Given he was a gentleman, titled, and viewed himself as a protector since he had told her on more than one occasion that she needed one, Eliza knew that Garretson would not leave until she was honest with him. She just hoped that he didn’t take it upon himself to act as her guard.
“These missives are the other reason I left London. This cottage is leased in Isaac’s name for that reason and he is the one who liked the location of Greenhaven Cottage.” There was no reason for Garretson to know that she was the one who had chosen the location intentionally and that it had nothing to do with the letters.
“Your older brother. Why?” Garretson questioned.
“It was important that I disappear but Isaac did not like the idea of me being just anywhere with only strangers in the vicinity.” She took a sip of her brandy then blew out a sigh. “He knows and trusts you and believes that if I was found by this person or was in danger that I could go to you for assistance. Obviously, he is not aware that the one place that I might need to seek shelter is an estate that I am forbidden from visiting.” She took another sip of the brandy and hoped that it quickly calmed her nerves. “Not that any of it matters. These letters are harmless and from someone who wishes to frighten me. If they wished to harm me, they would have already attempted to do so.”
“If you find yourself in danger, you will come directly to Wyndhill Park,” he insisted, as she knew that he would once he learned the truth.
Eliza arched a brow. “Does that mean I am no longer banned?”
“It means that I do not want you searching my estate, but my home will offer safety if you need it.”
“I can assure that I will not.”
“Do you have any idea who might be sending these?”
“No.”
“When did they begin?”
“The first had been mailed to my publisher, addressed to E. B. Westin, even though the writer clearly knew that the author was me. They were then mailed to my brother’s home, where I had lived for a time and addressed directly to me. That’s when I took rooms at the Pulteney Hotel, and my first attempt at hiding. Whenever I left, I was dressed as a widow and veiled. Except, the same day that I received the letter from Olivia inviting me to the wedding, I also received another one of these, addressed to me at the hotel.” She waved the letter. “That is when Isaac decided that I needed to leave London.”
“Is that also the real reason you did not go to your family estate?”
“One of them,” she answered. Though the main reason was because her parents were in the country. “This person knows who I am, and who I write as. No doubt they would have searched for me there.” She took another sip of her brandy. “That is when Isaac and I decided to lease a country home for the summer, and you now know why Greenhaven Cottage was chosen.”
“Did it occur to you that if this person is following you that they would have known you were at Wyndhill Park and note where you went after?”
Her stomach tightened when she looked into Garretson’s blue eyes. “I did not consider being followed.”
“Obviously, neither had your brother, or he would have found you a different place.”
“If this person…” Eliza picked up the parchment and waved it around, “had followed me to Wyndhill Park, they would have then followed me to my next destination, so I am not certain it matters where I would have gone.”
“You need to tell your brother,” Garretson insisted.
“Why? There is nothing he can do.”
“Then perhaps you should return to his home where you can be watched over.”
“I will not hide.” Her voice rose with her objection. “Nobody is going to drive me from my home no matter how temporary the residence.”
“At least let me send additional footmen over to help watch Greenhaven Cottage.”
“That will not be necessary. I am only to seek your assistance if I am in danger, which I am not.” Besides, she needed to be free to come and go, which included sneaking onto Wyndhill Park to search caves. His footmen would report to Garretson the moment she tried.
“Then write to your brother or I will.”
“This is none of your concern, Lord Garretson.” She hated being protected, or being told what was best for her. “You would not have even known of the missives if not for your ill-timed arrival.” Eliza finished the brandy in her glass and stood.
Garretson came to his feet. “Sometimes being too stubborn is dangerous, Miss Weston.” He turned and stalked from the parlor.
Chapter8
Lucian couldn’t believethat Eliza was behaving so foolishly.
She had also been far more disturbed by the missive then she let on. The moment she looked at it, the color disappeared from her cheeks and her hands began to shake. Further, she wanted brandy instead of tea.
