Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

" E liza, no!" Anthony's voice echoed through the park.

Eliza, ignoring his call, swiftly grabbed the reins, confident and sure.

She began to speak to the horse in a steady, calm voice, her words barely audible over the din of the crowd.

"Easy now, easy. You are all right; just calm down."

Anthony stopped, his eyes wide with fear and awe. He watched as Eliza soothed the horse, her presence seeming to have a magical effect on the frenzied animal.

Slowly, the horse's wild eyes began to lose their panic, and its frantic movements eased.

"That is it," Eliza murmured, continuing to stroke the horse's neck. "You are safe now."

The horse, now much calmer, nuzzled Eliza's hand, its muzzle soft against her palm. She continued to stroke it gently, her touch light and reassuring.

Anthony stood frozen, completely taken aback by her bravery and skill with the horse. He had never seen anyone handle an animal with such natural grace and confidence.

The crowd around them began to murmur in amazement, but Anthony's focus remained solely on Eliza.

The carriage driver stumbled forward, his face flushed with embarrassment and relief.

"I am so sorry, Miss," he began, his voice trembling. "Thank you, thank you so much. I do not know what I would have done if you had not stepped in."

Eliza offered him a kind smile, her hand still gently stroking the horse's neck. "It's all right. Just take the animal back to the stables and make sure it gets some rest."

The man nodded fervently, his gratitude evident. "Yes, Miss. Of course, Miss. Thank you again." He took the reins from Eliza, his hands shaking slightly.

As the driver led the now-calm horse away, he kept glancing back at Eliza, his eyes filled with admiration and thankfulness. The crowd began to disperse, the danger having passed, but the whispers lingered in the air.

Anthony watched the scene unfold, his heart still racing from the fear and adrenaline.

He could not tear his eyes away from Eliza, her poise and composure in such a chaotic moment, leaving him utterly captivated.

What kind of woman was this?

Eliza dragged herself down to the breakfast parlor the next day. Somehow, she had managed to avoid her aunt when she returned from Hyde Park, but the rumors of the event were likely to have reached Lady Lymington's ears. And so, she knew her aunt would have something to say to her about it.

As Eliza entered the dining room, she found her aunt already seated at the breakfast table, her face buried in the morning gossip sheets.

"Good morning, Aunt," Eliza greeted cautiously, taking her seat across from her.

Lady Lymington did not respond immediately, her eyes scanning the paper with a furrowed brow. After a few tense moments, she finally looked up, her expression both disdainful and furious.

"Eliza, what on earth were you thinking yesterday?" Lady Lymington snapped, slamming the paper down on the table. "Do you have any idea how you are being portrayed in these sheets?"

Eliza's heart sank, but she held her ground. "I was trying to help, Aunt. The horse was out of control, and people could have been hurt."

Lady Lymington's eyes narrowed, her voice dripping with contempt. "Help? You made a spectacle of yourself! These papers describe your actions as ‘improper' and ‘lower-class.' Handling horses like some stable boy! What were you thinking?"

Eliza clenched her fists under the table, struggling to keep her voice steady. "I managed to save people from getting trampled. Does that not matter?"

"Not in the slightest. How arrogant do you have to be to think that you were the only one that could do anything of importance?" Lady Lymington hissed, her face reddening with anger. "All at the expense of your reputation. Do you have any idea what you have done? You will ruin your engagement to the Duke with this disgraceful behavior!"

Eliza felt a pang of fear at the mention of her engagement, but she tried to reason with her aunt. "I did what I thought was right. Surely, the Duke will understand that I acted out of concern for others."

Lady Lymington laughed bitterly, her eyes cold and unyielding. "You are so naive, Eliza. The Duke does not want a wife who behaves like a commoner. He wants someone refined, someone who knows her place in society. Your actions yesterday were anything but."

"I cannot stand by and do nothing when people are in danger," Eliza said through clenched teeth. "If that is what it means to be ‘refined,' and the Duke takes exception to my behavior, then perhaps I am not suited for this engagement."

Lady Lymington's eyes flashed with fury, and she stood abruptly, towering over Eliza.

"You ungrateful girl! After everything I have done for you, this is how you repay me? By embarrassing me and risking your future? You will do as I say, or I will make sure you regret it."

Eliza's heart pounded in her chest, fear and anger mixing in a tumultuous swirl. "Aunt, please. I am trying my best."

"Your best is not good enough!" Lady Lymington shouted, her voice echoing off the walls. "You will learn to behave properly, or I will see to it that you are sent back to Mrs. West's or an asylum. Do you understand me?"

Eliza squared her shoulders, meeting her aunt's gaze with defiance. "I will not be bullied into submission, Aunt. I am not a child anymore."

Lady Lymington's face turned a deep shade of crimson, and she took a menacing step towards Eliza. "How dare you speak to me like that? You insolent girl!"

"I am tired of being treated like a burden," Eliza shot back, her voice shaking with emotion. "I will not let you control my life any longer."

Lady Lymington's hand shot out, gripping Eliza's arm with painful force. "Your last chance is to marry the Duke. If you ruin this engagement, then I will have no other choice but to turn you out. Is that what you want?"

Eliza winced at the pain but refused to look away. "I would rather be on the street than live under your tyranny."

Lady Lymington's grip tightened, and she shook Eliza roughly. "You ungrateful wretch! How can you be so stupid?"

Eliza's eyes filled with tears, but she stood her ground. "I would rather be ruined than continue to be your puppet."

But Lady Lymington wasn't finished. She jerked Eliza by the arm and dragged her out of the dining room.

"Where are you taking me?" Eliza demanded, struggling to keep up with her aunt's furious pace.

Lady Lymington did not respond until they reached the library. She flung open the door and shoved Eliza inside.

"You will stay here," she ordered, her voice cold and merciless. "And you will only speak to the Duke about lady-like topics, such as composers like Beethoven and Mozart at the musicale of Lady Weatherby later this week."

Eliza, rubbing her arm where her aunt's grip had been, looked around the room filled with books. "You expect me to memorize everything about Beethoven and Mozart?"

"Yes," Lady Lymington replied sharply. "You will read and memorize all you can about them. You will not leave this room until you can speak intelligently about these composers. Do you understand?"

Eliza's defiance flared up again. "And if I refuse?"

"Then, I will keep my promise and send you back to Mrs. West's. Or a madhouse," Lady Lymington threatened. "You will not ruin this engagement, Eliza. You will do as I say, or you will suffer the consequences."

With that, Lady Lymington turned on her heel and left the library, locking the door behind her.

Later that night, when her aunt finally let her out of the library, Eliza carefully made her way to her room.

The hours spent poring over books on Beethoven and Mozart had left her weary, but her mind was set on a different task now. She knew that if she was caught, the consequences would be severe, but the prospect of meeting Anthony and escaping her aunt's tyranny, even for a brief moment, was too enticing to resist.

Eliza changed into a simple dress and wrapped a dark shawl around her shoulders. The carriage Anthony had promised was waiting just a few yards away from the house, its silhouette dark against the dimly lit street.

She moved quickly, her footsteps barely audible on the cobblestones. As she neared the carriage, the driver stepped down to help Eliza. She took a deep breath, her heart racing, and accepted the hand, stepping into the carriage.

Once inside, the door closed softly behind her, and the carriage began to move, carrying her away from the oppressive grip of her aunt if only for a few precious hours.

After what felt like an eternity, the carriage finally slowed to a stop. The door opened, and Eliza stepped out, finding herself at the servant's entrance of Anthony's townhouse once again.

She made her way inside; the house was unusually quiet, and she did not encounter anyone, not a single one of Anthony's trusted staff. How odd.

She found the Duke waiting for her in one of the hallways close to the parlor.

"Good evening, Eliza," he said, his voice a low murmur.

The hallway was dimly lit, the flickering candlelight casting a warm glow on the polished wood and rich tapestries.

"Where are all the servants?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I gave them the night off," Anthony replied with a slight smile. "I wanted us to have some privacy."

He led her through the hallway to a large dining room. The table was set for two, adorned with fine china and crystal, and illuminated by the soft glow of candles. A sumptuous spread of food was arranged on the table, and the aroma was intoxicating.

Anthony pulled out a chair for her, and she sat down, feeling the tension in her shoulders slowly ease. He took his place across from her, his eyes never leaving her face.

"I thought we could enjoy a quiet dinner," he said, his tone casual but his gaze intense. "Away from prying eyes and gossiping tongues."

Eliza nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips despite her hesitation. "Was it necessary for us to be alone?"

"Why? Are you worried you might finally give into temptation?" he asked teasingly.

Eliza merely gave him a withering look.

Anthony poured them each a glass of wine, and he raised his glass in a toast.

"To a night free from the world's expectations," he said, his eyes locking onto hers.

Eliza raised her glass, the crystal clinking softly as they touched. "To freedom," she echoed, finding herself lost in his eyes as she took a sip from her glass.

They began their meal, the rich aroma of the dishes filling the air. However, Anthony did not wait long to cast a wicked look her way.

"Tell me, Eliza," Anthony began, a playful glint in his eyes, "have you always been this fearless? Taking on runaway horses, sneaking out in the middle of the night? Is there something else I should know about you?"

Eliza laughed softly, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks. "Fearless? I do not know about that. It was more a matter of necessity, I suppose. Someone had to do something."

Anthony leaned in slightly, his gaze never leaving hers. "You make it sound so simple, but I assure you, it is not. I have known many who would have simply stood by and watched."

"Perhaps," Eliza shrugged, trying to downplay her actions. "But I have always felt that if one has the ability to help, they should."

"And you certainly do have the ability," Anthony replied, his voice softening.

Eliza smiled, feeling both flattered and wary. She took a bite of roasted chicken, her mouth watering with the flavor. "This is wonderful. I must admit, I am not used to such… indulgence."

"Then it is high time you were spoiled," Anthony said with a grin. "Every woman deserves to be treated like a queen."

Eliza's smile faltered slightly, wondering how many of his conquests fell prey to that line. "I imagine you say that to all the women you entertain."

Anthony raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "Ah, but none of them are quite like you, though."

She could not help but laugh, shaking her head. "You are incorrigible, Your Grace."

"Anthony," he corrected. "When we are alone like this, call me Anthony."

"Very well, Anthony," Eliza said, testing the name on her lips.

It felt strangely intimate, and she found herself enjoying the familiarity.

As they continued their meal, Eliza allowed herself to enjoy the moment, even as a small voice in the back of her mind reminded her to be careful. This was a man who had undoubtedly charmed many women before her, but for now, she decided to let herself be one of them, if only for a little while.

After dinner, Anthony led Eliza to a cozy sitting area where a fire crackled warmly in the hearth. He poured them both another glass of wine, and they settled into comfortable chairs, the soft glow of the fire adding to the intimate atmosphere.

Eliza took a sip of her wine, gathering her courage to ask the question that had been lingering in her mind all evening.

"Anthony," she began slowly, "why have you asked to spend these nights with me instead of… well, you know."

Anthony smirked, his eyes dancing with amusement. "Instead of taking you to bed, you mean?"

Eliza blushed but nodded. "Yes."

Anthony leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "You see, Eliza, I have a certain… preference when it comes to such matters. I typically prefer it when women enthusiastically want to lie with me. There is something far more enticing about mutual desire than mere compliance."

Eliza studied him, intrigued by his candor. "So, you want me to want you."

Anthony's smirk widened. "Precisely. I find the game of seduction far more enjoyable when both parties are willing participants. I especially like it when they beg me for it," he added, his voice low and provocative.

Eliza raised an eyebrow, feeling amused and defiant. "Do you think I will be begging for you, then?"

Anthony leaned forward slightly, his gaze intense. "I do not think, Eliza. I know you will."

She let out a scoff, shaking her head. "You are unbelievably arrogant."

"Confident," he corrected with a mischievous smile. "There is a difference."

Eliza rolled her eyes, feeling a spark of irritation mixed with undeniable attraction. "No, arrogant is the right word."

Anthony's smile did not waver. "You will see, Eliza. I am very good at what I do."

Her eyes narrowed, and she crossed her arms. "You think you can just charm your way into anyone's bed, do you?"

"Only if they want me there," he replied smoothly. "And you, Eliza, will want me."

Her frustration bubbled over, and she stood up, glaring at him. "I am determined, Anthony, to not fall victim to your charms."

"You are so stubborn," Anthony said, standing and stepping closer to her, his eyes never leaving hers, "but I love a challenge."

Their faces were inches apart, the air thick with tension.

She arched a brow, a playful smile curving her lips. "I'm not easily swayed."

Anthony quickly wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned in close, his hot, sweet breath tickling her lips.

"I never shy away from a challenge, especially one as irresistible as you."

And without hesitation, he took her mouth with his own. She responded eagerly, grabbing onto his shirt as she reciprocated his fervor, their mouths moving together with a hunger that surprised them both.

Eliza felt her anger and frustration dissipate, replaced by a whirlwind of desire. Anthony's hands moved to her back, pulling her even closer as their kiss grew more heated.

She let out a soft moan, and Anthony took it as an invitation to explore further, his tongue teasing hers.

They finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, their eyes locked in a heated gaze.

"You see?" Anthony murmured, his voice husky. "You want me already."

Eliza's chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath. "This changes nothing," she insisted though her voice lacked conviction.

Anthony's smile was triumphant, his eyes dark with desire. "We shall see, Eliza. We shall see."

Eliza's heart skipped a beat, his face so close to hers. Her eyes flicked down to his lips, a part of her wanting to taste him again.

"And what if I never come to want you in that way?"

Anthony shrugged, his smile never faltering. "Oh, I am certain that you will."

Eliza felt a shiver run down her spine at his words; she could not deny the growing attraction she felt, but she also knew she needed to tread carefully.

"I suppose we shall see," she said softly, meeting his gaze evenly.

"Indeed," Anthony replied, his voice a low murmur. "I look forward to discovering what you sound like in ecstasy."

His certainty and the look in his eyes made it hard for her not to believe him.

With a deep breath, she pulled away, her hands pressing against his chest to create distance between them.

"It is late," she said, her voice steadier than she felt. "I should go."

Anthony's eyes searched hers, a challenge flickering in their depths. "Eliza?—"

She shook her head, stepping back further.

"I know what rakes like you want," she continued, her voice firm, "and I will not give you the satisfaction. I cannot be ruined for my future husband."

Anthony's smirk returned though there was a hint of something darker in his gaze. "Who says anything about ruining you? This is simply… enjoyment."

"Perhaps for you," she retorted, lifting her chin defiantly. "But for me, it is about more than just a fleeting moment of passion. My future, my reputation, they matter."

He took a step closer, his eyes glinting with desire. "You think too much, Eliza. Sometimes, it's best to just let go."

Eliza swallowed hard and took a deep breath. "I cannot simply fall into your arms because of a few flattering words and stolen kisses."

Anthony nodded slowly, his smirk never leaving his face. "You can resist all you want, Eliza. But know this—you will be mine, utterly undone and begging for more…"

She gulped, a wave of excitement raking through her entire body.

No, he is danger itself , she warned herself.

Or rather temptation itself.

So, making sure she wouldn't become his prey, Eliza turned and headed for the door, her heart still racing.