Unlike Lord Elmore, who was scowling darkly as he listened. His entire body was stiff, hands clasped tightly on his lap. He looked fit to start shouting; but for Aurora's sake, perhaps, he restrained himself.
Aurora let her gaze travel between the two men, feeling anxiety spike in her chest. Were they angry with her, for not getting Lord Foley on their side? Were they disappointed that their project came down to a Baron's desire to marry her?
With a deep breath, Aurora steadied herself. She had to finish, even if it hurt, because they deserved to know the full truth behind why Lord Foley had failed to answer.
"You can probably conclude yourselves that I turned Lord Foley down. Elmore, when you saw me running from the ballroom, it wasn't because I was ill." Another deep, calming breath; followed by a slow exhale. "I didn't mean to lie… I'm sorry."
He seemed incapable of speech, and only nodded stiffly.
"I'm afraid that I caused quite a scene at the ball; stormed off mid-dance and practically shouted in front of several other guests. Had I been a part of their normal social circle, I'm sure it would have been devastating to my reputation."
In that respect, Aurora was lucky not to be of upper class. It all sounded so stifling, so horrid, and she couldn't imagine having to live like that every day. The thought was almost as awful as the thought of marrying Lord Foley.
Still too aware of both men watching her, Aurora finished, "so, I don't think we will be hearing from Lord Foley — not unless he tries to convince me to marry him again, and I won't do it. Not for all the money in the world. Is that selfish of me?"
Father's expression turned sympathetic, a sigh leaving his lips. "Not at all," he reassured, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "You had every right to turn him away, he was out of line to suggest it. I do wish that you had come to me with your concerns, however."
"I didn’t want to worry you. He seemed to think that I was only useful as a wife, and that this project had no credit if I was the one in charge. Or perhaps he wanted to use it against me, thinking I'd be too desperate to turn him down."
Neither of those options were comforting in the slightest. It made Aurora feel sick to know that he desired to use her in that way. Except, now that she had admitted the truth, she didn't feel so rotten any longer. Perhaps all she had to do was let it off her chest, so to speak, and the rest sort of came with it.
They sat in the quiet for a long time, each digesting Aurora's story.
It was perhaps most difficult of all not for Aurora herself, but for Elmore, who seemed to be struggling to contain his emotions. He sat stiffly, rigid in his seat, face turned to scowl out of the window.
Birds called in the distance, drifting in through the open window. Leaves fluttered, and the scent of freshly cut grass wafted over. Yet all of these things, usually so comforting for Aurora, brought no delight. Concern rolled in her chest, overwhelming, and she wanted to be sick all over again.
It was Elmore who finally spoke, his voice more of a hiss than anything else. "Lord Foley," he snapped, "I didn't know him well, but I'mappalledthat he could do such a thing. Has he no shame? No sense of right and wrong?"
There's no point in getting angry,Aurora wanted to say, but couldn't quite force out the words. Instead, she only sighed in defeat.
"I'm glad that you turned him down," Elmore continued, "he deserves to feel the same kind of embarrassment he forced on you. The audacity of that man! Aurora, I hope you know that you're worth far more than that; you're a pivotal point in this project. Goodness, it all started with you in the first place—"
"Elmore?" she cut in gently.
He turned his gaze down to look at her, eyes softening. "Yes?"
She was muffling a laugh now, which was silly given all that had happened. Yet there it was, rising in her chest and lightening her mood.
"It's sweet that you wish to defend me — I'm grateful for it, really. You've been so kind to me these last few weeks."
He seemed to relax, some of the tension leaving his thick shoulders. "Why do I feel as if you're about to add something else onto that statement?"
"Because I don't... I don't need you to defend me. I can do that myself — what we need is aplan.I just with that I could come up with something by myself, but I can'tthink."
It was Father's turn to speak up now, a reassuring expression on his face. "You're flustered," he said gently, "I understand that. We should all try to calm, before trying to think up any grand plans."
"Actually," Lord Elmore piped up, "I think I might have something."
Chapter 28
Elmore Winters
He was disgusted by Lord Foley's behavior, mortified that anybody could act that way. How could anybody be so horrid to Aurora, a woman who had done nothing wrong?
Yet, as much as he hated to admit it, they still needed the money — and Lord Foley had proven that he was willing to provide it. That was why he'd come up with a plan of his own — one that would hopefully get them what they neededandkeep Aurora safe.
Aurora and Mr. Washam were both staring up at him now, waiting expectantly.