Eliza woke early, as was her custom, pushing herself up on her elbows. She had slept deeply for what felt like the first time in many months. Now that the worry and concern over Lord Penn was gone, her burden had vanished. The Williams necklace was safely back in her wardrobe, soon to make the journey home.

The thought of what Lord Penn had tried to do caused her to shiver, but she knew he would never be able to come near her again. The earl was to pay all of her father’s debts, so Lord Penn would have no cause to even cross her path. Why had he shown her such kindness after speaking to her so callously? It did not make sense. And why did he lie to her and make her believe he was a gardener?

Dressing quickly, Eliza was determined to make her way to the woods, in search of Phillip – no, Anthony. She would thank him profusely for saving her, and then take her leave, knowing that her job was done. She could not leave his estate without ensuring she let him know the depths of her gratitude.

Anthony sat in the clearing, dressed in his shirt and old boots. He had started a fire, hoping that she would come to him. He longed to see her again, to explain himself and to beg for her forgiveness. He kicked a chunk of wood morosely, thinking that he had hoped in vain.

“My lord?”

Spinning on his heel, Anthony saw Eliza coming towards him, dressed simply and with her blonde hair in a braid, as it had been the first time they met. “Eliza,” he breathed, rushing forward to take her hand.

“My lord,” she began again, taking her hand from his. “I have to come to thank you for your generosity towards my family and me. Father’s debts are vast, and there is no reason for you to pay them. Regardless, I must thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have saved me from a great deal of trouble.” She curtsied, intending to move away, but Anthony stopped her, his hand grasping her arm.

“Eliza, please,” he implored. “Won’t you let me explain? Please, I beg of you.” Such was the desperation in his voice that she had no choice but to acquiesce, seating herself on the tree stump, the familiar scene tugging at her heart.

"I must beg your forgiveness for my behavior last evening. I spoke words of such cruelty, and the look on your face told me how much I'd pained you." He swallowed hard, his eyes searching her impassive face. "I happened upon Lord Stockton and yourself in an embrace the previous evening, and I believed you to be using me, making me feel like a fool for falling in love with you."

Eliza colored immediately, remembering the scene. "Oh, Anthony, it was not what you thought! Yes, I had asked John to kiss me, but it was to see if I felt the way I did with you." She covered her red cheeks with her hands. "It became apparent that I did not, and so we parted ways."

“He is now betrothed to your sister,” Anthony replied gently.

“Yes, yes,” Eliza replied, getting to her feet. “And I wished them both a lifetime of happiness. It appears that they have longed for each other for a while, but John’s attention to propriety was all that was hindering him.” She gazed at him, her hands on her hips, exasperated by the muddle they were in. “Anthony, I must ask why you lied to me. You made a fool of me, and I don’t understand why you didn’t tell me your true identity when we first met.”

“Eliza, you must forgive me on that account as well,” answered Anthony. “I only hid my identity so you would open up to me about how the guests truly felt about me. I did not expect to fall in love with you.”

Eliza thought about his confession, and said, “Well, things would have turned out much differently if I did know your true identity. I would never have opened up to you, and I certainly wouldn’t have told you of my troubles.” She looked Anthony in the eyes, “But, you must promise never to tell falsehoods again.”

Anthony got to his feet, making his way towards her. “I promise. I will always tell you the truth, even if it’s something you don’t want to hear. Oh, Eliza, I have been such a fool,” he confessed, holding out his hand. “If only I had asked you before coming to my conclusions about you and Lord Stockton, I might have spared us both this heartache.”

Eliza glanced down at his open hand and then back up into his face. Anthony had asked for her forgiveness, and she was willing to give it. She loved him too much to hold a grudge, taking his hand in her own. “I waited for you in the woods yesterday morning,” she said quietly. “I wanted to confess something to you.”

“What was that?” Anthony asked, his hands now slowly sliding around her waist.

“I wanted to confess my love for you,” she whispered. “Gardener or not, I know that my heart belongs to you.”

“And you hold mine,” Anthony replied, lowering his head. Their kiss was soft and sweet, both a promise of love and a giving of forgiveness.