Page 35 of The Marquess' Disguised Heiress
“I am sure you won’t.” Alexander smacked John’s back in praise, quite ecstatic about his agreement to the deal.
“But you will need to find a way to navigate through the house without being seen by the servants.”
“I know the ins and outs of the house, and I am sure I will manage,” Alexander reassured John, suddenly remembering another important task he had handed over to Mrs Carlyle, the housekeeper. “John, you must immediately go and fetch Mrs Carlyle and bring her here to me. I have something terribly important to discuss with her.”
Without another word, John left the parlour, and Alexander resumed his breakfast. He could not lie to himself and claim that he was not worried for Eliza, living the way she was in that house, but he had faith in himself to reveal the truth in front of the world.
That was all he needed to do to make sure Eliza’s reputation was restored in society. The door opened, and Mrs Carlyle walked in beside John.
“You asked for me, My Lord?”
“I asked you to get some gifts delivered to the girl who lives in the attic in the Russel Estate. What happened about it?”
“It is already done, My Lord.” Mrs Carlyle smiled. “It was not an easy task, but I made sure it was done. We first left the gifts on the path outside the mansion, but before she could find them, another maid saw them and stole them. Hence, the second time around, I took the help of the gardener’s son, who easily climbed over the vine fence, which led straight to the attic window, and deposited the gifts directly inside. He is very young and light enough for his weight to be handled by the fence, and I gave him a small amount so he would keep his mouth shut about the matter.”
Alexander was thrilled. He wanted Eliza to have everything she deserved to have, and he was ready to go to any length to get those things to her.
“Make sure this continues happening and keep sending her fine things.”
“I will do just that, My Lord.”
Alexander nodded, dismissing her. He needed to see Eliza immediately.
***
Dressed in breeches and a shirt fit enough for a stable hand, Alexander made his way towards the woods at the back of the Russel Estate, hoping to find Eliza.
A part of him hoped for her to be comfortably snuggled in her bed after the work she had done last night, but he knew better than that. No one in the house would let her sleep at such an unreasonable hour, and there was a much higher chance that he would find her working instead.
As he went further into the woods, his eyes landed on a familiar head of strawberry blonde hair tied into a messy braid, and he knew he had been right. Eliza stood ahead of him, completely oblivious to his presence as she foraged through the woods.
She was bent over a tiny shrub, which Alexander could not see, carefully tearing away leaves or fruits or perhaps even flowers. He walked closer, his feet crunching on the dried leaves, alerting Eliza of his presence.
“George!” She smiled warmly at him, waving him over.
He could see the tiredness of last night evident on her face, but she looked just as beautiful, the light on her face visible still. He made his way towards her, his heart already melting at the sight of her smile and last night came rushing back to him. Although right now, he was just George and not the stranger she had clung to as she slept.
“I am surprised to find you here after last night.”
“Whatever do you mean?”
“Do you have the energy to forage in the woods after staying up all night due to the ball?” he asked, making her chuckle softly.
“What can I say? Life must continue to go on even after a busy night. I certainly cannot say no to work and rest all day.”
“Then at least let me carry your basket while you look around and pick up everything you need to?” He took her basket from her before she could either agree or deny, and to his relief, she did not protest as she quietly gave up the already heavy basket. Alexander could see she had already picked up various fruits and flowers.
Despite that, the pair walked around in silence for several minutes as Eliza continued to pick up a flower or some leaves from one plant or another, her face a mask of concentration.
He could see she enjoyed doing this, and he was simply glad to be awarded her company even if both of them remained completely quiet.
He stared at her simple olive-green dress with its chequered pattern and apron tied around her waist and realized how beautiful she looked even when dressed so simply.
“Are you tire-” he began speaking just as she spoke up as well.
“Did the earl-”
They looked at each other, both stopping mid-sentence and instead broke out into laughter, Eliza’s eyes shining as she dissolved in giggles. He had never seen her laughing this openly before, and he was glad to see her this happy. Once the laughter had faded, Alexander shifted the basket from one hand to the other and nodded at her.
