Page 4 of The Duke’s Bargain

She had known love.

She had felt it.

And she remembered it still.

Her first love, her greatest secret, had been her mother. Eliza's features softened at the ghost of her memory. Lady Alice had been beautiful. Long golden hair had fallen down her back like spun silk, whilst her bright green eyes had always shone a little brighter whenever they found Eliza. Her mother possessed the gentlest soul imaginable, and for the first six years of Eliza's life, she had known nothing but love.

They had danced together in bright, ornate rooms, hummed songs with melodies that Eliza could still recall, and spent long afternoons with barely a moment untouched by laughter. She had known what it was to be adored. To have her mother's undivided attention. To fall asleep each night believing herself to be the most treasured little girl in the world.

A rattle at the nursery door pulled her from her thoughts.

She turned to find Mr and Mrs Didley standing together in the doorway, both unusually solemn. Mr Didley held two folded sheets of parchment in one hand.

"Eliza, dear," Mrs Didley said softly. "May we have a word?"

Eliza set the broom down and walked towards them, concerned.

“But of course. Is all well?”

Mrs Didley offered a reassuring smile, though it failed to reach her eyes. She was a slight woman, her silver hair pinned neatly into its usual bun. Normally there was a quiet cheerfulness about her. Today, she looked distinctly uncomfortable.

Mr Didley cleared his throat.

“You know the past few years have not been easy."

Eliza nodded, thinking back to her conversation only yesterday with Mrs Didley about the riots.

A knot tightened in her stomach.

This was it.

She had always known this day would come. The children needed the room more than she did. But now that the moment had arrived, she realised she was wholly unprepared, and the certainty of it struck her hard. Where would she go?

She had promised herself that when the time came, she would leave without complaint. She would never deprive another child of warmth, shelter, or a full stomach simply because she wished to remain somewhere familiar. Despite this, Eliza could not ignore the slight sting at the thought of being turned out onto the streets. She chastised herself for it almost immediately. She had been blessed with far more than most who came through the orphanage.

Mr Didley exchanged a glance with his wife before clearing his throat.

"We have received the strangest letter."