Chapter 4

Madness! Eliza Weston must be plagued with madness. Why couldn’t she answer a simple question?

What she was saying made absolutely no sense whatsoever, which further convinced Garretson that she had not taken Greenhaven Cottage simply because it was convenient.

“Why is it secret?” he finally asked. “Or is it because you are the daughter of a viscount and Society would disapprove if you were in trade?”

“That is not the reason.”

“Then why the secret identity?”

“Because I would not be a success if anyone knew it was me.”

“What kind of profession or work would allow you to hide your identity?”

“Lord Garretson, you really need to open your mind,” she chastised. “Think beyond the opportunities a woman in my position may enjoy such as governess or teacher…Those are the only examples I can think of right now, but I am certain there are several avenues that a woman could pursue in order to earn enough funds to support herself. In fact, I support myself very well from my chosen profession.”

He did not know what the blazes she was talking about. “You're not going to tell me, are you?”

It should not matter, and he should not care in the least what Eliza did with her time. His only concern was why she’d chosen Greenview Cottage for the summer.

Except, not knowing, after she refused to tell him and only offering hints would drive him to distraction.

Was that her intention?

Blast!

He should not have come here.

Madness. Eliza Weston was madness.

He sipped the tea and studied her. What type of work or trade could a daughter of a viscount take part in that required anonymity and she could do in the privacy of her home?

There was only one type of position …

Lucian couldn’t think of any other profession that would allow Eliza such financial freedom, though he doubted she had become a courtesan as someone would eventually recognize her even if she used a false name. Unless they somehow didn’t…

No!

It was not possible that she supported herself in such a manner. Besides, she denied that her activities were immoral.

Though, if she were…

Lucian tried to push the very thoughts from his mind, but to have Eliza as a lover for the duration of her holiday summer might finally purge her from his blood and soul.

Eliza chuckled as she poured herself another cup of tea.

“Why are you laughing?” he demanded.

“I can only imagine the types of positions that you have considered that one must also keep a secret.”

There was only one, but he would not admit to that.

“Given there are so few opportunities for women and it’s clear that I’m not a governess or a teacher nor do I own a business, you have wondered if I am taking part in likely the oldest female profession known to man.”

Lucian’s face heated because that’s exactly what he was beginning to believe, and likely because he had wanted her in his bed for these past ten years.

Perhaps she was the very reason he’d not married. He needed to purge her from his mind and extinguish the flame of desire and then he would be free of her.

When in London and the few times he’d gone to entertainments for the purpose of meeting the women who were available to wed, he’d compared them all to Eliza. None were as beautiful, nor stirred the least bit of desire in his loins.

Bloody hell!

Maybe her living next door, irritating him to no end, would finally break the spell that she had somehow cast over him.

“Do you promise to hold my confidence?”

“You mean you will tell me?” he asked.

“So long as you swear that you will never tell another single living soul,” she insisted. “There are exactly ten people who know what I do. They have never spoken out of turn so if the truth came out, I would know it came from you.” She leaned forward, the bodice gaping and he forced himself not to stare at the swell of her breasts. “Can I trust you, Lord Garretson?”

The curiosity was getting to him and he needed to know. “I swear to hold your secret,” he promised.

Eliza arched a brow. “Are you certain? I must be able to trust you.”

“You can trust me, Eliza,” he insisted with a bit of irritation. “Who would I tell anyway?”

Who? That was the exact question that concerned her. Then again, why would he gossip about her when he hardly ever attended entertainments. Though he did have brothers, but Micah already knew, and it was possible that Olivia had told Xavier, though she suspected they had more interesting topics to discuss.

“Very well, I will show you.” Eliza rose from her seat and opened the trunk before she retrieved the novels and periodicals where her writings had been published and placed them on the table before Garretson.

Whenever she traveled, one trunk was dedicated to her publications, as well as any stories she was currently writing, along with her writing desk with all necessary materials such as parchment, pencils, quills, and ink.

“What are these?” Garretson asked. Even though the items were obvious, she could understand him questioning why she put them on the table.

“Novels, serial stories, and the like.”

“What does this have to do with you? Are you an editor?”

Eliza blew out a sigh and settled back into her chair. “No, I am not an editor. Read the name of the author of those pieces.”

Garretson picked up the top book. “E. B. Westin.” He set it aside and picked up the next book. “E. B. Westin.” He set it aside and picked up the third and said more slowly, “E. B. Westin.” It was then he looked at Eliza. “You are E. B. Westin, spelled with an I, who writes the horrid novels?”

Inwardly Eliza was very pleased that he knew what she wrote. Garretson didn’t strike her as the type of person who would read anything beyond boring, scientific books, such as those involving gems or rocks.

“Yes, I am and it is a job I enjoy very much.”

“Is that what you were doing when I came in? Were you writing another novel?”

“I was organizing the notes of one that I started writing long ago but never finished. My summer will now be spent rewriting it for publication.”

“What is that about?”

“I never talk about my work until it is complete,” she answered.

Besides, this rewriting involved the hunt for the mummy and as it would end on his property, Eliza wasn’t about to alert Garretson to her plans.

“It will likely be much like the others involving terror, curses, and magic in a gothic manor or castle. The same type of story I often write.”

None of her descriptions matched her true intentions but would be layered into the story she created involving a very real search.