Page 56 of Eliza and the Duke
The next hour was amad dash to get to the train station. Eliza wanted to leave immediately, but it made more sense to plan. She knew that, but she had trouble waiting that long. She had already told Daisy and Henrietta about the quick trip, though she hadn’t told them Simon wasdefinitely there, since she didn’t know. Now she paced the entryway until Violet came to bid her goodbye.
Violet said, “I sent a footman to tell your mother. She wants you to stop by before you leave.”
Perfect. More delay.
“Also, Mr. Dunn will be traveling with you. He’ll be bringing some of Simon’s clothing and personal effects.”
Eliza nearly groaned at how much longer this would take, even as she understood the need. Simon would appreciate having his own clothes.
“Also, there’s this.” Violet put a small leather satchel in Eliza’s hand. It felt as if there was a glass jar inside. “Don’t take it out here,” Violet whispered, and glanced to a footman who hovered nearby.
Curious, Eliza opened the satchel and peered inside. The faint tinge of vinegar met her nose. The jar was full of contraceptive sponges.
“Do you know what those are?” Violet asked.
Eliza found herself blushing, but she nodded. “Yes, my mother explained them to me.”
“Good.” Violet’s brow unfurled in relief. “We needn’t speak of it, but I wanted you to have them.”
“Thank you, Violet. I appreciate everything you’ve done.”
“You’re very welcome. Now go, and I expect my husband will be close behind you.”
They hugged and Eliza hurried out the door to the waiting carriage. The servants had already loaded her small trunk onto the back.
It took them only a few minutes to reach Cora’s house. Eliza took off like a charged wire as soon as the carriage door opened, and hurried up the steps. Jenny greeted her the moment she stepped inside.
“Do you think it’s him? Is he the visitor?” her sister asked.
“I think so.” They danced in a happy circle in the entryway.
“Good, you’re here. I thought I heard you.” Her mother appeared at the top of the stairs dressed in a deep green traveling costume that made Eliza very suspicious.
“Why are you dressed that way?” Eliza asked as Fanny descended the stairs.
“Because we’re coming with you,” she answered.
Eliza glanced at Jenny, only just now noticing that her sister was dressed for travel. “But why?”
“Because you need us,” Jenny said. “Surely, you have room for one more trunk? We economized.” She indicated the trunk that had been set by the front door.
This really wasn’t what Eliza had imagined when she’d decided to go north to Simon. “What about your social commitments?”
“What commitments?” Fanny asked. “It’s the dead of summer. Scotland will be fun.”
Eliza decided they would waste more time arguing and stormed out the front door. Jenny fell into step right beside her and said, “I believe her Scotsman, Lord Ballachulish, has returned home. Perhaps she hopes to make a detour afterward.”
Eliza found herself laughing as they all climbed into the carriage. Their trunk was loaded quickly, and from there they traveled on to acquire Mr. Dunn. Thankfully, he was waiting near the door and came running out the moment the carriage stopped at Montague Club.
“Oh, good morning, ladies.” His eyes widened in surprise to find all of them in the carriage. After a few exchanged pleasantries and another trunk loaded, they headed off to King’s Cross.
Thirty
Blythkirk, Scotland
Simon came awake the momenthis bedchamber door opened. A shaft of yellow light from the corridor fell across the thick Aubusson rug, and he leaped to his feet while grabbing hold of the hunting knife he’d found downstairs and left on the bedside table. Despite three days of running and one day of sanctuary at Blythkirk, he wasn’t convinced that Brody’s men wouldn’t track him down. The estate was operating on a skeleton staff, and there would be very little to stop them should they decide to come in and get him.
A woman’s form stood in the doorway, backlit by the gas sconce in the corridor. “Simon, it’s me.”
