Page 15 of The Marquess' Disguised Heiress
“I am so glad you did,” she replied honestly, already beginning to feel at home in his company. He made her feel comfortable without even doing anything to prompt such a response, but every time she was around him, her heart felt content.
His beautiful, dark brown hair was tied in a bun at the back of his head, his face only appearing bigger and stronger. Eliza quite enjoyed looking at his square jaw as he spoke, every inch of his skin reminding her that men, too, could be beautiful, and George was a living, breathing proof of that.
“I assure you I have come without Dyson, so you will have no need to rescue my horse today,” he joked, and Eliza could not help bursting into laughter.
“I must introduce you to everyone else.”
The few maids in the kitchen had been eyeing the two of them curiously, and without wasting another second, Eliza introduced George to everyone present, noticing how kind and affectionate he was with everyone. He was naturally charming and friendly, his countenance gentle. Eliza was already beginning to like him a little too much than necessary, unsure of her feelings.
He walked ahead, standing beside her.
Eliza felt extremely small beside him since he was much taller, but it also seemed as if she was both safe and protected. Just as she turned to talk to him once again, the swinging kitchen doors opened, and Lara came inside, her eyes falling on the two of them.
When he had been here the last time, even then, Lara had been a little too curious and had asked Eliza several questions about him, but Eliza clearly told her that she hardly knew the man since they had just met themselves. However, she did not understand the reason behind Lara’s interest in him.
“Lara!”
Lara’s gaze darted from George to Eliza, trying to understand what was happening.
“I must introduce you to George, who is the stable hand on the Earl of Eastwood’s estate, and George, this is Lara. She is one of the oldest maids in the house and has been extremely patient with me for as long as I have known her.”
“I am pleased to meet you.” George smiled at Lara, but she refused to smile back.
Eliza could feel how the questioning and close analysis was about to begin, and she wanted to send George away before that, but when Lara motioned for him to sit down on the chair in front of her, Eliza knew it was already too late. She would not be able to save the poor man from this ordeal.
“So you are a stable hand?” Lara asked, perching herself on the chair beside Alexander as the two of them stayed embroiled in conversation.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“And how long have you been working for the Eastwood family?”
“For years now, ma’am. I travel with Lord Eastwood whenever he needs me and have been everywhere alongside him.”
“He travels with you? A stable hand?”
“Not everyone is capable of taking care of his prized stallion, Dyson; hence, I am the only one who can keep a check on the wild fellow.”
“I see.” Lara nodded. For some reason, Eliza could sense Lara’s intent of almost interrogating the poor man as she fired one question after another. However, George was certainly not backing away one bit, answering everything aptly.
Despite that, she could see how uncomfortable he was with the whole thing as well, probably confused about an elderly maid’s sudden interest in his personal life, and Eliza was just as uncomfortable.
She knew why Lara felt the need to go about this in an interrogative manner, her eyes trained on Alexander. She was only doing it for Eliza’s sake since she wanted to make sure that if Eliza was in the company of a young man, he was worthy enough for her.
However, Eliza did not need it. She had no intention of keeping George’s company for much longer or, at most, only becoming friends. She did not have space for anything else in her life.
“I brought this for you.”
Eliza watched as he suddenly produced a basket, picking it up from the ground.
She had failed to notice it earlier.
“Thank you.” Eliza took the basket and noticed it was filled with fruits of different varieties and flowers that must have certainly been taken from the earl’s garden. She smiled, realizinghow he must have noticed the contents of her basket the other day and was trying to imitate just that.
She felt touched.
“I hope you enjoy the fruits. They are perfectly ripened and very sweet.”
“Did you steal them from the earl’s garden?” she could not help asking. Even though her intentions were only teasing, George became serious.
