Page 65 of The Marquess' Disguised Heiress
Alexander was shocked. It was evident she knew who he was. Perhaps she would be able to help him after all.
***
Even though Margaret was on the verge of a panic attack when she had escaped from her house to see George, being in front of him was strangely peaceful. Despite her terror, she had known she could not allow her family to ruin Eliza’s life any longer.
Even after everything Eliza had been put through, she had never once been unkind towards Margaret. It was about time she took things into her own hands, especially with the masquerade happening the next day.
“Lady Margaret.” He bowed, walking inside the hall.
“My Lord …” She curtsied back, noticing the shock on his face. “My family is well aware that you are not who you say you are. They know you are the masked stranger, and Eliza has been seen with you. That is one of the reasons they have locked her away.”
“Amelia betrayed her, I gather?”
“Yes,” Margaret nodded in agreement. “My family is suspicious of your intentions, especially since you asked questions about Eliza and the Gordons from both me and Victoria. Then you were seen with Eliza both as George and as the masked stranger, which is why my mother seems to think you might know the truth and could cause trouble for our family. Hence, it is best if Eliza stays away from you.”
A weight lifted from Margaret’s chest as she laid out the entire situation in front of George, his shock only increasing with everything she revealed. He sat down on the sofa, his worry evident on his face.
“How is she?” he finally asked, looking at Margaret.
“I have never seen her look so terrible. She has been diligently working to arrange the summer masquerade, which is tomorrow. I believe you did not receive an invite, and this happens to be the reason.”
“Yes.” Alexander nodded. “I was wondering why I had not been invited. Why are you here, Lady Margaret? Be honest.”
Margaret completely understood his suspicions towards her intentions since she, too, was only a Russel, but she was ready to prove him wrong. She had already decided to help Eliza in any way she could, and this was the time to stand up.
“I am here to tell you that my family is planning to get Eliza married off to Count Fife, who is a terrible, lecherous man, and Eliza does not deserve that fate. He is going to sign off on her inheritance to the family, and everything will legally belong to the Russels after he does so. I came here because I am aware only you can save Eliza.”
“And you are ready to stand up against your family to help your cousin? Why now? You have seen her be treated terribly all your life. Why this sudden change of heart?”
“I can’t allow my family to fall this low, My Lord. They have mistreated me all their lives as well, but not as much as they have mistreated Eliza. Despite all this, Eliza has never been unkind to me; in fact, she has been kinder to me than my own sister. I know she does not deserve such a life, and it is about time I help her, even if it means going against my own family. It is about time they pay for the sins they have committed.”
He stayed quiet for several minutes, closely assessing her.
“Lady Margaret, I do trust your intentions, and I thank you for coming forward in this matter. My name is not George, as you must have already guessed. I am Alexander Blackwood, Earl of Eastwood, along with being the Marquess of Lennox and a few other titles. I have known Eliza since we were just children because we used to be neighbours.”
Margaret was shocked at the introduction, realizing how important and powerful the man before her was. Even if she had not come forward, he would have found a way to help Eliza, but she was ready to help him in any capacity.
“What can I do to help, My Lord?”
“I just want you to find the documents in your father’s study detailing the inheritance and property deeds. They are all placed together in his bottom drawer. I have seen them there and you will be able to find them easily. You must bring those documents to me.”
Margaret was slightly scared, knowing it was not going to be an easy task.
“The ball is tomorrow, My Lord, and I am afraid they will send her away with Count Fife right after, which is why you must reveal the truth tomorrow. I will bring you the documents at the ball, but you will need to be present there right on time.”
Alexander stood up, followed by Margaret. A strange feeling filled her stomach, but she knew she was doing the right thing.
“I will do it at the ball,” he replied, his mind elsewhere. “I want you to do another thing for me.”
“Anything.”
“I got a dress made for Eliza. It is an ice blue colour along with accessories and all other necessary items. You must give it to her for her to wear tomorrow so she can be present at the masquerade, but I do not have a mask with it.”
“Do not worry.” Margaret shook her head. “I have a pearly, white mask, which will look beautiful with any blue dress. You must make your entrance at the ball and reveal the truth, while I will be present with the documents and will bear as an eyewitness to everything Eliza has endured in the past years.”
“Are you sure you will have the courage to step forward against your family? I cannot afford your faltering at the last moment.”
“I promise,” Margaret sighed. “I will lose my family, but even though I love them, they do deserve to be punished. It might mend my relationship with Eliza, but I am certainly not counting too much on it. I won’t hold it against her if she does not forgive me.”
