What did he want with her?
Why her?
Eliza liked to be scared and she liked scaring others, something that she had enjoyed immensely while a student at the Wiggons’ School for Elegant Young Ladies. There she had embellished the tales of vampires, ghosts, and witches in the area and took enjoyment from those escapades. Well, for the most part. There were a couple of dangerous situations that she and her friends had managed to get themselves into, but that was from their own foolishness and not because of any paranormal being.
But, knowing that she was being watched while receiving disturbing missives and then to learn that the man had been in her home…This may be the first time that Eliza had ever truly known fear.
How dare anyone trespass into her house…her bedchamber? Yes, she trespassed on Garretson’s estate, and several other places in her youth, but that was not to harm or scare anyone. She was simply curious or exploring. Not knowing what this man wanted, or what he would do next was what frightened her.
As she and Garretson walked to Wyndhill Park, she constantly glanced about, certain that she was being watched, nearly jumping at shadows or shifts in the trees.
Not only had it shaken her, but she was angry. In fact, with each step, a little bit of fear was replaced with fury. Eliza far preferred being enraged and wished it would erase the trepidation.
“Thank you,” she said again. “I know how you would rather me be anywhere but at Wyndhill Park.”
“It is necessary. I promised your brother and I would hate for anything to happen to you.”
She frowned and stopped, facing him. “I am not your responsibility.”
“No, but I can offer protection when there is a threat,” he explained.
“I assume there are rules,” she stated. “After all, I am about to trespass so I am certain you have rules that I must follow.” She wanted to argue with Garretson, provoke him, because she needed some normalcy.
“Are you attempting to turn your anger toward me, Miss Weston?” Garretson asked quietly.
“Perhaps I am,” she admitted.
“It is far better to go after an enemy that can be seen. Though, I would prefer that we are not adversaries.”
“You are the one who has forbidden me from being anywhere near you.”
“I forbade you trespassing anytime and anywhere you wished.”
She frowned again. “Why is that? What are you hiding?”
He chuckled. “I hide nothing. What I do not like is surprises.”
Such as a female coming out of a lake after she nearly drowned. Except…Oh, she might never understand. Her being in the lake and kissing him should have nothing to do with her exploring the remainder of Wyndhill Park. After the lake, he became most aggravated and irritated…angry when he’d find her exploring and searching yet another area. She did not understand why. Even though they had been alone, it wasn’t as if he had kissed her, much to her disappointment.
“Then I shall report to you where I go and when.”
“That shall not be necessary as you will not be leaving the house without an escort.”
“I am to be confined and you are my jailor. Is that how it is to be?”
“You are to be kept safe.”
If there was one thing that she could count on, it was Garretson being autocratic, which is what she needed to suppress her fear and feed her anger.
The butler opened the door as they stepped in. The housekeeper was standing to greet them. Was this a normal occurrence when Garretson returned home?
“Is all well?” she asked with concern.
Then again, they had passed several footmen walking to Greenhaven Cottage so it was likely they wished to know why this household had been disturbed.
“I will explain at a later time,” Garretson answered. “For now, Miss Weston and her two servants will be residing at Wyndhill Park. I would have you put Miss Weston in the set of rooms that are next to mine.”
The housekeeper’s eyes widened. “The rooms intended for…”
