Page 39 of Her Daring Earl
“And you,” Dot said, squeezing him as Henrietta spotted Eliza. “Eliza, what are you doing here?” she said, running toward her. Everyone made pleasantries, introducing those who did not know one another, and Eliza watched with interest as Lord Mandrake stared at Dot with perverse longing in his gaze.
Dot looked away, but a blush stole up her cheeks.
“Well, best get you men on the road before my sisters become overly chatty,” Fitz said, trying to usher them away, but Lord Mandrake stopped, placing his hand on Dot’s arm.
“Lady Dot, we never had that conversation,” he began, but Fitz was there in moments.
“I already said no,” he stated flatly. “Come, Mandrake, time to go.”
“Fitz,” Dot said, tilting her head, obviously not pleased with his reaction. “One conversation will not cause harm.”
“Fine,” he said tersely. “A conversation. Where I can see you.”
Dot rolled her eyes at him before allowing Lord Mandrake to lead her beyond the room. Henrietta and Eliza exchanged a glance of interest before watching the two of them chat away. Eliza had no idea how two people who barely spoke would have so much to say, but Lord Mandrake must be more interesting than she would have thought.
She could practically feel Fitz bristling beside her, but soon enough, Mandrake said his farewells and the gentlemen were thundering down the drive.
“You know, for a household that is supposed to be in hiding, you certainly have a lot of comings and goings,” Eliza couldn’t help but remark once the men were away.
“Too many, likely,” Fitz said from behind her. “But the country’s business cannot pause because of one little threat to one of its members. And my sisters cannot hide forever."
"Is there any word from the detective in London?” Sloane asked with a yawn.
“He did write to update me, but he hasn’t found anything yet,” Fitz said with a sigh. “I still think I should have stayed and tried to draw the person out.”
“We should be safe,” his mother said, placing a hand on his arm. “Now, ladies, it is a beautiful day. Why do we not spend it outside? We can have tea out there this afternoon and play a few games.”
“A lovely idea,” Lady Willoughby said, and Eliza exchanged a smile with Henrietta, who came over and squeezed her arm as they walked out of the room and upstairs to change.
“I am so glad you are here!” Henrietta said. “I apologize we were away. Had we known that you were coming, we never would have left.”
“Of course!” Eliza said. “We should have written far sooner. How was Lady Noonan’s?”
“As Mother told us it would be – boring!” she said with a laugh, as they headed up to their rooms to find their clothing for the outdoors.
As for Fitz? Well, she would have to worry about him later.
For there was nothing to do now but enjoy herself.
Fitz was becoming ratherannoyed with his sisters.
Every time he tried to find a moment alone with Eliza, there they were, at her side. Even after they all retired for the night, he tried to go to her room, but when he was about to knock on her door, he saw the note attached to the doorknob warning him that Henrietta had decided to stay with her for the night.
He nearly pounded on the door in frustration.
She had become like a drug. He was addicted.
He barely saw her the next day besides at meal times, and it took everything within him not to spend the entire dinner staring at her, for he was well aware that his sisters would catch on to him if he did so.
Perhaps it was for the best. He had already compromised one young woman and look how that had nearly ended. He had almost been duped into a lifetime with a liar. Not that he could ever see Eliza doing such a thing, but he could not allow for any scandal to enter into his life.
He was more captivated by Eliza than he ever had been by any other woman. It was disconcerting, but he told himself it was only because the secrecy of all this had created an unmatched lust within him.
He couldn’t help but ruminate on her words about marriage. Could he see himself married – and to her? He had a hard time picturing it. He was supposed to be finding a woman who would bring him respectability so that all would take him seriously. When the gentlemen had arrived from London, he had to fight with all of his powers of persuasion to get them even to consider backing his proposal.
Of course, Mandrake’s accompaniment hadn’t helped. The man had only traveled all of this way to try to put a hold on his plans, but Fitz would not be deterred.
Finally, two nights after they had come together, he was able to sneak into Eliza’s bedroom without anyone spoiling his intentions.
