Lord Runthorne's Dilemma: A Regency Romance (19 page)

“
I find that highly unlikely,” he said, giving the smaller man a shake. Elizabeth had never heard him sound so furious. She hoped he would never have cause to speak to her like that.

“
Please tell me where you left your passengers,” she said, hoping her gentler approach would gain the information they needed.

“
Oh, my lady, you’ve a kindness about you. You have a gentle, pretty face.” Sid tried to touch his brow but James held him firmly. “I had to cut me horse free or she’d have caught herself in the straps. Where will I find another beast? And I got a couple of kiddies at home who’d need their supper.” Sid’s whine grew. Elizabeth instinctively reached into her reticule.

“
Do not even think about it,” James said. Elizabeth was not quite sure if he was speaking to her or to Sid, but her hand dropped to her side.

He
gave Sid another shake. “If you have treated your horse well, I have no doubt you will find her at home in her stable. As for your passengers, if you tell us where we can find them I will ensure they do not press charges for the theft of their belongings.”

Sid grinned. It was an unpleasant sight.
“Well now, sir, I’m thinking that a coin or two might freshen my memory.”

“
And I think that if you do not tell me this moment what I want to know, I shall see you before the magistrate.”

“
Now there’s no call to speak like that, my lord. You can’t blame a man for trying can you? I’ve my living to think of and I won’t earn nothing if my cart’s broke.”

“
James, please give him something,” Elizabeth said. “He has to feed his children somehow.”

“
Yes, my kiddies,” Sid said. “My poor, motherless, babes.”

Now
James’ voice held nothing but exasperation. “Very well,” he said. “Pass me that luggage and take us to your passengers. I will give you a few coppers for your trouble.”

“
Thank you, m’lord,” Sid said, giving a cringing bow. “I left them back at an Inn. Follow me.”

James
handed Elizabeth back into the curricle and passed her the hatbox and portmanteau before settling beside her. Elizabeth rifled through the contents, checking that all her friend’s jewellery was still there. Whilst she did so he took the reins and turned his horses to follow Sid.

“
How do you know he will not just run away,” Elizabeth said, replacing the lid of the box and turning her attention to the little man scurrying ahead of them.

“
He will not,” James said. “He would probably sell those fictional children of his for less than I am offering.”

“
Surely he would not lie about having children?”

His
smile was warm. “Elizabeth, for such a practical lady, you can be incredibly gullible,” he said, leaving Elizabeth unsure whether he had complimented or insulted her. She decided silence was the only answer and, once again, wrapped herself in the blanket.

After a moment
Elizabeth saw Sid gesture to the side of the road. She strained her eyes through the deepening dusk but only saw what seemed to be a badly built haystack. Suddenly there was a flicker of light, transforming the haystack into a rundown tavern, its disreputable thatch slipping towards the ground.

“
Oh dear,” she said.

“
Oh dear, indeed.”

Sid sidled over to them, his hand held out.
“This where I left them,” he said.

James
tossed him his fee. “There, as promised,” he said. “Now I suggest you make yourself scarce. If I find either of our friends has been inconvenienced by being abandoned in this hovel you will be answerable to me.”

Elizabeth
gasped as Sid darted away. “Are you sure he brought us to the right place,” she said, trying not to sound as nervous as she felt. His amused glance told her she had not been successful.

“
I think, perhaps, you should come with me this time,” he said, to Elizabeth’s surprise. She had fully expected him to order her to wait outside. Again her face must have given away her thoughts. “I believe you will a great deal safer with me then alone.”

After he handed her down,
he beckoned to a solitary figure slouching in the shadows. He murmured a few words and Elizabeth saw the glint of a coin being passed. “Quickly now,” James said, guiding her through the door.

Inside the tavern smelled a little musty, but did not appear to be too dirty.
A few customers glanced up and then back down to their leather tankards. Presumably the contents were of more interest than them. Elizabeth edged a little closer to James, just in case

A stocky man approached, rubbing his hands on his grubby apron.
“There’ll be a place more to your liking further along the road.”

“
I am sure this is just the place I am looking for,” James said.

“
We don’t cater for them like you,” the tavern keeper’s tone became more unwelcoming.

“
To have two such couples in one day must be quite a new experience for you.”

Elizabeth
watched the tavern keeper’s face. It was carefully blank.

“
I don’t understand you, sir.”

“
Really? I am sure this will prompt your memory.” James produced a silver coin and twirled it in his fingers. Elizabeth glanced back at the tavern keeper. The man licked his lips, clearly torn.

“
Tell me what I want to know,” he said, handing the coin over, “and I might find a friend to keep that one company.”

The tavern keeper shrugged.
“In the back,” he said and pocketed the second coin. He turned away to serve one of the drinkers.

Elizabeth was grateful for James’ strong presence as they skirted the room to find a small room at the back. Elizabeth pushed the door open and sighed in relief.

“
What do you think you have been doing?”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“Oh my love, do you have any idea how worried I have been?”

Mary sat, huddled in an over-large chair.
She gazed up at Elizabeth, her eyes huge. Shadows from the guttering candles played across her face. The rest of the room was lost in darkness, for which Elizabeth was immensely grateful.

“
Dearest.” Elizabeth strode with quick steps across the uncarpeted boards and drew her young friend from the chair. She held her friend close, unspeakably grateful that they had found her. Then she pushed her away a little, keeping her hands on the younger woman’s shoulders, and gave her a small shake.

“
What on earth do you think you are playing at? I feel as though I have aged ten years this last day.”

Mary lifted her chin.
“I have been quite safe,” she said.

“
Safe?” Elizabeth almost choked on the word. “How can you say you are safe when we find you, alone I might add, in this, this…” she waved her hand helplessly.

“
Elizabeth,” James said, his voice low, comforting.

She let go of Mary and turned away
. She had to blink her eyes to hold back the sudden tears that sprang to them.

“
I am so sorry, my love. I should not have wrung a peal over your head. But I have been so worried and I am so glad to have found you safe and unharmed. When I think what might have happened to you I just…” She took a deep breath and swallowed, trying to calm herself.

“
Please forgive me,” she said, when she could.

Mary put her arms around
Elizabeth. “There is nothing for me to forgive,” she said. “I think I understand. But you really had no cause to worry. I am quite safe.”

“
Now,” James said, taking charge again. For once Elizabeth did not resent him doing so. “I believe, Miss Granger, that Elizabeth did raise one pertinent point. You are alone. Where is Charles?”

Mary said nothing, but her eyes flick
ed to a heavy curtain at the back of the room. It apparently concealed a door as, at that moment, it was flung aside. The curtain seemed to entangle the intruder for a moment and James stepped forward. Elizabeth saw his fists clench as he prepared to protect them.

“
Mary, you must come now,” Charles said, finally thrusting aside the curtain. “I saw Runthorne’s curricle outside. Heaven knows how he found us. If you are still set on this insane course then we must go at once.” He looked up, as the final fold fell away. “Oh.” Charles sounded extremely harassed and, for a fleeting moment Elizabeth almost felt sorry for him.

“
Yes, Charles, ‘oh’ indeed.” Elizabeth saw James’ lips twitch, but his fist remained clenched.

“
Mary, come here,” Elizabeth said.

“
No, I choose to be with Charles.” Again, her friend lifted her chin.

“
I should take you outside,” James said, his voice a low growl. “What were you thinking? You are not a foolish boy, but a grown man. Do you know the worry you have caused?

“
I know, and I am sorry for it,” Charles said, running his fingers through his dishevelled hair. “Please understand, both of you that this was the only way we could be together.” Mary ran to his side and he slipped a possessive arm around her waist. James nodded, as though a question had been answered.

Battling
extreme exasperation, Elizabeth sighed. “It does not matter what you think you have been doing, but there was no need for it. In fact by running off you have probably ruined everything.” She closed her eyes and took another deep breath, searching for calm.

“
My dear friends,” she said, after a moment. “I have spoken to Captain Maybourne. I know,” she added raising her hand, “I promised to keep your secret but it seemed the only way to resolve this
ridiculous
situation. After all it’s not as though I could find either of you to speak to.”

To her satisfaction Mary blushed.
“What did he say?”

Elizabeth
nodded. “He said that he felt that you should have a Season, but that if your affections remained unchanged after that, he would support your marriage.”

Mary
’s face glowed and she rushed to Elizabeth, her arms wide.

“
Elizabeth, you are the best of friends,” Charles said, his smile as broad as Mary’s.

“
I hate to put a damper on this situation but I must point out that the circumstances have changed somewhat,” James said.

Elizabeth
glowered at him. “What do you mean,” she said.

“
Only that the Captain may view the matter differently when he discovers that Miss Granger has lost her heart to a congenital idiot.” His sigh sounded as weary as Elizabeth’s own.

“
Charles, you fool, why did you not confide in me?”

Elizabeth
bit her lip. He sounded so betrayed.

Charles held out his hand then let it fall, loosely, to his side.
“I am sorry, my friend,” Charles said. “I think love plays havoc with the brain.”

“
Oh I know that,” James said. “Well, there is nothing for it. We will have to concoct something that will pass muster. Come ladies, it will be a squeeze but there is just enough room in the curricle for all three of us.”

“
What about me?” Charles sounded apprehensive, now.

James
’ grin was pure malice. “The tiger step is empty,” he said.

“
If you can cling on.”

***

It was, as James had predicted, a very snug fit for three adults on a seat built for two. Especially as Mary and Elizabeth were both clutching the bandboxes. But Elizabeth did not complain.

It was reassuring to feel
him pressed so close to her side, to know by the flexing of his muscles every small correction he made to his horses. They were going slower now, the horses straining a little against the extra weight in the curricle. James murmured encouraging words, sparing the tired beasts as much as possible.

The road was rough and the curricle swayed alarmingly.
Next to her, Mary squealed, but he kept the horses steady.

Elizabeth
spared a fleeting flash of pity for Charles clinging for dear life to the back of the curricle, the tiger step a mere toehold under his booted foot. She expected at any moment to hear him fall by the wayside, but it seemed determination was keeping him in place.

For the moment.

“Do slow down,” Mary said, as they rounded a particularly sharp bend.

Elizabeth
patted her hand, briefly, but had to steady the bandbox as it began to slide off her lap. “Lord Runthorne is a safe driver. He will not overturn us,” she said. She glanced sideways at his grim profile. “Will you?”

He
murmured something unflattering under his breath but Elizabeth chose to ignore him. Behind them Charles cursed and Elizabeth thought she heard him slip slightly. She smiled. It was no more than he deserved she thought.

“
What shall we tell everyone when we return?” Elizabeth asked, hoping to distract everybody from their discomfort. She had absolute faith that James would think of something.

“
Did you bring Miss Granger’s letter with you?” he asked.

“
Yes, of course.”

“
Then there is nothing too much to worry about,” he said, with more composure then Elizabeth thought the situation warranted. “All we have to do is hide those bandboxes in the grounds before we arrive at the house. I will retrieve them once everyone is in bed.”

“
It’s dark, my lord, and we have been gone all afternoon. How can you be so calm?”

He
shifted and put his arm around her, managing the reins easily with one hand. “You worry too much, Elizabeth,” he said. “There is no evidence that Miss Granger and Charles went for anything other than an afternoon walk. One that met with a mishap.”

“
Why did you walk?” Elizabeth shook her head. “It seems an odd way to begin an elopement. A fast carriage would have served your purpose better.”

Mary clasped her fingers
around her bandbox, although Elizabeth sensed that she was longing to cling to the hand rail. “Charles decided against it. We both thought it wrong to take one of Captain Maybourne’s carriages. Even the gig. As for a closed carriage, well he thought that would ruin my reputation.” She smiled a secret little smile. “He is very solicitous of my reputation.”

Elizabeth looked at her friend in amazement. Mary and Charles had contemplated elopement, an adventure that would have destroyed her name beyond saving even once they were married, but they had balked at a closed carriage. Sometimes her friend astounded her. “I see,” was all she could say.

“
Did you mean to walk all the way to Gretna Green?”

“
James, please do not be unkind,” Elizabeth said.

“
Of course not,” Charles called from his place at the back. “I bought a pony and trap from a farmer. I got it for a good price, too.”

“
What happened to it?” James, as always cut straight to the nub of the matter.

There was a pause.
“Axle broke,” Charles said, at last.

Elizabeth
could not help herself. She began to laugh.

“
It was not funny,” Mary said. “It was most terrifying and then we had to ride with that horrible little man.” Elizabeth felt her friend shudder.

“
I am sorry,” she said, trying to control her amusement. “I am sure it was distressing, but you must admit this has been the most hapless elopement ever.”

Mary gave a small giggle.
“I will plan it better next time,” she said.

Behind them Charles snorted.

“Enough, children,” James said. “Now I will have your attention, if you please. I have a plan. Elizabeth, you decided to convey to Charles and Miss Granger the Captain’s decision. Unable to find them and worried for their safety, you asked for my help. So far so true. We found them quickly but, unfortunately Miss Granger had had a small accident which prevented her from walking.”

He
paused as he negotiated a tight bend.

“
But I did not,” Mary said.

Elizabeth
patted her hand. “Just limp a little when we get home. You can lean on me and I am sure nobody will question it.”

“
Of course, Charles would not leave Miss Granger alone in order to get help so he was helping her to limp to the nearest Inn when we came upon them,” James said. “I took Miss Granger up with me and Elizabeth whilst Charles decided to walk the remainder of the distance to the Inn.”

“
Am I to be cast as the lily-livered scoundrel?”

“
Not at all, Charles,” he said. “You are the noble swain who endured great discomfort in order to tend to his lady love.”

Charles growled, sounding less than appeased and
Elizabeth grinned.

“
Once Elizabeth had told Miss Granger and Charles the happy news we decided to celebrate, Elizabeth as Miss Granger’s chaperone and me as Charles’ friend and eventual groomsman. Of course, we could not allow Miss Granger to walk back so, after an elegant repast, we had to rely on the curricle to convey us all back. That journey, unfortunately, took somewhat longer than anticipated owing to Charles inability to cling on tightly enough.”

“
Will they accept that?” Elizabeth did not want to dampen everybody’s spirits, but she thought Lady Delphine, at least, would pick holes in that explanation.

“
If they have any doubts they only have to ask at The Swan where we enjoyed Mrs Clark’s delightful cooking.”

Elizabeth
glanced at his determined profile and she did not doubt for one moment that any enquiries would corroborate their story. She let the matter drop.

Charles, however, did not.
“I defy anyone to believe that I could not hang on here,” he said, with, Elizabeth thought, far too much complacency.

James
said nothing, but Elizabeth felt his arm twitch and the horses broke step for a moment. From behind there was a crash. He grinned and drew the horses to a stand. Behind them Charles brushed himself off and wordlessly retook his place behind.

***

Runthorne strode across the flagged hall, his boot heels making a satisfying thump against the stone. Gentle mid-morning sunlight streamed in bars across the floor so that he moved from light to shade with each step. A bit like life, he thought.

T
he light with Elizabeth, the shade with Aurelia.

W
ell, he thought, it was high time he encouraged the shade to leave his life.

Aurelia, he knew
, was closeted with her mother in the Blue parlour. He reached the door and paused. What he was about to do would offend all right thinking gentlemen. He took a breath then, without knocking slammed open the door.