Page 126 of A Shadow Amongst the Roses

A maid appeared at the door, breathless.

“Beg pardon, Your Grace, Lady Eliza, there is a caller.”

Eleanor’s brows lifted. “A caller?”

“At the front door, ma’am. She would not leave her name. Only that she must speak to Lady Eliza at once.”

Nathaniel sighed. “This will be the first of many.”

Thomas’s jaw tightened. Eliza saw the flicker of protective instinct rise in him.

Eleanor set down her cup. “Show her in.”

The maid bobbed and retreated.

A moment later, the door opened again, and in swept Mrs. Drexler, her expression alight with breathless purpose and thinly veiled triumph.

“Eliza, my dear!” she exclaimed. “I came at once!”

Thomas went still beside her.

Eleanor’s spine straightened.

Nathaniel’s face settled into diplomatic neutrality.

Clara quietly hid her amusement behind her teacup.

Eliza breathed once, calmly, evenly, and rose to greet the woman.

Mrs. Drexler leaned in conspiratorially. “I have heard the most extraordinary reports. They say a man was found on the grounds! That he was taken away under guard! That you were at the center of it all! And that a certain Mr. Grey,” her gaze darted toward Thomas, “had a most… involved role in matters.”

Eliza held Mrs. Drexler’s curious gaze without flinching.

“Yes,” she said. “All of that is true.”

Mrs. Drexler’s mouth fell open slightly, astonished at the directness.

Thomas’s breath caught beside her, but this time, not with fear.

Eliza continued, her voice steady:

“And since you have come all this way, Mrs. Drexler, there is something else you may as well hear from me directly.”

The room fell silent.

Mrs. Drexler leaned in so far she nearly tipped.

Eliza did not look at Thomas when she spoke, but she felt him like a presence beside her, solid as the house itself.

“Mr. Grey and I stand united in all that happened last night,” she said. “And in all that will follow.”

Mrs. Drexler blinked. “United… how?”

Eleanor lifted her teacup delicately. “In purpose. In trust.”

Clara added softly, “And in loyalty.”

Nathaniel nodded once. “It would be wise for the countryside to understand that.”