An Inescapable Attraction by Sydney Jane Baily

Author:Sydney Jane Baily [Baily, Sydney Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ePublishing Works!
Published: 2014-06-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Misgiving roiled in Eliza's stomach like butter in a churn as the train neared Boston. She thought of Tennyson's Lady of Shalott, who was "half sick of shadows." Far beyond half sick of trains as she passed through Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, Eliza decided if she never got on one again as long as she lived, it would be too soon.

That was childish—she knew she'd have to get on a train again eventually to get back home. But as much as she wearied of the feel of the tracks, she felt equally nervous at getting off the train and facing Thaddeus's sister.

She'd once told Sophie Dalcourt, who was then still Sophie Malloy, Reed's middle sister and, thus, Charlotte's sister-in-law, that she had never read Charlotte's work. That was one of the few lies she'd ever told, that and pretending to be in love with Riley Dalcourt.

Eliza had, indeed, read Charlotte's articles whenever she came across one and knew her to be a talented writer. But she had trouble thinking of Charlotte as anything other than Thaddeus's too-clever sister, the one she'd loved to torment because she envied Charlotte her family.

That was before the cholera took half of Charlotte's family, and they'd stood more as equals when the devastation was over. Except Charlotte had a brother who meant everything to Eliza, while she had only her father, domineering, controlling, loving, and powerful. Until he wasn't anymore, until he was dying.

And as she'd dreaded would happen, Eliza ended up alone in the world, whereas Charlotte somehow, against all odds, stood surrounded by family—husband, children, brother, and in-laws.

In preparation for living by herself, Eliza knew early on during her father's illness that she had to present the strongest appearance to the world; otherwise, every man jack would walk all over her as soon as she became an orphan. No matter what property or businesses she owned, if anyone believed she didn't have a spine of pure steel and a hot temper to go with it, why she'd be bear bait or worse. So, she got engaged to Riley and maintained her independence at the same time.

And then she lost it to Stoddard. That had been a blow. She'd been careless and arrogant, not to mention reckless because a part of her didn't care about her past, her holdings, or even her future. A part of her grieved for her lost hopes and dreams.

Now, she headed into the dragon's den, as she'd come to think of Charlotte's home, protected by Reed and his family, too—all strong women who dearly loved Charlotte, according to Thaddeus. And here she was with a reluctant knight, who would no more defend her against his sister than wear a lady's corset and pigtails.

Trying to rest, Eliza tossed and wriggled, unable to get comfortable on the narrow bed in the sleeper car, certain she'd never sleep. However, when she opened her eyes, her cabin was light with early morning sun and Thaddeus was bending over her.

She clenched her hands into fists to stop herself from reaching up and pulling him down to her for a kiss.

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