Eliza closed her eyes so as to stop any tears from forming in the corner of her eyes. “Mama, please do not question me. I am a little…troubled, I confess it.”
“Troubled?” her mother repeated, grasping Eliza’s hands tightly, which forced her to open her eyes. “My dear girl, why have you not spoken of this before? Do you not know that I am always here to listen to what you have to say? That I have a listening ear for any of your troubles?”
Eliza could not speak for a moment or two, such was the depth of her emotions. She did not want to break into sobs and fling herself around her mother’s neck for fear that Lord Montrose would be welcomed into the room. He was tardy already and she could not imagine what he would think if he saw her weeping in her mother’s arms.
“Come and sit down, Eliza,” Lady Whitehaven commanded, looking more and more concerned. “Please, my dear, you must do so at once. I am truly troubled at seeing you so distressed.”
Eliza had no other choice but to go with her mother, seating herself down in a chair whilst her mother took her by her elbow.
“Now,” Lady Whitehaven said, gently but with a firm look in her eye. “I can imagine that seeing Lord Avondale again is part of your present difficulties, is it not?” She looked keenly into Eliza’s eyes. “Did he speak to you, then? Has he told you of why had to separate himself from you?”
Sniffing a little indelicately, Eliza shook her head. “No, Mama, he did not. He has not spoken to me of it as yet, although he does still wish to and I believe that I will permit him to do so.”
Lady Whitehaven looked a little relieved at this. “I do think that would be wise, Eliza,” she said, honestly. “I have seen your struggle and your grief and know that a good deal of it stems from being unable to discover the truth about what occurred two years ago. If Lord Avondale is able to now express to you why he had to behave in such an ungentlemanly manner, then I think it best you hear it.”
Nodding slowly, Eliza fixed her gaze on her hands that were folded in her lap. “He states that he loves me still,” she said, softly. “I thought that he might have come to care for his wife but, from what I understand, there was no choice in the matter for him. He had to wed her, for whatever reason.”
“A reason you can soon discover,” Lady Whitehaven said, gently. Her eyes fixed on Eliza’s, as though she were trying to discern Eliza’s feelings on the matter of Lord Avondale without having to ask her.
“I do not know what to think,” Eliza said, honestly. “The reason Lord Avondale did not speak to me of his late wife was due to the fact that he wished to speak of Lord Montrose.”
Lady Whitehaven’s brow rose. “Is that so?” she murmured, looking surprised. “And what was it he wished to speak to you about?”
Eliza shook her head and rubbed at her forehead. “Lord Montrose was apparently speaking of Lady Barclay,” she said, feeling a flush of shame creep over her as though she was the reason behind Lord Montrose’s consideration of the lady. “A gentleman, it seems, is quite open to having both a wife and a mistress.”
Much to her surprise, Eliza saw that her mother did not appear shocked by this news. Instead, Lady Whitehaven simply nodded and folded her hands in her lap, waiting for Eliza to continue.
“Mama!” Eliza exclaimed, shocked by the lack of response. “Does this not come as something of a surprise to you?”
Lady Whitehaven sighed, a pained expression washing over her face. “My dear girl, this is the way of gentlemen. Do you truly not understand such a thing?”
Eliza closed her eyes, her stomach swirling. “Papa….?”
“Your father was a very good man, Eliza,” Lady Whitehaven replied, firmly. “He did not do as most gentlemen might and remained loyal to me. I shall always be grateful to him for his consideration.”
Eliza shook her head again and buried her face in her hands. This was not what she had thought her mother would say, finding herself torn into small pieces inside that seemed to knot and twist together until she was lost in confusion.
“It is not a surprise to me that Lord Montrose is considering such a thing,” Lady Whitehaven continued calmly, her voice still gentle as though she were trying to reassure Eliza with her knowledge of a gentleman’s ways. “However, as I have said, Eliza, there are a few gentlemen who would never do such a thing, such is their loyalty to their spouse.”
Eliza slowly lifted her head, looking pointedly at her mother who nodded slowly. There was no need for further explanations, it seemed, for Eliza knew precisely what her mother was trying to say. Lord Avondale was such a gentleman, of course. He would never allow himself to be torn away from Eliza’s side, would never allow himself to treat her with such disrespect. Lord Montrose, however, was not of the same ilk. He did not care for Eliza in the way that Lord Avondale clearly did. They might be a good match, yes, but he did not have any particular affection for her. Did she truly want to tie herself to a gentleman such as that?
And yet, Eliza knew that she had allowed Lord Montrose to believe that she was fully committed to their courtship, having been fully aware of his intentions when she had accepted him. He wanted to propose to her soon and would have them wed only a few weeks thereafter. Less than a month, in fact, for the banns could be called immediately.
“I have encouraged Lord Montrose’s affections, Mama,” she said, brokenly, spreading her hands. “I have still not forgiven Lord Avondale for his rejection and the heartbreak that followed. I am torn between two gentlemen, fearing what I do not know for them both.”
Lady Whitehaven’s eyes softened. “I can well understand that, my dear girl,” she answered. “I cannot guide you in this. It must come from your own heart.” She leaned forward and looked into Eliza
’s eyes. “All I can advise you is that you seek the truth from both gentlemen, before you make any kind of decision.”
“The truth?” Eliza repeated, not quite understanding what her mother meant. “I understand that Lord Avondale wishes to tell me the truth behind his refusal to wed me, but what for Lord Montrose?”
A dark look came into Lady Whitehaven’s eyes, betraying for a moment the truth of what she felt over Lord Montrose’s behavior. “I think, with Lord Montrose, you must ask him the truth about his regard for you, Eliza,” Lady Whitehaven stated, clearly. “Do not shirk from it. Do not allow his loud manner to intimidate you. Find out what you wish to know, so that you can be fully aware of what future awaits you should you accept him.”
A stone seemed to settle in Eliza’s stomach upon hearing this. Of course, she knew it made sense for her to do such a thing but the thought of speaking so openly to Lord Montrose made her feel as though she might cast up her accounts before being able to do so.
“I think I hear footsteps approaching,” Lady Whitehaven murmured, getting to her feet before Eliza could say anything in response. “Quickly now. Set your face into a smile and remember what it is I have told you.”
Eliza hastened to her feet, smoothing her skirts carefully as the door opened and the butler stepped in to announce Lord Montrose.