Scandal Of The Heart

Chapter 4

The morning sun spilled through the windows of Thornton Manor, casting a soft glow over the dining room. Lady Eliza sat at the breakfast table, though her appetite was non-existent. Her mind had been elsewhere ever since the Harrington ball two nights prior. The encounter with Lord Daventry had unsettled her, but it was the brief, stolen moment with Thomas that lingered in her thoughts, refusing to be pushed aside.

She couldn’t stop thinking about him—his words, his touch, the way he made her feel seen in a world that so often overlooked her. It was madness. A lady of her station could not entertain such feelings for a servant, yet here she was, consumed by them.

Her brothers, seated around the table, engaged in their usual banter, oblivious to her inner turmoil. Each of them was already married, settled into their roles as proper gentlemen of the ton. They had done what was expected of them, as she too was meant to do. But the thought of following in their footsteps, of marrying someone like Lord Daventry, made her chest tighten with dread.

“Eliza, you’ve hardly touched your tea,” her mother’s voice cut through her thoughts, pulling her back to the present. Lady Thornton’s sharp eyes narrowed in concern. “Are you unwell?”

Eliza forced a smile, shaking her head. “I’m fine, Mother. Just a little tired from the ball.”

Her mother’s gaze lingered on her, clearly unconvinced, but she said nothing more. The rest of the meal passed in a blur, and as soon as she could, Eliza excused herself from the table, retreating to the solitude of the gardens.

The fresh air did little to calm the storm inside her. She wandered aimlessly through the flower-lined paths, her thoughts once again returning to Thomas. She knew it was reckless—dangerous, even—to continue thinking of him in this way. But the more she tried to push him from her mind, the more he took root there.

Lost in thought, Eliza didn’t notice the approaching figure until he was nearly upon her.

“Eliza,” a familiar voice called out.

Her heart sank as she turned to find Lord Daventry striding toward her, a smug smile plastered across his face. He must have called on the manor while she was in the garden, and the thought of being alone with him now filled her with dread.

“My lord,” she greeted him politely, though she kept her tone cool.

“I was hoping to find you,” he said, stepping closer than was appropriate. “I wanted to speak with you privately.”

Eliza’s pulse quickened with discomfort, but she maintained her composure. “I’m not sure what there is to discuss, Lord Daventry.”

“Oh, I think you know,” he replied smoothly, his eyes gleaming with a predatory intensity. “Your family has been quite open about their approval of our match. I believe it’s time we made our intentions known.”

His words sent a chill down her spine. She had known this was coming, had dreaded it for weeks, but hearing him speak so boldly of a future she didn’t want made her feel trapped. She took a step back, putting some distance between them.

“I don’t believe we are suited for one another, my lord,” she said, her voice firmer than she felt. “I must ask that you respect my decision.”

Lord Daventry’s smile faltered, and his eyes darkened. He reached out, grabbing her wrist with a force that made her gasp.

“You don’t seem to understand, my lady,” he said, his voice low and threatening. “This is not a request. Your family expects you to marry me, and I will not be refused.”

Eliza’s heart pounded in her chest, panic rising within her. She tried to pull away, but his grip only tightened. Fear began to seep into her, but before she could speak, another voice rang out, sharp and commanding.

“Unhand her.”

Both Eliza and Lord Daventry turned toward the voice, and Eliza’s heart soared at the sight of Thomas standing a short distance away, his expression hard as steel. He had clearly seen what was happening, and the intensity in his gaze sent a thrill through her.

Lord Daventry’s grip on her wrist loosened slightly, but he didn’t let go. Instead, he sneered at Thomas, his contempt evident.

“This is none of your concern, footman,” he spat, dismissing Thomas as though he were nothing more than a fly to be swatted away.

Thomas didn’t back down. He stepped closer, his stance firm, his eyes locked on Daventry. “I said, unhand her.”

There was a deadly calm in his voice that sent a shiver down Eliza’s spine. She had never seen him like this—so protective, so unyielding.

Lord Daventry glared at Thomas, clearly affronted by the servant’s audacity. But after a tense moment, he released Eliza’s wrist, shoving her back slightly. He turned his full attention to Thomas now, his expression twisted with disdain.

“You forget your place,” Daventry hissed. “You’re nothing but a servant. I could have you dismissed with a word.”

Thomas didn’t flinch. “You can try.”

The two men stood facing each other, the tension between them thick and dangerous. Eliza’s heart raced as she watched them, terrified of what might happen next. She knew that if word of this got out, Thomas could lose his position—or worse.

“I suggest you leave, my lord,” Thomas said, his voice low and steady. “Before you cause more of a scene.”

Lord Daventry’s eyes flickered with fury, but after a moment, he stepped back. He shot a final, venomous look at Eliza before turning on his heel and storming off toward the house.

Eliza stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest, unsure of what to say. She glanced at Thomas, who was watching her carefully, his expression softening now that the immediate danger had passed.

“Are you all right, my lady?” he asked, his voice gentle.

Eliza nodded, though she wasn’t entirely sure she was fine. Her wrist throbbed where Daventry had grabbed her, and her mind was still reeling from the encounter. But more than anything, she was filled with gratitude toward Thomas—for stepping in, for protecting her, for not hesitating to stand up to a man who had every advantage over him.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. “I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t…”

Thomas shook his head. “You don’t need to thank me, my lady. No man should treat you that way.”

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world around them faded away. Eliza’s heart raced for an entirely different reason now, her emotions swirling in a confusing mix of gratitude, admiration, and something much deeper. She had never felt this way about anyone before, and the intensity of it both thrilled and terrified her.

But reality quickly crashed back in. What had just happened—what Thomas had done—would not go unnoticed. Lord Daventry was not a man to take such humiliation lightly. And if he sought to retaliate, Thomas could be in serious trouble.

“You’ve put yourself at risk,” Eliza said quietly, her voice filled with concern. “If Lord Daventry tells my family…”

“I’m not afraid of him,” Thomas replied, his gaze unwavering. “I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

Eliza’s breath caught in her throat. There was something in the way he looked at her, something unspoken but powerful. It was more than just a servant protecting his mistress. It was deeper, more personal. She knew then that he felt it too—this undeniable connection between them.

But it was dangerous. They both knew that.

Eliza stepped back, her heart heavy with the weight of their impossible situation. “You should go, before anyone sees us.”

Thomas hesitated for a moment, as though he wanted to say something more, but he simply nodded. “Take care, my lady.”

And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving Eliza standing alone in the garden, her heart aching with a longing she couldn’t allow herself to indulge.

As she watched him disappear into the distance, Eliza knew that whatever happened next, nothing between them would ever be the same. A scandal was brewing—one that would change everything.