Page 8 of The Marquess' Disguised Heiress
“Of course, Miss Eliza.” He was another person who refused to call her Beth whenever they were alone.
“Oh, I almost forgot,” Eliza suddenly said, standing up from the chair and clearing her throat to gather everyone’s attention. All the other servants in the household both loved and respected her, and at least, here, Eliza always felt as if she was still home.
They all looked at her expectantly since mostly it was she who came bearing news.
“The family will be leaving for London a little earlier now since Lady Leicester is hosting a masquerade, and the family must be present for it. Hence, some of us will be going alongwith them. Everyone will probably be informed by tonight if they have to go, so be prepared,” Eliza said with a tilt of her head, noticing the glow in everyone’s gaze.
She knew what everyone was hoping for: to be the ones who were supposed to stay back.
I wish I could have been one of those, too.
“Are you going?” Ralph asked her, and Eliza nodded.
She sat back down, keeping her plate in her lap once again as she continued eating. She had not even realized how hungry she was, not even having eaten last night.
Everyone had been asking her to eat regularly since she was constantly losing weight, but she remained extremely busy with work around the house and mostly forgot.
If it had not been for Ralph and Lara, she would have fallen sick by now, and it was just the two of them taking care of her in whatever way they possibly could.
“Do you really believe Uncle Edgar will let me stay behind and have a few moments of peace for myself?” She sighed, not wanting to feel discontented.
Although, at times like these, it was a little too difficult.
“It is alright,” he replied, “I just hope I come along as well so you do not have to survive the London Season catastrophe all alone.”
“I hope so, too, Ralph.”
They continued having breakfast in silence, but all Eliza could think about was her dread of this upcoming trip. It was an awful thing to think about, but she knew the moment she stepped foot in London, all five members of the Russel family would only make her life even more miserable than they did in the countryside.
London meant balls and parties and constantly arriving guests. It meant excessive socializing, and the entire work forthe household would fall on Eliza, with no one there to save or protect her.
Although, what other choice did she have? She had resigned herself to this fate and she must be brave in the face of it. She had endured worse, and this was simply another test.
I will be just fine.
She had to be. She said goodbye to Ralph and put the plate and cup away, leaving the kitchen, which was still in the midst of conversations between the other servants. She needed to escape to the attic for a little while because even though she was trying to be resilient in the face of every hardship, sometimes it felt too much.
She needed to escape somehow. She could not live this way forever.
Chapter 2
My dearest Alexander,
I am ecstatic to find out that you have not only arrived in London but have also bought the Blackwood Estate, which we sold before leaving for France after your father’s death. I miss you terribly, but I must thank you for taking heed of my concerns seriously and going to England at once to find Eliza.
The little girl was left all alone in the world, and we even left her two years later when we had to move away from our country home and cross the country to where Richard’s parents resided and needed us.
You are well aware that I continued writing to her, and so did you, until one day, she asked us to stop writing and disappeared. My heart has ached since that very day, and I hope you find her soon enough.
The Grafton London Estate is right beside the Blackwood Estate, and you must visit it at once to find out whether Eliza is here or in the country. Do write to me once you find out anything.
With love,
Mother
Alexander folded the letter that his valet, George, had handed to him a few minutes earlier, saying it had just arrived from France. He missed his mother just as much and even missed Mary, his little sister, who was just fifteen years old. However, Alexander knew he needed to be in London.
What he had thought would be a short search where he would be reunited with his childhood friend, Lady Eliza, had turned into a mystery he could not understand how to unfold.
