“When was this letter received?”
Stella took it from him and frowned as she read. “I have not seen this before.”
“Could Saul have opened it and placed it with the others?” Eliza asked.
“He would not do so,” Stella answered. “Each letter that arrives is given to you.” She dropped her chin. “Though we were hesitant with the first that arrived at Greenhaven Cottage because we had all hoped that you would be able to enjoy more freedom here without the fear of being watched.”
“I understand.” Eliza nodded. “Are you certain he would not keep it from you and me?”
“I am certain,” she answered.
“Which can only mean one thing, Eliza,” Lucian said. “He was in the house, knew where they were kept, added this missive to the bottom to be found.”
“I would not have seen it had you not wanted to read them.”
“It is possible this man may suffer from the delusion that you read them far more often than you do.”
“As one wouldletters received from a lover?” Eliza asked.
“My brother could better answer that question,” Lucian answered.
The only reason she had not destroyed the letters was because Stella had insisted. Once Eliza had read the missive, she added it to the stack and put it away where she did not have to see them. “I should burn each one,” she decided. “We will do so outside and hope that he sees and then he will know that I do not want them.”
“You cannot,” Stella insisted again. “We may need them if it is necessary to go to Bow Street, as I have told you from the beginning.”
“Do you fear your mistress is in danger?” Lucian asked.
“I have since the first letter was received. She has viewed them as harmless.”
“Only in the beginning,” Eliza insisted. “Though, it wasn’t until recently, and realizing how close he had been, did I truly become alarmed.”
“I am glad we are now here, where it is safe,” Stella announced and returned inside.
“I agree with Stella. They should not be destroyed.”
Eliza frowned. “Why not? If we cannot determine who wrote them, then Bow Street will not be able to either.”
“It would anger him,” Lucian answered.
“That matters not to me. Maybe if he sees me set them to flame, on this very terrace, he will go away.”
“Or he will come after you because nobody likes being rejected.”
Eliza settled back. That had not occurred to her. Would he strike out? Except… “Maybe that is what we need to do to finally catch him.”
“Not until the matter has been given more serious consideration.”
“Sometimes caution is not necessary to deliver a message,” Eliza argued, frustrated that this person had gained so much control of her life. Except, there was just enough concern that kept her in the house or near the house, which she hated.
“I am going to write to Xavier again,” Lucian announced. “He has studied behavior and the mind all these years.”
“Again?” she asked.
“After I was made aware of the letters, I wrote and asked his opinion. He has not yet responded.”
“You should not bother your brother and you should have asked my permission before you did so,” she informed him.
“It is only out of concern for your safety,” Lucian argued.
