《Love & Murder: An Eliza Winter Mystery》Anya
Advertisement
Eliza was now determined to find out if Penelope had set off to Gretna Green to elope, or if her disappearance could be more sinister. She had her starting point, now she just had to find a picture of Penelope to take to the train stations.
After leaving the Tennyson's, she had the cab take her straight to the Vanderwahl's a few blocks away. She had wondered how to get Penelope's lady's maid alone and thought of excuses while stuck in traffic.
When they approached the Vanderwahl's brown brick two-story, she sent out her calling card. It was quickly declined as their butler informs Eliza that Lady Vanderwahl isn't home. Ecstatic, Eliza answers that she wishes to only speak to Anya about a brooch Eliza had lent to Penelope, saying she was desperate to retrieve it before her own mother returned home. Luckily, their butler bought the story and allows Eliza into the foyer. He ushers Anya upstairs and she could tell Anya was surprised to be called upon.
"Lady Eliza, I was told I could be of your assistance?" Anya asks curiously and Eliza darts her eyes to the butler who's still lurking nearby.
"Yes, you see I had lent Penelope my sapphire brooch a few weeks back and I realized I hadn't gotten it back. My mother will know it's missing, so I thought I'd pop by and see if you could retrieve it for me?" Eliza asks, but she can sense Anya isn't buying it.
She quickly shakes her head, "I'm not aware of any sapphire brooch my lady." Eliza wonders how to get Anya away from the butler so she can have a private conversation.
"Maybe I can draw it for you? Maybe if you saw it, you'd recognize it?" Eliza suggests and she tries to give Anya a look that conveyed, "Say yes!"
Advertisement
"Oh? Um, yes. I suppose you can do that. I think there's paper in the drawing-room. Why don't I take you there?" Anya replies and Eliza quickly nods. She follows Anya's white bonnet to the side room and then looks behind her to make sure they are finally alone. As Anya crosses over to the secretary Eliza says, "I don't actually require parchment Anya, I was just hoping to have a private word with you." Anya stops and spins around to face Eliza.
"Oh? About what my lady?" She asks timidly. Eliza knows Anya probably hasn't been called upon to have a secret discussion before, so she's not sure how to go about it.
"I'd assume it's safe to say that the both of us probably know Penelope better than anyone else, so I thought I'd ask you if you have any idea of where she could be?" Eliza quickly asks, hoping they won't be disturbed by any other members of the Vanderwahl's staff. Anya looks hesitant and Eliza can tell there's something on her mind. Eliza adds, "Do you know of anyone she could be with? Perhaps...possibly in the countryside?" Eliza hints as much as possible while eyeing Anya, hoping she'll feel safe enough to share Penelope's secrets. Anya bites her lip while darting her eyes nervously around. Eliza can tell there's something she wants to say and she wishes she could take the petite woman by the shoulders and shake it out of her.
"I..." Anya starts and then twists her hands together.
"Yes..." Eliza teases, taking a half step closer to Anya.
"Lady Vanderwahl already asked me if I had any idea," Anya finally admits while shaking her head.
"Yes, I'm aware. However, I thought perhaps that you might know something Lady Vanderwahl wouldn't want to know. Something you could tell me though. Perhaps Penelope is off with someone she shouldn't be?" Eliza asks, pleading that Anya will give her something. Anya still looks tortured. Wondering what to say and what to hold back. She wonders what Lucy would do in the same position. "Anya, if you know something please tell me. I won't tell Lady Vanderwahl, I just need to know if Penelope is safe. That perhaps she's safe somewhere in the countryside...or maybe she wanted to venture up to Gretna Green?" Eliza hints again, basically spelling it out for the maid. She softens her green eyes to plead with Anya and finally, after much hand twisting Anya quietly says, "I think you know that Lady Penelope was up to something. It's just that...if she did in fact leave somewhere, she took nothing with her. Nothing at all my lady."
Advertisement
"That would be most unusual yes? If she ran off with nothing?" Eliza asks and Anya nods. Eliza decides to become bolder.
"Anya, do you know who Penelope was sneaking around with? Do you have any idea?" Eliza asks. Anya quickly shakes her head, "I don't Lady Eliza, I only know it was someone she shouldn't have been. Lots of secrets Penelope was keeping. Even from me." Eliza wonders what else Anya could help her with. She doesn't seem to know much more than Eliza does. She wonders who else would know of Penelope's secrets and Eliza realizes she wouldn't tell her secrets to anyone, but she might write them down.
"Did Penelope keep a diary Anya?"
"Possibly. But if she did, I never seen it," Anya answers.
"Next time you tidy up her room, will you look to see if she hid one? Possibly under the mattress, in the headboard or any other secret hiding spot? She may have written down where she was off to," Eliza asks and Anya still looks hesitant.
"I don't know if I feel right rifling through Lady Penelope's things my lady," Anya answers and Eliza takes a step closer to her. Now close enough that she could reach out and grab Anya's trembling hands. Eliza knows the maids know everything, more than they'll ever admit to. Anya probably knows exactly where Penelope's diary is located, what color it is and how much parchment she has remaining.
"Anya, we are all very worried. Even if Penelope has done something that could potentially tarnish the Vanderwahl's name, we need to know she's safe. We need to know she's where she should be and not missing. I need your help Anya, I have no one else to turn to," Eliza pleads and she finally sees Anya drop her shoulders. She gives a reluctant nod and says, "I will check and let you know. I too am worried about her. She's done a lot of things a lady shouldn't, but this one is truly baffling. She's not one to vanish without a trace." Eliza nods. She hopes something will turn up and that Anya will be comfortable enough to bring it to Eliza. She can tell Anya is itching to leave, so Eliza finally says, "Thank you for your time Anya. I know we both want what is best for Penelope." Anya nods and turns to lead Eliza out of the drawing-room. Before they cross the threshold, Eliza spots a small pocket-sized photo of Penelope adorning the piano. She reaches out and silently plucks it off the shiny surface and stuffs it into her pocketbook.
Advertisement
Playing With the Rich Boys | ✓
HIGHEST RANK #3 TEEN FICTION 12/11/19[FIRST 6 CHAPTERS UNDER MAJOR EDITING - pls continue further before giving up xoxo]❝ You weren't kidding about having straight As,❞ is probably one of the last things I want to hear from a guy while we're stranded on an island at night in the rain with my now semi-transparent shirt clinging to my body. But to be honest, it's one of the smaller problems I've had so far at Pemberton Academy.--Daisy Sorenson is a new transfer to the illustrious halls of Pemberton Academy, ruled by the notoriously rich and gorgeous Top Four: Parker Lennox, Holden Vermont, Logan Green and Stephanie Carter. A coincidence, followed by an impulsive decision hurls her headfirst into yacht parties, a rich boy's jersey, a fake relationship, being marooned on an island in the middle of the night and possibly even love. If there's one thing that's for sure, it's that her wish for a quiet, drama-free senior year has gone up in flames. -i guarantee it isn't as cliche as it sounds pls give me a chance xoxoCOMPLETE: 4 Jul 2020
8 52Forced To Marry The Billionaire Manwhore
Getting married is a day most girls daydream about from childhood to adulthood. A day where you wear a gorgeous white gown and walk down the isle to your amazing groom. Girls plan the entire day, from the setting to the cake.But what do you do when you can have all of that, except the one important thing?Love.Sage Slade is in that very predicament. After finding out she's actually the granddaughter of a billionaire by the name of Andrew Emerson, a man who owns a variety of successful franchises. Sage is immediately forced into an engagement with the son of her grandfather's closest friend, Greyson Blackstone.Greyson's a manwhore and he doesn't hide it, Sage hates it and doesn't hide it. Putting them together is like fire and ice. One moment they could care less about each other then suddenly they're at each other's throats.Despite that, feelings develop, and inevitable heartbreak comes with it. A roller coaster ride most would say. But one that's too tempting to ride. Maybe there's a happy ending for the two. Then again, maybe there's not.HIGHEST RANKING #2 IN GENERAL FICTION#1 IN ROMANCE
8 308Bad Boy Xavier | ✓
"He's staring at you," my sister whispered, wide-eyed.Now that I realised, I could feel someone's eyes burning the back of my head and as I turned around to see what my sister was talking about and my jaw immediately dropped whilst a cold shiver ran up my spine at the sight of the school's dangerous, certified bad boy.I shrugged nervously and turned around to face my sister. "Maybe he's just looking at what I'm wearing."The outfit was pretty cute, hands down."But he never stares at anyone. He has only given them a cold stare that lasts for at least two-seconds."Oh hell no.
8 154Replacement Bride
Amani wasn't ready for marriage, nor was she willing to marry her cousin. She was just 17 and had recently rounded up her secondary school. Her intention was to further her education before thinking about marriage but then something happened, something very big... ***Hamid was set to marry Rahmat Ali, his colleague and long-term girlfriend. She was the girl he had ever dreamed about and the girl he would forever risk his life for. But just a day to their wedding, she was caught up in a big mess that forced his parents to replace her with his cousin, Amani.•••••••••••••••••••• Whatever your relationship status is, read this story at your leisure time. It is not your usual love story of a boy and girl, it is a lesson to behold. •••••••••••••••••••• Dedicated to all my fans, I love you all💝
8 193The Prince's Stubborn Mate
"I am giving you until your birthday to come to terms with the fact that I am your mate. You should also accept that you belong to me and I will mark you as soon as you come of age. I will make you my mate in every way before the new year comes. By January 1st, you will be marked, mated and you would have already conceived my child, the only thing that will be left to do is get married."
8 160Have Faith
A chance encounter between two people changes the trajectories of their lives forever.Cassian Kensington was a poverty stricken man, on the brink of starvation, before a chance encounter with a mysterious woman changes everything. Leaving him with only her name - Faith - and a purse full of coins, she tells him to make something of himself.But years later, fate is not finished with Cassian and Faith, and brings them together again ...
8 115