Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 97740 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97740 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
He turns, and the second I catch sight of his face, I realise I am in trouble. ‘What were you thinking?’ he barks, stopping me in my tracks with his furious words. ‘I was protecting you, Eliza, and you could have just ruined everything!’
I wilt, thoroughly scorned. ‘I couldn’t bear to listen to her speak about you in such a way.’ My defence is rather pathetic. Now is not the time to be possessive, but, and I doubt I should share, I could have said a lot more. Wanted to say a lot more!
‘You will stand it like I must stand watching you with that nitwit Lymington.’
He did not look like he was standing it very well when he bumped into me. Neither when he barged Frederick and I on the dance floor at Almack’s. But now is perhaps not the time to point this observation out to him. ‘What are you protecting me from, Johnny? I demand to know the truth.’
He waves a deranged hand at nothing in particular. ‘I’m protecting you from all of them.’
‘I do not need protecting from them.’
He sighs, rubbing at his creased forehead. ‘But me…?’ He looks like a man ruined as he paces up and down. ‘You,’ he says with extreme emphasis, ‘must control your mouth, Eliza.’
I snort. ‘That’s rich. You claim to love my mouth.’
‘Your smart mouth, not your out-of-control mouth.’
‘My mouth is my mouth. Take it or leave it.’
‘If you insist.’ He’s on me like a lion, kissing me ferociously, and I am once again breathless. Consumed. My insides swirl more as he explores my mouth as if he knows it inside out in every way, because he does. It was quite refreshing to know Frank and my father had been paying enough attention to figure out I was writing again. That they know me so well, and my writing style is so familiar to them. But the Duke? He knows me. Understands me. ‘Imagine if,’ I say around his kiss, ‘I knew it was Lady Tillsbury who wrote to you advising you of my article about your arrival in London.’ I break away and look him directly in the eye, but before I can ask, he answers my unspoken question.
‘Only ever one night, but with you…’ He strokes my cheek softly. ‘An eternity with you will never be enough, Eliza.’
I sigh, clasping the front of his jacket and looking up at him. I fear he is right. I also fear it would feel like an eternity to wait for the moments we may steal and be together. ‘Why do you hate Frederick so?’ I ask. ‘He is but a harmless man.’
He laughs lightly. ‘Why do you think?’
‘You greatly disliked him before becoming fond of me.’ There’s more to this. I know it.
‘I…’ He drops his eyes to my throat, frowning. ‘I never expected to fall in love, Eliza. I didn’t think I was capable. I have only ever let down those whom I love, you see, and I am scared of…’ He shakes his head. ‘You must give me the time I need to make this all right. I promise I—’
The shrill cry of a woman reaches us from the ballroom, and we both dart our eyes down the corridor. The entire palace seems to fall still and quiet. ‘What was that?’ I ask as Johnny breaks away.
‘Stay there,’ he orders, sounding all too edgy for my liking, as he disappears down the corridor towards the ballroom. I follow, ignoring him, and when I emerge, I see all the guests hurrying towards the grand entrance. I scan the space for Johnny, not seeing him, so I follow the crowds.
‘Eliza, there you are,’ Frank mutters, taking my arm.
‘What is happening?’
My brother doesn’t answer, just frowns, as we leave the ballroom and join the other guests at the front of the palace.
‘It’s Frederick Lymington,’ someone says, on their tippytoes to try to see past everyone.
‘What?’ I question, shrugging Frank off and pushing my way through the crowd. I break out the other side and gasp my horror when I find Frederick lying unconscious on the ground. He has a lump as big as an egg on his head, and he starts to groan and writhe as a few of the Prince’s footmen move in to assist, helping him to sit up. ‘Frederick, what happened?’ I ask, rushing to his side, alarmed by the size of the lump, which seems to be growing by the second.
‘Colleen?’ he says, squinting, reaching for my shoulder. ‘Colleen, is that you?’
‘Who is Colleen?’
‘Shut up, Frederick!’ Lymington barks. ‘Isn’t it obvious what’s happened,’ he goes on, smacking people with his walking aid to move them from his path. ‘He’s been attacked.’
Frederick reaches for his forehead and winces. ‘Ouch.’
‘By whom?’ I ask.
Lymington points his stick. ‘By him.’
I hear gasps, and I turn to find Johnny behind me looking as dark as a man could look. ‘What?’ I whisper, knowing it not to be true. I was with Johnny just now, and I recall seeing Frederick unharmed and on his feet, as I went after the Duke. What is this madness? ‘Prove it,’ I blurt.