Page 34 of The Marquess' Disguised Heiress
He enjoyed the sunlight filtering into the room and had his breakfast there every day. His valet, John, immediately came to his side silently as Alexander made his way to the parlour.
The servants must have known he was returning since the breakfast tray was already waiting for him when he entered, and he sat down wordlessly. No matter how he tried to indulge his mind otherwise since last night, his thoughts would always return to Eliza.
She had felt warm and absolutely perfect in his arms as he had held her while she had slept, and even though he had never expected that moment to happen, it had been the highlight of his night.
When he had seen her uncomfortably asleep against the wall while being seated on the metal bucket, his heart had gone out to her, and he had known he couldn’t allow her to sleep in such discomfort.
Hence, he had only wanted to place her on the bench in the alcove and cover her with his coat for warmth, but she had been so snuggled up against him that he simply could not find the courage to disturb her sleep-induced mind.
The perfection of that moment refused to leave his mind one bit, his heart wishing to relive it again and again, night after night.
Only if that were possible.
“My Lord?” John’s questioning voice made Alexander shake the thoughts away and look at his trusted valet, staring at him with concern.
“Yes?”
“Are you quite alright? Your tea has turned cold, and you still haven’t touched a morsel of breakfast. Do you fancy something else this morning?”
Alexander shook his head. “My mind was occupied with some thoughts.”
“Do you wish to relieve them on me so you can feel lighter?”
Alexander smiled, realizing how much his servants cared for him, especially John. However, he could still not tell anyone about what he was actually thinking and reveal everything that had transpired between him and Eliza. Although, other things worried him just the same, especially everything about the Russels.
“The Russels have me curious about everything they are hiding. Interacting with the family last night revealed a lot about their true faces, but I must find out more. As much as I can.”
“Were you able to find out something momentous last night?”
“Nothing of that importance, no.” Alexander shook his head, “Although, I am certain about the fact that Lady Beatrice Russel is the one who holds most power in the house, and everyone revolves around her command. Lord Leicester, on the other hand, is nothing more than a peacock who enjoys flaunting the wealth that does not belong to him at all.”
“And the children?”
“I simply could not stand Henry, but he seems like a weak man with no morals. I am certain he has some vices that can be used against him when needed, and for that, he must be closely watched. Lady Victoria, on the other hand, is too full of herself and considers herself to be superior to everyone else. She is definitely not a kind person and is certainly rather clever like her mother, but Lady Margaret is softer and weaker and might be influenced by the right amount of pressure employed on her head.”
“What will you be doing next?”
Alexander took a sip of his tea, trying to think of his next step. “I need to take a closer look at the family and snoop in their house for proofs and clues. That might help me find something of importance that I would be able to hold against the Russels.”
“Finding a way inside the house and looking around without being discovered is impossible, My Lord.”
“It is not impossible.” Alexander sighed, a smirk on his face as he plotted. “The family will just need to be outside the house. But where?”
“A ball, perhaps?”
“No,” Alexander shook his head, turning to look at John, “The earl must invite them to dinner.”
“If you are going to invite them for dinner, who will sneak inside the house?” John was clearly confused.
“I cannot be the earl in front of their eyes, John.” Alexander stood up, making his way towards his valet. “They might have already seen me visiting the estate as George, a stable hand, and I cannot risk everything by being two people at the same time. You must pretend to be the earl and invite them over for dinner and while they are here, I will look around the house.”
John’s eyes widened in horror.
“You are surely kidding, My Lord.” He laughed nervously, “How can I ever be the earl?”
“You will have to do it for me, John,” Alexander said straight away. “There is no other way to go about this, and if there is anyone who can pretend to be me, it is you. You have seen me closely enough and know everything about me. I am certain you can do it.”
“I will try my best not to disappoint you, My Lord.”
