Lord Runthorne's Dilemma: A Regency Romance (23 page)

There was a low, mewling sound and
Elizabeth realised, shocked, that it was coming from her own throat. How she managed, she could not say, but somehow she wrenched her lips away. “No,” she said. “I will not be distracted this way.” She was breathless, as though she had been running.

“
You find me distracting?” He smiled, but there was an expression in his eyes that made Elizabeth step back out of his loosened grasp. She longed for him to kiss her again, for him to look at her like that forever. She did not trust herself to remain so close.

“
What I feel is immaterial,” she said. “You may believe Miss Lacey will not marry you now, but you have not taken account of Lady Delphine. She always gets what she wants.”

Lord
Runthorne smiled at her. “So do I.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Runthorne kept smiling, although it pained him to see Elizabeth look so cynical. If she thought Lady Delphine would best him, she was in for a surprise. Lady Delphine was not omnipotent, despite what everyone seemed to think.

Elizabeth
strode ahead. Not for her the mincing steps so beloved of Society. His smile deepened as he admired the gentle sway of her hips. He followed, only taking his place by her side when she turned to frown enquiringly at him.

He offered her his arm.
She hesitated and Runthorne could not help remembering the way her eyes had strayed to his bare forearms earlier. He watched as she bit her lip. A lip that was still bruised from his kiss.

“
Is there anything else worrying you, Elizabeth?”

“
Of course not,” she said, but she did not take his arm, speeding her steps a little. He had her rattled, he knew and he did not think he should be blamed for being pleased. They strolled in silence, until the house came into view.

“
I have not yet seen your aunt’s folly,” he said when they stopped. “It is dedicated to Aphrodite, I understand. Would you show it to me, my love?”

She started, as though she had forgotten he was there.
“Lord Runthorne,” she said.

“
Please, call me James.”

She sighed, and he
saw the tension leave her. “James,” she said. Then her eyes strayed over his shoulder. “I am not sure that would be a good idea,” she said.

He
was sure that that was not what she had intended to say. He turned to see what had caught her attention. Lady Delphine was walking with undignified haste towards them, Aurelia in tow.

“
Runthorne, a moment if you will,” Lady Delphine called, her voice artificially pleasant.

“
You would not be so cruel as to abandon me, Elizabeth,” he said for her ears only.

“
Oh no, my lord,” she said, with just a hint of amusement in her sad eyes. “You assured me that you were a match for Lady Delphine, you have no need of my protection.”

She
swept him a curtsey that held more than a little irony and strode away.

“
That young woman should learn to comport herself with more decorum,” Lady Delphine said, as she reached him. Her eyes narrowed as she watched Elizabeth walk away. “Such ill-breeding.”

“
Balked of your prey, Lady Delphine?”

Lady Delphine turned up her nose.
“I am sure I do not understand you, Runthorne. I was merely commenting on the poor manners of young people today. Not like my dearest child,” she added, dragging her daughter forward.

Aurelia,
he noted with concern, was looking miserable. He could not help wondering what she had suffered. Lady Delphine’s tongue was sharp at the best of times. To be thwarted by her own daughter would have sat ill with her. Especially with the defection of her husband to add to the insult.

“
My Aurelia,” Lady Delphine continued, oblivious to his thoughts, “has the virtue of a gentle nature.”

“
Trust me, Lady Delphine, I am fully conversant with Miss Lacey’s virtues.”

The
glance Aurelia sent him told him that she, at least, was aware of the double edge to that comment. Lady Delphine’s bosom swelled with relief.

“
Then I have no doubt we can put your foolish argument behind us and look to a happy future. You have my permission to call her by her name, again. Now, my dear foolish Aurelia has something she wishes to say to you.”

Runthorne
had fended off the pretensions of many match-making mamas before, but even he felt a slight chill at the expression in Lady Delphine’s eyes. He was about to make a swift retreat but there was something about Aurelia’s haunted expression that made him change his mind.

“
Perhaps Miss Lacey would care to walk with me for a moment,” he said, instead.

“
We shall be delighted,” Lady Delphine said.

“
Alone.”

Lady Delphine tapped him playfully, but painfully, with her fan.
“Now Runthorne, you know I cannot allow that.”

He raised his brow.
“Alone or not at all.”

Lady Delphine opened and closed her fan with a snap.
“Oh, very well, I shall stay here.”

“
You are all generosity, Lady Delphine.”

He
guided Aurelia away and they walked in silence until he was sure they were well out of earshot. The maze crouched on their left and Runthorne turned their steps away from it.

“
Well,” he said, finally, “what is it that you wish to say?”

Aurelia
’s face was set, her eyes turned to the horizon. “I wish to apologise, my lord,” she said in a stilted voice. “Please understand that I am young and can be foolish. Mr Compton,” her voice faltered but she rallied. “Mr Compton has been most kind and attentive and I fear that I have allowed his admiration to turn my head. I have said things I did not mean and beg you to forgive me.”

She clasped her hands together.
“When we are married I will of course, bow to your wishes.”

“
I see.” He watched Aurelia’s face. Her cheek was as pale as wax and she would not meet his eyes. “Well, that was a pretty speech. Now, what do you really want to say?”

He had startled her and now she met his eyes.
“I beg your pardon?”

He
sighed. “Foolish child, I see your mouth move, but it is your mother’s words I hear. Such humility is not worthy of you. You are a fighter.”

He
knew that he had offended her. She was glaring at him. “Good, that is more like it,” he said.

“
Now, tell me, Aurelia, what is it that you truly want? A title? I am not the only one who can give it to you. Do you want wealth? Again I am not the only gentleman who can keep you in comfort. In fact there are a number of elderly gentlemen who can give you all that and not inconvenience you too much.”

“
Stop it,” she said. “You make it sound so sordid. Is it so wrong to want to be comfortable? Mother says…” She broke off.

“
Indeed,” he said. “Your mother. Now, I will ask you again, what is it that
you
want?”

Aurelia stamped her foot.
“Why are you making this so hard?”

“
Because, believe it or not, my dear child, I care enough for you that I would like you to be happy.”

She stared at him, her eyes wide in astonishment.

He tapped her chin. “Close your mouth, my dear.” He steered them towards a low stone bench and sat her down. “I want you to answer me honestly. Do you have a
tendre
for Mr Compton?”

A slow flush stained
her cheeks. “I do not know what you mean,” she said, gazing at her hands.

“
Aurelia.”

She glanced at him, startled,
and then frowned down at her gloved hands. “I do not know,” she said, at last. “No, my lord, truly I do not know. He is so kind. He listens to me, I mean he really listens. Most gentlemen, you as well, my lord, do not seem to see beyond my face. I see their eyes glaze over as I speak, as though I can say nothing worthy of interest. Mr Compton’s do not.”

Runthorne
nodded, recognising the truth of her words. “My apologies for not listening, my dear.”

“
It does not matter,” she said, waving his apology away. “I suppose you are listening now.” She ducked her head, in thought. “I am comfortable with Mr Compton,” she said, slowly as though examining her feelings for the first time. “I know that I will always be safe with him. When he is sad or worried, it makes me unhappy. He makes me feel important, cared for.”

Then she sighed,
appearing more vulnerable than he had ever seen her. “But what does it matter, my lord? Mother would never countenance a marriage there. She has her heart set on you and that is what she will have.”

“
We had a very public argument, Aurelia,” Runthorne said, gently. “I do not expect anyone would believe we will reconcile.”

“
Mother thinks it can be hushed up. She is determined to try.”

“
I am afraid that is impossible. I am not willing to play her game.”

Aurelia looked frightened.
“You do not understand, she is already making my life miserable. What will become of me if it is known that I jilted you? I do not think I could live like Miss Hampton, snubbed by Society, always at home. Mother would never forgive me.”

He
sat down beside her. “Firstly, the situation is quite different. No official notice has been sent out, you may thank your father for that, and you are not jilting me on our wedding day. You are hardly the first lady to mistake her heart.”

“
Perhaps it would have been better if Papa had sent the notice,” Aurelia sagged in defeat.

“
Do you really believe that?” He smiled. “Does it not strike you as odd that he did not send it?”

“
Papa is not the most organised of men.”

“
I think you do your father a disservice,” he said. “I have noted that, when he wants to do something, he does it. I think your father cares for you more than you realise. Perhaps you should ask him to help you.”

Aurelia gave a tired smile.
“You do not know Papa like I do. He has never stirred himself to help me or my sister.”

“
And yet last night he came to your defence. I wonder, have you ever asked him for help?”

Now Aurelia blinked
. She seemed surprised. “No,” she said.

“
Then perhaps it is time you did,” he said. “As for Mr Compton, you might be uncertain of your feelings, but I am sure of his.”

Runthorne
stood and drew Aurelia to her feet. “He cares for you, my dear, enough to fight for you if necessary.”

Aurelia blushed again.
“Do you really think so?”

He
laughed. “I know so, you foolish child. Go. Tell your mother you did your best but that I spurned you. Then go and mend your broken heart with Mr Compton.”

For the first time he could remember Aurelia gave him a genuine smile and her
lovely face became truly beautiful. “Thank you, my lord,” she said and walked away.

Runthorne
shook his head then set off himself. It was time he had a private word with Mr Lacey.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Elizabeth wanted to be alone. She slipped into her room, her emotions in turmoil. On the one hand she knew she loved James but, on the other she was sure she should still be insulted.

He thought you were Alice
’s mother and he still has not asked you to marry him. He kisses you as though you were a lightskirt.

And you like it.

Elizabeth stopped that thought. She exchanged her gown for an old wool dress she used for gardening. Perhaps if she occupied her hands, her incorrigible conscience might stop bothering her. She tied the ribbon of her ugly chip straw hat. Its one virtue was that it was large enough to keep the sun completely off her face and shoulders.

Once ready she turned to the servant stairs that led out onto the terrace.
At the bottom of the stairs she opened a cupboard and took out a pair of old gardening gloves, a basket and a pair of secateurs. Fresh flowers were needed for the dining room, she decided.

Outside she hesitated.
Roses or lilac, she wondered? There was some clematis that might look pretty or maybe some honeysuckle would be suitable. She started towards the flower garden. Then she stopped. Charles and Mary were plainly visible wandering aimlessly between the flowerbeds. She loved them both dearly, but did not, with her heart still torn, feel that she could intrude. Instead she turned her feet towards the walled rose garden. Perhaps roses would be more appropriate after all, she thought.

The gate
creaked a little as she opened it. She made a mental note to ask one of the gardeners to oil it. The heady scent of sun-warmed roses greeted her, almost overwhelming in its intensity. Somewhere a lazy bee droned amongst the flowers and, in the centre of the garden, the fountain played, providing some relief from the heat.

Walking slowly along the paved path,
Elizabeth paused now and then to snip a bloom and lay it in her basket. The steady, repetitive work soothed her until she was able to examine her emotions without agitation.

That she loved
James, she did not deny. How could she? But did she trust him? Elizabeth sighed. She stroked the white rose in front of her. Yes, she trusted him. Or at least she trusted that he spoke the truth when he said he loved her.

The gravel path crunched under her feet as she continued to another rosebush.
These roses were a delicate pink, like a child’s cheek. She snipped and laid the perfect blooms with the others in her basket, her mind turning to the next issue. But if James was not free to marry her, if Lady Delphine prevailed, what did that mean for her?

She examined another of the pink roses,
searching for any blemish. There was none. If James failed her, this is what her life would remain, she decided. Not for her a home and family of her own. She loved him and always would. She could not settle for anyone else. Even as she thought it, she felt that it was right. Leaving the bush of pink roses, she turned to another of red.

The deep, velvety red glowed in
the sunlight and the scent was heady in the heat. Elizabeth drew in a deep breath and gently touched one of the roses with her fingertip. The petals were soft, warm from the sun. She dropped her hand. The flowers were too beautiful to take, she decided and moved on.

Rounding a corner, she heard voices approaching.
Lady Delphine’s voice was strident on the still air.

“
I do not understand you, Aurelia,” she said.

Miss Lacey
’s answer, if there was one, was too soft for Elizabeth to hear.

Elizabeth
turned quickly, not wishing to witness the argument. As she turned, her skirt flared out and brushed against one of the rose bushes and caught. Placing her basket on the path, Elizabeth bent, becoming hidden by the rosebush, and tried to untangle her skirt without tearing it.

“
All you need is a little determination. I cannot believe you have given up so easily,” Lady Delphine continued, oblivious to Elizabeth’s embarrassed presence.

“
Lord Runthorne does not love me, Mother,” Miss Lacey said, her voice clearer now that they were in earshot. The crunch of their footsteps on the gravel path stopped. Elizabeth barely breathed. Only the rosebush separated them from her.

“
What does that matter? Really Aurelia I thought that you had more sense. He has a title. What has possessed you to throw that away?”

Elizabeth
’s skirt was still tangled, but she stopped trying to pull it free, interested despite herself, in Miss Lacey’s answer.

Her
sigh spoke volumes. “Mother, I know he has a title,” she said, “but if I do not love him and he does not love me, what good would that do me?”

From Lady Delphine
’s gasp, Miss Lacey might have blasphemed. “It is status, Aurelia. Everything I have worked for and you want to throw it away for some addle-brained notions about love.” There was a sob in her voice.

“
Listen to me, my darling,” she said, after a moment’s silence, “love is a frame of mind, an aberration if you will. With a little fortitude you will fall in love with Runthorne, if that is so important to you. As for him, how could he fail to be fond of you? You are a beautiful girl, Aurelia, any man would be proud to have you as his wife. You would learn how to manage him.”

Elizabeth
raised her eyebrows at the thought of anyone being able to manage James.

“
If having a daughter married to a marquess is so important to you, why did you not throw Amanda at his head? You only got a viscount for her.”

“
Please try not to be so foolish, Aurelia. Runthorne was not a marquess then.” Lady Delphine sounded exasperated. “I would hardly waste your sister on someone who might not succeed to the title. A pretty fool I would be with a plain ‘Sir James’ as a son-in-law.”

“Then I do not understand. Why did you interfere in his betrothal to Miss Hampton?”

Elizabeth held her breath, listening.

“You silly girl.
You were in the schoolroom then, but I could see you were going to be a diamond. I wanted him to be free for you. But only if he succeeded to the title, of course.”

There was a
small pause. “Mother, forgive me if I misunderstand you. Are you actually saying that you interfered between Lord Runthorne and Miss Hampton on the mere
possibility
of him becoming a marquess?”

“
Do not sound so disapproving, Aurelia. I am your mother and deserving of your respect.”

Elizabeth
heard Lady Delphine sigh.

“
My dearest child,” Lady Delphine continued after a moment, “I know what I am talking about. I might have married anyone, I had a duke courting me, but I had to throw that away to marry your father. He may not have had a title, but he had the wealth my family needed.”

“
Did you love him? Even a little?” Miss Lacey sounded sad, Elizabeth thought.

“
Not as you mean it, Aurelia, but I have come to care for him. Do not look at me like that. It does not matter what I share with your father, just understand that I want you to have the title I sacrificed.”

“
Do you regret that?”

“
No, Aurelia,” Lady Delphine said, sounding a little surprised at her own words. “It was for my family and your father is a good man. I truly have grown fond of him. But that is beside the point. There is no reason for you to be sacrificed. You can have comfort
and
a title.”

The footsteps started again and
Elizabeth pulled frantically at her skirt.

“
It is that Mr Compton,” Lady Delphine continued. “His attentions have turned your head. You just put him out of your mind.”

With an ugly rending sound,
Elizabeth’s skirt finally came free, but it was too late. Lady Delphine and Miss Lacey turned the corner and saw her, half sprawled on the ground.

“
You.” Lady Delphine’s voice chilled Elizabeth to the core. “This is your fault, you shameless hussy. What do you think you are doing, eavesdropping on a private conversation?”

“
I was not,” Elizabeth said.

Lady Delphine
’s eyes glittered. “A liar too,” she said. “If it were not for you Runthorne would be happy with Aurelia.”

“
Mother, you cannot blame Miss Hampton.”

“
Be quiet, Aurelia.”

“
No, Mother. Listen to me. I do not want to marry Lord Runthorne and he does not want to marry me. Do you understand?”

“
You will do as I say.”

“
I however will not.”

Elizabeth
started and turned. Lady Delphine’s raised voice had masked James’ approach. Hovering behind him was Mr Lacey.

“
Runthorne,” Lady Delphine’s laugh was shrill. “How you startled me. Now do not, please take what I said amiss. I know Aurelia can be a little wilful, but she truly cares for you. Only her pride made her speak in such an unbecoming manner.”

James
raised his hand. “Please stop,” he said. He smiled at Elizabeth and she felt warmed, as though the sun had come out from behind a cloud. He helped her to her feet, but did not release her hand.

“
Miss Lacey,” he continued, “thank you for releasing me from our betrothal. I have no doubt you are right, we would not suit.”

“
Now see what you have done, you idiot child,” Lady Delphine said.

“
Delphine, that is enough.” Everyone turned and looked at Mr Lacey. He seemed as startled as they were by his interruption. “Yes,” he continued, straightening his shoulders. “Delphine, that is quite enough, I have indulged you and your whims but no more. You may have had the raising of our daughters, but I will not allow you to ruin their happiness. If Aurelia truly does not wish to marry Lord Runthorne, then she shall not. I for one am fully appreciative of his lordship’s forbearance in this matter.”

He raised his hand as Lady Delphine opened her mouth.
“Furthermore, my dear, should Mr Compton decide to approach me, I will look favourably on his suit. If that is what Aurelia wishes.”

He coughed.
“Now come along, my dear, it is time we left the young people to a little privacy.”

To
Elizabeth’s amazement, Lady Delphine did not protest this form of address. Instead her face seemed to crumple and, for one moment, Elizabeth felt a stir of sympathy for the older woman.

“
Come, my love,” Mr Lacey said, again. He held his hand out to his wife. Now he spoke low and intimately. “Leave it be, Delphine.”

“
Oh, Henry,” Lady Delphine’s voice trembled, but she moved to his side and he led her away.

“
Goodness,” Miss Lacey said into the silence. “I have never seen Mother so…” She waved her hand as though she could not find a word strong enough to encompass what they had seen. Elizabeth did not blame her. She, too, was amazed at Lady Delphine’s capitulation.

“
Miss Lacey,” James said, formal now. “I wonder if you would be so good as to grant me and Miss Hampton a little privacy.”

For a moment
Elizabeth thought Miss Lacey would turn mulish at being dismissed. Her lower lip protruded for a moment, but then she smiled and curtseyed. “But of course, my lord.”

It all seemed very odd to
Elizabeth, as though some game was being played out.

“
I believe,” James said to Miss Lacey’s back, “that I saw Mr Compton by the folly. He seemed a little in need of company.”

The smile
Miss Lacey sent back made Elizabeth blink. “Why thank you, my lord, I shall remember that,” she said and departed, speeding her steps.

Elizabeth
turned. James was gazing at her intently, his eyes dark with some unvoiced emotion that spoke directly to her. His look was as tangible as a caress and she felt a shiver of anticipation. For the first time she was nervous being alone with him. It was as though there were no barriers between them now. For all that there were inches between them she could feel his heat as though his body was pressed close against hers.

She took a step back and licked her lips.
“Perhaps I should go, too,” she said, her voice husky.

James
reached out and touched her cheek lightly with his fingertips. “You and I have unfinished business, Elizabeth,” he said. His voice sounded as rough as hers.

Elizabeth
lifted her chin. She would not give in to the urge to step towards him. She had her pride. “You are demanding, my lord,” she said, in a vain attempt to appear disinterested. She cleared her throat and saw James smile, a slow smile that made her feel weak.

“
If you think you can browbeat me like Mr Lacey did Lady Delphine then you are sorely mistaken.”

“
I would not dream of browbeating you,” James said, his fingers cupping her cheek now. His voice was as intimate as an embrace.