Lord Runthorne's Dilemma: A Regency Romance Read Free

her dress.”
    Elizabeth smiled a sad mile at the memory of her frivolous Mother. She had been beautiful and so full of laughter, but Elizabeth had not really known her. As a child she had been a fragrant, fleeting presence in Elizabeth’s life. She was a light kiss before gliding away to some Ball or disappearing for months to London. Only when Elizabeth herself was presented had she come to have a small window into her Mother’s life. Elizabeth shook her head to dismiss the thoughts.
    “ Even during my come out, I had to manage for myself,” she continued, “so I had to learn to dress myself or appear a complete ragamuffin.”
    Elizabeth smoothed the front of her gown and plucked at a loose thread. For a moment she regretted it was not the height of fashion.
    Do not be so shallow , her conscience chided her. The amber silk complimented her face and figure without drawing attention, as was suitable for her position in life. An heiress could flaunt herself and merely draw indulgently raised brows. An ex-heiress had to be more circumspect.
    “Captain Maybourne has promised me my own maid for my come out,” Mary said. “ If you wish, we can share her.”
    Elizabeth gave her a quick hug. “My dear, you are so sweet, but I have no intention of accompanying you to London. You have waited far too long for your Season and I will not ruin it for you. It will do you no good to be seen with me.”
    “ I do wish you would tell me what you did that was so awful, Elizabeth.” Her friend’s lower lip protruded.
    Elizabeth shook her head. “I am sorry, my dear.” She kept her voice light. “Just accept that I disgraced myself beyond saving and that, despite your undoubted eligibility, my presence will only ruin your chances.”
    Mary put her hands on her hips. “I do not believe you could do anything so terrible that it would hurt me.”
    “ And yet, were you so foolish to ask, there is no-one in Society who would agree with you.” Elizabeth smiled. “Come, my love let us not quarrel over what is done. I made my choice and I do not regret it.”
    She closed her eyes briefly against the memory of Sir James ’ face. Lord Runthorne as she must now call him. What was done was done. There was no benefit in repining.
    Mary looked thoughtful, but ask ed no more questions, something for which Elizabeth was extremely grateful. She did not think she was strong enough to fend off her young friend’s curiosity.
    Elizabeth pulled her long gloves up over her elbows so they ran smooth, almost to the edge of her puff sleeves.
    “ Would you be a dear and fasten my ribbons?”
    “ Oh no, Elizabeth, you mustn’t wear your gloves like that,” Mary said. Her own gloves were artfully crumpled along her forearms, leaving her upper arms bare. “Only really old ladies wear their gloves like that. I read it in Le Beau Monde ,” she added as though that clinched the matter.
    “ Well, I am old,” Elizabeth said. She sighed at her reflection, wishing she dared to flout convention.
    For a moment she wondered how Lord Runthorne would react if he saw her with her arms bare like a young girl rather than a spinster of twenty-seven. “You can hardly expect an old maid like me to dress like a green girl.”
    “ If I did not know you better, I would think you did not wish to be noticed at all.”
    Elizabeth chose not to answer this.
    “ You used to be the toast of Society,” Mary continued, “why are you hiding from a little company?”
    Elizabeth spread her hands.
    Explain to her , her conscience whispered. Explain how James made your heart race, how his very touch made you melt and how you yearned for his love .
    Elizabeth shook her head. She had thought she had banished him from her heart, but one glimpse of him and it was as though the last seven years had vanished. He may be ‘Lord Runthorne’ now, but he would always be ‘Sir James’ in her heart.
    She could not say any of this.
    “ I was the toast of Society for my wealth and