Page 17 of The Marquess' Disguised Heiress
He had no desire to prolong things, simply taking off his mask and watching how her scowl turned to confusion. He could not blame her.
He was playing a dangerous game.
“George?” She eyed him from head to toe, registering the black evening coat and breeches fitting snugly over his tall frame, making him appear nothing short of a noble lord. Just yesterday, he had been in her kitchen, pretending to be a stable hand, but now, everything was different.
“My name is not George,” he sighed. “I am Alexander. Alexander Blackwood, the Marquess of Lennox.”
“Alexander,” Lara whispered as recognition finally dawned in her eyes. A huge smile appeared on her face as she stared at him, and Alexander could sense she remembered everything about him. Lara had been excellent throughout the time he had known her, and his parents had been extremely kind to her as well.
Moreover, on several occasions, she had accompanied Alexander and Eliza when the two of them went on their daily adventures. Besides their parents, she was the one who knew their friendship intimately and always appreciated the way Alexander treated Eliza with love and kindness.”
“I gather you remember me?” He smiled charmingly, Lara nodding.
“Of course, My Lord,” she said with a laugh. “When I met you yesterday as George, something about you felt familiar, but I could not place my finger on it. That was why I was so rigorous with my questioning, but now I finally understand what it was that had been so familiar. My goodness, you are all grown up!”
“And I am here to find Eliza.”
“Lady Eliza,” Lara breathed, her happy laughter turning into a sad smile.
“Yes, Lara,” Alexander nodded, putting his mask back on in case anywhere wandered into the gardens. “My mother feels guilty about not remaining in contact with her, and I miss my friend, but when I came to London, I simply could not find her anywhere. Both the country house and the London Estate have been taken over by the Russel family, and no one could find any traces of Eliza. Where is she? I must know.”
“You have already met her, My Lord.”
Alexander’s heartbeat fastened as he realized what Lara was saying. It couldn’t be true. The mere thought of it was too cruel for him to bear.
“What do you mean?”
“It’s Beth. Lady Eliza has been forced to turn into Beth.”
Alexander felt as if his world was crashing down. He had felt something about her was too familiar, and here was the truth right in front of his eyes.
He had not been wrong about Beth’s placement of beauty marks being exactly like that of Eliza. Her hair, eyes, and ever her laughter and her smile had all been familiar. The immediate familiarity he had felt towards her was because they had known each other for too long, a little too long ago.
Beth was Eliza.
His Eliza.
And he was going to make sure that all her miseries came to an end. No matter what lengths he had to go for it.
***
Eliza quickly made her way to the back of the estate, feeling flushed with all the work she had been doing since early in the morning.
She had never been more exhausted, and she still had the entire masquerade to suffer through. She knew it would go on till early morning, at least, which only meant she wouldn’t get any sleep at all.
Although, she had no choice.
She needed to push through. She made her way inside the kitchen through the back entrance, making sure all the refreshments had been sent out since the guests were beginning to arrive, and it would only be a short time before the entire ballroom was packed with the London nobility.
“Beth!” Amelia called out to her, and Eliza turned to look at her friend, who appeared much fresher.
She had not been as occupied as Eliza and had gone to her room in the servants’ quarter to catch some moments of sleep inthe afternoon. It was important as well since she needed to be in front of the guests, her duty being to make sure the punchbowls were filled.
On the other hand, Eliza had been staunchly advised to stay as far away from the guests as possible, and no one cared about how she looked.
“Is everything alright, Amelia?”
“Everything’s a’right by me.” Amelia smiled. “Just refilling the punchbowls since it is already half eight. The guests must have arrived parched because the ball is not even in full swing yet.”
