Chasing Eliza (Cavendish Mysteries 3)

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.