Page 20 of Love Abandoned

Chapter Nine

In what have I offended you? What cause

Hath my behavior given to your displeasure,

That thus you should proceed to put me off,

And take your good grace from me?

—Shakespeare,Henry VIII

It had beena beastly uncomfortable night. Not only had he struggled with his desire for Elizabeth, but he’d also tried to solve how he could somehow share a life with herandresist temptation. The ease of her company throughout the evening had made it seem doable, but the fire raging through his body had made a lie of the thought. He’d been no closer to a resolution when the first light of morning chased the shadows from his room.

His morning ride had not cleared his mind any further. He should be dwelling on his new business adventure. On the goings-on in the House of Lords. On the damned intelligence Patricia had given him. Anything but Elizabeth and her beguiling smile and enticing body.

Richard went directly to the study and, as directed, sent an anonymous missive to the address Patricia had provided. A bawdy house, for goodness’ sake. He’d given the woman plenty of coin and advice on investment when they’d parted, so he could not comprehend how she’d fallen so low once again. She was smart and should have been able to do much better. Richard also sent a note to Walford to let him know he was making contact with the woman.

Afterward, he reviewed the notes sent from his steward. Bosley indicated the fencing in the east pasture was in need of repair and the stable roof was leaking. He wrote directions and included the need to consider the impending orphanage. News of such an altruistic endeavor would make Bosley blanch. He was stringent with the purse strings, believing all moneys should be channeled directly into Thornwood Manor and be used solely for its gain. Richard smiled. He liked that Elizabeth’s heart reached out beyond the walls of the estate.

The smell of bacon wafted into the study, and he set aside his work. He stepped into the hall and followed the footmen carrying silver chafing dishes. He’d never been patient when it came to food, especially when he was hungry. Which was constantly. Elizabeth had used to tease him about having a tapeworm.

Hastings met him at the top of the stairs. “The young lord would like to join you for breakfast this morning. He asked directly, and Miss Hannah said he did so in the most gentlemanly manner.”

Breakfast with William might be just the thing to take his mind off…well…off everything. “Send him down,” he said and turned toward the breakfast room.

He’d taken his first sip of coffee when William appeared at the door, Gordon standing a pace behind him.

“Come in, son, come in. Set a place right there, would you?”

Hastings tilted his head at Gordon, who hastily gathered flatware and a plate and set it in front of the chair diagonal to Richard’s seat.

“Good morning, William,” Richard said, oddly pleased his son had requested to join him. He’d only vague memories of his own sire so had no foundation for a father-son relationship. At William’s birth, Richard had determined he’d be present for him as much as possible. His absences now complicated matters, but he did work to make up for it when they were together.

“Good morning, Papa,” William said, smiling. “I trust you slept well?”

Richard almost spit out his mouthful of coffee. The boy may look like him, but those words were his mother’s. Only recently breeched, William was already a little gentleman. He now understood why Elizabeth had wanted the boy out of gowns a bit early. He did not doubt she long ago saw the young man blossoming in the child, while he’d only recognized it in this moment.

“I did. And you?” he asked equally formally.

“Yes, sir, I did.” William fell quiet as Gordon slid a plate in front of him and a cup of hot chocolate.

“Do you not eat meat?” Richard asked as his own plate piled high with bacon, kidney, and eggs was set before him. William’s slice of bread and poached eggs seemed measly in comparison.

“I do but not in the morning. Mama says meat is too much for my system so early in the day.”

“Indeed,” Richard said, not knowing if it was true or not but trusting Elizabeth’s judgment in all things child-rearing. They ate together cordially, Richard asking a few questions and William responding, but generally the clicking of flatware was the main sound breaking the quiet.

When the table was cleared, Richard eyed the folded paper to his right longingly, but William did not move. It was obvious he had something on his mind.

“Did you wish to speak with me about something?”

“Indeed,” William said in perfect mimicry of Richard’s own words. Perhaps his son was not wise for his age but was a simple parrot instead. Richard bit back a smile behind his cup and waited patiently for William to continue.

“I would like my very own pony, sir. For when we return home, sir. I would care for it and groom it as I should.”

Richard set his cup on the table and wiped his mouth. It was a reasonable request. The boy had a good seat on the small pony they’d leased. He was calm and steady when the groom led him around. But there’d be less supervision in the country, more opportunity to ride freely. If the boy was anything like he’d been as a child, he would sneak rides in without accompaniment. He didn’t know how Elizabeth would feel about it. She was incredibly cautious with the boys, worrying all the time. It was understandable, considering the circumstances, and he would not do anything to increase her anxieties.

“I am not sure, William.” The boy’s expression did not change, but his eyes glazed with tears. “It is not a definitive no. I must take some time to consider it and talk with your mother.”

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