Free Silk and Scandal by Regina Carlysle Page A

bit forward was a fault of her own that she’d always recognized, so how could she be so harsh?
    She managed a smile. “Perhaps you should tread more carefully, Your Grace. One day a young lady may take a bite out of your hide.”
    Weston laughed, causing a number of people to glance their way.
    She looked at his face, gentled by humor and finally relented. “I sent a card for the gift. They truly are very lovely. Orchids are my favorite flower and I still wonder how you knew. Or did you guess, Your Grace?”
    “Merely a lucky guess, I suppose. Have you received many flowers from gentlemen of late?”
    Eliza looked away from his penetrating gaze. “Not since my coming out several years ago.”
    “When you came out with your sister, the Lady Charlotte?”
    She gave him a glance. “Yes.”
    He watched her quietly for several moments. His smoky eyes were soft with what she suspected was compassion. Suddenly, he reached out to lay his hand over hers. He gave them a gentle squeeze before withdrawing the brief touch. “I am sorry. Forgive me. I did not mean to make you sad. Come. Let us ride together and enjoy this beautiful day.”
    For several moments, they rode companionably together, side by side. Approaching around a bend in the trail, Eliza saw Lord Darlington whom she’d briefly met the night before. He was accompanied by an older woman. Lushly built, though petite in stature, the lovely brunette resembled the young lord and Eliza presumed her to be some relation. Beside her, Nicholas Delaford stiffened, giving the newcomers a cool look. By all appearances, he wasn’t pleased to see them, making Eliza wonder at their relationship.
    Hmm.
    Odd that she should care considering her staunch anti-marriage stance.
    Still…
    “Ah, Lady Eliza, what a pleasure to see you again.” Darlington drew up on his impeccable chestnut gelding and nodded his head graciously. “Weston.”
    “Darlington.” Nicholas nodded brusquely before turning his attention to the older woman. “Lady Beatrice. You have changed very little over the years.”
    The air seemed suddenly chill as the woman turned dark eyes in Eliza’s direction. The quick piercing glance was touched with a snobbery she often saw among members of the Ton. Eliza bristled as Lady Beatrice quickly regarded her from top to toe.
    Lord Darlington made quick work of introductions. “Mother,” he said, eyes narrowing, “this is the young lady I spoke of meeting last evening.”
    Her eyes widened slightly then she suddenly beamed a smile. “Ah yes. Lady Eliza Grayson. I do remember. How delightful to make your acquaintance, my dear. Over the years, everyone wondered where you’d retreated. Such a shame to waste your youth on mourning.”
    Eliza gasped at her bad manners. “I assure you, madam, my mourning years were not wasted.”
    Darlington cut his mother an angry look.
    The Lady Darlington blushed becomingly despite the flash of temper in her eyes. “Please, my dear. I did not mean to offend. It’s just that you are so very young. I have been widowed several years now and I feel it’s best to continue on. Surely that is why you are in London for the Season?”
    “Mother, she is in Town to enjoy herself. And are you, my lady?”
    Lord Darlington was a very handsome man, Eliza noted, and his interest in her seemed sincere. Very pleasant man! Beside her, however, the Duke looked a bit like a thundercloud. Could he be jealous? Imagine that. Hmm.
    “Oh yes, surprisingly, I am. I love my country home but the change has been quite invigorating. Tonight I plan to attend Lord and Lady Howard Smythe’s musicale. Will you be there, my lord?”
    “Now that I know you will be in attendance, I will make a point of it.”
    Eliza nodded politely. “Wonderful, my lord. I shall anticipate seeing you there.”
    Once Lord Darlington and his mother said their good-byes, Nicholas and Eliza resumed their ride. An uncomfortable silence fell between them and she knew it was, no doubt,