Chapter 11

Having Eliza in his home, sleeping in the chamber near his, was a very bad idea. But what else was he to do?

If the man who had been sending Eliza notes had no difficulty entering her home and leaving dead flowers, Lucian had no doubt that he would grow even bolder and he did not want to think about what could happen if he ever got Eliza alone. Therefore, Lucian would keep Eliza as close as was proper, instead of in one of nearly a dozen other, empty bedchambers further away from his.

Yet, temptation would be sleeping next door, separated only by a sitting room that had been shared by his parents. It had been bad enough when that same temptation was on the neighboring estate, now she would be but a few steps away.

He must put aside his desire for her, especially since he had no intention of pursuing her. As much as he wished to taste those lips again, Lucian would not do so. Just because he found her alluring, beautiful, and a fascination did not mean they would ever suit.

Also, if Lucian did decide to pursue her, which he would not, he would go about it in an honorable manner, not write anonymous letters or sneak into her bedchamber.

Lucian’s stomach tightened as he crossed to the sideboard to pour himself a glass of brandy.

If Xavier had not just married, he’d write and ask him to return. But his brother was needed in London, as was his new wife, Olivia. However, that would not keep Lucian from writing a letter to his younger brother, who was knowledgeable in all matters of the mind, as far as one could be, that is. Perhaps he would have insight, or a suggestion of how this man could be caught.

What kind of man would write letters, watch and then leave behind evidence of his presence?

It frightened Lucian just thinking about it and very little scared him.

With those thoughts, he rang for the butler. When the man arrived, Lucian had him close the door and then explained exactly what had occurred at Greenhaven Cottage and the letters, which was explanation enough of why Eliza and her servants would be their guests.

The butler promised to alert the servants to watch for strangers or any oddities at Wyndhill Park and to assign footmen to stand guard. It then occurred to Lucian that all of them needed to be alert. Just because this man had been fixated on Eliza did not mean he might not change his focus to one of his female servants. With those thoughts came a dictate that no woman was to leave the shelter of the house without a footman as escort. Further, if Miss Weston thought of leaving, he was to be alerted immediately. As she would no doubt not wait for permission, a footman would be assigned to stand outside the door of the room where she would work and on the terrace in the event she chose to leave by that direction.

It should be impossible to get into the house, but they had also thought the same at Greenhaven Cottage. Was there a weakness that would be just as easy to penetrate here?

Hopefully they would catch the man and be able to deal with him before any harm came to Eliza or anyone else, but until then, she would remain his guest.

Lucian took another drink.

Eliza had turned her anger and frustration on Lucian and he understood. It was hard to lash out at an enemy that could not be seen and if she wanted to be difficult and fight with him, Lucian would have no complaint and would in turn argue with her.

It would keep his desire away and might offer a little normalcy.

Normal, that is what Eliza needed.

Further, her brother needed to know what had happened and Lucian settled behind his desk and withdrew a piece of parchment.

* * *

Mr. Isaac Weston,

Please be advised that your sister will now be residing at Wyndhill Park along with her servants who will serve as her chaperones. I promise that Miss Weston is safe and unharmed. However, it has been discovered that the person who has been sending her missives gained access to the cottage she had taken for the summer. Therefore, I believed that it was imperative to remove her from such a vulnerable location and bring her here. I will provide further details in person once you return from Edinburgh but be assured that I will continue to keep her guarded and will not allow any harm to come to her.

Lucian Sinclair

Earl of Garretson

* * *

He may be able to promise that she’ll be kept safe, but Lucian anticipated that it would not be an easy task because, no doubt, Eliza would soon overcome her earlier fear and once again proceed with little caution. Of that, he had no doubt.

Eliza had tried to return to her novel, but she could not concentrate. She may have been angered by what happened but she was still shaken as well. She also needed to rest her hand today, and likely tomorrow, which left her with little to occupy her time. It would be the perfect time to search the other caves, mine, and crypts but with Garretson posting guards everywhere, she couldn’t step off the terrace without someone knowing, let alone venture so far.

Besides, as much as she wanted to find the mummy, Eliza wasn’t so certain she wanted to stray too far from safety. What if that person had followed her here and was waiting and watching?

She shook off the chill, angry with herself for allowing fear to dictate her actions and left the parlor in search of the housekeeper so that she could be shown to her set of rooms.

The stairs were already familiar as nothing had changed since she had visited years ago except when she reached the next level, the housekeeper turned right, instead of left as she had done on her previous visit and continued down the corridor before entering a room two doors from the end. Eliza was immediately charmed when she stepped into the rose sitting room. Inside was a settee and high back chairs of mahogany wood, all upholstered in a fabric of red and rose. Damask curtains hung near open windows. One wall held a section of shelves, but there were no books, nor were there any trinkets sitting around. Of course, the former mistress of the house had died several years ago and it was likely nobody had slept in here since.

On the opposite wall was a fireplace. The stone and mantel had also been painted white. This would have been a lovely room to work in if it had contained a desk.

“The opposite door leads to Lord Garretson’s chambers. I assume it will remain locked for your comfort.”

Eliza frowned.

The housekeeper studied her. “You want it left unlocked?”

Did the woman believe that Eliza planned on seducing him? While the thought had crossed her mind several times over the last ten years, it had not today. “I simply assumed by the chosen décor, that it was not a sitting room shared with the master of the house. It is rather feminine.”

“The former Lady Garretson found rose and red to be calming and it made her happy, therefore, the former Lord Garretson had no objection and the current Lord Garretson found no reason to redecorate since he is required to marry one day and a wife would decorate to her taste.”

Eliza’s stomach tightened. She did not want to think about Garretson married to some woman who would occupy this room. Not that she wished to wed, of course, but she didn’t like the idea of him having a wife that he would hold and kiss as he had Eliza long ago.

“This door leads to your bedchamber.” The housekeeper led her to a room, opposite the door that led to Garretson’s, and stepped into another pink room to find a large, four-poster bed also of mahogany wood, draped with a white counterpane.

The housekeeper paused in the center of the room to supervise the unpacking of Eliza’s things. One maid was placing gowns in an armoire and another placed items in a chest of drawers while another straightened the dressing table.

“Behind the screen is the chamber pot and if you wish to bathe, a hip bath can be brought up and placed before the fireplace.”

Eliza simply nodded and hoped that she did not inconvenience the staff too often.

“What of Stella and Saul?” she asked.

“We have decided to give them the chamber on the other side of this one,” the housekeeper announced.

“They are my servants,” Eliza reminded the housekeeper.

“We are aware. But, as Stella will be acting as your maid once she returns with the last of your belongings, we thought it best if she was near you to act as a proper chaperone and for added protection as Lord Garretson seems concerned.”

“What duties will Saul have?” Eliza asked.

“He will be tasked with simply watching or walking the grounds. We have more than enough servants that I can think of no duty to give either of them, so he will be seeing to your protection and safety as will Stella.”

The housekeeper’s crisp tone and formal stance, as if there was a rod up her back, was off-putting. “I do apologize for the inconvenience and I hope that this unpleasant situation will soon come to an end. Once we locate and catch the man who has been sending letters and broke into the cottage, I promise that we will return to Greenhaven Cottage.”

The housekeeper’s rock-hard bearing slipped as her eyes widened. “Someone broke into the cottage?”

“It was while we were away but he left dead flowers and a missive on my bed.”

The housekeeper’s eyes grew wider.

“It is not the first letter either,” Stella said as she came into the chamber. “I have left your books and other writing implements and paper in the parlor.”

“Thank you.”

“Now, Miss Weston, you should return to the parlor, and your book, or read. It does not matter so long as you are not underfoot so that I can put the rest of your things away. I would also like to speak with Mrs. Porter as to the functions of this household so that we are no more of an intrusion than necessary.”

Eliza had come up here because she couldn’t be in the parlor any longer without writing.

“I can see to my own belongings,” she argued.

“I know that you can, and have, but not today,” Stella dismissed her.

“Very well,” Eliza mumbled and stepped back out into the corridor. Stella may be her servant, but Eliza also knew when not to argue with her.

What was she to do with herself?

Perhaps a stroll in the garden would be nice.

Except, did she really wish to be out of doors? What if he was watching?

Blast! She would not be a prisoner.

Except, for the first time in her life, Eliza lacked nerve and decided that she would not be a prisoner tomorrow, only today.