Page 16 of A Wicked Earl's Widow
He chuckled at her moniker, a cross between uncle and kit. “Of course I do! Who is my favorite girl?”
“Me! Fo’ever me!” She squealed as he threw her up in the air and caught her.
“Again!”
Kit threw his yelping bundle in the air again, her frock puffing out like an umbrella. On the third landing, he placed her on his shoulders and headed toward the steps. “Up we go, Thea!”
Grace turned to Eliza and held out her arms. “My dear, sweet cousin.” They hugged in silence and then Grace took Eliza’s arm and whispered, “Trust me.”
Kit and Althea led the rest of the group into the house, her small hands clutching Kit’s chin like a death bandage. Inside the drawing room, he took her from his shoulders in a dramatic front flip and set her on his lap. He rubbed at the imprint of tiny fingernails under his chin. “There’s a literal interpretation of a female getting her claws into a man.”
Lord Pendleton chuckled. “Indeed, they do start young, don’t they?”
Lady Hannah rolled her eyes. “How was your journey? Uneventful I hope.”
“Yes, we started out early and stopped in the village to check on Mrs. Stanley.” Grace’s eyes grew serious. “The poor woman is lucky none of her ribs were broken.”
“I stopped by the blacksmith. He’s keeping a close eye on the footpad and says he’s getting him acclimated for where he’s going. Has him tied next the kiln.” Kit’s concerned gaze fell on Eliza. “And how are you, sweet sister-in-law?”
Avoiding the question, she turned to the governess. “Mrs. Watkins, would you take Althea up for her nap? She may be hungry since she was too excited to eat this morning.”
“Of course, my lady.” She held out her hand to the child. “Are you hungry, my sweet?”
Althea nodded her head, dark curls bouncing. “Ginbwead, pwease.”
“Gingerbread it is, and then a bit of a rest.” She waited patiently while the girl gave her mother, aunt, and uncle a kiss and the rest a wobbly curtsy.
Silence prevailed until their footsteps faded down the hall.
Kit cleared his throat. “I’d like to thank you for your help in this matter.”
“What exactly is the ‘matter’? Your note was brief.” Lord Pendleton took a seat on a tapestry covered chair. “I assume there is more to this matter than the incident on the road.”
Grace looked at Eliza and then Kit. “My cousin’s father is... Let’s say he enjoys inflicting pain in others. I was relieved when Eliza married Kit’s brother and escaped his abuse. It seemed she was finally safe from harm.”
Heat engulfed Eliza’s face. She could not look up as Grace explained the situation. Would they judge her, pity her, or refuse to help her? With Sunderland Castle no longer an option, she truly would have to sail for America or marry that vile old man. Alone in a strange land or life with a lecher without her daughter.Deep breath in. And out. Deep breath in. And out.She focused on her breathing to keep the panic at bay as Lady Falsbury had taught her.
“So her father threatened Lady Eliza’s mother and that darling little girl upstairs if she did not marry a common merchant?” Lord Pendleton asked. “That blasted cutthroat.”
His mother shook her head. “Abhorrent behavior. But if he thinks she’s somewhere on the Atlantic, why isn’t she safe at Sunderland Castle?”
“Landonshire is no fool and neither is his partner. They’ll put men sniffing around the docks. My father padded the wharfinger’s pocket well to remember a young woman and child boarding a ship. But if he’s offered more, who knows?” Kit shrugged his shoulders. “We don’t want to take that chance until we have an alternative plan.”
Eliza found her voice. “My brother-in-law cannot put his wife in danger. They have already done so much for me.”
“No, that’s not the reason,” cried Grace. “I know your father. If he finds out you have not left the country, he’ll send spies to the castle and Boldon. It’s for your safety and Thea’s, not ours.”
Eliza blinked back the tears as Grace rose and put comforting arms around her. She would not cry.
“As you can see,” Kit continued, “we need a place unknown to Landonshire. It seems fate has stepped in.”
Looking at her hosts, Eliza apologized. “I am so sorry for this horrid affair. Please do not feel obligated to protect me. I am no relation to you and I would understand—”
“NO!” The word resounded against the brown and gold silk-covered walls.
Eliza cringed and blinked back tears at the harsh tone. She looked into the angry face of Lord Pendleton, her worst fear realized as she saw the disgust in his brandy-colored eyes flashing with gold.
“Of course, my lord,” she said barely above a whisper, eyes downcast. “We did not unpack our trunks yet and can leave immediately.” Her mind scrambled for her next move. “I appreciate everything you have done for us.”
