Page 13 of Love Abandoned

Chapter Six

Who could refrain,

That had a heart to love, and in that heart

Courage to make ’s love known?

—Shakespeare,Macbeth

Elizabeth was herusual punctual self and appeared downstairs on the hour. Resplendent in a blue much richer than her morning gown’s, her hair piled high, with enticing tendrils licking her delicate neck, she looked regal and far too delicious. He had to take her pelisse from Hastings and help her into it in order to distract his far-too-attentive body. It didn’t help that the scent of her stirred more memories, tantalizing ones. He left Hastings to finish assisting her and strolled into the library. If he hadn’t taken an opportunity to adjust himself, it would have been deuced uncomfortable walking to the carriage.

He draped a fur over Elizabeth’s lap and sat across from her on the bench, continuing to fight lecherous fancies, until he spied her slippers. Her feet were wedged awkwardly in her pattens, which looked as though they were too large. Which they must be. He had held those feet in his hands last evening, and they were nothing to match the size of those shoes.

“Are your feet so swollen?” he asked. Even in the dim lamplight, he could see her faint blush.

“My right one remains tender. I suspect the nail will take some time to grow in,” she said, looking at her feet and not at him.

“Then you must buy some more while you wait,” he said, oddly irritated as he looked at her shoes. Did she assume he would begrudge her purchasing temporary shoes? “Those are quite…” He hesitated, realizing how insulting he sounded.

“Clownish?” she supplied, wiggling her feet. “Should I add red triangles to my cheeks and rouge my lips?”

He was taken off guard by her quiet giggle, and when he looked up, his eyes were drawn to those lips she so casually referenced. Merriment danced in her slight smile, but sinful pleasure was promised by those sweet bows. His blood heated, and he was once again uncomfortable, but he could not look away from her lips. “I was going to say ridiculous.” He shook his head, attempting to redirect his wayward mind, and met her gaze. “Wherever did you get them?”

“Wood’s. Sophia picked them out. I’ve ordered a new pair, but they won’t be ready for a few days.” She wiggled her feet again. “For all their buffoonery, they are extraordinarily comfortable.”

The carriage slowed in front of Walford’s place, and they got out. Richard held Elizabeth’s elbow firmly lest she lose her footing and cause further damage. He’d not considered her feet when he’d agreed to attend the gathering. It was thoughtless of him. He could have met Walford later in the evening, or even tomorrow. Admittedly, he was anxious to hear what Walford had found.

Elizabeth’s pattens clicked across the walk and up the front stairs. She was surprisingly graceful even in her cumbersome shoes. Although, why he should be surprised, he didn’t know. She was consistently elegant in everything she did, including her dealings with him. He did not deserve her.

The butler greeted them, and two footmen assisted them in removing their outerwear.

“Do hurry,” Walford called from the mezzanine above. “I am desperately outnumbered this evening.” His wife stepped in beside him and tapped him playfully on the shoulder before waving to them and pulling him away.

Richard curled Elizabeth’s hand into the crook of his arm, and they took the stairs slowly. To everyone else, this would look like a normal occurrence, but out of necessity, he usually avoided physical contact with Elizabeth. However, she needed him this evening, and he found himself relishing it tremendously. As he had when he’d carried her last night. He could get through the evening as long as he remembered not to engage beyond a simple touch. It should be easy enough to do if he kept his focus on tonight’s meeting with Walford instead of on the warmth of her hand on his arm.

Lady Walford greeted them effusively, waving a servant over with a selection of beverages. Elizabeth chose a lemonade and Richard a sherry. Walford had not exaggerated. The women did outnumber the men. An oddity, but from what he’d seen of Lady Walford, she did not stand on precedent and ceremony. For that matter, nor did Walford.

He was pleased to see Mr. Randall, who was currently deep in conversation with a man Richard did not recognize. He would have to catch him later. There was much to discuss since they’d last seen each other at the Walfords’ wedding dinner. From the other side of the room, Walford looked over the head of a petite matron and mouthed, “Help me.” Richard grinned at him and excused himself from the ladies.

“Pardon me,” Richard said to the woman, who up close, was much older than he’d surmised at first glance. She squinted at him, and Walford discreetly cupped his ear. Richard leaned in closer and spoke louder. “May I borrow Lord Walford for a moment?”

“You may,” she said, smiling, her teeth more yellow than her sallow face. Her jewelry and clothing spoke of another era and also of money.

“Bless you,” Walford said under his breath as they crossed the room. “Catherine’s great-great-aunt six times removed on her mother’s side or some such thing. Deaf as a post but pretends she can hear. It would be comical were it not so taxing.”

They stepped into the hall and headed to the back of the house. Walford opened a door on the right, and they passed through. He closed the door behind him. “Not exactly your study, my friend, but it will do.” Walford looked at Richard’s hand, still clutching the sherry. “Put that damn thing down. I’ll pour us a brandy.”

Richard set his glass on a side table and took a seat across from the desk as Walford got them drinks. The study was small but serviceable, although its bookshelves were woefully lacking in anything substantial.

“You lease, I presume?” he asked, more to make conversation than out of actual interest.

“Yes,” Walford said, pressing the brandy into Richard’s hand before taking his place behind the desk. “My sire was not fond of London after Mother died. He let our house go and rented when he was here for parliament. Catherine and I aren’t much for town either, I’m afraid. So it makes more sense for us to lease.”

“I had expected your man Fredericks at the door.”

“I leave all staff at Woodfield for my sire and hire for when we’re here. Which is seldom. But enough about my domestic situation. Curious?”

Richard leaned forward in his chair. “Beyond curious. What did you find?”

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