Eliza, on the other hand, seemed to find pleasure and conversation anywhere she went and seemed to be without a care nor did she concern herself with any opinions as to her character while he simply observed and hoped to avoid notice.
Eliza had not takenthe opportunity to get to know all Garretson’s brothers previously and was happy that she was seated next to Micah, the middle Sinclair brother, even though he was nearly as sober as Garretson. However, as she engaged him in conversation and he learned that she was an author, she began telling him how she came up with some of her characters. She then gave him examples of people she had observed and before long, they were both laughing. It was not proper to do so at a dinner table but she did not care. She was enjoying herself and he seemed to be as well.
She also had the feeling of being watched, but not in the same sense that she experienced in London shortly before the first cryptic message had arrived. Tonight, it was Garretson who stared at her with his blue eyes narrowed and lips firm.
Likely he did not approve and feared her influence on his younger brother.
Oh, she remembered when they had first met, when Oliver had brought her to Wyndhill Park. Garretson’s blue eyes had been warm and friendly, his auburn hair cut short, which seemed to emphasize his high cheek bones and sculpted jaw. He had been, and still was, the most handsome gentleman she had ever seen.
He had also been kind to her when she had first arrived. Dinner conversations were friendly and he did not take to sending her off to have tea with his younger sister Elaina while he and Oliver remained in the dining room drinking port and smoking cheroots but joined them.
It had just been the four of them at the beginning because Garretson’s other brothers were either in London or still at school. She and Elaina had little in common but they got along well enough. However, it was Garretson that Eliza had wanted to spend time with.
It also took no time at all for Eliza to become infatuated with him. Her heart pounded each time he entered the room. Her pulse had raced and her hands grew damp in his presence. She’d never experienced the like in her life. Smitten, but thought she was in love, which is likely what compelled her to kiss him. He, however, was polite and suffered none of the same symptoms as she.
“Why does my older brother watch you?” Micah asked.
“He does not approve of me,” Eliza answered with a chuckle. “In fact, I am banned from Wyndhill Park and must leave tomorrow morning and never set foot here again.”
“Whatever did you do?” Micah asked with a laugh.
Eliza smiled at Garretson then told Micah about the mummy and other items that had been stolen from homes in Mayfair when she was in school and how she had been searching for it, and why she was convinced that it was hidden at Wyndhill Park.
“Was it?” he asked.
“It was never found,” she answered. “Nor did your brother appreciate my search.”
She then went on to tell Micah how she had first slipped and fallen into the lake but made no mention of the kissing.
It had been the most wonderful kiss a girl could receive even if she had to instigate it.
It was then that Garretson became short with her and demanded to know what she was about.
“I should have just told him that I was strolling the estate and had slipped. Instead, I confessed that I was searching for a missing mummy. He thought me ridiculous, of course.”
Micah chuckled. “I can imagine.”
“However, I was not to be deterred. Unfortunately, each time Garretson found me alone in various parts of the estate his face would harden and he’d develop a visible tic in his jaw from clenching his teeth and then marched me back to the house. He did not want the guilt of something happening to me, such as drowning in the lake, or any other injury, because I had wandered off on his estate. When it came time to leave, your brother told me that I was banned from ever returning to Wyndhill Park. I think he feared that I could come back and further disrupt his life over a non-existent mummy.”
“But it does exist,” Micah reminded her.
“And still not found.”
Micah leaned close. “Tell, me, Miss Weston, were you able to search all of Wyndhill Park?”
“I was not.”
“So, it could still be here.”
She laughed. “That was nearly ten years ago.”
“Does that mean you have given up your quest?” His green eyes studied her. “Is that the real reason you have taken Greenhaven Cottage for the summer so that you can continue your search?”
“I have taken the house so that I would have a peaceful place to finish my novel. London does not provide that right now and I prefer the fresh air of the country.” Though, in truth, in the summery months, which they were about to embark on, it was the quietest time of the year to be in London.
He arched an auburn eyebrow. “So, you will not be sneaking onto the estate to continue your search?”
Eliza feared that if she told Micah her plans that he would then tell Garretson and the guards would likely be posted along the low stone wall that separated the properties.
