Page 48 of Love Abandoned

“I am your only auntie,” she said curtly, but she beamed, betraying her pleasure.

Elizabeth looked around the room at all the cages. Of course, there must be birdsong. Why had she not thought of it? A picnic must also have courting and romance. And love. Ah, yes, there must be love.

In that moment, she was decided. Tonight was the night.

*

Richard tried toignore the noise outside his study, but in the end, he could not. He stepped into the hallway to see what all the fuss was about as the last of what seemed like a brigade of servants took the stairs, each carrying a birdcage. He stared after them for a moment, debating if he should follow, but decided it was best he not know what was going on and returned to the sanctity of his study.

He’d not liked being given an ultimatum as though he were some civil servant to be ordered about. It rankled him thinking about it, and he’d a good mind to go over to the Home Office himself to tell them exactly where they could put this assignment. But it wouldn’t keep Patricia out of Bridewell. And therein lay the crux.

What to do now? After his confrontation with Mrs. Tate, he couldn’t easily return to the brothel and insist on seeing Patricia. He couldn’t risk drawing more attention to her. And demand of Patricia that she reveal her source? He knew her too well not to recognize that path would lead nowhere. She must have her guard down, so subtlety was key. Unfortunately, there was little time for that.

A week.The devil confound it. How was he to convince her to expose her source in such a short amount of time? Especially since he’d no choice but to wait for her to summon him, and who knew when that would be? His only hope was the Home Office could deduce the informant for themselves now that he’d narrowed the time for them. It was, after all, their job, not his. He ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head in frustration. He was not built for subterfuge.

The infernal comings and goings in the entranceway made it difficult to hold a thought. When he’d suggested the picnic, he’d no idea he’d be put in this untenable position. Even though time was of the essence, he hoped Patricia did not contact him before the entertainment was through. It had been a gift to share time with Elizabeth these past days and to see the light fully return to her eyes. He didn’t want to do anything to compromise it.

He decided some fresh air would clear his mind, and he might manage to see a different course of action, or formulate some sort of plan to coerce Patricia’s confidence. He shrugged on his jacket and stepped into the hall as the women were descending the stairs.

He bowed politely. “My ladies,” he said, although he had eyes for only one of them.

“Oh, Richard, you should see all the birds,” Elizabeth said, laughing. “It’s quite fantastical. It sounds like a forest in the ballroom.”

She glowed with excitement, and his body stirred with memories. He’d used to make her shine like that. Wanted to do so again. Wanted to do more than he should. Which was the root of the struggle that warred within him. He mustn’t forget why he needed to take control of the demands of his body and allow only his heart to be satisfied.

“You take good care of them!” Catherine’s aunt shouted, drawing his attention back to the small gathering. Catherine mouthed “sorry” at him as she steered the woman toward the entrance.

Sophia held his gaze, and he shifted uncomfortably. What did she see in him, and why did it unnerve him? She could know nothing of his nocturnal activities.

“I can’t concentrate,” he said, breaking her stare and turning his attention back to Elizabeth. “I’m going to take in some air.”

“You’ll be back in time to introduce William to his new pony? It’s in the stable, and I’m going to put a big bow around her neck.”

He hated the wariness behind her smile, although he understood it. He had worked hard to place it there. “Yes, I will be back in plenty of time.”

“William is excited to join us for dinner tonight,” she said. “I’ve arranged for his favorite dishes.”

He hesitated. What if Patricia contacted him? Would it be better to make excuses now than at the last moment? Which would provide the least disappointment? He glanced at Sophia, whose right eyebrow rose imperiously. She was commanding him without saying a word.Damn and blast the woman’s arrogance.But she was on the side of right.

“I look forward to it,” he said, excusing himself and heading to the back of the house and out to the mews, putting as much distance as possible between the women and the guilt that threatened to suffocate him. Why was life so beastly complicated?

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