Read His Wayward Ward - A Regency Novella (Risque Regency) for Free Online

real idea of how Grayson’s financial situation stood but she sympathized anyway. Carlton had made his plans and they all must fall in with them. A fresh flare of resentment sprang up in her breast. The man was impossible!
    ‘I’m sorry, my love. I truly am.’
    There was a small silence and then words exploded out of Grayson, indignation and wounded pride giving them heat. ‘Can’t you change his mind Eliza? You don’t want to go to London! It’s quite ridiculous that he’s forcing you into it.’
    ‘I’ve tried,’ Eliza said despairingly, ‘but he refuses to listen. And Aunt Flora says I must go. He is my guardian. I have no choice in the matter.’
    She wondered, yet again, if elopement had crossed Grayson’s mind but he said nothing and the dance finished shortly after.
    Twenty minutes later, having evaded several offers from eager gentlemen to procure refreshments on her behalf, Eliza stood looking forlornly at the buffet. She felt completely out of sorts and was contemplating if it was possible to excuse herself early. Grayson seemed to have disappeared and she was developing a slight headache, thanks to the heat of the room and the crush of people. She was looking for a glass of cold ratafia, but the press of bodies was daunting. When a light touch fell on her shoulder, she turned to look, dreading the need to make polite conversation when all she wanted was a little quiet and a place to think.
    She was completely taken aback to see Lord Carlton standing there, eyeing her with quizzical amusement. He was very tall… she had not realized that before and she was forced to tilt her head back to look into his face. A small, unexpected thrill ran through her at the sight of him, disconcerting her. He was dressed in a dark brown jacket, biscuit colored breeches and a plain black waistcoat; he looked, it must be admitted, rather fine. ‘My dear Miss. Percival, you appear to be in a dream.’
    Eliza struggled to find her tongue, annoyed that, once again, he seemed to have her at a disadvantage. ‘What are you doing here?’
    An eyebrow went up, a quirk with which she was fast becoming familiar. It happened every time she uttered something he considered churlish. ‘I was invited. How delightful it is to see you, too.’
    Eliza flushed. ‘Well I’m glad you’re here. I wanted to talk to you.’
    ‘I’m honored, of course.’
    ‘Don’t be! It’s a serious discussion about what you said to Grayson today.’
    Carlton looked down at her with a smile. ‘Oh? Has Mr. Henry a complaint about my behavior this afternoon? I thought I acted with perfect civility.’
    ‘Yes, well, I’m sure you did.’ Certainly, Grayson had not mentioned that Carlton had been unpleasant. ‘But that’s not what I meant. You said we were to go to London for a few weeks but now, it seems, we are not to return until the season finishes in August!’
    ‘Actually,’ Carlton corrected her, ‘I said that a few weeks would knock the rough edges off you. I did not say how long you should remain there. But, surely, there’s no point in going up for so short a period. Clearly, with the amount of clothing your aunt considers necessary, she must be of the same opinion.’
    Eliza stared up at Carlton, frustrated. ‘But I do not want to be in London for so long.’
    ‘The time will fly by,’ he assured her, those gray eyes glinting. ‘And I am sure Bath will be waiting for you upon your return. Or will you be returning to Suffolk?’
    ‘I… I don’t know.’ How could she? She had thought she would be planning her marriage to Grayson by the end of the Season. If anything, she would be going to Taunton, where Grayson had a (perfectly respectable) house.
    ‘Plenty of time to work it out,’ his lordship murmured. ‘Now… what can I get you to drink? Some ratafia?’
    ‘I can manage, thank - you.’ Eliza was cross with her guardian despite the fact that he had not actually done anything. Actually, the fact that he had not done