Lady Grisham stepped inside. She carried a teacup with practiced care, adding sugar with calm deliberation—Elizabeth’s usual preference, of course. Always playing the attentive hostess, even in moments of disapproval.
“I find it rather convenient,” she said, handing over the tea. “That these headaches strike on the very nights we have engagements. Balls. Suppers. Parties with important guests.”
Wilhelmina stood at the foot of the bed, looking uncomfortable, her arms folded tightly across her waist.
“Mother, please,” she pleaded, “it’s obvious she’s poorly.”
Lady Grisham didn’t even spare her a glance.
Elizabeth took the cup but didn’t drink. Her blush had returned, crawling up her neck and into her cheeks.
“I’ve only missed two engagements,” she mumbled.
“This is the third,” Lady Grisham corrected.
“Three, then.”
“Precisely. Several. Especially for someone who made such a spectacular impression the last time she appeared. You were a triumph. And now? You’re letting it go to waste.”
“Mother, will you leave Lizzie in peace for one moment? Just one moment without pestering her about the marriage mart?” Wilhelmina huffed, her brows knitted.
Lady Grisham glared at her. “Everything I say and do is for your benefit, child.”
Elizabeth clutched her teacup tightly, willing her voice not to shake. She knew what her stepmother was suggesting without saying it aloud. Sheknewhow the ton could speculate. A lady disappears after a flirtation too bold, and everyone imagines the worst.
And the worst wasn’t far from the truth.
She wasn’t ruined: from what Marianne had told her about the marriage bed, what Alasdair had done to her didn’t mean Elizabeth was ruined.
Not yet.
She wasn’t untouched, either. That knowledge throbbed inside her like a second pulse.
“Well, my benefit now pertains to you leaving my sister alone,” Wilhelmina snapped back, “Mother.”
“I will not tolerate such impertinence from you, Wilhelmina. I am warning?—”
“I understand, Lady Grisham,” Elizabeth interjected evenly. “I’ll do my best to recover in time for the next event.”
Lady Grisham sighed, the sound almost disappointed. She left the room without saying another word, but her message had been clear.
“Are you all right?” Wilhelmina edged closer.
“Yes, yes. Please don’t create tension between you and your mother just for me.”
“You were the one that’s been by my side, Lizzie. Not her. So no, I won’t let her put you down like this.”
Elizabeth sighed. “I love you, too.” It was all she could say.
Wilhelmina leaned down and hugged her tightly.
Heavens, she needed this. But Wilhelmina was an innocent, and Elizabeth didn’t need to bring her down with her problems.
“Now go, darling. I’m sure your mother will return to collect you,” Elizabeth said.
Wilhelmina sighed, “You lucky little fairy. I’ll have to come up with a new kind of excuse to get out of such idiotic conventions.”
“I am sure whatever you do come up with shall be creative, sister.”