Page 33 of Love Abandoned

“And there is no reason you should. Forgive my thoughtlessness. I have two boys, and I would not trade a single minute with them. Catherine will feel the same way. As will you, Nicholas.” She deliberately switched to his Christian name, something they only did at private gatherings. But she had initiated such an intimate topic, and it seemed right to comfort him as a close friend.

He rolled his shoulders. “I bow to your experience.”

The last notes of the orchestra floated across the room, and his smile renewed in full as he watched his wife walk toward him. Elizabeth turned her attention to Richard. Darkly handsome in his midnight tails, his hair tied at the base of his neck, he looked part scholar, part rake, and fully patrician, as he bowed to Catherine and handed her to Lord Walford.

The next dance was called. Richard turned to Elizabeth and held out his hand. Before she could place hers in it, Sophia stepped in and placed her hand in his.

“Yes, my lord, I would adore a dance with you,” Sophia said.

Richard, the consummate gentleman, did not withdraw his, but he looked quizzically between Elizabeth and Sophia.

“I’m sorry,mia amica, you must save me,” Sophia said, whispering loudly into Elizabeth’s ear. “I have promised the next set to the duke. If I dance this one with him as His Grace wishes, the whole world will decide there is an understanding between us.”

“I heard that,” Catherine said. “I thought you didn’t care about what the world thinks.”

Elizabeth laughed despite her own disappointment.

“I don’t,” Sophia said. “But the duke will think so too. And that I cannot have…yet.” She smiled wickedly. “So I will dance with your safe, handsome husband first,va bene?”

Elizabeth shooed them onto the floor, pleased when Richard mouthed “sorry” before turning his back to her.

“Nicholas, I must catch my breath. Besides, it would not do to dance too much together. We’d find ourselves in the papers like a certain Lady T.” Catherine giggled playfully. “Why don’t you and Elizabeth dance?”

“It would be my pleasure.”

Elizabeth gratefully took his hand and allowed him to lead her to the same group Richard and Sophia had joined. Sophia was flirting shamelessly, but it did not bother Elizabeth. It was Sophia’s way and perfectly harmless. Besides, Richard would never consider such a liaison. As if he knew what she was thinking, he caught her eye and smiled. Her spirits buoyed. She would not let him away for the next set. Her body tingled. It was the waltz.

*

The fiddle scraped,and they bowed to one another. The dance was more energetic than the previous one, but it did not slow the countess. She quipped lightly as they came together further down the line. Richard was not flattered by her attention, nor should he be. She bantered with every male she partnered with. The countess was an incorrigible coquette. He might find it irritating were it not for the fact Sophia had long ago proven herself a caring woman of substance. She had stayed by Elizabeth’s side during those hard days and long nights. He would forever be indebted to her.

Elizabeth smiled affectionately each time the progression put them together. When they touched hands and circled one another, his heart raced from more than the energy he was exerting. Each time they parted for the next movement, he was disappointed. He liked the feeling of her hand in his.

The first dance came to an end, and they paused for a brief rest before the second dance of the set.

“I would enjoy a promenade, Lord Thornwood, if I may.”

“Of course,” Richard said smoothly, although he would prefer to stay near Elizabeth. He escorted the countess to the side of the room, and they began their stroll, her hand placed lightly on his arm.

“It isbuonato see you and Elizabeth at entertainments,” Sophia said quietly. “She has been missing gatherings.”

Richard stared straight ahead. There had been no chastisement in her words, but he’d felt the countess’s censure nonetheless. He knew it was well deserved, but it rankled anyway. Before he could formulate a response, they paused to speak with the Rawleys. The countess’s expression was unperturbed. It was conceivable his own guilt led him to presume she was passing judgment.

Sophia enthused about the dancing, the music, the company, before they moved on. “It is a dangerous game you play.”

Richard almost came to a halt, but there were too many eyes upon them. It wasn’t just the stark contrast in her tone, from gushing to grim; it was her choice of words. She could not possibly be aware of the game of espionage he played.

“You hold out promise by attending such events, but you are absent at home. It leads one to wonder why. Deception is difficult to sustain and always comes to no good end. I’ll not have my friend hurt.” Her smile was beguiling, but her eyes flashed a warning.

Richard cracked his neck, the tension easing. She knew nothing of his intrigue. “I fear you are correct about my absence.” There was no sense in denying it. Sophia was Elizabeth’s confidante, and he was glad of it. Elizabeth had been through much, and he had not been able to help her through it. How could he, when he was the root of her misery?

“You are wrong in assuming I deceive her,” he added, for he could honestly say he had never strayed nor desired to. Even Patricia’s offers, a woman whose pleasures he’d used to thoroughly enjoy, held no appeal. “I would not see her hurt either.”

She tilted her head quizzically, as if debating saying more, but she merely smiled. “I am happy to hear it.”

They’d come full circle as the next dance was called, and they rejoined the others. Elizabeth raised an eyebrow at him in the manner she did when she was ready to tease him, and he smiled. Yes, there was a promise in accompanying her to these events, and he would strive to fulfill it. He was determined to become a better husband in every way but one.

*

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