He stared into her silver eyes. Eliza really was not worried.
Perhaps he was overreacting as much as Stella.
“I will pull back some of the gardeners,” he finally offered.
“All of them,” she insisted.
“Some,” Lucian returned with a grin because she had no control over where he had his servants perform their duties.
Why did she have to be so blasted independent, stubborn, and beautiful?
Why was he so bloody attracted to her when there was nobody less suited for him than Eliza Weston?
When Eliza openedher eyes and stretched to the ceiling, she noted that her hand pained her again today and realized that she might put off returning to her book until tomorrow. Except, what else would she do with herself? No doubt if she wanted to go into town and people watch, her neighbor might insist on going along for her protection.
She supposed she could read inside, except it was a warm day, and the room would be stifling before long. She could seek shade and hope for a breeze, except could she really relax while being watched by some of Garretson’s many servants?
She could also search another cave, except how to do so without anyone knowing was a problem, which was exactly what she put her mind to. The more difficult the challenge, the more she wanted to solve it and by the time she came downstairs to break her fast, Eliza had just the plan and informed Saul and Stella so that they could prepare. They were not happy about her intentions, but as they were the ones who alerted Garretson to the missive, which in turn had her watched, they had to join her in her quest.
As they stepped outside onto the terrace later that afternoon, Stella carried the blanket and Saul, a picnic basket, empty except for a flint and lantern.
“We are going to picnic in the woods where we cannot be watched,” she called out.
Hopefully because she was with her servants Garretson would not come after them.
“Did you lock all the doors and windows?” Stella asked Saul.
“Yes, and I double checked after you reminded me three times.”
Her maid had been on edge since that last missive and Eliza was wondering if Stella even slept at night. Unfortunately, it could not be helped and in time, she would relax and enjoy being in the country as much as Eliza.
When they reached the edge of the woods near the lake, Eliza peeked out first. There was nobody about so she retrieved the lantern and flint from the basket.
“You stay here. I won’t be long,” she told Saul and Stella.
“You are not going any further without one or both of us at your side.” Stella looked around and squinted her eyes toward the darkness, as she had done ever since they passed the stable behind the cottage.
“The next cave is not far and I cannot risk us being seen.”
“I cannot risk you being accosted because you are alone,” Saul insisted.
Eliza took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and slowly blew it out. Arguing with them would only waste valuable time with the likely same result in the end.
“Then do as I say. Stay to the shadows, do not speak, and walk lightly. I do not want to be caught.”
“We will,” Stella whispered, then placed her blanket on the ground. Saul set the basket aside as well.
She supposed there was no purpose in carrying them everywhere, since she had already removed the lantern and flint.
The two stuck close as she made her way to the next cave then stopped to light the lantern. Holding it high, she stepped inside. This one appeared to run deeper than the first.
“Will you be staying here or coming with me?” she asked her servants.
“We will keep watch here,” Stella answered before Saul could.
“Just be careful,” he added.
Eliza gave a quick nod and made her way deeper into the cave. It was wide, dark, and took longer to explore. Unfortunately, the only treasure to be found was a ball and a child’s wooden sword.
