Page 31 of The Marquess' Disguised Heiress
Eliza had followed that staunchly to this day, and whenever she needed to step out into this part of the night, she loudly apologized.
Her eyes met with an empty bucket, placed by the wall, and she quickly upturned it to use as a stool. As she sat down on the uncomfortably cold metal, she wished she had not volunteered to sleep last. She knew she would only be getting one hour to sleep or perhaps even less than that, and she would have to be up rather early, even tomorrow.
Aunty Beatrice was never going to give her a break.
However, her only comfort was in knowing that despite being up, the family would easily be asleep till noon, and she just might get the chance to go about her chores slowly, even finding time between them to catch a few minutes of sleep here and there.
She would need that to be able to survive tomorrow before she could comfortably greet her bed and fall asleep for hours. The cold breeze wafted through her face and her hair, making her feel even more comfortable.
Sleep touched her eyes, and she closed them, leaning against the wall behind her. The handle of the bucket bit into her leg, but she hardly cared about the discomfort when sleep was twinkling by her with such sweetness.
She breathed in deeply, and before she knew what was happening, a darkness overtook her senses, and she stumbled into a deep, deep sleep.
***
The wall was breathing.
That was the first thought that came to Eliza as she opened her eyes, unsure of where she even was. She remembered sitting down on the upturned bucket, leaning against the wall until falling asleep just like that.
The coldness of the night was replaced by warmth, and she felt cozy under the thickness of the coat placed upon her. An all too familiar scent of cinnamon and spice greeted her nostrils, and Eliza finally woke up with a start.
It was not the wall but the handsome stranger who was breathing, his arms casually wrapped around Eliza as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
She looked up, realizing she was seated comfortably beside him, almost clinging, and till just a few moments earlier, her head had been resting on his shoulder as he cradled her like a child.
His black coat, which smelled distinctly like him, was draped over Eliza, keeping her protected from the coldness of the night.
How long had she been asleep? Was the ball over? Had someone noticed her absence?
Questions invaded her mind as she became worried, hoping that no one had been able to see her here. Especially with him.
Her movement might have alerted him since his eyes jerked open immediately and Eliza was once again met with those russet-coloured irises, their colour so beautifully dark that, for a second, she forgot everything she had been worrying about.
“You are awake.” He broke the spell.
“What am I doing here?” She jumped up from beside him, and he did not stop her.
She looked around, realizing they were in the garden alcove, her worries calming down slightly. Hardly anyone from the guests would saunter into the alcove, and the servants certainly had no time to be afforded the luxury of midnight walks to the alcove in the middle of the ball. She hoped that had been the case and no one had happened upon them.
“Did you have a good sleep?” He asked his own question, her concerns going unanswered.
“I asked you, what am I doing in your arms when I remember falling asleep against the wall on the bucket? Did you bring me here? And if you have, who asked you or allowed you to do such a thing?”
He stood up as well, his tall stature and masculine figure intimidating her, but Eliza stood her ground. She was not goingto let him consume her senses this time as he had done earlier, especially after the conversation they had on the staircase. Part of her was glad he was not bringing up the subject again.
“You seemed rather uncomfortable sleeping on the bucket with your head turned to the side. I figured this might be more comfortable, considering you absolutely do need sleep, and you leaned onto my chest yourself and placed my coat over you. I simply stayed still so you could continue sleeping for even I can see that you obviously need it.”
“You should never do such a thing again.”
“I was only trying to help.”
Eliza knew he was right. She would never have been able to sleep comfortably on the bucket, and even if she had slept, she would have woken up with soreness in her neck and her body.
Sleeping over the handsome stranger had allowed her to have a comfortable enough sleep and she felt slightly fresh, ready to go about her chores once again.
“Thank you,” she sighed, trying to smile, “You did a kind thing, and I must thank you for being such a gentleman. Now, if you will excuse me, I have chores to attend.”
She should have waited to hear his reply, but the situation had filled her with enough embarrassment for one lifetime, and she did not think she could even face him.
