Page 120 of A Single Obsession

“You’re right, of course,” he said, letting out a reluctant laugh.

A footman disturbed them. “Are you at home to visitors, my lord?”

He responded in the affirmative and the man scurried away.

“Your sisters must have arrived.”

She nodded, and with difficulty restrained herself from rushing to reassure Charlotte, whom she knew would have worked herself up into a frenzy of worry by now.

The door to the drawing room opened again. “Her Grace, the Duchess of Wessex, Mr—”

“Yes, yes. They know who we are,” said the Duchess, batting the footman away with her fan. Eliza’s grandmother glided into their midst, followed by her parents, her brother and her youngest sister.

Eliza leapt to her feet, staring at her relatives, unable to believe her eyes. Beau stood beside her, gaping, but whether in surprise or horror, she couldn’t tell.

Anthony rose in a more leisurely manner and bowed.

“Grandmama,” Eliza said, dipping into a deep curtsey.

“Oh tush.” She wrapped her arms around her granddaughter and gave her an affectionate hug. “Now, where’s this scamp you’re supposed to be marrying?”

Eliza cast Beau a pleading look, and he stepped forward.

He took the regal old lady’s hand and bowed low over it. “Your Grace.”

The Duchess rapped his knuckles with her fan. “Yes, yes. I know you’re a charmer, but does she want you?”

“Mother—” said Mrs Merry in a warning tone.

She ignored her daughter and kept her eyes fixed on Beau, as if examining him. Though he hadn’t offered it, she took his arm and leaned heavily on it. “Help me to a chair, boy.”

Eliza planted a kiss on her father’s cheek. “I don’t understand. What…why…how on earth do you come to be here?”

He drew his brows together and gave her a curious look. “Weren’t you expecting us?”

“No.”

Hetta crossed her arms in a self-satisfied manner. “I told you so.”

Eliza shot Beau a questioning glance, but he merely shrugged his shoulders.

Her mother enveloped her in a warm embrace, and whispered in her ear, “Is all well?”

A smile crept over Eliza’s face as she nodded. “Yes, Mother. All is very well.”

“I am delighted to hear it, but somewhat confused. If you were not expecting us, you have no notion that Lady Harting invited us here to celebrate your nuptials. Tomorrow.”

Eliza felt the colour drain out of her cheeks as she appreciated the full horror of her aunt’s plans. Beau’s mother had asked them to come. If they hadn’t escaped from his bedroom, they would have been found in a compromising situation, not only by her parents, but also by her grandmother.

The embarrassment would have been…unthinkable.

“She what?” Beau said, sounding as outraged as Eliza felt.

William glared at Anthony. “You told me the match was off.”

“It was,” Ant replied with a chuckle.

Beau squeezed Eliza’s hand. “But not anymore,” he whispered in her ear, making her glow with pleasure.