Page 23 of A Wicked Earl's Widow
Chapter Ten
Early May
Eliza sawthe familiar Falsbury seal on the envelope and clutched it to her chest.She wished Grace was still here to read this with her. Her cousin was a pillar of strength.
Please be good news.
Not that she was in a hurry to leave. She loved this beautiful estate and was growing close to Hannah and Lady Pendleton. And then there was Nathaniel. Nate, he had asked her to call him last night as they walked in the garden with Lady Hannah. They had not been alone again since Althea had wandered off and…the kiss, which had caused both disappointment and relief. It would not have been proper, even as a widow.
The attraction between them had grown. A look across the table, his hand a moment too long on the small of her back, a shared smile. Her heat fluttered each time he walked into the room. Her nights were filled with his kiss, reliving it in her dreams over and over, each time adding a touch or caress. She would wake with a throbbing low in her belly, her body covered in sweat from a desire she’d never felt before, even with Carson.
With a deep breath, she sat at her toilette and opened the letter.
Dearest Eliza,
Ihopethis finds you well and my granddaughter happy. We miss you both dreadfully and hope to see you soon. Grace wrote to explain the circumstances of your new residence. I knew Lady Pendleton years ago when we were both girls, and she is a gracious woman. I trust your stay there will be pleasant.
We went to London and met with Landonshire. I wish you could have seen the look on his face when he found out you were not there. Falsbury was brilliant, calling his bluff and almost sending your father into an apoplectic fit. Chester hasn’t enjoyed himself so much in years. It almost came to fisticuffs, but Landonshire is a coward at heart. He left pell-mell, most likely to confer with the despicable Mr. Bellum.
Though you are presently safe, Falsbury does not think the matter is closed. Your father will check the ships that have left dock and send out more spies, no doubt. I’m afraid there may be only one way to keep you permanently out of his reach. We must find you a suitable husband. This is not a conclusion we came to easily since I would be devastated if you left us. But my husband pointed out my selfishness in this matter, and our honor demands we present this option to you in the best light.
If you are married to another, Landonshire will give up his foolish scheme. You cannot hide at Pendle Place forever. Both you and Althea deserve to be happy and loved. Please consider your future choices carefully until we see you again.
L.Falsbury
Marriage?Eliza stood and paced the length of the room.Pish and perdition!Marriage to a suitable husband.One closer to my age.It made sense but to open herself up again to another man… She was damaged property, certainly no great match for anyone despite her bloodline. Especially once her father’s financial situation became common London on-dit. Where would she find someone? It wasn’t as if she could traipse off to London for a season. She’d be discovered as soon as she re-entered society.
Tears pricked the back of her lids, and she closed her eyes. It would not help to cry. As much as she loved it here, Eliza knew the marchioness was right.Breathe in…and out. In…and out.Althea needed a father who would dote on her like Nate.Nate!If only he weren’t such a good man, perhaps they might have made a match. No, he deserved so much more than a flawed, fearful wife. He should have a confident, intelligent, beautiful woman who would never cringe from an unexpected shout or startle at a sudden wave of a stranger’s hand. Besides, Hannah had said he planned to look for a wife when she attended her first season next year. Nate could have his pick of women in London. He didn’t need to settle for a widow and another man’s child.
Scotland. Yes, her mother had family in Scotland. She could take Althea across the border and hide with relatives. Landonshire hated the Scots, so it would be highly unlikely he would search for her there. Nor would he ever believe she had enough backbone to search out strangers. Yet, there might be a life there, a kind Highlander who would not mind raising a little girl if she could give him sons in return. She had a property through Carson. Falsbury and Sunderland would help her arrange for the sale to provide a dowry. And of course her income would be maintained until she remarried.Ifshe remarried. She had a vision of a lovely cottage, tucked in the hills, with a clear stream running behind it.
Eliza pressed her head to the cool glass of the window. As Nate would say, she’d read too many romantic novels.
Ezra Maxwell slammedthe ledger closed with a smile. “April proved to be a good month, my lord. Our losses were minimal for the lambing season and the hay is coming up nicely. If we don’t get too much rain, we might even get three cuttings out of it this year.”
“Excellent. Then I can turn my mind to other matters.”
“I know something is on your mind. It wouldn’t be a certain female, would it?” his steward grinned broadly. “Lady Eliza is a fine bit of muslin.”
“Yes, well. I’m more concerned about her future. It’s been three weeks and Landonshire has had enough time to figure out she’s not on a ship.” Nate ran a hand through his hair. “I wish there was a way to keep her safe permanently. It would ease my mind.”
“There is, of course.”
“Short of posting armed sentries, I don’t know what.” He rubbed the back of his neck, irritated at his helplessness. “I swear, I’d do anything to keep Eliza and that little girl safe.”
“Marry her,” said Maxwell quietly.
“Marry her?” He hadn’t meant for his voice to sound so incredulous.
“She’s a widow and doesn’t need her father’s permission. Falsbury is in charge of her jointure. There’d be no reason for her father to harass the girl if she were someone else’s wife. His plan would be null and void.” The steward paused as the idea took root in Nate’s head. “Unless of course, you aren’t fond of her?”
“Of course I’m fond of her.”
“Perhaps the idea of taking on another man’s child bothers you.” The steward placed the ledger back on the shelf.
“No! I adore Althea.”
“Then if it were me, I’d leg shackle myself to the girl up and save myself the torture of looking for a wife in London next year. I’ve heard you talk about thosesoirees.Rather have a tooth pulled, I think.”
