“Forgive my earlier dismissal,” he said, lowering his head. “Of course, I will entrust you to deliver this letter to Lord Gordon.”
Elizabeth offered him a cold smile and extended a white gloved hand to retrieve the page.
“I will see that he gets it upon his return,” she told the man. “You may go.”
She did not await his response and turned back to the house, her brother close at her heels.
“My God, Liza, your beauty knows no bounds,” David chuckled but there was appreciative awe in his words. “You turn men to pillars of salt with a simple stare. He was not entertaining the notion of giving you the letter until he looked upon your face.”
A blush of embarrassment touched Elizabeth’s cheeks but she did not allow her brother to see it.
“Some men are merely foolish amidst the fairer sex,” Elizabeth replied. “It would matter not if I was comely or plain.”
“I daresay, sweet sister, most are foolish in your company. It never fails to amaze me how men fall at your feet. You shall have your pick of husbands. If only you would settle for one.”
Elizabeth did not pay mind to his comment, the reminder of her attractiveness unnecessary. From the moment she was birthed, it seemed, Elizabeth had been revered for her surreal beauty. There were few who could boast the radiant, fair complexion of thick cream nor the elegant structure of cheeks and chin which Elizabeth Follett could claim. Her vivid golden eyes, against the flow of cascading hair, shocked the most casual observer. Her father had oft told the tale that Elizabeth had been kissed by angels in the womb, hence her ethereal charms. Elizabeth knew she resembled her mother but she had little doubt whose disposition she shared.
I remain unmarried and without a suitor, much to Father’s chagrin. He does not understand that the noblemen bore me with their flattery and idle conversation. Some are more prone to gossip than the busybodies in the town. I cannot envision such a mundane life as wife to such a man.
“Will you read the letter?” David asked curiously when they entered the house. “Or shall we wait for Father to return from London?”
Elizabeth rose her finger to her lips to keep him quiet. She wanted to ensure there were no servants in earshot of them. Whatever news the letter held was not for them to hear. Only matters of importance would be delivered in such a manner and whatever the envelope contained should reach only the eyes of whom it was intended. When she was content they were unobserved, she nodded and gestured for David to follow her into the front salon.
“Shut the door,” she whispered. “I do not wish Frances to enter unannounced. Should the news be unpleasant, she need not hear it.”
David obliged, securing the door, and hurried back to his sister’s side. The dainty scrawl in black ink was simply addressed to Lord Gordon and Household.
“I am afraid to know what it is.” Suddenly, David stared at her as if he debated whether to look. Elizabeth returned his gaze curiously.
“How so?” she asked.
“What if it is news concerning Father?” he demanded, his voice cracking at the idea. “Perhaps something has happened to him while he is in London! I do not wish to read of terrible news!”
A wry smile formed on Elizabeth’s lips and she reached across to pat her brother’s hand reassuringly. Oft times she forgot how achingly young David was.
“If it were such news,” she told him gently, “the letter would not be addressed to Father but to us, to you.”
Relief and embarrassment touched his face and he nodded in agreement.
“Indeed,” he murmured. “Is this unorthodox? Opening the message?”
“How? The address is clear—it is for the entire household. I imagine the messenger was merely being surly for sport,” Elizabeth replied, cracking at the wax seal. She recognized it as the insignia of the Fife estate.
“Why would the Baron of Fife send a message?” Elizabeth wondered, her interest piqued. She could not quite recall who the Baron of Fife was. The land was quite a distance to the east of Gordon and the Baron was certainly not a common figure in the duchy which they lived.
“Please!” David sighed. “The suspense keeps me with bated breath!”
Elizabeth had not noticed she had sunk into a reverie, all but forgetting about the message in her hands.
“Of course.” She looked down at the page and slowly, a smile appeared on her face.
“It is good news?” David asked with relief as he noticed her beam. “What is it?”
Elizabeth nodded, handing her younger sibling the page. The door to the salon opened and Frances entered, her eyes wide and curious. David cast her a nervous glance before eyeing Elizabeth imploringly.
“Why are you hiding in here?” she demanded, a look of hurt springing into her eyes.
“We are not hiding,” Elizabeth assured her and rose quickly from the settee to gesture her forth. “The household has received a letter by messenger.”
