The Earls lie or a scoundrels promise

She was in over her head.

                  

Chapter 17 – She was definitely in over her head

Elizabeth had worked hard on her surprise for Blake. When she'd first entered the space her husband had waved his hand over the room, knowing one day they would fill this house with children, he assured her. But he wanted to enjoy her to himself first. And they had done so much of that, yet she did not think he had guessed her secret yet, he had not said a word if he did. She pulled the sheet that covered the cot, left alone and hidden for years, this would become her baby's own precious space to sleep. She loved that once her own husband had slept in there as a small babe. She pushed it lightly it with her fingers and it moved in a slow soothing rocking motion. It made her smile grow. It was so well made, expensive and she could not think of anything more perfect, she would re do and ready the nursery as a surprise, to tell him of their news. She used the days Blake was gone, seeing over the estate and its residents, to refresh and air the nursery, before he returned she'd be sure to have finished her tasks for the day. He would never suspect.

With each day she spent some time in the nursery, she felt a glow about her, of happiness. A child, a family of her own. She had been so sure she wanted a quiet life alone. She teared up at the thought, how wrong she had been. To have been so deep in a hole of despair, she thought that was her only choice. She rubbed her stomach and spoke to her unborn child 'hello' she hadn't spoken to the life growing inside her yet but she was sure she felt a small flutter in response, she smiled. She would never let herself forget, how lucky she was.

A week passed and no more of the gifted threats had arrived. Elizabeth had been living in fear that another would appear on their bed, yet nothing. She was almost done with the nursery and as soon as she had surprised Blake and he had a moment to enjoy it, she would tell him, about Lady Bovingdon. About the gifts left for her. She couldn't keep him in the dark, they had made a promise to each other. To love and trust each other, till death they do part.

The next morning she made passionate love to her husband before reluctantly letting him go out on business. She took breakfast in her room as she so often did, met with the house keeper and had Mary help her with the finishing touches to Blake's surprise before making her way to the stables early afternoon, mounting Misty and riding across the land their estate as normal.

Melissa watched her ride in the same direction she always did and disappear out of site. She huffed to herself 'predictable'. She made her way through the gardens and using the side door at the west side of the house, she had been able to slip in undetected. She donned a simple Grey gown that allowed her to blend in with the house staff. She simply couldn't stay away, she wondered about the house, this perfect house, a perfect life that should have been hers.
She sat in the large chair behind his desk, familiarising herself with the contents there, she didn't move anything from its surface, she sunk into its softness and it was another reminder of what she had lost. The security, a home, him. The stacks of books around her could take a life time to read, a lifetime she no longer had have with him. She crossed the foyer and studied the family portraits that lined its walls. She could have been on these walls, countess, she could have been his countess. She looked to the newest and most recently commissioned of portraits. A few years old at least, but the golden eyes bore into her. He was so handsome, she felt the eyes of the portrait follow her as she walked. He had wanted her at one time. She was sure he wanted her now, he was just to proud to admit it. She made her way upstairs, keeping her head low, her face hidden. She picked up a pile of clean linen that lay folded neatly outside a chamber door and made her way toward the Masters room. She clicked the door shut and dropped the linen to a crumpled mass. She dusted off her hands and sauntered around the large bed. The room was cold and lonely, like it wasn't used often. She crossed the large expanse of wooden floor to the next door that led to the dressing room, she could smell him, his scent lingered in the air. She couldn't resist a little browse of the gowns that hung there, something new, red. She knew red was her colour and didn't hesitate in stripping her servants grey and slipping into a dress she knew would suit her more than that Elizabeth Walker. Blake had told her so many times in their courtship just how much this colour had complimented her. She reached the adjoining room and sashayed through as if it was her own and over to the massive four posted bed where she had been leaving special gifts for the Elizabeth on discovering her secret. Which had been all too easy with her slipping in and out as a servant , she noticed a small note atop the bed covers, she lay across the bed and plucked the note to read.