Lady Edith's Lonely Heart: A Regency Romance (Lonely Hearts Series Book 1)
Page 21
If you could offer me advice as to what to do, I would be most grateful. I admit to being a little perturbed and unsure of the best course of action to take. I would hate to make an unnecessary fuss, but I am concerned.
Your friend,
Susan King
There. It was done. Only fear for her safety had pushed her to contact the man she loved, who barely knew of her existence. She could only hope that he would offer some guidance or help, for she wasn’t being overly dramatic in expressing that she had no one else to ask for assistance.
She had never felt so alone and vulnerable in her life, and she was in the middle of the busiest city in the world.
*
“Susan, you can be the most annoying chit a woman ever had the misfortune to be related to,” scolded Mrs. King, Susan’s stepmother. “Will you at least try to look your best when you’re attending one of the biggest functions of the season?”
“But peach makes me look sickly,” Susan protested feebly. Their encounters were always the same, even after fifteen years of being related. Susan was the despised stepdaughter, the darling of her father, and a woman who, if the scolding by her stepmother was to be believed, was intent on putting off every possible suitor the season had to offer.
“Mr. Lawson said he liked peach. Therefore, you will wear peach for his ball,” Mrs. King responded as the modistes hovered in the background, glancing at each other in discomfort.
“As I don’t wish to give Mr. Lawson the slightest indication that I might be willing to accept any proposal he’d be foolish enough to offer, I would prefer to wear a different colour,” Susan said, setting her shoulders. “Please get me some options of pale blue,” she said to the head modiste. For once feeling as if she was in control of some part of her life, if only a little.
The women bustled to the piles of fabric they’d brought with them to the large house on Curzon Street, leaving stepmother and stepdaughter alone for a few moments.
Mrs. King approached Susan and, before there was time to react, grabbed the fabric of Susan’s simple cotton day dress and dragged the girl to her. “Listen to me, brat,” she hissed. “You might be of age, but you are marrying this season; do I make myself clear? I am sick to death of seeing your ugly face in my home. I’ve reached my limit. You will accept someone in the next month, or I will arrange a marriage for you. Your father will agree with me, obviously, so don’t go whining to him. We’re sick of seeing your pained expressions every day. It’s time you married.”
Susan swallowed. She had been browbeaten for the last fifteen years, and it was hard to stand up to after such a long period of time. Only the desire to marry a man she loved gave her some of the inner strength she needed to face her tormentor.
“As I am of age, I can’t be forced into marriage.”
“Oh, can you not? I’m sure I can contrive to arrange a little situation in which I would shout out loud and clear that you had been compromised. A sure way to get you to the altar whatever your feelings on the matter.”
“You wouldn’t!”
“Test me, and we’ll see you married by the end of the week,” came the snarling promise.
A quiet cough alerted them that the modiste wished to approach them. Mrs. King stood back. “Have whatever dress you like – just make sure the neckline is plunging. You have one asset; at least you can show that part of you off,” Mrs. King instructed before sweeping out of the room.
Susan’s cheeks burned, not helped by the looks of sympathy she was receiving from the women who were fussing around her in an effort to appear normal.
“Do you have my measurements?” Susan asked after a few moments of being treated with care and consideration, which had made her feel even more oppressed.
“Yes, miss.”
“In that case, I shall have those two designs, this in the blue and the second in the white. Please make the bodices a respectable height,” Susan said with a blush.
“Of course.”
“Please excuse me, but I think I’ve no need to delay you any longer. Thank you for your time,” Susan said, walking out of the room.
She entered her bedchamber and leaned on the closed door. She couldn’t take much more of the abuse, the undermining, and now the promise of ruination. There was no doubt her mother would carry out her threat, and it horrified Susan.
She was an heiress, true, but she wasn’t beautiful. Looks didn’t necessarily matter if one had an inheritance. A girl with a fortune could always guarantee a husband, whether she be plain or pretty. If she liked that husband was another matter.
Susan moved over to the cheval mirror that stood in the corner, always a reminder that she hadn’t inherited her mother’s beauty, just her height and large bosom. The first Mrs. King had been stunning to look at: tumbling golden locks and clear blue eyes to enhance a tall, shapely figure.
Susan was three and twenty and had light brown hair and blue-green eyes. It was as if when she was being created, no one could decide what she should have, so they gave her everything. Hair that turned lighter in summer, but not light enough to be classed as blonde, and darker in winter, though not dark enough to be an interesting brunette. Her lips were a little too full, and her nose didn’t have the aquiline shape the aristocracy preferred. All in all, she could barely be classed as pretty, very often attracting the label of unremarkable, or the even more damning compliment of being personable. Added to which, she had been cruelly given the epithet of “Plain Jane”, by her stepmother, meaning her confidence about her looks was about as low as it could be.
She was of a quiet nature, partly forced by the fact that every time she spoke, her stepmother contradicted her. It was easier to remain silent than to face constant belittlement. Now, after years of being suppressed, she sometimes wondered who the real Susan King was, for she could barely remember herself.
Mr. King indulged his daughter, but only when they were alone. He had remarried for looks, not personality, and now when his second wife’s looks had faded, there was little else to recommend her. He was a malleable man who bowed to his chosen one’s wishes, even if they were to the detriment of his daughter. He found it made his life easier, and he could ease his conscience by delighting in spoiling his daughter when they were alone.
Feeling confined by her home situation, added to which was the apprehension of daily conflict, now heightened by the certainty she was being followed, Susan longed for relief. Making a decision, she grabbed a straw bonnet off her wardrobe shelf and went down the servants’ stairs to the kitchens.
It was a route she had used often, both in their London home and in the country house in Warwickshire. It was her way of escaping from her stepmother’s all-seeing eyes. The staff knew full well how Mrs. King treated her stepdaughter and unobtrusively did all they could to support and cosset the gentle young girl.
Entering the kitchen, she was greeted by Cook. “Now then, missy, what are you doing here? Thought you were picking out frocks to dazzle all them fine gentlemen with.”
Grimacing, Susan picked up a shortbread biscuit, always available in the kitchen. “Mother wanted plunging necklines and colours that would make me look like some sort of sickly Gothic heroine,” she said, sitting on a stool. “I had to escape.”
Cook clicked her tongue in disapproval but said nothing. She would rant to the housekeeper later, but it was best to hold her counsel for now. “And what does sneaking down here and eating biscuits do to help? You’ll be getting thickset, like me, and your dancing days will be over. You should hold me up as a warning.”
Susan grinned. “You shouldn’t make biscuits that taste so good; then I wouldn’t eat so many. I’m actually going to have a walk around the garden after I’ve finished this.”
“Not going to Hyde Park?”
“No.” Susan frowned. “I think I’ll just remain within our grounds for today.” She felt unable to appear confident if she were to see Mr. Malone, after the tongue-lashing her stepmother had given her. She needed a little t
ime to regain her equilibrium, which she had to do most days.
“I’ll have a nice bit of ice cream for you when you’ve finished your stroll,” Cook promised.
“Mm, you make ice cream almost as well as you make biscuits.” Susan smiled, moving from the chair.
Popping her bonnet on her head, she left the kitchen, and after passing the scullery and cold store, she emerged into the small kitchen garden. A gate in the wall led to the formal part of the grounds, which wasn’t huge in comparison to those found on country estates, but large enough for a reasonable walk if she didn’t mind doubling back over some of the pathways.
Susan decided to pick some of the flowers from the overflowing beds to brighten up her bedchamber. On hearing a creak behind her, she paused. She turned slowly, letting out a whoosh of breath when she saw nothing. She was clearly alone.
Cursing herself for hearing threats that weren’t there, she continued in her task. Her thoughts drifted to Lord Longdon who would have received her letter by now. Writing to him had been folly; she had been desperate for help, and he was the only person she could seek advice from, but she knew her inner feelings had driven her as well. She had been in love with him for years, before he’d even gone to fight with Wellington in the Peninsular War. She thought he’d return after Napoleon had been defeated, but no, he’d gone to America to fight there, and then had followed Wellington to France.
She’d seen a difference in him when the fighting had finally ended. It was no surprise really – he’d been fighting for years; one couldn’t be unaffected by that – but her feelings hadn’t changed. Not one bit. A pity he hardly seemed to notice her other than as the best friend of his sister.
She was destined to admire from afar, and although she’d never expected to actually marry him, there had always been a flicker of hope while they both remained single. Now, thanks to her stepmother, even that was about to be permanently extinguished. For there was one thing that was certain about the second Mrs. King: once she decreed something had to happen, it occurred within a surprisingly short amount of time. She’d decided Susan was to marry, and without a doubt that would happen, whether Susan wished it or not.
Sighing, she turned and stopped walking suddenly, her mouth dropping open in a silent ‘o’.
“Don’t make a sound and you won’t get hurt,” Mr. Malone said, pointing a gun in her direction.
Susan faltered, staring at the weapon pointing at her. Her heart pounded noisily, and her breathing was shallow. Afraid she was going to faint at the sight of the glinting silver aimed at her, she took a steadying breath. Panicking would not help her, so there was no point in wasting her energy on it.
“I can give you money, but I haven’t any on my person at the moment,” Susan said, surprised that her voice, although shaky, was clear.
“I don’t want the pennies you’d throw at me,” he sneered. “It’s you I’m here for. You’re coming with me.”
“What? No!” Susan wanted to run, but she could see the gun was primed. “I can give you more than I did last time.”
“Yes, you can, but not in the way you think,” Albert Malone answered. “Stop trying to delay. Come with me, or your father will be mourning the loss of his only daughter.”
Susan paused. She was terrified, but the oddness of the situation struck her forcibly. “You are trying to kidnap me, but if you shoot me, I’m no use to you at all.”
“Just stop talking and come on! You infuriating baggage!” Albert cursed.
“No,” Susan said, gaining strength from goodness knew where. “I’m not coming with you.”
The crack of the gunshot startled the birds around the garden; there were squawks of complaint as the ruffled creatures took flight.
Susan fell backwards to the hard ground with such force it took her breath away. She gasped, struggling to inhale. Black dots appeared around the edges of her eyes, and her vision started to fade. She could feel herself being roughly handled and heard cursing. The last thing she saw was the rough, dirty face of Albert Malone.
Download it April 2020…..
About the Author
I have had the fortune to live a dream. I’ve always wanted to write, but life got in the way as it so often does until a few years ago. Then a change in circumstance enabled me to do what I loved: sit down to write. Now writing has taken over my life, holidays being based around research, so much so that no matter where we go, my long-suffering husband says, ‘And what connection to the Regency period has this building/town/garden got?’
That dream became a little more surreal when in 2018, I became an Amazon StorytellerUK Finalist with Lord Livesey’s Bluestocking. A Regency Romance in the top five of an all-genre competition! It was a truly wonderful experience, I didn’t expect to win, but I had a ball at the awards ceremony.
I do appreciate it when readers get in touch, especially if they love the characters as much as I do. Those first few weeks after release is a trying time; I desperately want everyone to love my characters that take months and months of work to bring to life.
If you enjoy the books please would you take the time to write a review on Amazon? Reviews are vital for an author who is just starting out, although I admit to bad ones being crushing. Selfishly I want readers to love my stories!
I can be contacted for any comments you may have, via my website:
www.audreyharrison.co.uk
or
www.facebook.com/AudreyHarrisonAuthor
Please sign-up for email/newsletter – only sent out when there is something to say!
www.audreyharrison.co.uk
You’ll receive a free copy of The Unwilling Earl in mobi format for signing-up as a thank you!
Novels by Audrey Harrison
Regency Romances – newest release first
Lady Edith’s Lonely Heart
Miss King’s Rescue
The Lonely Lord
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07S1X5NBZ
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07S1X5NBZ
The Drummond Series:-
Lady Lou the Highwayman – Drummond series Book 1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NDX3HV2
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07NDX3HV2
Saving Captain Drummond – Drummond Series Book 2
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NFBRZFG
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07NFBRZFG
Lord Livesey’s Bluestocking (Amazon Storyteller Finalist 2018) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D3T6L93
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07D3T6L93
Return to the Regency – A Regency Time-travel novel
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078C87HVX
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B078C87HVX
My Foundlings:-
The Foundling Duke – The Foundlings Book 1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071KTT9CD
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071KTT9CD
The Foundling Lady – The Foundlings Book 2
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072L2D7PF
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B072L2D7PF
Book bundle – The Foundlings
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q6YLND4
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Q6YLND4
Mr Bailey’s Lady
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NACMFVJ
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01NACMFVJ
The Spy Series:-
My Lord the Spy
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F11ZRM8
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01F11ZRM8
My Earl the Spy
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F12NG8E
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01F12NG8E
Book bundle – The Spying Lords
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RV3JQFP
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07RV3JQFP
The Captain’s Wallflower
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018PDBGLK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B018PDBGLK
The Four Sisters’ Series:-
Rosalind – Book 1
&nb
sp; https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WWTXSA6
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00WWTXSA6
Annabelle – Book 2
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WWTXRWA
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00WWTXRWA
Grace – Book 3
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WWUBEWO
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00WWUBEWO
Eleanor – Book 4
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WWUBF1E
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00WWUBF1E
Book Bundle – The Four Sisters
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01416W0C4
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01416W0C4
The Inconvenient Trilogy:-
The Inconvenient Ward – Book 1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KCJUJFA
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KCJUJFA
The Inconvenient Wife – Book 2
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KCJVQU2
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KCJVQU2
The Inconvenient Companion – Book 3
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KCK87T4
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KCK87T4
Book bundle – An Inconvenient Trilogy
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PHQIZ18
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00PHQIZ18
The Complicated Earl
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BCN90DC
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BCN90DC
The Unwilling Earl (Novella)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BCNE2HG
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BCNE2HG
Other Eras
A Very Modern Lord
Years Apart