And all this for one stone-faced duke.
A shiver traced down her spine. The man’s eyes certainly matched all the rumors of ruthlessness. Handsome, certainly.But in a wholly unapproachable way. Which was probably what made the man so breath-taking and intriguing.
“My lady?” Aubrey urged.
Elowyn nodded and resigned herself to her fate. Taking a deep, fortifying breath, she stepped into the drawing room, flinching when three pairs of eyes instantly sliced into her. Three dark clouds might as well have hovered above their heads for all their dark looks.
She couldn’t quite help the slight tremble in her hands.
Elowyn hated conflict.
She’d much sooner have the earth swallow her whole than face it, quite honestly. But there was no running from this lot.
“Lady Florence, Lady Matilda, and Lady Gabrielle. To what do I owe this distinct,” and thoroughly unfortunate, “pleasure?”
Lady Gabrielle leaped to her feet, pointing a finger at her. “Do not play the fool. You know exactly what you did! I failed at my grand plan and it’s all your fault!”
“Gabrielle,” Lady Florence murmured, also rising to her feet with Lady Matilda reluctantly following suit. “All is not lost.” Lady Florence looked over to Elowyn. “We only need you to inform the Duchess of Cranbrook and Gabrielle’s mother of what transpired last night. Please.”
Elowyn almost softened. Stars, she didn’t like being in this position, but even though Lady Florence had asked nicely, Lady Gabrielle’s uncompromising glare made that impossible. So, she crossed her arms, and forced out, “And what exactly is that?”
Lady Gabrielle narrowed her eyes, while Lady Florence, the seeming spokesperson today, simply said, “You bore witnessto the Duke of Mandeville compromising our friend. As a witness, you have a moral obligation to confirm what occurred. All we ask is that you relay everything you saw to the host of the ball. If you refuse, you are just as guilty of compromising her as he is.”
How outlandish.
As if Elowyn hadn’t seen through the entire charade.
Neither she nor the duke was guilty.
You, yes.
The Duke of Mandeville . . .
Could she truly claim that of him?
Elowyn hesitated. She wanted to refuse on the principle of annoyance, honestly. But . . . what did she know about the relationship between Lady Gabrielle and the duke? It could be much more complicated than met the eye.
Perhaps it would be better to do what they wanted?
Itwouldbe the easier route.
Elowyn’s shoulders sagged slightly.
“Five seasons,” Lady Gabrielle announced, her voice dripping with contempt. “Five seasons, and still no offer. No dance card filled with suitors. No gentleman caller. And yet you presume to slowmyefforts? At least I’m trying to secure my future. What are you doing? Hiding in the margins, hoping someone notices you?”
Lady Matilda nodded in agreement.
They might as well have slapped Elowyn.
All sympathy evaporated. In its place came something sharper—pure, crystalline indignation.
How dare this woman judge her so harshly? She, who knew nothing of what she’d been through and her aforementioned efforts.On what did she even base her uninformed assumptions? Unacceptable.
“Trying?” Elowyn said softly. “Is that what you’re calling your roundabout schemes?” Which thoroughly felt like an inadequate way of phrasing, but it was the politest version of what she meant. “I refuse to be drawn into your schemes.”
Lady Florence sighed, grabbing Lady Gabrielle’s arms when she would have responded. “This is no jesting matter, so I urge you to reconsider. If you do this for us, we will make it up to you, we promise.”
We?Promise?