand all her troubles over to her captain who would be strong and capable and wise.

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