Page 63 of Her Daring Earl
“Georgina Spencer, that is quite enough,” her mother said firmly before placing what Eliza was sure was supposed to be a kind hand on her arm. “I am sure that is not the way of it. Fitz is simply being…”
“Stupid,” Eliza filled in for her, for she knew exactly what Fitz was doing. “He is trying to get himself killed.”
“I would not say that,” Lady Fitzroy said, her brow furrowing. “I think he just?—”
It seemed that Georgina had more to say about it. “Mother is trying to say that he wanted to return to the excitement of London. That he is bored with being in the country. As we all are. Only, of course, he gets to do as he chooses while we have to sit here with nothing to do, ‘just in case.’”
“That’s not at all what he is doing,” Eliza said, shaking her head woodenly. “He is trying to draw out whoever is after him. To protect us.”
She looked around the table at all Fitz’s sisters, who sat there staring up at her. The practical Dot. Optimistic Henrietta. Apathetic Sloane. Grumpy Georgina. Even the sickly Sarah and the two youngest, Betsy and Daphne, all wore the same expression. Pity.
“I know what you are all thinking,” Eliza said. “That Fitz is bored ofme. That I am making more of our marriage than what it is. But I know that is not the case. Fitz is worried that whoever is after him has discovered our location. I’m sure he thinks that if he leaves Appleton, he will draw the danger away from us. The only problem is, he is now alone to face his adversary.”
It seemed, however, that no one completely believed her, although they were too polite to say so.
“Eliza, why do you not sit and have breakfast?” Henrietta asked, pushing a smile onto her face, but Eliza was suddenly overcome by a bout of nausea and knew that she couldn’t stay there a moment longer.
One hand clutching her stomach, the other covering her mouth, she ran from the room as fast as she could before she truly made a fool of herself.
Somehow, she made it all the way upstairs and into her chamber before she was truly sick, and minutes later, Henrietta came rushing into the room behind her.
“Eliza?” she called out as she stepped through the door and then, seeing Eliza hunched over the chamber pot in the corner, she ran to her, stopping behind her, her arms coming around her. “Oh, Eliza, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s not your fault,” Eliza said, shaking her head. “In fact, there is nothing you can do. I am not upset by what any of you said to me, truly I am not. It is the thought of the danger that Fitz has placed himself in.”
Henrietta left her for a moment before returning with a cool, wet piece of linen. “Here,” she said, holding it out to her, and Eliza took it gratefully, pressing it to her face.
“Thank you.”
“Why do you not lie down for a time?”
“I cannot. I shall rest in the carriage.”
“The carriage?” Henrietta said, straightening. “Where are you going?”
“To London. After Fitz.”
“Eliza, you cannot go to London!”
“I must. I cannot allow Fitz to be alone.”
Henrietta was already shaking her head. “But the very reason he left you was so that you would remain safe.”
“True,” Eliza agreed. “Which is why I will not go directly to London but rather around it.”
“I’m afraid you are speaking in circles I cannot follow.”
“I am going to go to the Duke of Dunmore. He will be able to help Fitz. He was trained in war, was he not? Knowing Fitz, he didn’t tell the duke that he was even returning to London so Levi wouldn’t know that he might need his assistance. I will then remain with Siena so that he feels comfortable in being away from her.”
Henrietta paused for a moment before nodding slowly. “Very well. I think I can accept that plan.”
Eliza patted her on the arm before smiling at her. “I appreciate your approval, but I am not certain I need it.”
“Of course,” Henrietta said, biting her lip. “I only want you to be safe. You and the baby. My niece or nephew.”
A smile lit her lips, and Eliza had to blink back the tears that were rapidly forming. Goodness, being with child was certainly sending her emotions into turmoil.
“Thank you, Henrietta. We are truly so grateful to have you in our lives.”
