Chapter Eight
Later that night, Eliza awoke with a raging thirst. She couldn’t remember much about her arrival at the inn other than the group of large, overpowering males that had towered over her with varying degrees of concern on their faces.
Now, having had some sleep, she was thirsty and hungry. There was no water jug in her room, and Eliza was loathed to ring for a maid. She didn’t want to cause any commotion just for some water and quickly dressed to go in search of the tap room or kitchens for a drink.
She had no idea what time it was, but the tap was dark and deserted, the regular patrons having long since left in search of their beds. As she moved down the darkened corridor towards the back of the inn and the kitchens, she passed the door to the private parlour.
The sound of Edward’s raised voice from within made her pause. She briefly considered knocking but the sounds of heated argument made her pause and shrink back against the wall. She quickly glanced up and down the corridor and with only a small pang of guilt, listened to Edward vent his fury.
“Look, I’ve done my bit, now I need to go and start to build my estates. You two are the smuggler bashers, not me.” Edward’s voice was hard and impatient.
“But you know her Edward; we are merely strangers to her. She is more likely to trust you than us.” Dominic argued, watching the stubborn tilt of his young brother’s chin with frustration.
“I said if I found her then I would bring her to you Peter. Although I didn’t find Jemima, Eliza knows more than she is letting on. You need to tell her what you have found out about Jemima and let Eliza help you search. You don’t need me.” Edward held his hands out imploringly as he stared at his brother-in-law. “I have to get back to start work on my estates. While I am here they aren’t earning anything. I’ve got cattle appearing at the end of the month and nowhere to put them.”
Sebastian snorted. “You’re clutching at straws brother mine.” He drawled, knowing Edward was trying to evade something that bothered him, and was failing miserably. “You’re in love with her.”
“No I am not.” Edward turned to glare at his brother. “She is pretty, I’ll grant you. But I don’t love her, or have any attraction to her.” He mentally winced at that small lie, but continued to glare defensively at everyone. “She is nice, but a bundle of trouble and I have absolutely no intention of getting involved with anyone, let alone someone like Eliza.”
Silence descended for several minutes, and Eliza was about to move away from the door when Sebastian’s next question made her pause.
“Someone like Eliza. You mean someone beautiful, intelligent; someone who challenges you and makes you reconsider what you want out of life?” Sebastian quirked a brow, thinking of Amelia’s impact on his own life.
Edward flinched at Sebastian’s brutally accurate assessment of his deepest emotions.
“Have you had her yet?”
Edward sighed and glared at his brother. “Of course not, what do you take me for? Just because we have spent much of the past few days alone, doesn’t mean I will sleep with her just for the hell of it. I have no intention of getting involved with her; emotionally or physically.” His voice was cold and flat, brooking no argument. “She’s your problem now. She wants to go to Padstow. You two have past experience with smugglers, not me. You lot can take her.”
Eliza’s heart clenched painfully in her chest and she felt a sense of embarrassment at his abrupt rejection. Although he hadn’t voiced his thoughts directly to her, she felt a sting of humiliation at his lack of interest in her. All the while every thought, every feeling, every fibre of her being had been locked on him over the past few days with such intensity she wasn’t sure where he ended and she began.
He had fought and killed to protect her. With the trouble she had caused him, she couldn’t really blame him for wanting to get away from her as soon as the opportunity arose. But to hear his declaration that she wasn’t attractive to him shattered her heart into a thousand tiny pieces. As she stood in the darkness of the empty corridor, her heart turned to dust at her feel, she had no doubt it would be best for both of them if he left at the first opportunity. Having heard him deny an attraction towards her it was going to be impossible to have the same easy-going familiarity they had shared over the past few days.
She could only be grateful he had been a gentleman and not taken what she had so unwittingly offered by baring herself so blatantly to him over the dining table the other day. She cringed inwardly at the memory of his awkwardness, the reasons behind it now perfectly clear.
As she slowly moved away from the door, she felt a sense of loneliness that brought tears to her eyes. By the time she reached the door to her room, steady rivulets scalded the pale coolness of her cheeks. Her breath locked in her throat as she tried to suppress the sobs locked there. Closing the door to her room behind her carefully, she took a few moments to lock it before locking the connecting door too. She climbed back into bed without her drink; no matter how thirsty she was, there was no way she was going to ask Edward Cavendish for anything again.
Sleep was a long time coming. Vaguely she heard heavy footsteps in the corridor some considerable time later as the men went in search of their beds.
She had no idea that while she was busy sobbing in rejected misery into her pillow, they were downstairs planning the next few days with military precision.
The following morning was awkward and painful for Eliza. Having overheard a conversation she wished she had never been privy to, it was almost impossible to pretend not to know anything. As a result, she was stilted and cautious with the men as they gathered in the private sitting room for breakfast. She refused to make eye contact with Edward and as they ate, had resorted to one word replies to their attempts to engage her in conversation. Eventually they gave in and lapsed into an awkward silence that did little to help anyone’s appetites.
“We made some plans last night Eliza.” Dominic ventured when their dishes had been cleared away and they were left alone once more to finish their tea.
“Oh?” She fought the instinctive urge to glance at Edward, and instead kept her steady gaze on Dominic, determined not to show any sign of emotion at the news she knew he was going to impart.
“Sebastian has to go back to Leicestershire to look after Amelia, his wife and Isobel, my wife.” Eliza gave him a ghost of a smile and nodded. “Edward has pressing estate matters he needs to attend to and will leave with him.”
“Alright.” She was proud that her voice gave nothing of her roiling emotions away and she couldn’t restrain the quick glance she flicked at him before turning back towards Dominic.
“Peter and I will escort you to Padstow, then we will all return to Leicestershire. For the time being I think it would be best if you resided with my wife and me at Havistock Hall in Leicestershire. We are close enough to Derby for you to help Peter search for Jemima, yet far enough away to be safe from the men who are chasing you.”
Eliza couldn’t see any flaw in their plan to give her cause to argue, even if she wanted to.
“Will you be alright to continue to ride astride, or do we need to arrange a carriage?” Peter queried, eyeing her breeches cautiously.
“I will be fine riding.” Eliza sighed and finished the remainder of her water quickly. “When do you want to leave?”
“How is your arm this morning?” Edward murmured, studying the dark bruising on her forearm with a frown of concern.
“Fine, thank you.”
She didn’t miss the frowns that passed between the men at her ready acceptance to their plans but refused to explain her behaviour. She could hardly tell them she had overheard their conversation and learnt more than she needed to.
Briefly she wondered where Edward had slept last night. She had locked the doors behind her last night, barring his access to the bed they should have shared. Mentally shaking her head, she cursed herself for being a fool and worrying about him at all. He was a grown man who was perfectly capable of l
ooking after himself; he didn’t need or want her.
“Eliza, might I have a word alone with you for a moment?” Edward’s voice was low as he stood and clearly expected her to accompany him from the room.
“Aren’t we leaving now?” Eliza queried, her brow lifted frostily as she eyed the empty plates before them.
“The horses are ready if you are.” Peter watched as she pushed away from the table, clearly having no intention of engaging in a private chat with Edward or anyone else.
She actually felt pain in her chest as she moved to stand before him in the doorway. His towering presence so familiar to her that the thought of their parting brought a fresh wave of tears to her eyes. Squaring her jaw with determination she gazed up defiantly at him, his words of the previous night still ringing in her ears.
“Thank you for everything you have done for Jemima and me. Our sincerest gratitude seems so little to offer after the sacrifices you have made on our behalf.” She knew she sounded stiff and formal, but daren’t soften. Being stilted and distant was the only thing that was holding her together. Bravely she met his confused stare and tossed back her head.
“Thank you.” She murmured, offering him a small smile before sliding past him and disappearing out of the door. “I’ll wait for you all in the yard.”
She was aware of soft curses before the sound of booted feet echoed on the flagstones behind her. Sucking in a deep, fortifying breath she began to chant.
“Hold on for a few minutes more. Hold on for a few minutes more.” As she left the dim confines of the inn and stepped out into the morning sunshine.
As promised, several horses were saddled and ready. She had no idea which of the horses belonged to which man, so had to wait uncomfortably for the men to join her. Peter led her over to a huge bay standing patiently at the end of the line, ensuring she was safely saddled before checking her tack himself.
“You forgot this.” Edward appeared beside her, holding the thick woollen cloak aloft.
“Thank you.” Eliza replied quietly, shaking it out and sliding it around her shoulders. She was glad for the opportunity to turn her head away from his penetrating stare, fully aware that hadn’t moved away from her to mount his own horse.
“Will you be alright?”
“Of course. I really am very grateful for everything you have done. You have by far gone beyond what anyone could expect. Of course I understand that you have your life to get on with now, and I have mine.” She shot him a brief, over-bright smile that belied the shimmer of tears in her eyes.
“I am sure we will meet again in Leicestershire.” Edward murmured, hoping he could see her again, if only for reassurance that she was safe and well. The sudden distance in her behaviour and ready acceptance to his leaving rankled a bit. Now that he was free to go, he found he was unable to just simply let her leave but he wasn’t sure what he was expecting. Tears maybe? Wailing refusal to accept his departure?
Mentally shaking his head, he patted her horse’s neck gently and murmured a gentle goodbye, wishing he could draw her head down for a quick and very thorough kiss. He wanted to go back to Leicestershire to put some distance between them in order to assess his true feelings for her. Until he knew for certain what those feelings were, he couldn’t give voice to them.
Eliza refused to agree or deny the offer of meeting him again, and instead merely smiled vaguely as she studied the men readying themselves for departure. She couldn’t tell him she had no intention of remaining in Leicestershire any longer than was absolutely necessary and while there would do everything possible to protect her battered heart and avoid him.
She didn’t look back as they rode out of the yard and turned towards the Great North Road, only vaguely aware of the measured looks between Dominic and Peter as they rode alongside her.
As she rode she became aware of just how protected she felt. Both men were tall and clearly of military bearing. Their pistols and swords displayed clearly for all to see. Their mounts were the finest horseflesh Eliza had ever seen and positively bristled with good health as they strutted regally alongside her own smaller mount.
“Are you alright?” The quiet question came from Peter.
Eliza studied the horizon for several minutes, unsure how to answer him. Inside, she wasn’t sure if she would ever be alright again. Her heart was certainly battered and bruised and she still had smugglers chasing her. Would anything ever be alright again? After the last few weeks, she didn’t think so.
“Of course. Everything will be fine.”
“Last chance. Left or right?” Sebastian murmured, watching the three riders as they set off towards Padstow.
Edward studied Eliza, her back straight and proud as she rode on her smaller horse between the two brutes on either side. She never looked back. Not once.
He considered her behaviour that morning and wondered what had caused such a shift in her. He had never seen her so formally polite before. Had she been overwhelmed by the presence of his brothers? She wouldn’t have been out of place at one of the Ton’s finest balls, refusing to allow him to mark her card.
As they had finished their breakfast, he had found himself yearning to have the old Eliza back with her ready replies, flashing smile and easy camaraderie. Not the stilted, somewhat awkward young woman who was in the company of strangers. Had the accident yesterday shaken her more than she was letting on? He had tried to draw her to one side to discuss it with her but she had made it clear she was having none of it. The ease with which she shut him out annoyed the hell out of him. He didn’t want her gratitude, but did he want her love?
To go left would mean going with them to Padstow, and willingly entering into more skirmishes with relentless pursuers in his quest to keep her safe. Undoubtedly at some point they would end up making love, then he would have to marry her.
To go right would mean returning home to Leicestershire and the relative tranquillity of his new estate. He had no doubt Peter and Dominic had rallied the same group of men who had accompanied them to Norfolk, and were fully prepared for the confrontations they were going in to. Eliza couldn’t be in safer hands.
He was a free man. He had fulfilled his obligation to Peter as promised and brought him a valuable clue to help him in his hunt for Jemima. He could now get on with his own life – couldn’t he?
“Left or right?” Sebastian persisted, after several minutes of thoughtful silence.
Edward flicked his brother a hard glance and turned his horse.
“Let’s go.”
Sebastian shook his head. “Are you sure?”
“Just move.” Edward spat, nudging his horse into a trot.
“Don’t worry, he’ll be back.” Dominic declared, glancing over his shoulder at the rapidly retreating backs of his brothers.
It was highly unusual for Edward to just walk away from anything, and a clear indication of his deepening feelings for Eliza. He was sufficiently in love with her that he felt the need to put some distance between them and deny everything. He wondered how long it would be before Edward’s worry for her safety got the better of him and he returned to their small group.
“I wouldn’t have gotten this far without Edward.” Eliza declared quietly. “But, I cannot expect him to sacrifice his entire life to help me with this. I am more than overwhelmed by your generosity and kindness as it is.” She paused and thought about how to ask the next question.
“So why are we helping you?” Peter asked, arching a brow at her, as if daring her to ask.
Eliza looked at him.
Dominic took a deep breath and studied the empty road carefully for several long moments before turning to look at her.
“Peter and I fought together in Spain. It was brutal, bloody and at times, neither of us thought we would get out alive. We often recounted little anecdotes and memories of things that had happened to us as youngsters, growing up with younger siblings. I heard a lot about Peter’s sister, Isobel. Upon returning to England, I was taken up with estate matte
rs as my uncle died and left things in a mess. It was several weeks before I managed to get to Oxfordshire to visit Peter and meet his sister. Anyway, when Isobel and I did finally meet, we found we had a lot in common but unfortunately, Peter and I were asked by the War Office to gather together a small band of men and deal with a rapidly expanding smuggling operation in Norfolk. I had to leave before I could ask for Isobel’s hand in marriage.” He lapsed into painful silence.
“While in Norfolk, we worked hard to bring the smuggling operation down. Obviously they fought arrest, but eventually most of them were either captured or killed in the skirmish. All except one.” Peter added quietly.
Eliza swung around to stare at Peter in shock.
“Scraggan?”
Peter nodded and looked at her solemnly.
Dominic sighed deeply with intense regret. “I wanted to get back to Isobel and ask for her hand in marriage. We searched for the missing smuggler, and waited for several days. The band of men we took with us remained for some weeks afterwards trying to find him but he had simply vanished.”
“Unfortunately by the time we did get back to Oxfordshire, my sister had been kidnapped.” Peter added matter of factly, despite discussing the first major event to befall the family that had turned his life upside down, and changed Dominic’s life forever.
“Scraggan?” Eliza swung around to Peter again, her eyes wide. She knew she was parroting herself, but was shocked by the tale the men were recounting.
“No, it wasn’t Scraggan this time.” Peter replied with a smile. “It was my demented and greedy uncle.”
“Unfortunately, Isobel was treated badly and had to run away to stay alive. She lived on the streets for several weeks, but she was a lady and wasn’t prepared for life on the run.” Dominic shifted uncomfortably in his saddle as he thought about those worrying days immediately after he found her.
Chasing Eliza Page 14