Read Online Lord Runthorne's Dilemma: A Regency Romance by Sarah-Jane Steele - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Sarah-Jane Steele
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attention, whilst irritating, would not normally have annoyed Charles to such an extent.
“ If Mary is too busy, perhaps I can show the library to you later today,” she said, “I think you will like it. Captain Maybourne has quite a collection.”
“ I shall look forward to seeing it,” Charles said, but he did not sound as enthusiastic as Elizabeth would have expected.
“ Well, at least Miss Lacey seems happy now,” Elizabeth said. Ahead Lord Runthorne rode silently whilst Mr Compton had revived enough to entertain the Beauty. Some people always seemed to get exactly what they wanted out of life and Elizabeth rather thought Miss Lacey was one of them. She hoped Lord Runthorne would not be made miserable in the process.
***
Runthorne cast a glance over his shoulder. Next to him Aurelia chatted and laughed, dividing her attention equally between him and Mr Compton. To his annoyance, she ignored both Charles and Elizabeth. It was the height of bad manners to cut both her hostess’ niece and his friend so pointedly.
Despite this the journey back to the house passed quickly and, almost before he knew it, he was passing his reins to a groom and handing his betrothed down from her mount.
“ Walk with me, Runthorne,” she said.
“ I am at your command, Aurelia.” He slipped her hand over his arm and guided her away from the house.
A rolling lawn led down to a lake and a dark maze loomed to their left. He turned away from it. There was something about mazes that made him uncomfortable. For a few moments he and Aurelia walked in silence with only distant birdsong for company.
“ What did you wish to discuss,” he said, after a while.
“ It is hard,” Aurelia sighed, “I am trying to find the right words. I do not wish to cause offence, you understand?”
Runthorne forced a smile. “Come, my dear, I am sure nothing you could say would offend me. Please speak frankly.”
Aurelia removed her hand from his arm. A small frown marred her wide brow as she re-arranged her cumbersome riding skirt over her arm, smoothing the heavy folds. Something about her behaviour struck him as artful and he felt his temper rise.
“ Perhaps I will return at a later date, when you have decided whether to speak or not.” He bowed then turned on his heel.
“ Do not be unreasonable, Runthorne,” she said. He heard her take a deep breath and when she spoke again, her tone was so natural, he wondered if he had imagined the pout in her voice.
“ Please, Runthorne, I am truly trying not to upset you.”
He glanced down at her beautiful face. “I do not wish to play games, Aurelia,” he said.
She gazed at him with eyes that were so wide and innocent that he could not bring himself to doubt her. He softened. “Please say what is on your mind, my dear.”
Her smile was tremulous. “Please understand, Runthorne that this is hard for me to say. I hope you will listen and think before you say anything.”
She took another deep breath. “It has been brought to my attention that you and Miss Hampton have a prior relationship. I do not know exactly what you were to each other,” she lifted one delicate hand, “nor do I wish to know. That is in the past and my one concern is for our future.” She darted him a quick glance from under her lashes.
“ Forgive me if I do not quite believe you, Aurelia. My prior relationship, as you call it, with Miss Hampton is hardly a secret. I remember that you thought the situation ‘horrid’.”
Aurelia had the grace to blush. “Truly, Runthorne, I do not wish to pry, but I hope you appreciate the delicateness of the current state of affairs.”
“ It is none of your concern, madam.”
P erfect tears sprang to Aurelia’s eyes. Unlike most women, tears did nothing to diminish her appearance. They merely emphasised her porcelain beauty.
“ Please do not be unkind, Runthorne, I am not worried for myself. Think how it must seem for Miss Hampton to be so much in your company. Alone. It
“ If Mary is too busy, perhaps I can show the library to you later today,” she said, “I think you will like it. Captain Maybourne has quite a collection.”
“ I shall look forward to seeing it,” Charles said, but he did not sound as enthusiastic as Elizabeth would have expected.
“ Well, at least Miss Lacey seems happy now,” Elizabeth said. Ahead Lord Runthorne rode silently whilst Mr Compton had revived enough to entertain the Beauty. Some people always seemed to get exactly what they wanted out of life and Elizabeth rather thought Miss Lacey was one of them. She hoped Lord Runthorne would not be made miserable in the process.
***
Runthorne cast a glance over his shoulder. Next to him Aurelia chatted and laughed, dividing her attention equally between him and Mr Compton. To his annoyance, she ignored both Charles and Elizabeth. It was the height of bad manners to cut both her hostess’ niece and his friend so pointedly.
Despite this the journey back to the house passed quickly and, almost before he knew it, he was passing his reins to a groom and handing his betrothed down from her mount.
“ Walk with me, Runthorne,” she said.
“ I am at your command, Aurelia.” He slipped her hand over his arm and guided her away from the house.
A rolling lawn led down to a lake and a dark maze loomed to their left. He turned away from it. There was something about mazes that made him uncomfortable. For a few moments he and Aurelia walked in silence with only distant birdsong for company.
“ What did you wish to discuss,” he said, after a while.
“ It is hard,” Aurelia sighed, “I am trying to find the right words. I do not wish to cause offence, you understand?”
Runthorne forced a smile. “Come, my dear, I am sure nothing you could say would offend me. Please speak frankly.”
Aurelia removed her hand from his arm. A small frown marred her wide brow as she re-arranged her cumbersome riding skirt over her arm, smoothing the heavy folds. Something about her behaviour struck him as artful and he felt his temper rise.
“ Perhaps I will return at a later date, when you have decided whether to speak or not.” He bowed then turned on his heel.
“ Do not be unreasonable, Runthorne,” she said. He heard her take a deep breath and when she spoke again, her tone was so natural, he wondered if he had imagined the pout in her voice.
“ Please, Runthorne, I am truly trying not to upset you.”
He glanced down at her beautiful face. “I do not wish to play games, Aurelia,” he said.
She gazed at him with eyes that were so wide and innocent that he could not bring himself to doubt her. He softened. “Please say what is on your mind, my dear.”
Her smile was tremulous. “Please understand, Runthorne that this is hard for me to say. I hope you will listen and think before you say anything.”
She took another deep breath. “It has been brought to my attention that you and Miss Hampton have a prior relationship. I do not know exactly what you were to each other,” she lifted one delicate hand, “nor do I wish to know. That is in the past and my one concern is for our future.” She darted him a quick glance from under her lashes.
“ Forgive me if I do not quite believe you, Aurelia. My prior relationship, as you call it, with Miss Hampton is hardly a secret. I remember that you thought the situation ‘horrid’.”
Aurelia had the grace to blush. “Truly, Runthorne, I do not wish to pry, but I hope you appreciate the delicateness of the current state of affairs.”
“ It is none of your concern, madam.”
P erfect tears sprang to Aurelia’s eyes. Unlike most women, tears did nothing to diminish her appearance. They merely emphasised her porcelain beauty.
“ Please do not be unkind, Runthorne, I am not worried for myself. Think how it must seem for Miss Hampton to be so much in your company. Alone. It
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