He loved her!
Nobody had ever loved Eliza before.
She assumed her brothers did as she loved them, but it wasn’t the same.
It also scared her. She’d spent a good portion of her life not letting anyone close because she did not want to be hurt.
Could she trust in Lucian’s love? Just because her infatuation had grown into love did not mean his would last.
Yet, Lucian was not the type of gentleman to reveal his feelings. And, he hadn’t when he proposed. Those words had only been said when he was afraid for her. Those words she believed.
The door to the sitting room slowly opened and Eliza watched as Lucian slipped in and closed the door. He then locked her door to the corridor, slipped out of his dressing robe and crawled into bed beside her. Eliza smiled as his arms came around her.
“I needed to hold you,” he whispered.
“I am glad you are here.”
Chapter38
Lucian hadno idea that simply holding a woman—the woman he loved—through the night without having made love first could be so peaceful. It wasn’t that he didn’t want Eliza because he always would, but last night he simply wanted to be close and protective.
He also slept deeper than he had previously.
Maybe it was happiness. For the first time in his life, Lucian was truly content. He’d confessed his feelings for Eliza and even though he had been frightened for her life, and relieved when he discovered that she had not been harmed, that was nothing compared to the peace that settled about him when Eliza said that she loved him.
He wanted to remain in her bed for the rest of the day, just as they were, but the servants would be about soon, and Stella would be knocking on Eliza’s door if she did not make an appearance at a reasonable time.
“Eliza, time to wake up.” He kissed her cheek but she only mumbled then turned her head into the pillow.
“Don’t you want to find the mummy today?” If anything drove Eliza it was her search.
Her body lost some of its relaxed state and then she slowly turned and grinned at him.
“Get dressed and meet me in the parlor.”
“What of breakfast?” she asked.
“We will eat when we return.” They would not be gone so long and it was still early. “I will ask for two lanterns and meet you in the parlor.”
Her grin only got wider before she pushed him out of the bed.
After grabbing his dressing gown, Lucian unlocked her door then hurried to his own chamber where he dressed for the day. Eliza loved adventures, and when the mummy wasn’t found, she’d want to start off on another. Would he be enough for her?
Yes, he told himself. Besides, Eliza was correct that he no longer had to be responsible for his siblings and any of his younger brothers were suited to oversee the estate while he was gone. Why shouldn’t he go off with her even if it was only for a few days. There was more to life than responsibilities and Parliament.
Once dressed, he hurried to request the lanterns and when he finally walked into the parlor, Eliza was waiting for him.
“Shall we search the last cave?”
“You already know the answer,” she said with a smile.
For once they didn’t rush, but Eliza did practically skip in her excitement and he experienced the oddest sensation of joy. Something else that had not been in his life previously.
“We are here.” She stopped before the entrance.
Lucian lit both lanterns and handed one to Eliza. “After you.”
He expected her to go slowly, but instead she hurried forward. Then again, she had been there yesterday. When she reached the split in the cave, Eliza turned left and then finally slowed and she searched ahead of her.
