Chapter 1

Posted on Tuesday, 27 April 1999

The tale of Miss Eliza begins with woe, I am afraid. For her remarkable story only starts at the death of her father, and last her remaining parent. These sad tidings aside, her regard for any of her father's relations made her decide to accept the offer of his brother to reside at his fine house, Macabernay, and to keep her cousin, Mary, company. And so Elizabeth Banker began her astonishing story.

The trouble was that although the two brothers had been eager company of each other, the two cousins were of much different dispositions. Lady Mary was one of those who believe that people who have not the luck of being her are to be pitied, and this hurt the proud Elizabeth greatly. From the first day, in which Mary had proven determined to find fault, exclaim them as loud as possible, and then announce that she was to correct them, Eliza found a poor friend. And Mary was not pleased with her new playmate either.

And so the unhappy scene starts, at the sitting room, although it should much more be called the fighting room, for what passes on there.

"Dearest Lizzy, do tell me, do you dance?" Was the opening challenge from Mary.

"Indeed, we had some balls at Witershire, and I had the pleasure of attending them." The reply was tossed back.

"Pleasure? Well, here we have finer balls then you can possibly imagine, if you can. Hopefully you will not be awed overmuch, for there is nothing as disagreeable as a lady clearly in wonderment, do you not think?"

"I believe I will not have that falling, cousin Mary."

"And I hope you will behave yourself most pleasingly in front of my friends?"

"Why I had no intention of not behaving myself. I do scorn those in which manners are a hard thing to learn. They seldom worth the effort of teaching."

"Perhaps we shall decide what to wear to the great ball tomorrow? I hope you have clothes enough. One must be fashionable and pleasant in appearance to make an impression."

"I believe I will not worry over much in impression then." Elizabeth was forced to make in reply, and the poor girl was indeed wondering whether her clothes would do. Later, Mary clearly told her that they would not, and forced Elizabeth to agree to wear some hand-me downs from last year. Eliza's pride could not have been more wounded. However, later it was Mary who was wounded when Elizabeth showed up in a simple blue gown, not the garish thing Mary had chosen. Any pleasantries or kindness of either party did not mark the ride to the ball.

At the ball Mary rushed to join her friends, a circle of upper-class youths. At the inquires of some of her gentleman friends she introduced her cousin as "the young lady come to us because she has no where else to go, as poor as she is". Although her cousin did much to slander her, Elizabeth had several offers of dancing. In fact nearly all of Mary's friends had the joy of dancing with Eliza; all save a strange tall man, Lord Normay. Un-at ease, he did not want to dance with any lady in the room, and few could force him to go against his wishes. Mary tried, only to be rebuked, and Eliza paid little notice to him. Only when he sat next to her at the dinner, did she meet him. Mary, who had positioned herself near Lord Normay, in hopes of gaining favor, fanned the two parties' mutual dislike on.

Mary began the conversation. "Lord Normay, I understand you have a house in the country?" And to his answer in the affirmative she began to question him on the house and its garden. Elizabeth sat quietly till she could no longer stand it and began to intrude on the conversation.

"Please, Lord Normay, do you have a library?"

"Why should it concern you, miss…?"

"Elizabeth. And I ask merely because I believe no house complete without one, no matter how small."

"Is that so? And why? It would only serve to distract girls from their dances, boys from their lessons in mathematics, and servants from their work."

"How can you saw such a thing! For all that you mention a little reading, chosen carefully, could only help, not hinder."

Mary seeing as the conversation was slipping away from her grasp chose to her credit that of Lord Normay. "Oh Liz, everyone has their station, and reading only serves to make them unhappy with their lot. Lord Normay is quite right."

"Lady Mary, I only ask that you confer with me, before you twist my words. For I have a mouth enough to speak, albeit not as much or well as you do, and enough wit to guard it I dare say."

"Lord Normay, you are quite unkind to my cousin. Perhaps you should have worded you replies better as to not confuse her."

"I shall try much more in the future to do your biding Miss Elizabeth. But I doubt that it will do much good to you or to her."

And with that the melancholy discussion ended, as all people there had no wish to speak to the other, with the possible exception of Mary to Lord Normay, as she highly valued his land as his wealth as potential riches of a good future husband. Soon they returned to dancing and later to their homes.

Lady Mary was very impression with Lord Normay, and began to chatter on how highly he was in her regard. "Is he not most handsome? And educated? Also, he is ever so kind…"

"Mary, I will grant you his handsomeness, even his education, but kind he is not."

"Liz, you're just mad because he did not fancy you a beauty nor a wit, witch he has ample cause not to."

"Mary I am going to bed, good-bye."

"Jealous!"

Chapter 2

Elizabeth put the disagreeable lord out of her mind for several days. For although her cousin was not pleasant several of her were. The girls would often spend their days play croquet or talking. Mary was in demand because of her fine rank, Elizabeth as a result of her cleverness.

One day the slightly calm peace ended. Lord Normay had decided to join a dinner party held by Miss Margaret Beatort. And Margaret had placed Eliza next to him. Faced at the prospect of a disagreeable time, Elizabeth became rather sad and angry with Margie. As a result, she was in no mood to deal with him.

"Good evening Lord Normay, I trust you are having a pleasant while?"

"No not at all. I find these thing dreadful and the company worse."

"Why pray tell?"

"Because these parties are all composed of foppish men and simpering ladies looking for any sort of husband."

"So you disapprove of their goal to procure one?"

"Indeed. Some girls, especially the poor, ugly ones should concentrate on improving their minds so that they will have one good quality, instead of dancing away nights."

"Then you are much changed from which I last saw you, for then you did not agree for pursuits of reading."

"Not all the while, and not when it is of no business of the person in question to read." But the remark hit its intended mark for he stammered and then fell silent. Fortunately for both of them Margie required the presence of a very relived Elizabeth in the drawing room.

Miss Margie, or MM as she was known, was an amiable, but rather stupid lady. Elizabeth felt sorry for her, as her fiancé had just broken of the marriage. But Margie had found a new love interest (although he was only consolation, at night she still sighed over her lost love) and immediately began talking on the one subject the Elizabeth did not prefer to sitting with Lord Normay.

"Did you know Lord Normay has a fine house? I forget its name but it is spoken of as the pleasantest house in all of England."

"What a shame the house is graced with such an unpleasant owner then."

"Oh dear, he's merely eccentric."

"No, merely rude."

"Good lord Elizabeth, I shall be forced to call him over here to force you two to be friends. He's a powerful man, and there is no sense in creating a powerful enemy."

"I do not wish me an enemy nor a friend of him. I simply wish not to know him, MM."

"Oh, but he is ever so handsome!"

"A wolf in sheep's clothing."

"Do you not miss Mr. Walsam, your loved?"

"He… oh Lizzy, don't mention him at all! He came to me saying he wished to end our acquaintance. Said a friend of his had proved to him that it was not meant to be! Oh lord, what did I do! If I ever find his friend…"

"Normay is friendly with him."

"Don't be stupid Liz. Normay is a gentleman."

Sadly, Margaret could not stop talking about the dark, elegant Normay and Elizabeth was extremely miserable by the end of the night. She resolved never to go near MM. For all three involved little joy nor pleasure was brought out that evening.

Chapter 3

It was a shame that they did not enjoy the evening for there was soon to be a matter that would destroy all hopes of future enjoyable evenings, at least for a while. Lady Mary's mother, Lady Sophia Banker, was of disposition to marry of Mary before her cousin could steal any suitors from her. And there was no one Lady Sophia desired more as a son in law then Lord Normay. As a result of this, he was forced to accept many invitations he wished to decline. And, much to good Eliza's horror, although he was seated next to Mary, he always found time to talk to her.

"What a nuisance, he is quite the most disagreeable man I know." She thought. "It is just my luck that I am the only one who will stand up to him, and therefore he comes to me to argue over petty, trifling things. Good lord, may he get a life, or failing that marry my cousin so that I will be left in peace, soon!"

Finally Lady Sophia felt that she had invited him over enough to broach the delicate topic of marriage.

"Sir, who is mistress of Janeford now?"

"My house has no mistress save my cousin."

"Have you no thought of marriage? I would think that many young ladies would not mind walking to the altar with you, sir."

"But I would mind them. Most ladies are stupid, and the rest are so caught up in their luck to be more intelligent that they are just as horrible."

"Oh but surely no lad such as yourself has naught a heart that could be capture by a pretty face."

"I only admire from a distance pretty faces."

"Well sir, I can only say that by that time you will not know how to address the lucky girl. I have an idea sir, here be two girls, practice on one of them, for she has excellent breeding and a fair talent at acting…"

Lord Normay agreed and walked over to Mary and Elizabeth (who by that time was very mad with the pointed remarks her aunt had been giving her). However, Lady Sophia turned livid as she saw Lord Normay kneel before her niece, and not her "more deserving" daughter.

"Miss Elizabeth, will you marry me? Although you be poor, and have very few connections to make me glad of, I still admire and love you very much."

"No."

"What do you mean?! It would be foolish of you to refuse such a match, and this is only a play to benefit Lady Sophia, girl!"

"Even in jest I detest you so much that I would never say yes, naught even to appease my dear aunt."

"Why, pray tell me?"

"Because you are cruel, and rude and altogether to proud. You think yourself to be the best man on earth, but I have seen better. I would rather marry the beggar out in the street, than you who despise everyone and everything."

"I show everyone the proper respect."

"No, you manipulate them, and show them the bare bones of respect in a manner clearly stating that they do not deserve even that. I have seen you scorn ladies who you know would dearly wish a dance, or even a kind word. The gentlemen you treat just as poorly, with the exception of few of your dearest friends. And if you see two lovers together, you must make sure the match is agreeable to you or you try your best to split them up."

"What proof have you of this?"

"I know Mr. Walsam was to marry my good friend Margie till you convinced him that she did not love him."

"I did not do that."

"But you split the match."

"For other reasons."

"I am sure. Cruel, petty, devilish Lord Normay, you will not have my yes ever."

"I am sorry for that. Lady Sophia, I take my leave."

After he left Lady Sophia began some most unladylike behavior.

"Liz you horrid brat, you have ruined any chance of my darling Mary to unite with him. I am broken. My daughter's happiness is ruined. And 'tis your fault. And to think after all the charity I gave you, all the kindness! Where are my smelling salts, I am faint! Oh Mary, be strong, it is not your fault you have such a jezebel for a cousin! Bring smelling salts for her too, for my darling may faint along side me!"

"I am all right in that manner at least. I will not faint but I am positive distraught with how poorly cousin Liz treated my hopes. First by ensnaring him, then by offending him. He will not look open me again, and it is all your fault LIZ!"

"I did not mean to. And now I regret it most dearly."

"Too late horrid brat, and to think my husband is related to you. Good heavens."

"Oh yes, mama, but perhaps she is a changeling or a devil sent to torment us?"

"I am not. And I will not take this anymore. I thank you for your charity but I am leaving."

"In the rain cuz? Be serious!"

"I am, good-bye."

The two ladies watched the slender figure make her way through the sheets of rain in dismay. How were they to explain this to Lord Banker, who doted upon his niece? How were they to explain this to their friends? Mary's in particular would be disappointed. But those considerations aside, they were happy to see her off. In this case the less the merrier.

"Well, mama, I say good riddance."

"I too. What airs she put on. And she did not realize our kindness at all! And she should remember that she is a mere gentleman's daughter, and since his knighting your father has been above her, and there fore, so are you my girl."

"I am glad that papa inherited her home. She deserves not that pleasure of being mistress over anything!"

"You are right as usual, my bright child. However I hope she is happy with her rash decisions.

But Elizabeth was not happy. Her money would allow her a short lodging at the town inn before she found a job. However, to find the town in the storm was a Herculean task. She began to feel faint, but pressed on. Soon she was very weak and chill till she felt like death himself was embracing her. Shortly after to her horror, she fainted by the roadside.

Chapter 4

Elizabeth awoke and stretched in the large bed.

"A bed?" She thought. "But I was on the road when I last was wake, and by all rights a sea of mud should be greeting me, not these warm blankets, nor these downy pillows."

"You're awake…," Said a tiny voice, as if the owner was afraid of being heard.

"Yes, I am. No, this must be a dream. I am sure of it."

"Oh no. This is Janeford. My cousin found you on the road and brought you here. You would not remember, you had been so feverish."

"And you are?"

"Anne, Lady Anne I suppose. But do call me Annie. I hate Lady Anne so."

"Well, Annie, I think I should rise from this bed and thank your cousin. It was most kind of…"

"Him."

"Why yes." Elizabeth tried to rise, but to her dismay her legs still felt like they were stuck in the mud. However she did manage a few steps before the door open.

"Lord Normay!"

"No Elizabeth, do not curtsey, you're probably still to weak. You were near dead when I found you."

Eliza remembered the conversation from last night… "Mistress of Janeford"… "None save my cousin". This would fit Annie, her house and Lord Normay perfectly.

"I am grateful indeed."

"Then I am happy for you."

"Why, thank you."

"Enough or we shall be at thank yous and you're welcomes all day. Besides my cousin wished to meet you."

"Oh cousin, Elizabeth and I were already talking before you came in."

"Then I am sorry to interrupt, I shall leave."

"Good-bye, cuz!"

"Good-bye Lord Normay."

"Farewell to you both."

"Oh dear" Thought Eliza. "This will be very difficult."

Chapter 5

Aside from some awkwardness, it was not as difficult as she thought. Lord Normay was pleasant in his own home and this knowledge was very troubling to her. When she had last seen him, he had been cold and haughty, but here he was as a good father to Annie, and a gracious host to the worried Elizabeth. However, they still had squabbles of sorts. But those were seldom as violent as the ones at Macabernay and were quickly ended. One day that fragile quiet ended.

"Cousin…"

"Yes Annie?"

"I'm afraid you shall be very angry with me."

"Why dearest cousin?"

"I've taken the liberty of inviting a lady to Janeford for a week."

"How did this come about?"

"I was visiting Lady Mary, you know our Lizzy's cousin?"

"Unfortunately yes."

"And she brought up the subject that I had visited many times without her repaying my visits. So we somehow, somehow agreed that she would come to Janeford…"

"Good Lord, Anne! Did she know that Miss Elizabeth was here?!"

"I don't think so, you told me not to tell anyone, I haven't." As the sentence progressed the voice took on a glimmer of pride. For all her recent failings, she had not failed her dearest relative in that respect.

"When is she to come?"

"Today, sir."

"Anne, that is to be all, please leave."

As she left he sighed and ran his hand through his hair. How hard it was to manage a household, even without a wife.

"Thank god I am not married. That would be horrible beyond words," He thought.

Chapter 6

"Oh dear, dear Lady Anne, Janeford is glorious! Monstrously pretty too."

"Thank you Lady Mary."

"I am so pleased to be invited to this darling place. Ooh, a lake! My dear, you never told me about the lake!"

"It must have slipped my mind."

"Have you any other guests?"

"One."

"Let me meet the lucky person! I dare say I feel like I am fitting right in, as if I was your cousin's bride or something of the sorts. Do let me see him."

"He is in his study."

"Then come on." Poor Annie was dragged across the courtyard and through the house by the strong Mary, who had only one goal in mind- to become mistress of Janeford. What she saw was quite discouraging to her budding plans of white gowns and invitations.

"Check make, Lord Normay."

"Elizabeth you are to good by half. I have never been beaten before in my life, or at least in the near past. Where did you learn to play?"

"Nowhere sir, but I dare say that you would have won but for that false move."

"Yes, well you shall not catch me next time quite as eas…"

"Liz! What are you doing here! At Janeford of all places!"

"Lord Normay was quite kind and took me in, Cousin Mary."

"Oh. Well, be warned Lord Normay, she does little to repay any kindness of lodging."

To this Eliza blushed, a little ashamed of how she had stormed off that cold, rainy night.

"I am sure that it will not be a problem here, Lady Mary. For at Janeford, our kindness is always that of the kind that is always easy to repay. However at other houses…" It was Lord Normay to her rescue.

"Well, then I am glad of that. I do dislike seeing anyone mistreat you Lord Normay." Mary planned to simper and flatter her way into a bride's veil, and Elizabeth would not change her plans.

"Anne, show Lady Mary her room."

"Yes, sir."

"Farewell, my lord."

"Good-bye, Lady Mary."

After Anne led, or more accurately was led by, Mary Elizabeth expressed her wonder at her cousin's arrival. To this Lord Normay gave only monosyllabic answers and told her, coldly, to leave him in peace.

Chapter 7

"Anne?" Mary was at it again.

"Yes?" The persistent Lady Mary wore down even the cheery Annie.

"Do you think your cousin will marry soon?"

"Ask him, he's sitting across the room. Its not that far."

"No, Lady Mary, I am not closer to marriage than I was yesterday! Especially not to certain ladies."

"What a pity. I know several young ladies that would delight in Janeford."

"How pleasant for them."

"And I hear almost daily of their plans to capture you."

"Good exercise for their brains then."

"La, sir!"

"Annie, I wish to talk to you in my study." Lord Normay clearly had no patience toady for games. He seemed very distracted and nervous. Maybe that was why he forgot that he had pledged to himself never to leave Mary and Elizabeth alone.

"Yes sir." Annie was too overwhelmed by him to consider the problems of a private meeting between Mary and Elizabeth.

Mary stood very still till she was sure she was alone. Then grabbing Elizabeth by the hair she yanked with all her might.

"You cheap flirt! You have designs on him too! You fled only to make me look bad and to let him rescue you! But I can be repaid for my kindness, and I think now's the time…"

"Mary, stop. You were always the horrible mean one. He'd never like you, he's too decent!"

The tussle wore on. Finally Elizabeth was gaining the advantage. Perhaps all the riding had helped…

"If you promise to never marry him, and to leave Janeford I won't hurt you Liz."

"No! I won't promise that. Besides I doubt he'd marry you if I wasn't available."

Elizabeth then was about to hit her cousin when the door opened.

"Lord Normay, oh do help me! She was about to hit me!" Mary had carried the talent of tattle tailing past her childhood years.

"Elizabeth?"

But Eliza did not stay to hear more. She ran from the room, out in to the garden, to the lake. Why did Mary have to ruin everything for her? She moped and felt miserable. Even when a carriage bearing an in disgrace Mary pulled away she did not go in. Inner turmoil and her shame kept her locked away amid the bushes.

"'Lizabeth? Come out? It's nearly dark…?" But the gentle edge of kindness in Lord Normay's voice only made her cry more.

"There you are. No don't cry. I don't see any reason for you to sob in my shrubbery."

"Oh, Lord Normay, you see I hit back. I was just as bad as Mary was, worse even for I was taught to hold my temper. I'm so ashamed of you seeing me behave that poorly. I'd understand if you want me to leave."

"No, no, no. If anything I want you to stay. You see… I called away Annie to ask if she'd like a cousin-in-law. Both she and I would only have you in that position."

"You mean…?"

"I do. Are you going to refuse me again?"

"How… how could I? I would be most honored."

"Then thank you."

"Lets not start that again. We'd be wasting time."

"Why, you're right Lady Normay."

"Absolutely, Lord Normay."