Page 3 of Love Abandoned

Chapter One

For my part, I may speak it to my shame,

I have a truant been to chivalry.

—Shakespeare,Henry IV

1813

Elizabeth surveyed theroom. Her feet were tired, her back ached, and she longed for the quiet of Thornwood Manor. The little appeal London ever held was long gone. But appearances were appearances, so here she was making hers. It would be easier if Richard were equally compelled to keep up the facade. She scanned the room again. He’d assured her he would attend. Where was he?

“Bella, why so glum? It’s a grand crush, no?”

Elizabeth turned to Sophia. Sophia was the opposite of everything she was—curves to Elizabeth’s edges, color to her blandness, daring to her reserve—and she was her best friend for all those reasons. Elizabeth loved Sophia’s joie de vivre and relished her company because of it.

“It’s a lovely gathering, as usual, but I tire of them. I fear London, and its mob, hold little charm for me.”

“On a dreary January night, what else is there to do? You have grown rusty in the country and need oiled,mia amica. Dance. You must dance.”

“I’m not sure I remember how,” Elizabeth said, rather than complaining about her aches and pains. She’d no wish to dampen Sophia’s spirit.

“It is like riding a horse,” Sophia said, waving a hand in dismissal. “But never mind. All the good gossip in these dull days comes from what happens at the Argyll Rooms. It is most important to be seen.” Sophia quickly fluttered her fan under her chin. “And to see.” She smiled wickedly. “Help me pick out a man. An attractive one with big, broad shoulders and healthy teeth. It is awful, no, when they are sculpted like granite, then smile and…” She shuddered dramatically.

Elizabeth laughed. Sophia was a widow and took full advantage of the freedoms that came with such a status. She did not disguise her enjoyment of male company and was often seen with a different one for each event of the week. Elizabeth was convinced Sophia delighted in the scandalous rumors and whispered gossip as much as she did the men.

“I’ll help you find one so long as we move. I’ve been standing in one spot far too long and need to stretch my limbs.”

“Certainly,amicamine, let us take a stroll.” Sophia scooped her arm through Elizabeth’s.

Immediately, fresh blood flowed through Elizabeth’s ankle and down to her pinched toes. She’d chosen her favorite slippers not only because they matched the ribbon of her sash but because she associated fond memories with them. However, as with many of her shoes now, they were far too tight. Her feet had widened since the birth of Sebastian. Her entire body would have permanently widened after his birth had she not been so ill. Small blessings, she supposed and made a mental note to finally make the time to purchase a new set of cerulean slippers.

Sophia stopped. “What is your opinion of the gentleman dancing with the Countess of Cholmondeleye? He is handsome, no?”

Elizabeth looked to where one of tonight’s patronesses was deep in conversation with an unarguably fine-looking gentleman. “But the duke is married, and you do not engage the affections of a man who is taken. Or so you always say.”

Sophia laughed. “I was checking to see if you were paying attention. You seem elsewhere this evening.”

“My feet can assure you I am right here,” she said, wincing as they continued their promenade past the columns, navigating around groups deep in conversation while avoiding the dancers to her right. She eyed the ladies sitting comfortably on the side benches, watching the country dance and twittering behind their fans.

“Lady Thornwood. Countess Tessaro.”

They acknowledged everyone who addressed them as they walked by but did not stop for conversation. Elizabeth continued to watch for Richard but was not truly surprised to see no sign of him. Sophia politely turned from all eager potential suitors. Instead, she seemed to prefer to hunt for her own prey.

“Oh, that one might have done, but look at his stockings. One has a run, and the heels of his shoes are scuffed.” Sophia shook her head in mock disgust. “And that one? His blond hair isbello, but those ears? Like anelefante. I believe they are held up by his cravat.”

Elizabeth guffawed out loud and quickly raised her fan to hide it, lest someone think she was laughing at them. That would not do at all. Sophia might like to be the center of attention, but Elizabeth did not. On their second turn around the room, three ladies abandoned their places for the dance floor.

“Oh, please, Sophia,” Elizabeth said and sunk onto the padded red velvet bench. Sophia obligingly sat beside her. It was all Elizabeth could do to resist the urge to slide out of her slippers.

“Thank goodness I found you. No easy task in this crush.”

“Lady Walford,” Elizabeth said at the same time Sophia exuberantly exclaimed, “Catherine!” to the lovely woman who gracefully eased herself onto the last vacant spot.

Lady Walford smiled at them both. “Please, call me Catherine,” she said to Elizabeth. “We are well past formalities.” She glanced around the ballroom. “Even here. Although, one need not shout my Christian name,” she said teasingly to Sophia.

“But I adore that you’re here.” Sophia jumped from her seat and brushed a kiss to each of Catherine’s cheeks, which flushed charmingly. “It has been impossible to pry you away from that husband of yours. My only hope to see you was to take the dreadful ride to Woodfield Park when I returned to the country.”

Catherine brushed her gloved hand across her midriff, and Elizabeth stiffened. Of course, she should have noticed immediately. Catherine’s cheeks were rounder and her bosom more plentiful. Her hand had briefly accentuated a bump, one that had disappeared back under the folds of her high-waisted dress.

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