the door.
It took her some time, but she eventually made her way down the stairs. Once at the bottom, she realized she had no earthly idea where she was going. She shrugged her shoulders and continued, letting her curiosity get the best of her. At every door she passed, she would open it and peer inside. She found a breakfast nook and two closets before she reached the study. When she opened the door, she noticed the elaborate furnishings, like one would see in a palace. The walls were covered in dark highly polished wood. There was a dark mahogany desk and matching chairs. London snarled her nose. What a bleak, depressing room. Her eyes caught a glimpse of light trying to enter through the drawn draperies. She hobbled over to the draperies and threw them back. The room was instantly flooded with sunlight, making it appear cheerier.
She looked around the room and noticed the wall of books. As she studied the room, she spied a painting on the far wall and walked over to it. The woman was beautiful. She had high cheekbones and a small snubbed nose. The woman had her long black hair down, resting on her shoulders. There was warmth to her soft brown eyes. She had the pristine white complexion, which many of the elite strive for. London could tell by this woman’s pose that she was of the upper crust.
A rustling of paper caught her attention. She turned to find several sheets blowing off the desk. London raced over and gathered the flying paper. She collected the escaping sheets and placed them back on the desk. She glanced down and noticed that they were from ledgers. She walked around the desk and studied the papers. Absentmindedly, she sat down in the large leather chair and began looking at the papers.
As she studied the ledgers she realized the figures were all wrong. Rummaging through the desk drawers, she managed to find a quill and ink. She dipped the quill into the ink well and began to excitedly work. As she worked, she began to realize how easily the figures came to her. Finally, something to do to pass her day.
* * * *
Eli was in a foul mood. He went to visit Marina and all she wanted to do was discuss London. She gave him an ultimatum, either move London out or never call on her again. He politely informed her that she could be easily replaced.
“You are not the only title-hungry wench on this island seeking my companionship.” Marina drew her hand back to slap Eli, only to have it caught in mid-air. “Do not try to strike me, Marina, for I will hit back.”
“Go to hell, Eli.”
“That is exactly where you would have sent me if you had gotten your hands on my title. So rest assured, you will no longer be in the running to claim the title of Viscountess, not that you ever were.”
“What are you saying, Eli? That you were just using me for my body?” Marina replied, placing her head in her hands as she pretended to sob.
“Come now. We both know those are fake tears. There is no love lost between us. You were after a title and I needed a warm body.”
Marina’s head shot upward and her eyes narrowed to slits. “You will pay for what you have done to me. To my reputation!”
“What reputation? The one of being a Jezebel or the one of you killing your first husband?”
“Get out,” she hissed.
“Gladly.”
Eli left Marina’s house and felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. The feeling of relief he experienced as he left Marina’s home was replaced with dread as he met his father on the road. Robert was on his way to the docks to oversee the delivery of a very expensive piece of furniture that Elizabeth had ordered. As they discussed the delivery, Robert nonchalantly informed Eli that he would be by sometime to go over the books.
“All is in order,” Eli lied. “Feel free to stop by anytime.”
“I will allow your visitor to recover a little longer first. I’ll stop by in a few days’ time. We’ll have dinner afterwards.”
“I will inform Natasha to
It took her some time, but she eventually made her way down the stairs. Once at the bottom, she realized she had no earthly idea where she was going. She shrugged her shoulders and continued, letting her curiosity get the best of her. At every door she passed, she would open it and peer inside. She found a breakfast nook and two closets before she reached the study. When she opened the door, she noticed the elaborate furnishings, like one would see in a palace. The walls were covered in dark highly polished wood. There was a dark mahogany desk and matching chairs. London snarled her nose. What a bleak, depressing room. Her eyes caught a glimpse of light trying to enter through the drawn draperies. She hobbled over to the draperies and threw them back. The room was instantly flooded with sunlight, making it appear cheerier.
She looked around the room and noticed the wall of books. As she studied the room, she spied a painting on the far wall and walked over to it. The woman was beautiful. She had high cheekbones and a small snubbed nose. The woman had her long black hair down, resting on her shoulders. There was warmth to her soft brown eyes. She had the pristine white complexion, which many of the elite strive for. London could tell by this woman’s pose that she was of the upper crust.
A rustling of paper caught her attention. She turned to find several sheets blowing off the desk. London raced over and gathered the flying paper. She collected the escaping sheets and placed them back on the desk. She glanced down and noticed that they were from ledgers. She walked around the desk and studied the papers. Absentmindedly, she sat down in the large leather chair and began looking at the papers.
As she studied the ledgers she realized the figures were all wrong. Rummaging through the desk drawers, she managed to find a quill and ink. She dipped the quill into the ink well and began to excitedly work. As she worked, she began to realize how easily the figures came to her. Finally, something to do to pass her day.
* * * *
Eli was in a foul mood. He went to visit Marina and all she wanted to do was discuss London. She gave him an ultimatum, either move London out or never call on her again. He politely informed her that she could be easily replaced.
“You are not the only title-hungry wench on this island seeking my companionship.” Marina drew her hand back to slap Eli, only to have it caught in mid-air. “Do not try to strike me, Marina, for I will hit back.”
“Go to hell, Eli.”
“That is exactly where you would have sent me if you had gotten your hands on my title. So rest assured, you will no longer be in the running to claim the title of Viscountess, not that you ever were.”
“What are you saying, Eli? That you were just using me for my body?” Marina replied, placing her head in her hands as she pretended to sob.
“Come now. We both know those are fake tears. There is no love lost between us. You were after a title and I needed a warm body.”
Marina’s head shot upward and her eyes narrowed to slits. “You will pay for what you have done to me. To my reputation!”
“What reputation? The one of being a Jezebel or the one of you killing your first husband?”
“Get out,” she hissed.
“Gladly.”
Eli left Marina’s house and felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. The feeling of relief he experienced as he left Marina’s home was replaced with dread as he met his father on the road. Robert was on his way to the docks to oversee the delivery of a very expensive piece of furniture that Elizabeth had ordered. As they discussed the delivery, Robert nonchalantly informed Eli that he would be by sometime to go over the books.
“All is in order,” Eli lied. “Feel free to stop by anytime.”
“I will allow your visitor to recover a little longer first. I’ll stop by in a few days’ time. We’ll have dinner afterwards.”
“I will inform Natasha to
Similar Books
