Chasing Eliza (Cavendish Mysteries 3)

He suddenly felt angry with the elder sister for her seemingly selfish disregard of her younger sibling’s distress at having her only living relation simply vanish.

“Look, I cannot in all conscience agree to you going to Padstow alone. Not with the threat of Scraggan and his men. But I cannot fight a smuggling gang by myself.” He reasoned, feeling a sense of fait accompli settle over him. “I need backup from Peter and my brothers if they are available. We will get you to Padstow and back out again without ruffling a hair on your beautiful head.” His boast was simple truth that made his voice ring with absolute conviction that they would succeed in their quest.

“But I want you to promise me something in return.” He caught her gaze with hard and determined eyes leaving her in no doubt that there was no alternative to the one he was about to suggest. “Once you have been to Padstow, you will return to Leicestershire to wait while Peter and I go after Jemima.”

Eliza felt the prickle of tears in her eyes as she stared at him. The possibility that someone was willing to help her search for her errant sibling was overwhelming given the risk Scraggan posed to everyone’s wellbeing.

“Peter must care about Jemima very much.” She murmured softly unaware of the loneliness that echoed through her own softly spoken words.

“I think he must.” Edward muttered on a sigh, wondering if it was Peter who would be the next one succumbing to the parson’s trap - or himself. Somehow he had a sneaking feeling it wouldn’t be Peter but was loathed to admit it, even to himself. He hated the thought of Eliza being alone and facing the possibility of being kidnapped, murdered and god knows what else in between – driven purely by the need to find her relation.

“Is that so wrong?” Eliza queried, studying the dark scowl that had settled over his face with a shiver.

Edward studied her for several moments, thinking of his own aversion to marriage. It wasn’t that he had anything against the institution of marriage per se, it was just that he had no intention becoming enslaved to anyone. His brothers were completely devoted to their wives who had them wrapped neatly around their little fingers and knew it. Peter had spent hundreds of pounds and months searching for someone who had the ability to turn him inside out without even being there apparently. The thought of anyone having such control over him made him shift uncomfortably with the need to protect his independence.

“Are you married?” She wasn’t sure where the question came from but couldn’t draw it back, mentally wincing as the words fell like pebbles on a pond between them. It disturbed her greatly that her heart was thumping heavily in her chest, and her stomach coiled in a tense knot in anticipation of his answer.

“Do you really think I would be here if I was?”

“You just seem so cynical about marriage, I wondered if you were tied into an unhappy union.” Eliza was almost defensive as she plucked another apple from the basket before sitting again and peeling it. She was glad for the diversion. She could feel his penetrating stare studying her carefully yet daren’t raise her eyes to meet his.

“I have no intention of getting caught in that foolhardy trap.” Edward snapped. “Marriage is for fools.”

“I thought your brothers were married.”

“They are. But they paid a significant price to get there.” He replied, his voice clipped in the quiet of the room.

“They have expensive wives?” She knew that wasn’t what he meant but it felt good to poke him a little.

Edward sighed and rolled his eyes, glaring at her balefully. He knew she was baiting him, and couldn’t decide if he was annoyed or pleased that she had lost a little of the haunted look around her eyes.

“They are trouble. All women are trouble.” At Eliza’s raised eyebrows, he motioned towards her. “Look at you. You are a fine example of how much trouble women are.”

“I didn’t ask you to get yourself involved.” Eliza replied somewhat defensively.

“I know but I am involved anyway.”

“Because of your relationship with Peter.” She replied pointedly. “Feel free to leave whenever you want to.” She added quietly, her eyes meeting his in silent challenge.

“I will despatch a note to Peter and ask him to catch up with us. If my brothers are available to assist, it would help us significantly to have additional manpower, but if not then we will have to manage without them. I need someone who is handy with a scabbard and pistol at my back.” He raised a teasing brow in her direction. “I don’t suppose your father taught you how to use either, did he?”

Eliza shook her head slowly. “I’m sorry. I can ride, and run a house but I have never used either a scabbard or a pistol.”

“Then you have to start.” Edward declared firmly. “If you are going to take on the likes of this man Scraggan, you have to know how to defend yourself.”

Eliza held a hand up in protest. “I am not going to ‘take him on’ as you declare. I can get in and out of Padstow without being seen and will undoubtedly find it easier if you are not with me. Meantime I have no intention of using a scabbard or a pistol on anyone.”

“You have to know how to hold both of them at least. If a situation does arise where you are directly challenged and believe me I sincerely hope it doesn’t, then you will need to at least look as though you know what you are doing. It may just give you an advantage because your would-be attackers won’t expect you to be handy with them.”

He sincerely hoped that she wouldn’t have cause to use it, but it wouldn’t hurt for her to be a little on edge. Being more alert to the dangers around her, wary of everything – including him - would give her a distinct advantage in the event of an attack and hopefully help him remain at arm’s length.

“Come here.” He ordered, oblivious to the ring of steel as he slid his scabbard out of its sheath.

Eliza stared at the shiny blade in growing dread and shook her head. “I am not even going to touch that thing.” She declared firmly, crossing her arms in defiance as she glared at the wicked looking blade.

Edward fought the urge to roll his eyes. “Come on. If you are going to come across Scraggan, then you will see more than this one. You need to know how it feels, what it does.”

“I know what it does.” Eliza interrupted. “I have no intention of using one.”