Page 68 of The Marquess' Disguised Heiress
“Eliza?” he called out to her softly, hearing footsteps from inside the room.
“Who is that?”
“It’s me, Eliza. Your masked stranger. Stand back; I will try to push the door open.”
He started to push the door, the hinges beginning to stir at the impact. In just a few minutes, the door came apart, the lock breaking with a snap. Eliza stood at a distance, dressed in her servants’ attire, tear streaks on her face.
Alexander felt his heart breaking at the sight of her, but now that he was here, everything was going to be alright. Sheimmediately rushed into his arms, spilling all that had happened from the dress to Victoria finding out about it.
“But, how did you know I was here?” she asked him, finally looking up into his eyes. She was beautiful, his heart throbbing at the sight of her.
“Lady Margaret told me, and I came to get you,” he sighed, slipping the mask away.
“George?” she backed away from him, shock written all over her face, “You are George? What is happening?”
“Eliza, you must listen to me,” he replied, taking her into his arms, “I am Alexander Blackwood.”
Alexander watched as Eliza’s eyes widened at the confession, realization dawning in them. In just a matter of a few seconds, he noticed how her expression changed entirely from confusion to shock to sweet relief, which flooded through the tear-streaked smile on her face.
He was delighted to have caused this reaction in her, his heart melting. This was exactly what he had hoped for, for him to reveal his identity at the right time, and there was no better time than now.
“My goodness. I should have known. You always seemed so familiar.” She began to sob while Alexander held her in his arms, never wishing to let go. She slowly trailed her fingers over his face as if trying to tell herself how all of this was real. “Did you truly just come all the way back here to find me?”
“I did. I came to find you and instead found out how messed up the situation was. That was the reason I had to pretend to be George and meet you as the masked stranger. I was simply trying to rescue you and find information about the Russels to reveal their crimes. I wanted to reveal my identity so many times but saving you from these cruel people was more important.”
“My goodness was it you who was sending me the gifts?” she asked, her eyes widening in surprise.
“How did you guess?” Alexander laughed, rather happy knowing how she had suddenly figured that out on her own.
“I have come to realize that I simply have one well-wisher, and that happens to be you. It has to be you because how else am I ever going to justify having a secret fairy godmother?”
“I asked my housekeeper to keep sending you gifts as your fairy godmother so you could have all the finest things in the world. I apologize for how those very gifts became the reason for getting you into trouble towards the end.” Eliza began to shake her head even before Alexander had stopped speaking.
“I just cannot believe that you went to such lengths for me, Alexander,” she sighed, still sobbing softly, “I must have truly done something right to have someone in my life who cared for me in such a way. I must thank you for all you have done.”
“It isn’t done yet, Eliza.” He tenderly rubbed his thumb over her smooth cheek, staring earnestly into her eyes. “You must come to the ballroom with me at once. We have to be there.”
“Alexander,” she whispered, running her hand over his cheek. “Why must we go there? I want to sit here with you and talk about everything that has happened and everything I do not know about you. I wish to relive all those past memories.”
“We have all our lives for that, my Eliza, but right now, the truth is more important. It is about time the Russels pay for everything they have done.”
“Can you really do it? How?” She looked afraid.
“Do you trust me, Eliza?”
“Completely.”
He extended his hand towards her, “Then simply come along with me. I promise you everything is going to be alright.”
She quickly wiped her tears and gave her hand in his, the pair taking the normal staircase to return to the ball. Alexander slipped his mask back in place, wanting to keep his identity a secret for a little longer. As Eliza entered the ballroom, dressed in her servants’ dress, the music suddenly stopped as all eyes turned towards them. Despite the attention, Alexander was immensely proud to see how she stood tall beside him, bright and confident. He could see the shock on Lord and LadyLeicester’s faces as they saw Eliza enter, her hand clasped tightly in his.
“Beth!” Lady Leicester rushed forward, whispering angrily, “What on earth are you doing here? Leave immediately!”
“She is not going anywhere,” his mother chimed in from behind Lady Leicester, pushing her aside to come and stand in front of Eliza. “My darling Eliza.”
Before Alexander realized what was happening, his mother gathered Eliza in a hug in front of everyone at the ball, eerie silence surrounding them.
He knew how much the ton enjoyed gossip, and right now, almost everyone was confused about what was happening. He could sense the curiosity of the people, along with the horror on Lord and Lady Leicester’s faces.
