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She had no idea that while she was busy sobbing in rejectedthe next few days with military precision

The followingoverheard a conversation she wished she had never been privy to, it was al As a result, she was stilted and cautious with theroom for breakfast She refused to make eye contact with Edward and as they ate, had resorted to one word replies to their atteave in and lapsed into an aard silence that did little to help anyone’s appetites

“We ht 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 Don of e to impart

“Sebastian has to go back to Leicestershire to look after Ahost of a s estate matters he needs to attend to and will leave with him”

“Alright” She was proud that her voice gave nothing of her roiling elance she flicked at hi back towards Dominic

“Peter and I will escort you to Padstow, then ill all return to Leicestershire For the ti I think it would be best if you resided with my wife and h to Derby for you to help Peter search for Jeh away to be safe fro 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 ar 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 hirown man as perfectly capable of l

ooking after himself; he didn’t need or want her