“Many brothers would have simply seen that she married well.”
Lucian couldn’t help but chuckle. “I already knew Elaina would never simply settle. And I wanted her also to be happy, which is what she did achieve.”
“You are a good brother, Lord Garretson,” Eliza said after a moment. “As are mine.”
If anyone would have toldEliza that she would enjoy a quiet meal with the Earl of Garretson, just the two of them, she would have thought them mad. Except, tonight was lovely. He was warm and shared a part of his past, only some of which she had been aware. Earlier she had been certain that the only reason he allowed her in his home was because he was too chivalrous to allow her to remain in a cottage where she may be in danger. In fact, he had become stiffer and more proper and cold with each step from the cottage to the estate, then dismissive of her after they entered the manor before barking demands at the servants before he disappeared.
His mood was completely different tonight and he was rather likeable if not pleasant. What had brought about the change?
Did she dare ask?
Perhaps it was as simple as he’d been disturbed earlier and had now recovered and put his mind to being a good host.
Disturbed! She’d been terrified and angry and some of those emotions lingered but Eliza was determined to push past them. Nothing and nobody could harm her while she was here.
While they dined on fish and vegetables, Garretson shared with her stories of him and Oliver at Eton and later Cambridge. The two had been close friends but had drifted apart when her brother decided to travel, which led Oliver to New Orleans where he currently lived. Eliza had to wonder if she would ever see her older brother again.
After the meal concluded, they retired to the sitting room where tea was delivered. Lucian offered wine, but she declined. She’d drunk enough with dinner and simply wanted something more comforting and soothing to help settle her into slumber in this strange house.
She just hoped that she was able to find sleep.
After she poured, Garretson took a seat across from her and studied her for a moment. “Why were you searching caves on my property today?”
Blast him! He had been friendly all through dinner when it had been a ruse to lure her into a sense of friendship.
“Why do you think?” she countered.
“I have no idea, but I do recall forbidding you from trespassing.”
“Yet here I am.”
“What are you about, Eliza?”
Her pulse ticked. He’d not addressed her by her first name in ten years.
“I came to Greenhaven Cottage to finish a novel begun long ago, not anticipating that someone would have followed.”
“Then why was it necessary to trespass and search the caves?”
“Because I cannot finish the novel until I know what they hold,” she answered honestly.
He stared at her for a moment, then his eyes grew wide. “You are still searching for that blasted mummy, aren’t you?”
She shrugged. “You never let me finish my search before.”
“Nor will I now,” he yelled.
“Why?”
“For one it is too dangerous to leave the manor, let alone go traipsing about to the far border of the estate.”
She anticipated this would be his reaction and drew in a deep breath before sighing.
In truth, after today, she wasn’t exactly anxious to be too far from the manor either. Though, she could not remain inside forever.
“What of the cemetery? I am told there are crypts.”
“Crypts!” His voice rose. “You think someone hid a mummy in a crypt?”
