Chapter 1
Things would be different now. Or at least that's what Eliza kept mumbling to herself during her carriage ride. Her mother had sent her to Paris in order to regain some of her independence. Her father had died the year prior; and Eliza played the dutiful daughter role beautifully. Now that her mother had found a companion, Eliza was left thrown to the wind. Though it had been a short year, she wasn't completely sure how she would live on her own let alone make ends meet. Her father's inheritance only left her with a few hundred a month, that would not be enough for her to afford a flat. Not to mention how inauspicious it would be to have a woman live on her own in a city as big as Paris.
Taking in a big sigh Eliza turned her head to peer out the carriage window, breathing in as much fresh air as she could. There was also the fact that she had nowhere else to advert her eyes; they newlywed couple she shared the carriage with were awfully handsy. Just another reminder to Eliza that she was not wed and that her ring finger was still bare. Eliza had speculated that her mother hadn't just sent her to Paris for independence. No that would be to kind of her mother. She had to have an ulterior motive; she wanted to see her daughter wed and grandchildren to spoil. Which Eliza had found odd since her mother was never really keen on family. Funny enough her mother had a cousin who worked at the Opera Popular as a ballet mistress.
Eliza had dabbled in Ballet, like any well raised English girl. but never really found a strong connection to it. Also, the fact that she had the amount of grace as a clubbed foot pelican didn't really aid her. What had really captured her interest was literature, oh how she dreamed to publish a book of her own one day. But as a woman publishing a book that isn't about nursery rhymes or cooking would prove to be near impossible. No, she wanted to write of real issues of things that could catch the attention of a reader and strike a spark of inspiration. Another deep sigh escaped Eliza lungs and made it way out of her mouth in a very audible and obvious way. So much so that it caused her fellow passengers to finally come up for a breath of air and acknowledge her presence.
"So, you're Paris bound, right?" The woman spoke first and gave Eliza a small smile. For the first time Eliza took in the woman's appearance. She was quite pretty and was dressed just as well. Instantly Eliza felt herself shrink in comparison, she'd always been plain and when compared to the pretty curly blonde haired woman she felt even more so.
"Yes, you're quite right, I am here to find employment and a life of my own." Eliza returned the smile but she didn't mean it to be as friendly. Why couldn't people just leaver alone?
"Oh my," The woman let out a small giggle, causing Eliza to raise an eyebrow, "how proper and dignified you are, a true English woman!" The fool continued to giggle to herself as her new husband indulged her in her antics.
"I don't see what being English has to do with one carrying herself with propriety and dignity." Eliza set her lips straight and thing, hoping that her expression would be enough to make the foolish woman realize her transgressions. But yet again fate would prove to be cruel as the woman looked at her husband with her big brown doe eyes. The two shared a loving glance and the woman turned her attention back to Eliza.
"We've just come home from our honeymoon, you see we were married in a small ceremony a week prior. His mother did not approve of me so we had to elope, it was the most romantic ceremony ever." The woman leaned her head on her husband's shoulder.
"Are you, perhaps meeting a significant other in Paris? Oh! Does your mother in law not approve of you either! You poor dear!" The woman then grabbed Eliza hand in desperation and began patting it, as if they'd been lifelong friends. Slowly Eliza withdrew her hand from the woman and inhaled sharply. She hated these conversations.
"No, I do not have a husband or anyone waiting for me in Paris. I am on my own these days." Eliza winced as soon as the answer left her mouth she knew what the next question would be.
"Oh my, well how old are you? Surely old enough to travel without a governess, we French know how you English like your governesses, but not young enough to not be wed already?" Now Eliza had both of the couple's attention on her.
"I am twenty-two, I shall be twenty-three in late spring this year." Eliza avoided their eyes as she felt her cheeks grow hot.
"Oh… well maybe there's still hope for you in Paris." At that the Woman's husband had finally nudged his wife.
"Dear, perhaps we should let our friend here rest, after all she has a long journey ahead of her as do we." For a moment Eliza was grateful to the man, his wife sure was talkative. Eliza would give it four months before he finally cracked. For the rest of the journey Eliza either slept or watched the towns go by out of her window. It wouldn't be long now before she reached Paris and could start a new life. The only question was how she was going to go about it.