Page 49 of Love Abandoned

Chapter Twenty-Two

Whether we be young or old,

Our destiny, our being’s heart and home,

Is with infinitude, and only there;

With hope it is, hope that can never die,

Effort, and expectation, and desire,

And something evermore about to be.

—Wordsworth,The Prelude

“Oh, Papa, she’sa beauty. Thank you.”

Richard ruffled William’s hair, looking over his head at Elizabeth and smiling. “You can thank your mother. She chose her. She has exquisite taste.”

Elizabeth flushed at the compliment, a small trill running through her body as his gaze lingered. She was exhausted from preparations for tomorrow’s picnic and had considered abandoning her plans of seduction. Now she was glad she had not.

She’d dressed for the evening in one of the new gowns that had arrived this morning amidst all the chaos in the ballroom. Madame Moreau had rushed to complete three. More would arrive next week, but she was glad Sophia had insisted this one be part of the first delivery. The soft silk draped becomingly, and the imperial blue suited her coloring. She’d selected a diamond-and-sapphire necklace to draw attention to the daringly low neckline. Her hair was swept up with matching sapphire pins. She’d had Lucy pull tendrils to soften her look. From the look in Richard’s eyes, the effort had been worth it.

“Thank you, Mama. Can I ride her now?” William asked, pulling her attention away from Richard.

“It’s too late,” Richard said, interceding before Elizabeth could respond. “Besides, she’s only just arrived. Imagine how she must feel in a strange stable. Give her time to adjust. We’ll take her out Sunday.”

“I believe she will like Horatio, don’t you agree?” William asked. The mews was small with only four stables, and Horatio towered next to the new pony.

“I certainly hope so,” Richard responded. “They will be spending a lot of time together.”

“Do you think horses talk to one another?” William made an odd sound, followed by an equally peculiar whinny. “That’s ‘Hello, I’m Horatio,’” he translated. “And ‘Hello, I’m…’” His voice trailed off, and his face scrunched in consternation. “I do not know her name.”

“It is for you to decide. It’s an important task, so do not rush it. She must live with it all the days of her life. As will you,” Richard said.

“Why did you choose the name Horatio, Papa?”

“Because Horatio was a stalwart friend to Hamlet.”

“Who’s Hamlet?”

Richard chuckled. “That is a tale for another day. For now you must concentrate on a name for your pony. Let us head in for our meal.”

Elizabeth had enjoyed watching Richard with William, but when he placed his hand at the small of her back to guide her across the square, to the door, her whole being centered on the heat it generated, not only where he touched but throughout her body. Oh yes, she was definitely glad she had not changed her plans.

*

Richard was havingdifficulty concentrating on his son, who chattered away, oblivious to the undercurrent of tension in his father. He signaled Hastings to fill his glass again, hoping to dampen the rising desire. A seeming impossibility when Elizabeth looked delectable enough to devour right here on the table. And whether she knew it or not, he could not discern, but her smile was an invitation to the pleasures he knew lay beneath that damned stunning gown.The devil confound it.He tossed back the sherry and signaled for more.

“Can you name a horse a color?” William asked, setting his fork on his plate and looking seriously at Richard.

“You can name a horse whatever you want. But a color does not reveal much, does it?” Except for the blue of that dress. It revealed almost everything. Richard shifted uncomfortably and took another sip of sherry.

“I believe your father is telling you to take time to determine what you want your new pony to be for you. A worker? A friend? Strong? Fast? Gentle? What qualities do you hope your pony has? When you’re on top of her, what do you want from her?”

Richard choked on his sherry. “Excuse me,” he said, wiping his mouth and clearing his throat. “It went down the wrong way.” Elizabeth raised her brow and took a sip, then ran her tongue over her top lip. The little minx. She knew exactly what she was doing to him. It would be amusing if it weren’t so damn frightening. And enticing.

William continued to ruminate over names, only becoming distracted when sweets arrived. He was quiet, eating six small cakes as though he had not eaten three courses of dinner. Elizabeth laughed, and William looked at her and grinned as he popped another bite in.

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