3. Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Norfolk, England - September 1814

E liza allowed the footman to hand her down from her father’s carriage, with her maid, Dot, following behind her. She glanced up at the opulent country home of Viscount and Viscountess Ockham. The house would be her home for the coming fortnight, along with around thirty other guests. Her hosts decided to hold a big house party since they weren’t in town for the season due to the birth of their child. It would appear that they had decided to go all out and make it a large event. And knowing her hostess, the party wouldn’t be dull.

Moments after her feet hit the ground, the fiery viscountess greeted her. “I am so glad you could join our house party, Lady Eliza. I do hope you enjoy the entertainment I have planned,” the lady said.

“Thank you for the invitation, my lady,” she returned. “I have been looking forward to it.”

Lord Ockham reached his wife’s side and wrapped his arm around her waist. Eliza formed a tight smile, fighting not to roll her eyes. The couple was notoriously a love match, and their outward display of affection was enough to make her gag. They were a striking couple as well, both with dark hair and piercing eyes, which only made their perfect love all the more irritating, even if she did like them both very much.

Even though she enjoyed the couple, she had long given up on the belief that love was real. Three years of living in the torture and pain left in the wake of Nick’s cruel treatment of her was a constant ongoing reminder that would dissuade her of any notion that she might give what little was left of her heart to another man. She tried that once, giving everything she had, including her virtue, to Nick before he crushed her heart into tiny pieces and threw them back in her face.

“Good to see you, Lady Eliza,” Lord Ockham said, bowing to her.

“Same to you, my lord,” she replied. “Your home is lovely. ”

Lady Ockham motioned to a man who appeared to be their butler. “Baxter,” the viscountess said, “please show Lady Eliza to her chamber and coordinate the delivery of her trunks.” She shifted her attention back to Eliza. “I put you in the room next to Lady Juliet. She arrived a quarter hour before you. Once you are settled, we will all gather in the salon at six sharp before dinner is served.”

“Thank you, my lady,” Eliza replied. “I shall see you shortly.”

Eliza was relieved that Juliet had already arrived. Lady Juliet Lane, the daughter and only child of the Earl of Avon, had become one of her closest friends when she attended her first season in London. The two of them each had their reasons for shying away from the gentlemen of society. Juliet was the one person she had trusted with her biggest secret, that she had given her maidenhead, among other things, to the most despicable gentleman of society. Although, given that he’d never shown his face at any ton events, perhaps he wasn’t a member of society after all.

The belief that he was too much of a coward to face her gave her a small sense of satisfaction. She hadn’t heard word that he had died, so she hoped he was somewhere, afraid of what she might do to him if she ever saw him again. She heard from her papa that Nick’s father had passed over a year ago, not that her father was displeased to hear the news. That meant Nick had become the Earl of Craven and could pick up the battle over the stream, like the bacon-brained dolt he was. The feud over a body of water had been enough to make her collateral damage. That was all her love and virtue had been worth to the man.

As much as she tried to push him from her thoughts, she surmised that he should be out of mourning. The last time she laid eyes upon the blackguard, he spoke of his undying love for her. Granted, he had just come on her tongue mere moments before he said so. The man should have taken to the stage, given the skill he possessed to make one believe he felt things he didn’t.

Eliza gritted her teeth, recalling the memory of them lying across the settee together. She forced herself to focus on her surroundings as she made her way up the staircase behind Baxter. She could almost smell the cedar and bergamot scent she would forever associate with him. She thought of him far more frequently than she cared to admit, even all the years later. He had become a sickness she would never recover from, no matter how hard she tried.

“Eliza! You are finally here!” Juliet called to her, standing in the doorway of the room they passed by.

“You will be in this room,” Baxter said, motioning to the doorway beyond where Juliet stood .

Eliza thanked him, and he retreated towards the staircase. Juliet approached her and they bussed each other’s cheeks. Eliza’s friend pulled her into the room where Juliet was staying, and they each took their seats in chairs by the fireplace.

“This is going to be a fun fortnight,” Juliet said. “I can’t believe both of our mamas let us come without them.”

“Well, it may not be the case for you at nine-and-ten, Jules, but I am practically a spinster. Mama had no concerns about sending me on my own,” Eliza said.

Juliet swatted her forearm. “Don’t say such things. One-and-twenty does not make you a spinster, and you aren’t unmarried because you lack options,” Juliet reminded her. “You turned down another proposal just last month.”

Eliza laughed. “I do not insult myself. I have no intention of marrying. You know that. I am quite content.”

“Is that so?” Juliet asked, a knowing arch to her brow.

“I am,” Eliza insisted. “I mean, sure, I might like to experience the physical nature of a man’s company, but marriage isn’t required to do so. Obviously.” Eliza’s unfortunate encounter with Nick had been proof of that. She would read his letter again later to remind herself of the very thing. She brought it with her everywhere she went when she needed a reminder of how cruel men could be .

And as much as she hated to admit it, the desire for the things that she and Nick did together lingered just below the surface, waiting for her to give herself leave to experience them again.

“Yet you haven’t done so with anyone else,” Juliet said.

It annoyed Eliza to no end when Juliet pointed out that fact. Eliza wasn’t certain why she hadn’t attempted to take another lover. She contemplated it over the years, but she hadn’t been bold enough to be so vulnerable with another man. Nor had she found the opportunity, in truth. Until the house party invitation, she always had her mother with her at all the events she attended. There weren’t any other neighbor boys who might sneak over to fuck her and pretend they loved her, like the last one did.

Eliza rapped her fingers on the armrest, a habit her mother would chastise her for. “Perhaps I’ll do so while we are here.” She wasn’t certain she would, but the idea of an orgasm that didn’t come from her own hand certainly held appeal.

Juliet smirked. “Well, house parties are perfect for slinking off with a handsome gentleman. I am certain you won’t be the only one doing so.”

“I heard that Lady Preston shall be in attendance,” Eliza said. “She is almost certain to take a lover.” The lady had lost her husband around three years ago and had developed a bit of a reputation for avoiding marriage but enjoying bringing men to her bed, among other places. Eliza supposed she couldn’t blame the lady.

“Should we take bets on who she shall select?” Juliet asked.

Eliza’s jaw dropped. “Jules!” Then a sly expression formed on her face. “Well, perhaps we shall see who pays her attention this evening and make our guesses.”

Juliet bit her bottom lip. “This is going to be fun, indeed.”

Eliza flashed a wide grin at her friend. Perhaps Juliet was right, and it was time she considered bringing another man to her bed. Marriage and love were out of the question, but she couldn’t allow herself to go the rest of her life without experiencing the wicked touch of a man again, could she? She had been na?ve and lovesick then, but she had become a mature woman who knew what she wanted. She couldn’t give Nick the satisfaction of robbing her of carnal pleasures, especially after he thoroughly exposed her to the existence of such delights.

A smirk played on her lips. Perhaps Lady Preston wouldn’t be the only one assessing the men that evening. Surely someone would be in attendance who might intrigue her.