“I am surprised. That is all.”
He executed a proper bow. “Mr. Alfred Seeton. The third son of Baron Seeton,” he introduced himself.
Eliza knew that name. If she recalled correctly, he had been in school with her brother, Oliver, but the man had also approached her eldest brother, Isaac, during her first Season to beg for an introduction as he would like to court her. Isaac never arranged such, though he had spoken to Eliza of Seeton’s interest. Isaac said that he was reluctant to make such an introduction as there was something about Seeton that had never set right with him even though he could not give specific reasons or facts. As Eliza had not wanted a courtship, and her heart still longed for Lucian, she had declined because she also trusted her brother that if he thought there was something odd about Seeton, then she certainly would as well.
She’d only heard Seeton’s name occasionally after that, and she’d done her best to avoid courtships and concentrated on her future, free of commitments and pursuing her writing and sometimes searching for a mummy.
“I have waited years for this moment. I remember the first day that I saw you clearly. You and your brother had recently arrived at Wyndhill Park and he had taken you into town. There the two of you shopped and I wondered if you would ever settle on which ribbons you wished to wear. I had hoped that you chose the green because it would look beautiful in your hair, and you did. I did not know who you were then but followed until you returned here.”
A chance encounter in a town ten years ago had led to this. Eliza didn’t even recall looking at ribbons during that visit. In fact, she recalled very little except for her developing infatuation for Lucian and searching for the mummy, and of course, falling into the lake.
“I nearly called Garretson out,” he announced.
Eliza frowned. “Why would do you do that?”
“The way he held and kissed you after you fell into the lake. Then I reconsidered. How could I blame him for wanting you. Gentlemen are not immune to temptation. I know that I had been filled with desire when you rose from the lake, your pale gown nearly shear as it clung to your body. Had it been me, I would have made you mine that very day and would not have had to wait so long.”
“Do you live near Wyndhill Park?” she asked. Had Seeton only been visiting when he saw her or had he been close.
“My family has a small estate not far from here,” he answered as he took a step forward. “I do want to apologize. I acted impulsively when I left flowers in your bedchamber and it drove you straight into his arms.”
“Was it impulsiveness that caused you to stand by my bed while I slept?” She had hoped that he had just wanted to scare her with that note, but that he really hadn’t done so.
“So beautiful in slumber.” He placed a hand over his heart. “I wanted to join you, but as we had not courted, it would have not been honorable.” He then smiled. “That is no longer a hindrance as we are now acquainted and can begin to truly share our lives.”
Seeton reached out for her and Eliza stepped back. She did not want him touching her or to come any closer than he already was.
Oh, where was Lucian? Had he returned from town? Did he know that she had come to the caves? Would he assume all was well and simply await her return because she had brought footmen with her?
“What have you done to the footmen who were outside of the cave?”
“They are sleeping,” Seeton answered.
Did she want to ask if it was a permanent sleep or were they simply unconscious? If they had been killed, then it was her fault. She was the one who had not wanted to wait and insisted on coming to the last cave.
“I wanted to kill him, you know.”
Eliza blinked at Seeton. “Who?”
“Garretson!” he answered with a growl. “I was coming to your rescue when he arrived and like before, he took you in his arms and kissed you when he had nearly been the cause of your death because the bridge had not been maintained.”
Had Seeton been watching her every time she left the manor?
“Garretson is not for you. I am the one who loves you. I am the one who will cherish you. He knows nothing about love.”
Unfortunately, Eliza feared that Seeton was right on that one point. Had Lucian mentioned love during his proposal…She couldn’t think about that now. She needed to find a way out of this situation.
“I cannot tell you how much it was a delight to read your novels and your serial stories. I enjoyed them when they were first published but when I realized that you were the author, I went back and reread each one. That is when I also realized that you cared for me too.”
“How did you come to that conclusion?”
“The hero,” he answered. “It is obvious that the hero in each one of your stories is me. It is then that I realized that you long for me as much as I long for you.” He took another step toward her and Eliza moved back and wondered if she could get past him.
“So many people have stood in our way. But not any longer, Eliza, you’re mine and we are going to be so happy together. I have the home prepared and will take you there now.”
Alarm shot through her. “What home? Where is it?”
“It is not far.” He held out his hand, which she would definitely not take. She would leave the cave with him but would not allow him to hold on to her hand because she needed to run, as fast as she could, as soon as they were out of here.
