His Wayward Ward - A Regency Novella (Risque Regency) by Kate Harper

hurt. ‘Have you stopped loving me, Eliza?’
    ‘Of course not.’
    ‘Then prove it. Come away with me. Pack up a valise now and we will leave immediately. Or tonight, if you prefer it. Only say that you will come with me -’
    ‘Do you think it quite the thing for a young gentleman to be holding an unmarried female’s hand in her guardian’s house? And all without the presence of a chaperone?’ The lazy voice behind them brought them apart in a flash. They turned, flushed with guilt, to find Carlton leaning against the door jam, his expression bland. He looked the picture of nonchalance, but Eliza was not deceived; she had come to recognize the subtle nuances that made up this man’s body language.
    My Lord Carlton was not amused.
    ‘Sir!’ Grayson stepped forward immediately. ‘I apologize, but I was so eager to see Miss. Percival that I forgot myself.’
    ‘Yes. You did, didn’t you?’ Carlton straightened and walked into the room. His eyes flickered to Eliza’s face before returning to regard Grayson Henry. ‘To what do we owe the pleasure, Mr. Henry?’
    Eliza’s thoughts were racing. How much had he heard? She felt mortified at being discovered like this, but she had not realized her guardian was home.
    ‘I have just arrived in town, Sir. I know I should have left a card and then called back -’
    ‘I’m relieved to hear it.’
    ‘ – but I was anxious to see Eliza. It has been three weeks. I am sure you can understand the natural inclinations of a man who… who holds someone in such high regard.’
    ‘Generally, men who hold women in high regard observe the social niceties. But I’m willing to allow that you might not know what they are, so I’m prepared to let you try again. Leave your card in the hall on the way out.’
    This was so clearly a dismissal that Grayson had no option but to leave. He turned to Eliza, his expression speaking volumes. ‘My apologies, Miss. Percival. I look forward to our next meeting.’
    And he walked stiffly from the room.
    There was a small silence after he had gone, then Eliza took a deep, steadying breath. ‘Must you have been so… so horrid? You’ve made poor Grayson feel dreadful.’
    ‘So he should.’ Eliza was not used to that hard note in her guardian’s voice. Somehow, he had shed his habitual air of lazy indifference and she wasn’t at all sure that she cared for the man who was standing before her. ‘The young fool needs to learn some manners.’
    ‘That’s ridiculous and you know it. I have often entertained Grayson unsupervised at my aunt’s house.’ It was an exaggeration, of course. She had seen Grayson alone, but they had not been left that way for long.
    ‘Then your aunt is more of a fool than I took her to be,’ he replied tersely. ‘Good God, Eliza, do you not realize how easily it is for a woman to be ruined? One wrong word, one ill-advised meeting and her credibility is gone.’
    ‘Nonsense.’ She felt her anger rising, incensed that he had chosen to adopt such an attitude. Him, of all people! ‘Besides, Grayson and I are to be married. Surely under such circumstances those rules do not apply.’
    ‘There is no certainty that you will be marrying Grayson Henry,’ his lordship returned coolly. ‘My investigations into his financial state are not complete.’
    ‘Your investigations… how dare you do such a thing! Grayson is the best of men, the kindest of men! Do you think he is after my money?’ Eliza glared at him. ‘Grayson loves me . He does not care for my money.’
    ‘Five thousand pounds a year can make a man very romantic.’ Carlton bit back. ‘I am far from sure that Grayson Henry would make you a suitable husband and I have no intention of giving my permission prematurely.’
    It was like striking a match to tinder and Eliza blazed up in a fury. ‘What makes you an authority on marriage? A rake who curls his lip at the very union? A man like you could not possibly understand how two people in love must