Love & Murder: An Eliza Winter Mystery

The Country or the City

Eliza worried about Penelope for the rest of the day and as good as she thought she was hiding it, her mother still picked up that something was wrong at dinner.

"You're awfully quiet tonight Eliza," her mother notes while slicing into her roast beef.

"Am I?" Eliza answers vaguely and her father, seated at the head of the table adds, "Martin said Lady Vanderwahl stopped by. Looking for Penelope." He said it like a statement, but Eliza knows he wants her to elaborate. Eliza flits her eyes away from her carrots and as she plucks her wine glass off the table she answers, "Yes, she was hoping I knew where Penelope was. Unfortunately, I don't. I haven't seen her since we went to Hyde Park."

"Penelope probably wants the gossip to start. Let word get out that she's missing to create a buzz," Edward says with a hint of annoyance. Eliza knows what her father thinks of Penelope Vanderwahl. That she's an attention seeker and a bit of a drama queen. Eliza could hardly argue, she knew Penelope did most things for attention. Her dramatics are what made Penelope an outcast and lumped into the same social circle as Eliza. Well, more of a social line as it was only the two of them.

"She's probably sleeping off a party somewhere. Not wanting her parents to know," Eliza answers quietly. She knows her parents tolerate Penelope because she's Eliza's only friend. But they think she's a bad influence and worry that she'll get Eliza tangled up in something- which she may have.

"I hope you know to let someone anyone know where you're going at all times. London isn't the safest place for unaccompanied females, especially young mischievous ones," Edward adds.

"I'm probably the biggest recluse in London my dear father. Everyone knows where I am at all times," Eliza says with a sarcastic grin.

"Well, we only have a short time left before we pack up and head back to the country you know," Edward tells Eliza and unlike other girls her age who prefer the city, Eliza was itching to get back to her country home.

"Speaking of, we've been invited to the Chesterfield's country home for fox hunting. I responded that we'd all be coming up," Mary announces, which causes Eliza's stomach to somersault.

"Do I have to? I'd rather not be paraded about, ringless after another season has come to a close. It only invites people to speak freely about what I need to do for the next season. I'd rather not endure an entire weekend of it," Eliza answers bitterly.

"What would you do? Stay here by yourself? After Penelope has run off, I shan't think leaving you here is a good idea," Edward quickly replies, surprised that his daughter doesn't want to leave to the countryside. "It's bloody hot here at the end of August darling. It's nice to escape to the country."

"I'll take the London heat over the heat I'd get from society thank you," Eliza retorts while dropping her wine glass onto the ruby silk table cloth.

"You will find someone Eliza, you're the daughter of an Earl who will inherit the entire Winter estate," her mother says plainly and not for the first time. After pursing her lips Eliza responds, "Yes that's what I want. A man who wants me for my estate."

"You know that's how these things go darling. Yes, love would be great but land acquisitions are more realistic," says Mary.

"And it's hard to find love if you hardly ever wander outside these doors," Edward adds.

"I won't find it in the countryside playing bridge with old Lady McDermont. I can tell you that," Eliza snaps, still begging her parents not to go.

"I don't think shutting yourself up in the house is the solution either. If you don't want to come to the country you still need to make social appearances," Mary says as she adjusts the cloth napkin on her lap. "I hear the Erikson's are hosting one final ball in hopes of securing a match for their daughter Evangeline, on Saturday. If you aren't going to the country with us you need to make an appearance at the ball on our behalf."

Eliza shifts her eyes to meet her mother's and knows she won't win either way. It's a full week in the country with women telling Eliza everything that's wrong with her or one night seeing how undesired she is. She decides standing in the corner drinking wine alone is more tolerable than the country, so she responds, "Fine. I'll go to the Erikson's ball if I can stay here. I'll need a dress though. It won't do to be seen in one I wore to every other ball you forced me to attend this past season."

"Done," her mother answers cheerfully. "And who knows, maybe you'll actually have a good time." Eliza tries to refrain from eye-rolling. Her mother thinks it is Eliza's attitude that swarms off potential suitors when in reality, it's the rumors that Bridgette and Adelaide started years ago that keep the men away.

Eliza can't speak to her mother about the events that started the "Crazy Eliza" rumors without Mary shutting down completely, so she's discovered it's best to let her mother think it's her attitude. Her mother is always droning on about how pretty Eliza is with her porcelain skin, bright green eyes and strawberry blonde hair and how she doesn't understand how men aren't lining up at their door to call upon Eliza. Eliza always wants to tell her that it doesn't matter how pretty she is if men think she's bonkers.

"So, it's settled then, we'll be leaving on Friday and coming home the following Thursday. I can trust you can keep yourself out of trouble for that long?" Edward asks Eliza and unknowing the events that were about to unfold, she quickly answers, "Of course."