Love & Murder: An Eliza Winter Mystery

The Country or the City

Eliza had 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 noted while slicing into her roast beef.

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

"That girl probably wants the gossip to start. Let word get out that she's missing to create a buzz," Edward said with a hint of annoyance. Eliza knew what her father thought of Penelope Vanderwahl—that she was an attention seeker and a bit of a drama queen. Eliza could hardly argue; she knew Penelope did most things for attention. Her dramatics were what made Penelope an outcast and lumped her 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 answered quietly. She knew her parents tolerated Penelope because she was Eliza's only friend, but they thought she was a bad influence and worried that Penelope would get Eliza tangled up in something—which she may have.

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

"I'm probably the biggest recluse in London, my dear father. Everyone knows where I am at all times," Eliza said 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 told Eliza. Unlike other girls her age who preferred 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 announced, which caused 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 answered 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 replied, surprised that his daughter didn't want to leave for 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 retorted, dropping her wine glass onto the ruby silk tablecloth.

"You will find someone, Eliza. You're the daughter of an Earl who will inherit the entire Winter estate," her mother said plainly, and not for the first time. After pursing her lips, Eliza responded, "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," said Mary.

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

"I won't find it in the countryside playing bridge with old Lady McDermont. I can tell you that," Eliza snapped, her hand tightening around her fork as the scent of roasted meat filled the air, the richness of the meal making her feel uneasy with her growing frustration.

"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 said, her voice smooth as she adjusted the cloth napkin on her lap with a practiced flick. "I hear the Eriksons 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 shifted her eyes to meet her mother's, knowing she wouldn't win either way. It was a full week in the country with women scrutinizing every inch of her, or one suffocating night at a ball, silently observing how men avoided her like a plague. She decided standing in the corner, drinking wine alone, was more tolerable than the country, so she responded, "Fine. I'll go to the Eriksons' 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 answered cheerfully. "And who knows, maybe you'll actually have a good time." Eliza tried to refrain from eye-rolling. Her mother believed it was Eliza's attitude that sent suitors fleeing when in truth, it was the whispers and the rumors—the ones planted by Bridgette and Adelaide—that kept men at arm's length.

Eliza could hardly bring herself to discuss the origins of the "Crazy Eliza" rumors with her mother. Mary would shut down completely, as always. And so Eliza had learned to let her mother keep her delusions about how her beauty—her porcelain skin, bright green eyes, and strawberry blonde hair—should have men flocking to their doorstep. It didn't matter how striking Eliza was if they all believed her to be bonkers.

"So, it's settled then. We'll be leaving on Friday and coming home the following Thursday," Edward said, breaking the silence with a soft, authoritative tone. His voice seemed to hover in the thickening air of the room, like the final word in a debate. "I trust you can keep yourself out of trouble for that long?"

Unaware of the events about to unfold, she quickly answered, "Of course."