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

when they had finally arrived in Leicester, Eliza was heartily sick of travelling and her own company. Even Grayson seemed subdued as they entered the Four Sparrows, seeking rooms for the night. Fortunately, there were bedchambers available, along with a private dining room, which meant that at least they would not have to brave the public one. Eliza would have happily foresworn food all together and retired early to bed, but Grayson wanted to dine with her and she did not have the strength to argue.
    It was not until after the serving girl had laid out their meal that Grayson leaned across the table, taking her hand in his. ‘My love, what is it? You have hardly spoken.’
    ‘I’m tired, that’s all. It’s been a long day.’
    ‘I understand.’
    He looked so handsome in the candlelight. Eliza suppressed a sigh, wondering what Aunt Flora would make of the note that she had left. Would she have told Carlton? And if he knew, would he do anything to stop her? A quiver of hope and dread shot through her, so startling that she almost exclaimed aloud. Did she want Carlton to find her?
    ‘You must be tired yourself,’ she managed, playing with the boiled venison on her plate, ‘you’ve been driving all day.’
    ‘A night’s sleep will set me right, but bless you, just the same.’ He sat back in his chair and smiled at her. ‘You know, we really did not need to take two rooms for the night.’
    It took a moment before she caught his meaning and she looked at him quickly. Could he be suggesting…? But why not? Why should she find the idea of sharing a bed with the man she would be married to by the end of the week so shocking? ‘Grayson, I -’
    ‘Just the two of us,’ his voice had dropped. ‘It will be as if we were already married.’
    Except they weren’t. Eliza stared at Grayson and knew, in that moment, that she had made a mistake of monumental proportions. Somewhere along the way in the past three weeks, something had changed. She did not want to share a bed with Grayson tonight and she did not want to marry him the day after tomorrow.
    All she really wanted to do, she realized, with a sickening jolt of dismay, was to go back to London.
    Oh, what an idiot I am!
    Grayson was looking at her and she looked back at him, her mouth dry, trying to find the words that would set this right. But what could she say? And truthfully, wasn’t it too late to go home? Carlton was right; Society was quick to judge those who threw the rules away and she had run off with Grayson, heading for an elopement, which would put her beyond the pale. She could not return to London; she could not return to Bath, either, for word would spread of her foolishness and she would find herself ostracized there as well.
    ‘Eliza?’ Grayson whispered. Unlike Carlton, he had not quite mastered the fine art of seducing with a word.
    As she hesitated over what she should say, both of them heard the rapid approach of boots in the hallway beyond and the door was flung rudely open. Once again, Carlton stood on the threshold and, once again, he had lost that air of sleepy indolence. His eyes swept the room, coming to rest on Eliza, who had risen from the table, white faced and wary. She heard the breath hiss out of him before he advanced, closing the door behind him with the heel of his boot.
    Grayson had also risen and was staring at Carlton as if he were the devil incarnate. With his cloak flung over one shoulder, hand on his sword hilt, he looked dangerously ready to strike and the atmosphere in the small room crackled with tension.
    ‘Has he touched you?’ he demanded, voice like ice.
    ‘W-what are you -’
    ‘ Has he touched you ?’
    She quailed beneath the tone, shrinking backwards. Carlton was furious ! ‘No, he has not! What are you doing here?’
    ‘Gather your things.’ When she made no move, simply continuing to stare at him, he drew a deep breath, clearly fighting for patience. ‘I am not here to argue about this, Eliza. Get