The Earls lie or a scoundrels promise

she let herself fall for him on a promise

Once they returned to the house, Blake took the long passage way back to his rooms, as he rounded the corner to take him up the large staircase, Taking the steps two at a time,  he couldn't wait to get to his room. He'd had the weight of his mother's ring in his pocket since he rose that morning, with plans to propose in mind, he was glad he hadn't drawn it from his pocket, since she had refused. It weighed so heavy right now, with every step a reminder she refused, refused, refused. He had been so excited to see it firmly settled on her dainty finger. The diamonds set on either side of a beautiful emerald reminded him of her eyes, it was as if it was made for her instead of a family heirloom. Now he just wanted to put it out of sight. He took the last few steps to the landing, sending him crashing into a woman, he grabbed her in an attempt not to send her to the bottom of the stairs. He pulled them both against the wall with a thud, her body against his. She held tight to him and he was instantly aware of who he was holding, Melissa.

'Blast woman. Be careful' she panted 'me be careful? I was not the one staring at my boots and charging like an animal' she was right 'I'm sorry, it was my fault.' She held firm, pinning him to the wall still, he slowly tried to place her back away from him when she wound her arms tighter ' I miss you' she held her body closer against him. He longed to run away from her, he literally wanted to run. 'Did we not discuss this earlier?' He removed her from him and stepped as far out of her reach as he could. 'It is long over Melissa. let it be.' She didn't look at him as he walked with long strides to his room, she had achieved exactly what she wanted.

Lizzie paced endlessly along the hall, dare she go to him?

Yes.

She turned to knock on his chamber door.

No.

She swivelled and turned away once more. How long had she been here?

This is ridiculous and if you stay here any longer you'll be seen.

She didn't turn to his door again but swiftly made her way back towards her own room. She folded and turned her hands in-front of her, Mumbling to herself.

Stupid girl

She shook her head at her stupidity when she heard voices and realised she had stumbled into something very private, too private to be taking place at the top of the main staircase. But what she saw, she would never have been prepared for. She threw herself back out of site and prayed she hadn't been seen, she stifled a cry of shock. She held her hand over her mouth and hoped her breathing wasn't as loud as it sounded in her head.
'I miss you' she heard the longing in lady Bovingdons words and Lizzie felt her heart start to crack. She heard movement, the rustle of skirts.
'Did we not discuss this earlier' his voice, his familiar powerful, seductive tantalising voice.
The crack in her heart increased ten-fold, she couldn't stay and hear another word. She fled into the nearest room and thankfully it was being used only for storage.
She sat in the dark, long past when she heard his heavy footsteps thud past the door, until she could stop her weeping. Did she deserve to weep? She had refused him...wasn't he within his right to be with whom ever he wanted?
Blake looked to the clock in his room. 15 minutes until dinner, he headed downstairs to where the guests were waiting, his eyes searched the room repeatedly but he knew she wasn't down yet. He walked over to where the captain stood at the widow.

'Croft' he nodded.

The captain dropped his voice. 'The men we've had watching Winters, I had word this afternoon. He's left town. I'm waiting to hear more and should soon, but perhaps his creditors have finally refused him? His debts alone should be enough to drive him away since we both know along with the whole of society he is unable to pay'