A Spinster to Heal the Duke

Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

" I promise, nothing happened, Uncle," Lady Elizabeth Sutton breathed, her voice trembling as she hurried after her uncle, the Earl of Dowshire, into his study. Her heart pounded fiercely in her chest, the shock of the evening still clouding her thoughts.

The ball had descended into disaster, and now she found herself teetering on the brink of ruin. It scarcely seemed real, yet here she was—accused of being compromised, her reputation tarnished beyond repair. And all through no fault of her own.

"I simply wished for a moment of peace, some solitude in the powder room," she continued, her hands clenching as she recounted the wretched series of events. "That is where he found me—drunk, incoherent. I did not know what he intended, and when I attempted to leave, he stumbled, fell, and pulled me down with him." Her voice faltered, the memory of Percy Hunton's weight crashing against her still fresh, still mortifying.

Her breath caught as the scene replayed in her mind: Percy, lost to his inebriation, collapsing upon her, sending them both sprawling to the floor. And that was how they had been found —herself struggling to free herself from his grip, their positions horribly misinterpreted by the bystanders.

"I believe you, child," her uncle, Sebastian Sutton, said gently. His tone was soothing, though the worry in his eyes betrayed his true concern.

"But society may not be as understanding," Aunt Petunia added, sighing deeply as she sat beside the fire, her fingers clasped tightly around her embroidery. Her voice held a weight of resignation, knowing full well how swiftly rumors spread in their circles.

Petunia had come to London to serve as their chaperone for the Season, a duty she accepted but did not relish. Now, the grim reality of the situation had settled over her like a dark cloud.

"Percy Hunton is well known as a rake," Anna, her cousin, added, her expression grave. "His reputation will only complicate matters."

Elizabeth winced at her cousin's words. She had heard of Percy's reputation, of course, but had never imagined being entangled in one of his indiscretions. And now, it was her reputation that stood at the precipice.

"Is everything quite alright?" A soft voice broke through the tension.

Elizabeth turned to see her younger sister, Margaret, standing in the doorway. Margaret's wide eyes were filled with concern, her delicate features mirroring the worry that gripped Elizabeth's heart.

The weight of the scandal pressed down upon her like a crushing blow. This was not merely her own reputation at stake. Margaret was set to debut next Season, and Anna's prospects hung in the balance as well. The scandal would taint them all, and the consequences could be devastating.

"Oh, what have I done?" Elizabeth whispered, sinking into the nearest chair, her composure shattering as tears welled up in her eyes. She could no longer hold them back. The warmth of her tears spilled over, tracing hot lines down her cheeks.

"Do not fault yourself for society's absurd expectations," Anna said gently, sitting beside her and placing a hand on her arm. "None of this is your doing."

"Are you unwell, Lizzy?" Margaret's voice quivered with worry.

"All will be well, Margaret dear," Petunia said softly, though her voice lacked its usual certainty. "Why don't you fetch some tea for your sister? She needs it."

Margaret lingered, clearly confused by the tension in the room, but finally nodded and left at their aunt's suggestion.

"I swear, nothing improper occurred," Elizabeth choked out once more, her voice thick with emotion. She felt Aunt Petunia's hand press softly upon her shoulder, offering what comfort she could.

"We know, dear," came the quiet voices of her family.

Elizabeth looked up at them through a haze of tears, her heart pounding with dread. "Do you not see what this means?" she asked, her voice rising as desperation crept in. "I have ruined us. My thoughtlessness has brought disgrace upon us all."

She searched their faces, hoping to find some shared outrage, something that matched the turmoil within her. But they remained steadfastly calm, their understanding gazes only deepening her sense of isolation.

"Your prospects are as much in jeopardy as mine, Anna," she said, her voice strained. "And Margaret... she hasn't even had her debut yet! How will she fare in society now?" She turned to her uncle, her hands trembling as she spoke. "And our finances, Uncle. I know what a burden you already carry."

Her father, the former Earl of Dowshire, had been reckless in his life, leaving the family estate encumbered with debt. Upon his death, Sebastian had shouldered the heavy responsibility of the title and taken her and Margaret in. He had given them security, a chance at a respectable future, and now she had repaid him with scandal.

"I will find a way to make this right," her uncle said quietly after a long pause. His words were spoken with resolve, though his brow was furrowed with worry.

"Do not torment yourself, Lizzy," Anna added softly.

But Elizabeth could not bear their sympathy. It suffocated her, pressing down upon her until she felt as though she might scream. Anger, disappointment, anything would have been easier to endure than the overwhelming kindness they extended.

"You don't understand," she said, rising abruptly from her chair, her eyes wild with emotion. "I have undone everything—everything!"

Her words reverberated in the room, but still, they remained composed, offering nothing but reassurances. How could they not see the gravity of the situation? How could they be so calm when her world was collapsing?

"We will manage, Lizzy," her uncle said softly, his voice calm and steady.

But Elizabeth could not find comfort in his words. She had ruined them, and no amount of well-meaning reassurance could undo what had been done.

"I will call upon Percy Hunton and convince him to marry me if I must," she said, her voice trembling with resolve. It was the only solution she could fathom. If left unaddressed, the scandal would ruin them, casting a shadow over her family. Her uncle's efforts to secure investments, vital to their already strained finances, would be all but doomed.

"You cannot do that," Petunia interjected sharply.

"I agree," Anna added, nodding. "Such a step would only add more fuel to the rumors."

"But it's the only way!" Elizabeth insisted, the desperation in her voice growing.

Her uncle raised a hand to stop the mounting tension. "I tell you what, ladies. Let us call it a night and see what tomorrow brings. We should allow the gentleman some time, perhaps he will come forward to do the honorable thing. Let us not leap to conclusions."

Elizabeth shook her head, her heart sinking further. "If Percy Hunton is anything like his reputation, Uncle, he will not offer for me."

"Do not be so pessimistic," Petunia admonished.

"If he doesn't, I will simply marry some old lord in need of a wife," Elizabeth voiced in a moment of sheer desperation. She could think of no other way to clear her family's name.

"Elizabeth Sutton, do not say such a thing!" Petunia cried, her hand flying to her chest in shock.

"Why, Aunt? If it is the only way to lift the stain from our name, then I must do whatever is required," Elizabeth replied with determination, though her voice quivered.

"You will not sacrifice your happiness and future for this," Sebastian said firmly, his grey eyes full of a promise she longed to believe. The tenderness in his gaze made her throat tighten with fresh emotion. He had always been more of a father to her than she deserved, and the thought of bringing him further grief filled her with sorrow.

Elizabeth nodded, though she could not find her voice. Emotion constricted her throat, and she did not trust herself to speak without betraying the tears she fought to hold back.

A soft knock interrupted the moment, and she looked up, expecting to see Margaret with the tea. Instead, it was the butler, holding a sealed missive.

"This just arrived for you, my lord," he said, handing the letter to her uncle. "From the Duke of Sterlin."

"Sterlin?" Sebastian echoed in surprise, quickly breaking the seal.

"The Duke of Sterlin? Is he not Percy Hunton's elder brother?" Petunia asked, her voice equally filled with curiosity.

Elizabeth felt an odd surge of anticipation as her uncle's eyes scanned the letter, his brow furrowing with impatience.

"I believe our situation has already been addressed," Sebastian said with a sigh of relief.

"What does it say?" Petunia asked eagerly.

"The Duke requests an audience tomorrow morning. He will arrive with his brother. He will not allow your reputation to be sullied by his brother's foolish actions," Sebastian announced.

"Perhaps he has already convinced Percy to marry you, Lizzy," Anna said, her eyes lighting up with hope as she turned toward Elizabeth.

"I cannot imagine any other reason for their visit," Petunia added, her tone filled with growing optimism.

Elizabeth, however, remained wary. "Nothing is certain," she said quietly, still doubtful. Despite the promising words, her mind raced. Would this truly resolve everything? Could her family's name be restored?