Read Online Lord Runthorne's Dilemma: A Regency Romance by Sarah-Jane Steele - Free Book Online

“‘Amongst the halls of the dead’,” he said.
    “ Gosh, what?” Mr Compton’s toothy smile faltered.
    “ Miss Hampton was just regaling me with the local history,” he said with, he felt, more patience than the other warranted.
    “ Haw. A history man are you? I never quite took to it, not much in the old brain box, you know.” Neither Runthorne nor Elizabeth joined him in his neighing laugh.
    “ The Marquess of Runthorne has joined my aunt’s house party,” Elizabeth said into the eventual silence.
    “ Capital, capital. Glad to know you, my lord.” Suddenly, Mr Compton’s jaw dropped. “I say ,” he said. “I say, I say, I say.”
    “ So you said,” Elizabeth murmured. Runthorne stifled a chuckle.
    “ Are you quite well, Mr Compton?” Runthorne turned in his saddle to see what had caught the Exquisite’s attention.
    ***
    Miss Lacey, perched as graceful as a lily on an elegant palfrey, trotted towards them with Charles in tow. Elizabeth could not help admiring the figure she cut.
    The girl ’s trim waist was emphasised by the beautiful tailoring of her habit and made to appear even tinier by the full flare of the skirt. A matching hat was balanced precariously on top of her artfully piled tresses and a single feather curled down to brush her cheek.
    “ Runthorne, there you are,” she gushed, fluttering her fingers. Even her gloves were dyed to match her riding habit. Impractical, Elizabeth thought, but so stylish.
    She glanced down at her own, drab habit. It was at least six years out of date and showed a great deal of wear. In her heart she knew that clothes were not the most important thing in the world, little Alice and her family had taught her that. But she could not suppress a twinge of envy.
    Miss Lacey ’s mare sidled and she did nothing to calm the animal, merely allowing it to shoulder Stuffy away. Elizabeth sighed. It would seem that the accord she and Lord Runthorne had enjoyed was now at an end. The palfrey continued to shy and dance in place, until he reached down a hand and took the reins.
    “ Oh, you are so clever, Runthorne,” Miss Lacey said, “I always feel safe when you are with me.”
    “ If you cannot manage a horse, you should not be riding,” he said.
    Elizabeth concentrated on her reins. Miss Lacey had been managing the horse extremely competently. It had not escaped Elizabeth’s notice that she only lost control of the animal when she was close to Lord Runthorne. Just because Elizabeth did not play the game did not mean she did not know the rules.
    Or the tactics.
    Elizabeth turned her head away, ashamed at her unkind thoughts, and saw Charles watching her.
    “ She will not impress him with that behaviour,” he said.
    Elizabeth decided it would be wise not to comment. “How is it that you are here?”
    Miss Lacey , now positioned between Lord Runthorne and a speechless Mr Compton, nudged her horse into a slow walk. Elizabeth and Charles fell in behind.
    “ Miss Lacey informed me it was my gravest duty to accompany her.” Charles gave a wry smile. “I am Runthorne’s friend, after all, so I must dance attendance on his betrothed.”
    Elizabeth glanced at him. “You do not sound best pleased,” she said.
    “ Elizabeth, your powers of perception are amazing.”
    She frowned. Charles was usually the most amiable of men, willing to indulge even the silliest of females. It was unlike him to sound so bitter. “Charles, forgive me if I am prying, but what has happened?”
    Charles shook his head. “My apologies, Elizabeth. I am a little annoyed, I admit but it is nothing.” He grinned, suddenly. “I had rather hoped for a more peaceful morning. Miss Granger had promised to show me the library.”
    Elizabeth nodded, understanding. Charles was renowned for his love of books, an odd diversion for a soldier many thought. Indeed, some had called it an affectation, but Elizabeth knew that he had a real appetite for books. However, Miss Lacey’s demands for