Free An Inconvenient Trilogy by Audrey Harrison

Michael, but please let me make my own choices. I promise to come to you if I need advice. I have learned enough since meeting you to know that you have some wisdom to offer at times.”
    “Your flattery overwhelms me Elizabeth.” he responded drily, but his eyes were filled with warmth.
    Lord Halkyn interrupted the pair at the end of the dance. He had come to collect Elizabeth to go in to supper. Michael bowed and moved away, all the pleasure of the last half hour receding. Lord Halkyn ignored or failed to notice any stiffness on Michael’s part and escorted Elizabeth into the supper room, sitting them at a table for two. It was in the centre of the large room so there was no impropriety about it, but Elizabeth would have preferred to be on a table with Violet for a number of reasons, with the main one being that it was the table where Michael sat.
    “I should like to call on you tomorrow if you will permit me? Perhaps you would accompany me for a drive around the park in my phaeton?” Lord Halkyn asked as they ate.
    “I usually ride out with my guardian and Mr. Dawson in the morning; I enjoy the exercise more than being paraded around. You are welcome to join us if you wish,” Elizabeth countered. She was not giving up her morning out with Michael so easily; sometimes it was the only time of the day she could relax.
    “I didn’t think you were one of the usual ladies of the ton , obsessed with how you are best seated in a phaeton. It will be a pleasure to accompany you,” came the smooth reply.
    Elizabeth wondered if he was always so smooth. It struck her that he seemed a little unemotional in some ways. She decided to prod a little to see if she could provoke some emotion that was hidden beneath that still surface. “I am presuming it is a compliment to be different from the other ladies my Lord? I would hate to think I was the oddity of the season.”
    “Miss Rufford, being different is a distinct advantage, believe me.” Halkyn responded, seeming unruffled at her slight challenge.
    “I shall take it as a compliment then.” Elizabeth replied with a small smile, suddenly aching to be back home.
    *
    Lord Halkyn joined the morning ride as planned. They rode out with Violet, which was an unusual occurrence. Violet had insisted that they needed another female to even the numbers slightly and to avoid causing something of a stir, even though one of the men was Elizabeth’s guardian. The party rode through Hyde Park, taking the well trodden pathways that the original group of three had found they preferred. Elizabeth started out riding next to Violet, but all too soon the shift occurred and Lord Halkyn joined Elizabeth while the others rode together.
    “Lord Dunham has certainly been seen more in society since your introduction, it seems.” Lord Halkyn said, opening the conversation.
    “Yes, I believe he has been a reluctant participant until now. I appreciate his efforts.” Elizabeth replied.
    “He must think highly of you to exert himself.” Lord Halkyn said amiably.
    “He has a strong sense of duty.” Elizabeth shrugged. She wished that Michael was exerting himself because he enjoyed spending time with her. She was realistic enough though to acknowledge that he was probably just doing what would be expected of any guardian. The thought of being a burden to him saddened her; she had realised a while ago that she wanted to be more than that, far more than that.
    “He does, but enough about your guardian, tell me more about you.”
    Elizabeth sighed; she was no good at this game. “I don’t paint or play the piano very well, but I can dance and I’ve been told I have quite a good singing voice.”
    Lord Halkyn laughed, “You sound as if you are describing a horse! I have to say you aren’t doing a very good job of wooing me, Miss Rufford.”
    Elizabeth smiled a little, “You are obviously presuming I want to woo you, my Lord.”
    “The more time I spend with you Miss Rufford, the more I am coming