“We thought you were lost in there,” Stella chastised when Eliza emerged. “You were gone forever.”
“It was not that long,” she answered, then glanced about the area to make certain they were alone, then retreated to the woods and once again walked along the lake before disappearing on the path that would lead back to Greenhaven Cottage.
“We were gone longer than a picnic should take,” Stella murmured.
“How long should a picnic take?” Eliza asked. She’d not been on a picnic since she was much younger and she’d been having such an enjoyable time with her friends that she had not noted the time.
“Not much more than an hour and we were gone almost two hours.”
Eliza would never have guessed that it had taken them so long.
When they emerged from the woods, Eliza nearly groaned when she noted Garretson sitting on the terrace.
“Are there no other neighbors who you can visit?” she asked.
“I shall bring tea, Miss Weston,” Stella said as Saul unlocked the door before they entered the cottage.
Eliza followed because she’d had enough of being outdoors and removed her hat as she made her way to the sitting area of the parlor.
Garretson followed, but stood staring at her, face hard, eyes cold.
Her stomach knotted but she wasn’t certain why.
“When over an hour had passed without you and your servants returning from the picnic, the gardeners became concerned and alerted me. Therefore, I decided to make certain all was well. When I did not find you right away, I followed the path thinking you had walked further in and became more concerned because there was no space to place a blanket, let alone enjoy a lunch. Then, imagine my surprise when I found the blanket and basket on the ground where the path ended on my property. It was easy to follow where you had gone and then when I saw Stella and Saul standing outside one of the caves, I hid until you emerged again then returned here to wait.”
“Unfortunately, the only way to reach the caves was by crossing your property, which I did as swiftly as possible as I knew you would object.”
“You do realize that the caves are also on my property?”
She blinked at him. “Oh.” She would neither admit nor deny that she was already aware. “Regardless, given how often you feel free to come onto this property, I felt the same freedom to visit yours.”
Chapter10
“Lord Garretson, might I have a word?”
He turned to find Saul standing in the doorway, his dark eyes concerned. Then Stella entered carrying the tea service but she was trembling so much that the cups shook in the saucers. Further, her face was devoid of color.
As much as Lucian wanted answers from Eliza, something more urgent required his attention.
“If you will excuse me.” He bowed and exited the parlor.
“He was here and in the house,” Saul whispered. “Stella discovered what he left when she returned Miss Weston’s items to her chamber.”
Lucian followed Saul up the stairs and into a lavender bedchamber and walked directly to the bed covered in a white counterpane upon which dead roses and a piece of parchment had been left.
My heart longs for when we can truly be together.
“I am going to assume the person sending the letters is a man and probably considers this a love note. But when was he here? Was it after you left for the picnic and before I arrived, or after I had gone in search for you?” He fisted his hands on his hips and wondered why the gardeners had not seen anyone near the cottage.
“Neither Stella nor I heard anyone when we came inside the cottage.”
“Have Stella pack Miss Weston’s things. She will be moving to Wyndhill Park, as will you and your wife.”
“Miss Weston will likely argue.”
“She can blister my ears and shout the entire summer, but I am not allowing her to remain here. I will carry her out of here if I must.” Lucian strode for the door. That man had found access into the house even though it was being watched, which meant that Eliza was no longer safe inside. And no matter how much he did not want her in his house, Lucian would never forgive himself if anything happened to her.
“Dead flowers and another letter on my bed?” Eliza asked from her parlor. “What if I would have been here?”
