“Then I would die.” He nodded to her plate. “Now finish your food.”
His assurance didn’t stop the tears on her cheeks. They came just as quickly, as she lifted her fork and shakily obeyed his command.
But her lips wore a smile.
Dash everything, but it was the most beautiful smile in the world.
Another new place. More of the people Captain had warned her against.
But as the bareback horse brought them closer to the Northwood abode, Eliza’s chest pulsated with more comfort than fear. She relaxed in the arms that held her. Did he know she thought this way?
“Home.” A murmur in her ear, soft and soothing, as he nodded ahead.
Skirted on each side by tall rosebushes, the yellow brick house was square with a hip roof. Five sash windows decorated the facade, and a gravel walkway led to a blue-paneled entrance door.
By the time Felton dismounted and pulled her down, a short and wide-eyed maid rushed to greet them with her hands fluttering. “Master Northwood, you be just the one we need. Just the one we need surely! I been in such a fluster since she came—our guest that is—but I says to Mr. Northwood, I says, ‘Mr. Northwood, if a person wants to do a good deed they ought to do it.’ But I just worry so that she won’t like it here none and—”
“Dodie, who?”
“Why, Miss Haverfield, of course!”
Eliza’s breath caught.
“What is she doing here?” Felton strode through the doorway, tugging Eliza with him. Was it her imagination, or did his hands begin to perspire? Was he so in love with her?
“She come to help, she did, Mr. Northwood.” Dodie slammed the door with exaggeration. “As soon as you left and Miss Haverfield found out about the passing of your dear brother, God rest his soul, she come right over to be with Mrs. Northwood during her trialing hours.”
Felton’s brother had passed? Eliza glanced to his face.
He shrugged off his coat, kicked the mud from his heels, with an expression tight and strained.
Yes, there was loss there. She’d been too busy with her own grief to detect his pain. How could she be so insensitive? How had she not realized?
“Dodie, take Miss Gillingham to the guest chamber and bring up hot water for a bath.”
“Felton, wait.” She snatched his arm as he tried to leave the foyer.
Slowly, as if in dread, he glanced back at her. “I am not ready to speak of it, Eliza.”
“I am sorry.”
“Yes.” He ran a hand down the side of her face. A quick touch, faint and endearing. “Go and take your bath, hmm? You look the pauper now yourself.”
“Well, this is positively lovely.”
Eliza backed behind the copper tub, stripped of everything but her stained and sweaty chemise. Heat seared the back of her neck. She’d already seen herself in the mirror—the loose and unkempt hair, the dirty smudges on her face, the dark circles beneath her eyes.
Miss Haverfield smiled as she pulled the door shut behind her in the tiny, floral guest chamber. “I heard it whispered throughout the house that Felton had brought home the dear little runaway everyone has been whispering about, but I could not be certain until I saw for myself.”
Little runaway?She swallowed hard as Dodie poured a second bucket into the tub, then left to retrieve more.
Miss Haverfield pulled something from behind her back. A light blue linen dress unfolded as she held it up. “What do you think? I imagined you would be in need of something suitable to wear, as Dodie mentioned you had not a valise or trunk with you.” She approached and held it against Eliza. “Of course, the bust would need to be drawn in. You are quite thin, I daresay, but do not let that worry you. I have known many acquaintances who were far more unshapely than you, and not one of said girls are unmarried.”
Eliza clasped the dress. “Thank you.”
“Nonsense, my dear. I simply adore you. May I help you off with your chemise?”
Eliza took a step back. “No, I …”
