Alex’s shoulders slumped. “No.” In spite of Elizabeth’s outrageous proposal—a proposal he could not stop thinking about—nothing had actually happened. And he’d agreed not to mention their conversation, so there was really nothing more to say.
Marian’s gaze softened. “She’s good with the children, Alex. She just wants to live quietly, forget the past, and do her job. That’s all I ask as well. I imagine it’s difficult for her. Just let her be.”
Slowly, Alex took a seat. Elizabeth was a schemer. He was sure of it. A beautiful one, to be sure, but no young lady of the ton would willingly trade her privileged life for the work of a governess. Had her only marital option been that boor he’d met at the stables? He’d not heard Elizabeth described as one of the ton’s Incomparables, but surely she’d had suitors besides the one she’d been so desperate to avoid. And if she was absolutely determined not to marry, any number of men would happily support her in a comfortable style for the favors she’d rashly—and freely—offered him. Of course, her reputation would be shredded. She was too intelligent not to realize that.
Nor did he believe it pure coincidence that she had hired on with the sister of the man to whom she’d made that insane proposal.
No, Elizabeth Medford was definitely up to something. He just didn’t know what. And, clearly, Marian had been just as taken in by Elizabeth as Alex had been by her father.
“So, who have you invited to this party of yours?” he asked to change the subject. “It’s a small affair, right? After all, the Season is still on.”
“A smallish affair,” Marian confirmed. “About twenty guests.” A matchmaking look Alex knew too well lit his sister’s eyes. “Miss Landow and Miss Symington will be in attendance, along with a cousin of theirs just returned from France. I can’t recall her name just now. Unmarried,” she added helpfully.
“I see. Please, do not tell me this party has been concocted for the purpose of finding me a lifelong companion.”
“A fiancée.” Marian’s features took on the fierceness of one going into battle. “No, that’s not why I’m having the party, strictly speaking. But it wouldn’t hurt you to look. When are you going to settle down, Alex? Your youthful follies were fine for, well, a youth, but it’s been some time since you’ve seriously courted anyone.”
“I’m not interested.”
“You need an heir,” Marian pressed.
“You speak as though I’ve one foot in the grave already.”
Marian’s expression softened. “No, of course not. I just want to see you happy. And no matter what you claim, I don’t believe all your little affaires are actually making you that way.”
She had a point. But admitting it would only add fuel to her fire. “We’ll see,” he said instead.
Alex’s plan to uncover Elizabeth’s true motives was not progressing well. He’d learned disappointingly little from his sister. Confronting Elizabeth in person proved difficult, for the tempting governess had made herself quite scarce. As soon as the guests for the house party had arrived, Elizabeth and the children had retreated to the nursery, or wherever it was children went with their governesses these days.
When she did appear in the open, she had the children in tow, and they were usually off to the gardens or the pond—somewhere, Alex realized, she was unlikely to be recognized by the other guests.
On Saturday afternoon, Alex watched as Elizabeth walked with the little ones in the garden, pointing out the various plants and shrubs. A nature lesson, he guessed.
The other houseguests were on an outing in the nearby town, but Alex had begged off, citing estate matters and correspondence. He’d dispatched those matters with ease, leaving the remainder of the day to his leisure.
Elizabeth laughed, presumably at something one of the children had said. She’d allowed her bonnet to fall back, and the rays of the sun kissed her cheeks and gleamed on her hair.
She was an enigma. Three weeks ago, he’d thought her no more than a spoiled, defiant daughter who didn’t know what was best for her—and who came from a family of schemers. Most of London knew by now that the Medford coffers were empty, the family teetering on the brink of ruin. He was well aware of his own role in bringing them to that state, but what had Miss Medford actually hoped to accomplish when she’d approached him in the park? And why him?
True, she wanted to avoid marrying the arrogant pig he’d encountered at the Derringworth stables, but Elizabeth could have gone to any other nobleman—any other man, for that matter—and made him the same proposal she’d made to him. He couldn’t imagine many, besides himself, would turn her down.
But, apparently, she hadn’t sought out another man, a fact he found oddly satisfying.
She had, however, been serious enough about avoiding the unwanted marriage to accept work as a governess and risk being ostracized from her family.
Judging from the genuine smile she gave the little girl holding her hand now, she didn’t appear to be sulking over that decision. He had to give her credit for that.
Was her behavior with the children the true Elizabeth, and that morning in the park with him only a fluke? Alex considered himself an excellent judge of character, but he’d made a grave mistake with her father, and Elizabeth confused him even more. Even so, he wanted her.
Alex resolved once more to speak with the unusual Miss Medford. If only he could get her alone.
Chapter Four
Though the Grumsbys’ house was spacious and well constructed, the walls could not completely mute the sounds of the ongoing party. Elizabeth willed herself to ignore them, but the occasional clink of a glass and low rumbles of laughter were excruciating reminders of how much she had lost.
She’d thought she’d reconciled herself to her new station. But knowing he was downstairs, likely surrounded by fluttering women vying for his attention…remembering how desperately she’d wanted his attention for herse…well, she simply could not concentrate on responding to Bea’s most recent letter.
At least the duke had left her alone since that first morning, reducing her opportunities to further embarrass herself. Not to mention reducing her own opportunities to gaze longingly at the man who obviously found her charms lacking.
Did he think her a charlatan in her new role as governess? Thank the heavens he hadn’t said anything to Lady Grumsby about their last encounter, or she’d have been fired and back in Harold’s clutches for certain.
Perhaps it was like Bea had said, and he’d dismissed her from his mind entirely. If only she could do the same about him.
Instead, Elizabeth wished that for one day, she could have the luxury Alex Bainbridge did—not the material items, but the luxury to behave however recklessly he desired, and emerge unscathed.
Another rumble of laughter sounded, and she imagined him at the center of an admiring group.
Finally she gave up all pretense of writing. If Bea didn’t receive a response immediately, she was unlikely to worry.
Elizabeth couldn’t
