She had patience and would not move until the timing was perfect. Though, she wished that she would have had the forethought to wear a bonnet or at least bring an umbrella to shield herself from the bright sun. Unfortunately, she would simply have to suffer and hoped that her skin did not burn, which it had a tendency to do when she was out too long without protection. Or worse, that her face didn’t erupt into freckles, which had plagued her in her youth.
If she did not make her escape today, Eliza would attempt it again tomorrow, and the next day until the footman finally let down his guard, and she would also remember to bring shading for her face.
As she was just about to give up because the heat was beginning to make her sweat, so much so that she had to wipe away a trickle by her ear, a maid stepped out of the house and brought a sandwich and drink to the footman. She set it on a small table and while the footman was distracted by the comely maid and the food, Eliza rose and crossed the lawn. Once she reached the shelter of the trees, she turned to spy on them. Both stood looking toward the trees and the maid pointed to where she had gone.
With a grin, she continued to the folly, but also kept an eye out on her surroundings to make certain that she was truly alone, ready to scream if she came across a stranger.
Chapter21
Lucian was staringat the missive that had arrived in the post. It was addressed to Eliza but Stella had assured him that the handwriting was the same as the other disturbing notes so he had opened it instead of having it delivered to her.
I miss watching you sleep.
A chill snaked down his spine as his stomach tightened. How often had that man stood at the side of her bed while she slumbered?
At the knock on his door, he looked up to find the footman, Timothy, and a maid, Sarah, at the threshold.
“Come in.”
Timothy drew himself up, straightened his spine and Sarah twisted her kitchen apron. Lucian already suspected what they were going to tell him.
“Miss Weston has run off, Lord Garretson,” Timothy announced.
“I apologize, Lord Garretson,” Sarah began. “I brought Thomas a sandwich and something to drink since he could not leave his post.”
“I was thanking Sarah and had taken a drink of the cool water when I looked up and noted that Miss Weston had disappeared.”
“Did you see anyone else about?” His biggest fear was that the man who was sending the notes and watching was much closer than they realized, and the reason so many footmen had been posted as guards.
“No. There was no one. Just her.”
“Tell me where she was and what she had been doing.” Lucian tamped down alarm that she had been taken.
Timothy explained how she had stepped outside earlier, then returned inside, only to come out later. He further described how she had strolled in the garden, paused to smell flowers, and finally sat on a bench.
Eliza had bided her time and waited until Timothy was distracted, of that Lucian had no doubt. Nobody had taken her from the gardens, but that did not mean that she was not now vulnerable since nobody knew where she had disappeared to.
Did she have no sense?
“At any time did you speak today?” he asked.
Timothy frowned and then told Lucian of their discussion.
Did her mention of the lake indicate that is where she had gone or was it a ruse so the footman would look there first while she searched another cave?
“I am sorry, Lord Garretson.”
Lucian simply shook his head. “You now understand my earlier warning to keep watch. Miss Eliza Weston is not only calculating but patient. She intentionally placed herself in a position far enough away from you and waited for the very moment you were distracted.”
“Are we to be sacked?” Sarah asked.
“No. Not this time, but warn the other servants that Miss Weston is not to be trusted.”
With that he rose from his desk and strode from the house, through the gardens and made his way to the path leading to the folly, looking for Eliza. If she was not there, and he suspected that she was not, he would go to the caves and pray that nobody found her before he did.
He paused at the folly, where a map had been left on a seat and looked about. At least she had come this way, but where had she gone?
Had she been taken from here and that is why this was left?
