Page 3 of A Wicked Earl's Widow
“I understand the entire family will be in London next week. What luck! It happens I will be visiting my partner. I will call on you at Lord Falsbury’s townhouse and suggest a ride to give you all the news from home. We will spend a pleasant afternoon with Mr. Bellum and announce the betrothal that evening. Do you understand?”
Eliza tried to stem the quaver that had begun in her legs.Be strong. The marquess will not let him hurt Althea.
His fingers gripped her jaw and squeezed, his short nails digging into her soft skin. She shut her eyes against the familiar pain, holding back the tears of anger and frustration.
“Do. You. Understand?” he hissed.
She nodded, knowing there would be bruises.
“That’s my sweet girl.” He kissed the top of her head and gave her a wink. “It will be good to see you again, Eliza. Perhaps after you’re wed, I’ll let your mother come stay with you for an extended visit. If you both behave. It will be my wedding gift to you and Mr. Bellum.” He stooped to pick up his hat, brushed it off, and strode off whistling.
Chapter Two
Eliza staredat the red marks along her jaw, and the nightmare came flooding back. The bruises, broken bones, and constant confinement. She closed her eyes, trying to push the memories to the dark corners of her mind. Mama’s gaunt face haunted her dreams these days. Guilt, she supposed, for being the one to escape. She prayed God would not let her mother suffer for Eliza’s lack of obedience. But since this afternoon, she’d wondered if she’d ever had a choice.
She dressed slowly for dinner, choosing a somber gray dress to fit her mood. If the marquess and marchioness would allow Althea to remain with them, she would obey her father. Her throat swelled and she swallowed the lump, realizing her relationship with Althea would become distant. Another woman would raise her precious child. But the idea of her daughter growing up under Landonshire’s thumb horrified her. She gritted her teeth, hardening her resolve that Althea would have a better childhood than her mother. That vile man would always be in Eliza’s life, watching over her until the day he died. She would never escape his controlling reach, and she could not live looking over her shoulder, wondering where he might appear next. If only Carson had not fallen from that horse…
What ifs did not keep her daughter safe. She straightened her shoulders, clutched the powder and brush, and attempted to cover the red marks. Lady Falsbury was sharp-eyed and meticulous, noticing every small detail that concerned her house and family. The older woman would not let her go without a fight if she thought Eliza had been coerced in any way. The decision was difficult enough without her in-laws trying to come to her rescue. She would survive. Perhaps the decrepit Mr. Bellum was in ill health. Mayhap he was even kind. Her father might even keep his word and allow her mother respite with Eliza. She blinked back the tears and concentrated on covering the dull red prints marring her pale skin. It seemed her fairy tale had ended without a happily ever after.
“My dear, you look pale. Would you like a cordial?” Lady Falsbury’s eyes narrowed. “Are you feeling well?”
“Yes, thank you. I’m a bit tired. Althea’s well of energy is bottomless, but she’s finally spent.” She sat down in a chair on the opposite side of the room, presenting her profile with the faintest mark. And prayed her face was shadowed. “I have already kissed her goodnight and sent her to bed.”
“I brought back a gift for my granddaughter. Since I haven’t seen her in two weeks, I told the governess to bring her down for a short while.” Lord Falsbury gave her a sheepish grin. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“Really Chester, if you were concerned you would have asked her first,” chided his wife.
“Strange, that voice sounds more like you, Lydia, than Eliza.” He bent with a wicked grin and kissed his wife soundly on the mouth. “That should stop any arguments for a bit. You’ll get your trinket later.” He wiggled his bushy silver eyebrows.
Lady Falsbury blushed and pushed him away, the opal in her ring sparkling green and blue in the firelight. “Sir, you are still a scoundrel.”
“And you still can’t resist me.” He grinned, his brown eyes twinkling. “Now take a look at my prize purchase.”
The older couple was an inspiration to Eliza. Proof love could survive over time. They cared for one another, were thoughtful toward each other, and still affectionate. She and Carson might have achieved that special kind of bond, given time. The shared looks that never needed a word spoken, the clasped hands as they ascended the stairs each night, private jokes, and secret smiles.
Falsbury bent behind the settee and pulled out a box. He lifted the lid and took out a doll, half the size of Althea, and set it on a side table near the hearth. Springy black curls framed a porcelain face with painted violet eyes. Dressed in a deep purple muslin gown with pale rose ribbons threading the bodice, the doll closely resembled its new owner. Any other time, Eliza would have enjoyed watching her daughter receive such a gift. She prayed the toy was enough distraction to keep Althea from mentioning this afternoon’s disaster.Please, Lord. Let me protect her.
A gasp pulled her attention from the doll. Althea stood in the doorway, her hands covering her mouth, toes peeking out from beneath her night-rail. Like lightning, she streaked across the room, babbling as she focused on the doll.
“Is me! Is me!” She hugged her miniature, jumping up and down. “Gwandpappa, fo’ me?”
“Well, I did consider keeping it for myself, but I don’t think she’d be nearly as content.” He squatted down and held out his arms. “Come and show Papa Falsy how much you like her.”
Althea carefully set the doll down, adjusted the tiny straw bonnet with pink satin ribbons, and then threw herself into Lord Falsbury’s arms. “Now that’s the kind of gratitude every female in this household should exhibit.”
Lady Falsbury rolled her eyes but chuckled. “When we go to London, we will visit my modiste and order some matching outfits. In the meantime, she must have a name.”
Althea nodded, a serious expression on her sleepy face. She rubbed her eyes, yawned, and picked the doll up again. “A pwetty name. I sweep wif her?” She rubbed her eyes with a chubby fist.
Eliza nodded. “Now give us a hug and kiss good night. It’s past your bedtime.”
The little girl squeezed her grandfather’s neck once more and gave him a sloppy kiss, making a loud noise against his cheek and giggling. In return, he tickled her belly and sent her off to her grandmother. “G’night, gwandmama. Wuv you sooo much.”
“And I love you sooo much more.” She wrapped the little one in a tight hug. “We’ll see you in the morning.”
Althea walked to her mother and leaned on her tiptoes to give her a kiss. Her foot caught on the chair leg, tipping her forward and pushing her forehead against her Eliza’s downturned face. She grimaced at the impact on her sore jaw but quickly recovered, casting a side-glance at her mother-in-law. In a light voice, she said, “Sweet dreams, my darling. Now go with Miss Watkins.”
The governess smiled, dimples poking her round cheeks. She tucked a stray lock of fading auburn hair back into her bun and squatted down. Her light blue eyes were warm as she held out her arms to Althea. “Come along, my little one. I have the perfect story to send you off to Slumber Land.”
