His Shadowed Heart by Hazel Statham

Author:Hazel Statham
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Books We Love Ltd.
Published: 2013-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

*****

Impatiently, the Earl of Waverly paced the confines of his study and listened to the speech prepared by his secretary. “Yes, yes, it will do,” he said shortly, cutting across John Eaton’s words. “I know not how much longer this damned debate is to last, but it seems no nearer to its conclusion. No progress whatsoever is being made. One would have thought the deployment of troops in the Peninsular too advanced to excite opposition but there are still those who would argue. I am out of patients with the whole. Even those at the Ministry who are well aware of the dichotomies of war appear no nearer to resolving the matter.”

“Would you prefer that I should make your excuses, sir?” enquired Eaton, putting aside the speech.

“No, no, I must attend,” replied the earl with some resignation. “Though God knows, I wish myself elsewhere.”

“You wish yourself at Lordings, my lord?”

“That I do—though when I will be able to make the journey I know not. My departure has been delayed beyond all expectations and I find it insupportable.” With every passing day, he deeply regretted his wife’s absence and his desire to join her at his country seat grew to invade not only his waking, but also his sleeping hours,

A discreet tap came on the door and a footman entered to announce Lady Victoria, who followed immediately in his wake.

“Richard, how much longer am I to see you here,” she demanded, extending her hand to receive his salute. “I would have thought you to be eager to go to Lordings. You can’t leave your young bride alone too long, she will become bored without your company.”

The earl smiled ruefully. “As always Victoria, you come straight to the point.”

“I don’t believe in prevarication as you know,” she smiled, nodding a brief greeting to Eaton who, bowing, hastily left the room not wishing to intrude.

“And where is Henry? Does he not bear you company to beard me in my den?”

“Henry is most disobliging and has left for the races. He will be gone for at least three days and I am once more left to my own devices.”

“And you thought you would come to tease me to relieve your boredom? Most sisterly!”

“Don’t be so uncharitable, Richard,” she snapped. “You must know it is nothing of the kind, but the thought did occur to me that, with a little persuasion, I might induce you to accompany me to a select little card party at Maria Radleigh’s this evening. I succumb to ennui left to my own devices and it would be so pleasant to have your company. Indeed, you may even enjoy the outing.”

The earl frowned. “I have no time for card parties, they hold no interest for me.”

“There is bound to be other entertainment for those not wishing to play,” she said, determined not to be dissuaded from her purpose. “It will take your mind off other matters, I am sure. Caroline would not wish you to be dull.”

“I am anything but dull, my dear Victoria….

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