Page 106 of A Single Obsession

Beau knew better than to revel in her capitulation. The pinched expression on her face disappeared, and her lips curled up at the edges. It might have passed for a smile on anyone else’s visage, but that look made him wary.

He didn’t trust her. He had expected more of a battle, and winning her over to his point of view with apparent ease set all his senses on the alert.

What was his mother up to now?

The next day, before Beau left town, he again tried to see Eliza. This time when he called at Warren House, he was shown straight upstairs to the drawing room.

Georgiana was alone.

“You must excuse my sisters. Charlotte has gone shopping for some new music to play, and Eliza”—she shot him an apologetic glance—“is not feeling up to visitors this morning.”

“You need not pretend, Georgie. You mean she won’t see me.”

“I’m afraid so.”

“Please, will you pass on to her my sincere apologies for upsetting her at Almack’s? I don’t know whether she told you what was said.”

“Not this time.”

“But you know…about Epsom?”

“Yes.”

“I lost my temper at Almack’s, just like I did after the race. Whenever I think of the danger she put herself in, for my sake, I feel so ashamed. She may have thought…in fact, I’m certain she believed…I was angry with her for what she did. But I wasn’t. I was furious with myself, and I’m truly sorry for upsetting her—again. One day, I pray she’ll be able to forgive me. I’ve made so many mistakes, Georgie, and I know it’s hard to believe, but I love her.”

“Oh, Beau. I wish I could help, but she is convinced you’re only saying that because your mother has insisted you win her back by any means.”

He winced at her words. It hurt that Eliza did not think him capable of any genuine feeling, but he didn’t deserve her trust. He would have to earn it.

“I came to take my leave of you. I’m going down to Langcroft Park to learn how to manage my estate.”

“When are you leaving?”

“Now. I had hoped to say goodbye, but…”

“I’m sorry.”

Beau rose from his seat and headed for the door, where he paused.

“Pray for me, Georgie. Pray that Eliza will find it in her heart to forgive me for hurting her.”

Eliza stood at her bedroom window, watching Beau walk away from the house to where his carriage was waiting. A footman opened the door of his travelling chaise—the same one she had returned to London in—and Beau climbed inside.

That was strange. Why wasn’t he driving his curricle? When she examined it further, her agitation grew. Two pairs of bays were harnessed to the vehicle, which was laden with luggage. He must be leaving London—and she had refused to see him.

She rushed to the drawing room and flung open the door.

“Beau?”

“He’s gone.”

Eliza struggled to speak. “I know. I saw his carriage. Is he travelling out of town?”

“He had hoped to take his leave of you.”

“But where’s he going? If I’d known—”

“Would you?”