The Samurai That I Loved

第2章

Eleanor expected her daughter to come running down the stairs for breakfast, same as she did every morning. Although, she suddenly remembered this wasn't a normal morning. Eliza was still neck deep in the depressive haze of her unrequited love.

Marching up the stairs to retrieve her daughter, all she found was one nervous, jittery maid who was busy wringing her hands together.

"Oh, your Grace!" The maid exclaimed with panick-stricken eyes. Eleanor turned her head to see Eliza's empty bed, and the covers pulled back to reveal a line of pillows positioned down the middle.

"Where is she?" Eleanor asked bluntly, attempting to regain her proper breathing.

The maid grimaced and responded quickly, "I think she's gone, your Grace."

"Gone where? Speak, Amelia, use your words, girl!" Eleanor hissed whilst her heart began beating frantically.

The maid winced and hesitantly answered, "I believe she is headed for the London Docks... trying to sail to Japan to see Mr. Fletchum."

Eleanor's eyes widened in disbelief. With balled fists, she lost her final nerve and emitted a loud, "OOOOHHH, THAT LITTLE BRAT, WHAT HAS SHE GOTTEN HERSELF INTO NOW?!"

Immediately turning and striding out of the bedroom, Eleanor marched back down the stairs while muttering aloud for the entire household staff to hear, "Spoiled, naive, reckless, little fool! She could be ruined, kidnapped, killed! Oh, merciful heavens, my poor, dimwitted, insane daughter!"

Shouting out orders to her butler and staff, she had a footman go and seek out a bow street runner to assist her in the retrieval of her daughter.

"Eliza, when you are back home, I'm never letting you leave your room again until your wedding day!" Eleanor hissed as she batted a fan in front of her stressed face while watching the footman race down the drive on horseback.

-¤-¤-¤-

The sky was a vibrant blue today. Seagulls cawed from overhead as they flew beneath the cumulus stratus clouds. The London dock was busy and lively with sounds of life all around. One girl weaved through the crowds unnoticed as her footsteps carried her closer towards her dream.

Eliza boarded the ship headed for Hong Kong with enough coin in her pockets to weigh down her skirts. Keeping her head covered with her dark brown cloak, she walked past the leery gazes of the sailors towards the lower decks in a nervous haste.

Locating her cabin as per the captain's directions, she quickly sequestered herself inside. With an iron will, she decided she would remain in this tiny cabin for the duration of the journey. Contrary to popular belief, Eliza did not consider herself entirely daft and childish. She knew to watch out for predators or any uncouth gentlemen.

Being blessed with vibrant red hair that went down her back in natural waves, striking blue eyes, and a tall, willowy frame, the ton considered her to be quite an English beauty. She had long grown used to the attentions from the male sex. However, her heart remained steadfastly closed to anyone and everyone who was not Mr. Ernest Fletchum.

She still daydreamed about the secret kiss he had given her on her sixteenth birthday when he accidently got drunk off of a hot toddy. It was her birthday party and everyone in the village had been invited, nobility and commoner alike. She had raced him to the gardens where they fell in a heap over each other, laughing in the evening. While the others remained inside playing a game of wist, no one knew they had even wandered out there.

She remembered him helping her to her feet before staring at her for a moment with a sleepy smile. When he suddenly leaned down and placed a wet kiss to her lips, she felt as if her very heart had taken flight to the clouds above.