She hated being cooped up in the house yet she couldn’t really enjoy the sun while others watched on. That was not relaxing. It was bad enough someone else kept an eye on her—a person she had yet to see or identify, and she did not need another half dozen servants watching as well.
As she did not wish to be viewed, she made her way to the stables behind the house. It was a shame that the only horses within were for the carriage, otherwise she would go riding. Though, she couldn’t exactly take a horse through the woods. Well, she could but it would take too long because she would have to watch so they weren’t injured.
Eliza worked her way down the stalls, petting noses until she came to the end and stepped out the opposite of where she had entered only to realize that there was nothing but thick trees and tall bushes between Greenhaven Cottage and Wyndhill Park and if she walked into the woods right now, nobody would be the wiser.
However, she would not do so today as the gardeners had seen her and if she didn’t return soon, no doubt one of them would make mention of it to Garretson and he would come to call.
Instead, she would establish a pattern of being outside on the terrace in the afternoon, and visiting the stables, taking more and more time until those watching her thought nothing of her activities. She might even ask Saul to let her exercise the carriage horses in the afternoon, then when she did finally disappear to search the caves, the gardeners would simply assume they missed her return to the house. Except, they might see her when she really returned, and realize that she was gone far too long.
It was something she would need to think about.
No doubt her absence had already been noted, so with reluctance, Eliza returned to the stables and exited the way she had entered and slowly returned to the house, only to be met with Stella who was leading Lord Garretson out onto the terrace.
She hadn’t been gone so long for a gardener to report to him, had she?
“Do you not find it unfair that I am banned from your property but you visit me whenever you wish?”
“Nobody is sending me disturbing missives,” he returned.
She needed to convince him that there was no cause for concern or she’d never get to explore his estate.
Chapter9
Lucian wasn’t trulyconcerned something had happened to Eliza when it was reported that she entered the stables and did not come out. But it was an excuse to see her.
He knew when she was in her home and when she was on the terrace, but that was all. He’d have guards posted about the property if she would but allow it. Not to watch her comings and goings but to protect her from a danger she dismissed.
She took a seat at a table in the shade and Lucian joined her, even though he had not been asked.
“Please bring us tea, Stella.” Eliza then smiled at Garretson. “To what do I owe this visit?”
“Have you received any further missives?”
“Would you not know if I have?”
“I do not go through your post.” Was she aware that Saul was reporting to him?
“Your gardeners have certainly been busy.” She glanced over at Wyndhill Park. “Certainly, there are other parts of your estate that need attention.”
“You would not let me loan you additional footmen for protection.”
“Instead, your gardeners spy on me.”
“No, they are watching for danger.”
Eliza blew out a sigh. “It is unnerving to be out and have them about. It is bad enough that I may have been watched by a stranger but seeing them is just as bad. I might as well be in a prison.”
“They are for your safety,” Lucian reminded her as the tea was delivered.
“It is not your responsibility to see to my safety.” Eliza’s voice rose with irritation.
“I have been asked to do so by your brother. He is currently in Edinburgh and cannot return for at least another fortnight. Thus, he tasked me with looking after you.”
Eliza’s mouth opened as she stared at him. “You wrote to my brother?” she demanded.
“As you would not allow your servants to do so, I took it upon myself.”
“It is none of your concern.”
