Page 30 of Love Abandoned

Chapter Thirteen

And his unkindness may defeat my life,

But never taint my love.

—Shakespeare,Othello

Elizabeth was surprisedby the note Richard had left in the breakfast room. He was off to the chambers at Westminster but would return in time to escort her to the Rawleys’ ball. She wondered how he’d managed it, as she had not responded to the invitation when it had arrived at the beginning of the month. There had seemed little point.

Regardless, she was pleased about the unexpected turn of events. She hadn’t fully fleshed out a plan of seduction, but she knew intuitively she must take it slowly. Rebuild their relationship first. She looked at the shoes lining her wardrobe floor and smiled. Her heart was bursting with hope.

She took the stairs to the nursery. Hannah put a finger to her lips as Elizabeth walked in and pointed to the puddle of cloth that was Sebastian fast asleep on the floor.

Hannah stepped closer and whispered, “He’s had a reckless morning, my lady, barreling about the room as though he’d only that minute discovered his legs. I barely managed to keep up with him. I didn’t have the heart to disturb him.”

His blond hair the only thing visible, he was motionless. If it weren’t for his soft snores, she might have panicked. He appeared comfortable where he lay. “That is fine, Hannah. I will take William for some air, and you may catch your breath.”

William sat with his back to her. Hannah startled him when she tapped him on the shoulder, and Elizabeth wondered what had been so engrossing. Hannah whispered in his ear, and he turned around, glancing over his shoulder. He jumped to his feet and ran to her, a book firmly grasped in his hands.

“Mama!” he said excitedly, and Elizabeth put a finger to her lips and led him from the room.

“What is it you are reading, dearest?”

William held out the book proudly. “Horses.”

She took the book from his hand and bit back a smile.The Art of Animal Husbandry.“Horses?” she asked.

“Yes, Mama,” he said, snatching the book back. He flipped through the pages before stopping and tapping one triumphantly. “Horses.”

It was a black-and-white plate of three horses, fortunately in repose. “Horses indeed,” she said. “And what have you learned about them?” she asked, closing the book.

“They are big and like to stand together. They gallop fast. And they truly enjoy boys riding them.”

“It tells you all that in this book?”

He smiled sheepishly. “I knew it already, Mama.”

“I’m not the least bit surprised,” she said as they took the final step to the ground floor. “Let us put this book back in the library and see if we can find one with more horse pictures for you to gather your information. One with a pony or two.”

They perused the shelves to no avail. He knew his letters and could read many words, but most of the books in the library were beyond his abilities, and she couldn’t find any with plates of horses. She would ask Richard for a suggestion. He was far more familiar than she with the town house library.

If William was disappointed, he didn’t show it. He excitedly donned his coat for a walk, chattering about how he had groomed the pony this morning as well as one of the horses. “It is hard for me to reach, so Simon got me a box to stand on. And, Mama?”

“Yes, William?” she responded as they stepped out into the afternoon sunshine, with Gordon following protectively a few feet behind.

“I always groom the pony, even if it isn’t mine. I hadn’t that day because Edwin was waiting for me. You always say not to keep someone waiting.” He looked up at her with glazed eyes. “I won’t be so neglectful again.”

Her eyes watered too. “I know you won’t. I will let your father know how it came to pass.”

He cheered instantly and talked incessantly as they strolled in the grounds across from the town house. Mostly about horses. And his father. It would seem Richard was a preoccupation for both of them. Did he know his good opinion could make or break his son’s day? And hers?

*

Richard hadn’t returnedwhen Elizabeth had come upstairs to ready for the ball, but Lucy informed her he’d recently arrived and was now in his chambers. Elizabeth rolled her shoulders to loosen the tension. Richard was a man of his word, so she should not have worried so. He would not have left the note if he didn’t intend to honor it.

Elizabeth selected a white satin gown with a sheer silk overdress. It was embroidered with delicate lilac flowers that matched the sash. It had used to be a favorite of Richard’s. Lucy snugged her stays, pushing her breasts up and on display. Elizabeth’s instinct was to cover herself more modestly with the addition of a fichu. However, if seduction was to be her focus, she must make herself as appealing as possible. It would not do to look too matronly, although that was exactly how she’d been feeling these last two years.

Lucy had done a lovely job with her hair. Piled high, she had woven in a string of pearls and neatly tucked in feathers dyed to match the sash and embroidery. Even though the evening was cold, Elizabeth had Lucy remove the long undersleeve, leaving the dress with the short puffed Bishop-style sleeves. It was a private ball, but formality was still an expectation regardless of the weather. Besides, the shorter sleeves were far more elegant and her long gloves would stave off a chill. Her shawl would also keep her warm. Or dancing would. With Richard, she hoped. He’d broken protocol once. It would be divine if he would do so again. She smiled in anticipation as she pulled on her gloves.

“You look right beautiful, my lady,” Lucy said as she clasped a set of pearls around Elizabeth’s neck.

“Thank you, Lucy. I’ll wear the new white satin slippers.”

“Yes, my lady,” Lucy said, going into the dressing room to get them.

Elizabeth stared at herself in the mirror, pleased with her reflection. She had gone to great effort with her looks this evening, even adding some kohl to her eyes and touches of rouge to her cheeks and lips. The longcase clock on the landing chimed. It was time to see if her preparations would have any effect.

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