Read Online His Shadowed Heart ((Books We Love Regency Romance)) by Hazel Statham - Free Book Online
Authors: Hazel Statham
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countryside.
*****
Wishing his wife’s company in riding out, the earl enquired of her whereabouts, to be informed by Mrs. Lloyd that she believed Her Ladyship to be in the picture gallery, to whence he repaired immediately. However, he found the gallery to be empty.
On a thought, he traversed its length, taking the same course as had Caroline, and he entered the east wing. This was a portion of the house he had not visited for over three years, and he felt his pulse quicken along with his step.
Flinging wide the door to the blue room, he stepped over the threshold, catching his breath in the process, as he perceived her sitting by the window.
“ Elizabeth ,” he breathed in a hoarse whisper seeing only the dark curls above the chair’s high back, and his countenance visibly blanched.
Startled, Caroline came to her feet , turning toward him, but he stared at her uncomprehendingly until a sudden light of recognition came to his eyes and he spoke in scarcely concealed fury.
“Madam, there are certain rooms in this house which you must not enter. Please leave immediately.” He held the door wide for her but she did not move, only held out her hand in a supplicating gesture.
“Forgive me, Richard,” she cried. “I wasn’t aware that this was Elizabeth’s room. Otherwise, I would not have entered. Please believe me.”
Ignoring her pleading gesture, he turned sharply on his heel and strode from the room, his thoughts in turmoil. For a brief moment upon entering the room, the years had disappeared and he had seen Elizabeth in her favorite chair, the shock proving too much, driving reason from him. He told himself that he was being a fool, that he should not allow such emotions to overcome him, but they came unbidden, proving as remorseless as ever.
Leaving the house, he made for the stables calling for his horse. He knew not where he was going, only of the need to be away from Lordings and its memories.
Seeing him ride out of the stable yard from her vantage point in the long gallery, Caroline allowed the tears to steal down her face unchecked. We cannot continue in this manner , she thought. I cannot compete with the memories that inhabit this house. They are too intense. He will come to hate me, and that I could not bear. I must face the fact that he will always belong to Elizabeth. I can never replace her in his life. He is so completely hers. With lagging step, she left the gallery to seek the refuge of her own apartment.
*****
The time for supper approached and the light was starting to fade. She had not heard him come to his room to change and she became anxious for his return. The day had dragged interminably and she could not face the thought of sitting in the large dining room alone with no knowledge of his whereabouts. Surely, he should have returned by now, yet how was she to face him with thoughts of the morning so fresh in her mind?
Suddenly the sound of a brisk step in the corridor brought her to her feet and she heard him enter his apartment and close the door firmly behind him. All was quiet, she heard no movement in the room and was thoroughly startled when a light tap came on the connecting door and hurried to open it. The earl stood before her liberally covered in dust from his ride and he crossed the threshold into her room. It was the first time he had entered since his visit with Julia and once again, he seemed to fill it with his presence.
“Don’t look so startled, my dear,” he said reaching out for her hand and capturing it in both of his. “I have behaved damnably and we must talk. I will change my clothes and if you will allow, I will then join you in your garden room. There are things that must be said. Situations that must be explained.”
“There is no need, sir, I understand perfectly,” she said, withdrawing her hand from his clasp.
“That’s the point—you don’t,” he said with passion. “No one does! If you would but hear me out, all will
*****
Wishing his wife’s company in riding out, the earl enquired of her whereabouts, to be informed by Mrs. Lloyd that she believed Her Ladyship to be in the picture gallery, to whence he repaired immediately. However, he found the gallery to be empty.
On a thought, he traversed its length, taking the same course as had Caroline, and he entered the east wing. This was a portion of the house he had not visited for over three years, and he felt his pulse quicken along with his step.
Flinging wide the door to the blue room, he stepped over the threshold, catching his breath in the process, as he perceived her sitting by the window.
“ Elizabeth ,” he breathed in a hoarse whisper seeing only the dark curls above the chair’s high back, and his countenance visibly blanched.
Startled, Caroline came to her feet , turning toward him, but he stared at her uncomprehendingly until a sudden light of recognition came to his eyes and he spoke in scarcely concealed fury.
“Madam, there are certain rooms in this house which you must not enter. Please leave immediately.” He held the door wide for her but she did not move, only held out her hand in a supplicating gesture.
“Forgive me, Richard,” she cried. “I wasn’t aware that this was Elizabeth’s room. Otherwise, I would not have entered. Please believe me.”
Ignoring her pleading gesture, he turned sharply on his heel and strode from the room, his thoughts in turmoil. For a brief moment upon entering the room, the years had disappeared and he had seen Elizabeth in her favorite chair, the shock proving too much, driving reason from him. He told himself that he was being a fool, that he should not allow such emotions to overcome him, but they came unbidden, proving as remorseless as ever.
Leaving the house, he made for the stables calling for his horse. He knew not where he was going, only of the need to be away from Lordings and its memories.
Seeing him ride out of the stable yard from her vantage point in the long gallery, Caroline allowed the tears to steal down her face unchecked. We cannot continue in this manner , she thought. I cannot compete with the memories that inhabit this house. They are too intense. He will come to hate me, and that I could not bear. I must face the fact that he will always belong to Elizabeth. I can never replace her in his life. He is so completely hers. With lagging step, she left the gallery to seek the refuge of her own apartment.
*****
The time for supper approached and the light was starting to fade. She had not heard him come to his room to change and she became anxious for his return. The day had dragged interminably and she could not face the thought of sitting in the large dining room alone with no knowledge of his whereabouts. Surely, he should have returned by now, yet how was she to face him with thoughts of the morning so fresh in her mind?
Suddenly the sound of a brisk step in the corridor brought her to her feet and she heard him enter his apartment and close the door firmly behind him. All was quiet, she heard no movement in the room and was thoroughly startled when a light tap came on the connecting door and hurried to open it. The earl stood before her liberally covered in dust from his ride and he crossed the threshold into her room. It was the first time he had entered since his visit with Julia and once again, he seemed to fill it with his presence.
“Don’t look so startled, my dear,” he said reaching out for her hand and capturing it in both of his. “I have behaved damnably and we must talk. I will change my clothes and if you will allow, I will then join you in your garden room. There are things that must be said. Situations that must be explained.”
“There is no need, sir, I understand perfectly,” she said, withdrawing her hand from his clasp.
“That’s the point—you don’t,” he said with passion. “No one does! If you would but hear me out, all will
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