Page 119 of A Single Obsession

“Yes. I got in the way of someone hitting me over the head.”

“Ouch.”

“Yes, and if we do not get Eliza back to her sister’s house tonight, all my efforts at saving her reputation will be worthless.”

Anthony raised his eyebrows in disbelief. “All your efforts? You looked as though—”

“My mother’s carriage is waiting in the stable yard, with her maid inside. We were about to leave but we got…distracted.”

“Quite understandable. If I’d won the hand of such a woman, I would be just as distracted.”

A curious look passed between them that Eliza did not fully understand, but then Anthony nodded, and Beau’s face relaxed into a smile.

“However, the delay is fortuitous,” Ant said. “Georgie will arrive within the hour.”

Eliza’s eyes widened in surprise. “My sister’s coming here?”

He chuckled. “She thought your reputation was in danger, and judging by the way the pair of you were behaving when I arrived, I quite see her point.”

Another wave of heat rushed to Eliza’s face, but Beau put his arm around her and gave her a comforting hug. “It seems you’ll get your wish. You won’t have to return to London after all.”

They entered the house to discover the steward had been busy. Somehow, Mr Harris had recalled all the staff, and a footman was on duty in the hall, ready to receive Anthony’s coat and hat.

“We should let the housekeeper know we have guests,” said Eliza. “She will want to prepare the bedchambers. I hope she won’t hand in her notice having to cater for so many people without warning.”

Beau grinned. “Yes. We should inform her we have guests. Stepping up to your duties already, my love?”

“I thought—”

“I’m teasing you. And you need not fear her leaving. Mrs Allett belongs to the Park.”

The housekeeper entered the room in time to hear Beau’s words and nodded in agreement. “Very true, your lordship.”

She bore a tray bearing two tankards of ale and a glass of lemonade, which she placed on a table. “Am I to understand you’re expecting more guests, my lord?”

“Yes.”

“And do you know how many bedchambers will be required?” she asked in a calm voice, without the slightest trace of irritation.

He shrugged and looked at Anthony for guidance. “How many of Eliza’s family are coming?”

“I should expect the lot of them.”

Beau shot Mrs Allett an apologetic grimace.

“Very good, my lord,” she said, with the glimmer of a smile.

Eliza drank her lemonade, basking in the joy of knowing she no longer needed to return to town, while Beau explained to Anthony what had happened.

At the mention of Reed’s name, she jumped to her feet. “Oh heavens. No one’s told her of our change in plans. My aunt’s maid must still be sitting in the carriage waiting for us.”

“Let her! It went against the grain to show her as much leniency as we granted her.”

Eliza pressed her lips together, a pleading look in her eyes. “We don’t know what it’s like working for your mother. Yes, Reed could have shown more compassion, but her employer didn’t set a high standard for her to emulate. By showing grace to those who wish us harm, we may turn them from their evil ways.”

Beau harrumphed. “I suppose.”

Eliza rewarded him with a brilliant smile. “She’s not the only one who’s had a poor example to follow.”