《Love & Murder: An Eliza Winter Mystery》Status
Advertisement
Something about Colin's visit lit a fire inside Eliza's soul. She suddenly no longer wanted to waste away in bed, crying over her missing friend. Someone murdered Penelope and threw her into the river like she meant nothing. Like she didn't mean the world to someone, or would have hysterical worried parents, or had hopes of love and dreams of a wonderful future. That person would pay, Eliza would personally see to it.
She was hurt though that Penelope didn't trust her enough to confide in her. Maybe Eliza could have helped her? If only Eliza could rewind time and go back to that summer day in Hyde Park. She'd have asked more questions and not shrugged off Penelope's attitude. She'd have pressed more, not caring if it upset Penelope. She'd rather have an upset friend than a dead one.
Lucy helped Eliza into a simple violet frock, she knew mourning periods were going out of fashion, but Eliza didn't feel like she could sport a vibrant silk gown while feeling so hollow inside. Once her hair was pulled back into a simple low bun, Eliza asked Martin to fetch a cab for her. He informed her that her parents hit a bad patch of fog that cost them a day's travel time. They now wouldn't be arriving until sometime tomorrow. She shrugged in response, knowing even if they were here now, they couldn't do anything but comfort Eliza and right now, she wanted to be alone.
She pushes her way into the cab, this time leaving Lucy to her duties, and sets off toward Hyde Park. The grass is still as green and as lush as it was when she and Penelope came a few weeks earlier and Eliza plops down right where they were when they watched people sample pies at the pie contest. She inhales the fresh summer air while closing her eyes and running her hands over the long blades of grass. This was the last place she saw Penelope. Heard her laugh, watched her snicker as they gossiped. This is also where Penelope held a secret close to her. Did she know she was pregnant when she sat here happily with Eliza? Did it weigh on her mind as they swapped mundane stories about dinner parties and new frocks? What was Penelope going through as they bathed in the sunshine, smelling warm cherry pie and laughing at the possibility of love.
Advertisement
Colin enters Eliza's mind again, she's noticed he pops up a lot since their encounter in the library, but instead of feeling warmth and wonder she now feels sorrow while shoving his face away. With Penelope's death came a wall around Eliza's heart. How can she ever love anyone? Everyone she gets close to dies. Two people now fill her heart and she can't find room for anyone else. She can't mourn a loved one ever again. Colin is now the detective on Penelope's case and nothing more. Not that he wanted more, but it's best to set boundaries now before she gets any romantic ideas. She's been fine alone. She'll inherit the Winter fortune married or not. She could get a couple corgis and live out her days in their country home. Gardening, reading and soaking up sunshine. She'd never have to worry about losing anyone again. And with the pain Eliza currently feels, she was okay with that.
A couple young boys throwing a ball around knocks Eliza from her somber thoughts. She watches as the small wooden ball lands next to her and she quickly tosses it back. They run back toward their nanny and Eliza knows you can't be a spinster with children. Never allowing love back into her life will mean she'll never be a mother. The Winter legacy will end with her.
But then, she's reminded a child cost Penelope her life. Who would be threatened by a woman with child? Who would want to get rid of the evidence?
Eliza suddenly knows who would be the most harmed by the surprise of a child. A married man. Someone that's not supposed to be having children with Penelope- so either married or betrothed. She hinted that the man would not be approved of by her parents and Eliza thought of class, not marital status. What if Penelope was running around with a married man, someone with something- nay not something- a lot to lose. Enough that would cause him to commit murder.
Advertisement
Eliza knows that the day Penelope disappeared, she was dropped at her house and lied about her means of transportation. Why? The cabbie picked her up from her house and dropped her somewhere familiar. Maybe that meant Penelope was seeing someone that lived near Eliza? She could say she was meeting Eliza and then turn and head off somewhere else. Somewhere within walking distance. Although, that still didn't account for the lie about the motorcar.
Eliza pushes herself off the grass and heads toward the dusty road near the park. She's about to hail a cab when she realizes she'd rather walk off her anxious energy. She'd rather think while walking, than getting agitated in London traffic.
She dodges the prams strolling the sidewalks and the Londoners rushing off to work, to file into the sea of women strolling the streets of London on this pleasant August morning. She continues past Buckingham Palace, pushing through the throngs of people at the tall iron fence that keeps the lookie-loos at a safe distance from the palace.
She's crossing into St. James Park when she spots Adelaide and Bridgette taking a stroll under matching lace parasols. She's about to turn to hide in the palace crowd when Bridgette spots her. She locks eyes with Eliza and raises a hand to push her dainty hat out of her eyes.
"Lady Eliza!" Bridgette calls out and Eliza watches as they stride over to her, arm in arm, with their long colorful dresses brushing the sidewalk as they stroll over.
"Ms. Walscott, Ms. Greensbury," Eliza mutters knowing they only called out to her out of sheer nosiness.
"We heard about Lady Penelope," Adelaide says, mustering up a phony frown. "We are so sorry for your loss."
"I'm sure," Eliza mumbles while Bridgette and Adelaide exchange glances.
"My father is personally working on finding Penelope's killer," Adelaide says with a gloved hand over her heart. "He's working with Lord Colin Bradshaw, the detective brought in from Sussex."
Eliza nods, "I know Bradshaw. We've met on several occasions." She knows Adelaide knows this, they were all at the same dinner party and ball. Eliza knows Adelaide just wanted to mention Colin and his title.
"Oh yes, well he's been working out of our home with my father," she says pointedly. "He's been over the last couple nights working hard. I am sure justice will come soon enough. I'm sure having the best detective in Sussex and the Deputy Commissioner working on a case, the murderer won't be free for long." She balls her fingers into a fist and gives it a little victory pump. Eliza knows Adelaide should be a politician's wife.
"And with Lord Bradshaw over so often, it's only natural that he and Adelaide are bonding," Bridgette adds with a soft smile, causing rage to radiate through Eliza. She squeezes her hands together and with a matching smile replies, "I'm so glad Penelope's death is bringing you two so close together. Maybe Bridgette here should be murdered to really secure your proposal? Really bond the two of you together." Bridgette and Adelaide stare at Eliza in shock, Bridgette's pink lips part as her jaw drops.
"Please send me an invite to the wedding," Eliza adds, before pushing her way through the two women. Eliza can feel their eyes on the back of her head, but she continues toward St. James Park. If Adelaide wants Colin, she can have him. Eliza isn't looking for love anyway.
Advertisement
- In Serial40 Chapters
Awaken
Gabriella lives alone with her mother who is a well-known artist. She is like every other ordinary girl. Or so... it seems, until she turned 19. Gabriella couldn't wait to start University as she could finally have a chance to start over. High school had been a horrible experience because she had always find it difficult to make friends, especially when she has strange allergies that no one else does. Gabriella hopes to make at least one friend in the new school term. Just one friend at least, I mean how hard can it be? As her life in University begins, she met alluring Res, who draws her in with his confidence. And she met Claudia who became her first roomie. She didn't expect that making friends could be so easy, until it all shattered. Then strange things start happening and Gabriella begins to learn that she is not who she thought she is. The world is not what it seems to be.
8 177 - In Serial44 Chapters
A Freshman and A Senior...Love?
The sequel is "The Senior Still Loves The Freshman"
8 139 - In Serial38 Chapters
Zhanye Black, to be a Superstar in Another World.
A normal boy is reborn in the body of a chubby that has the same name as his, Zhanye Black. But in this strange world, Zy will use his new System to become famous. From a fatty guy, that streams Counter-Strike from his bedroom to a Celestial Prince that will have his face on every corner of the country. This is a Magical Realism/Slice of Life. ** Disclaimer: The book cover design isn't mine, if the author wants me to remove, please email [email protected] I will remove. **
8 99 - In Serial55 Chapters
If Only ✔
To him, she is his best friend To her, he is the love of her lifeIf Only he felt the same way...//////////////////////////////////////////////////DISCRIPTION IS TERRIBLE AND SO IS THE FIRST FEW PARTS BUT PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE GIVE THIS BOOK A CHANCE
8 209 - In Serial25 Chapters
Relief
That smell. That intoxicating aroma is clouding my senses, willing me to follow it. So I do and I find out to whom that smell belongs to.I see how his muscles tense up at my scent. He can feel me. Sense me. He begins to turn around, but before he can even get a glimpse of me, I run. Like I always do. Just as I'm about to make my escape, I feel hands grabbing my waist and slamming me to the wall, trapping me with their body. "Where do you think you're going, mate?"Terra Fern was always used to running from her mate. But what happens when she runs straight into his arms? She's afraid he'll reject her just like her father rejected her mother. . . or so she thought. Sometimes everything is not what it seems. Does everyone get they're happy ending? Find out in my first story ever on wattpad, Relief.Copyright © 2018 | All Rights Reserved | B.S.W Publishing...
8 144 - In Serial14 Chapters
Flower Shops [m.w]
Morgan Wallen was Lacey's older brother's best friend back in Sneedville. They were always attracted to each other but knew they could never really be together seeing as her brother, Mason, was so protective over her. Their relationship/friendship did not end on good terms after Morgan moved to Nashville to start his career. Lacey recently got a job at Big Loud Records, Morgan's record. Now they are both in Nashville far away Sneedville and Mason...
8 85

