The Long Road to Love by Lynn Collum

upstairs.
    Richard rose abruptly and kissed his mother. “I think I shall allow you to handle matters for Angel. If I leave now I can reach Blackstone Abbey before midnight.”
    Augusta suppressed a smile as she watched her son’s retreating back. “Do come again soon, I am certain Angel will wish to thank you and introduce you to her choice of a husband.”
    The drawing-room door slammed shut. The dowager chuckled. He would be back, and sooner than he realized. Later that evening, Augusta watched Angel struggle to hide her disappointment at the news that his lordship had returned home quite suddenly. The dowager was certain the pair were in love. Now all she had to do was make certain that Angelica didn’t attract some eligible gentleman until her son came to his senses.

*   *   *
     
    Two days later Richard found himself strolling down Haymarket Street toward the King’s Theatre in the hope of finding some new actress to tease him out of his dark mood. He’d returned to the abbey, only to find he couldn’t concentrate. Even his tenants had praised Angel for her kindness in helping with the sick. In desperation, he’d packed and returned to Town.
    Now going round to the stage door, which was propped opened due to the heat, he recognized several of the women milling around backstage while the sounds of someone rehearsing onstage echoed out the door.
    Stepping into the theatre, Richard halted as a tall, buxom blonde with a painted face and dressed as a shepherdess came to hang on his arm. Her stage name was Lilac Windemere.
    “Why, if it ain’t Lord Blackstone! Did you get bored with the girls what went to Lord Yardley’s little party?” The actress pressed herself close to the earl. “Never had a gentleman get bored with me.”
    Lilac suddenly leaned over and kissed her prey. Richard choked at the smell of cheap perfume, and he wanted to push the woman away. When she drew back and smiled, he was filled with memories of the sweet innocence of Angel’s kiss in the woods. His gaze swept the actresses who watched Lilac’s attempts to snare a benefactor. These women weren’t what he desired any longer.
    With a bow and a tip of his hat, Richard said, “Ladies, I have an appointment in Bath.” He turned and left, certain of what he wanted.

*   *   *
     
    Angelica plucked a red rose from the trellis, then wandered to the marble bench at the back of the small garden at Lady Blackstone’s house in Bath. Dressed in a new pink sprig muslin day gown with white lace at the sleeves, her black hair now fashionably arranged, she settled in the shade, wondering where Richard was at this moment.
    When the countess had told her he’d gone without so much as saying goodbye, Angelica’s heart felt as if it were crushed. She knew she’d made the dreadful mistake of falling in love with her old friend.
    When Angelica had come downstairs the following morning, Lady Blackstone had insisted on a new wardrobe for her guest and had announced that she’d called in a seamstress. She’d spoken of the parties and other entertainments they would attend in Bath, but all Angelica could think of was Richard and where he was at that moment.
    Angelica plucked a velvety petal from the rose she held and sniffed its sweet scent. It would be a long month and a half before she received her inheritance and could find living quarters of her own. What if Richard returned before then? Could she keep from revealing her feelings to the man she loved? He was so anxious to get back to his rakish life, he’d left without bidding her farewell. He’d never given her a second thought.
    The crunch of gravel on the garden path alerted Angelica that someone was joining her. She quickly swiped at a tear that streamed down her cheek and looked up; then her breath caught in her throat. The earl strode toward her looking rakishly handsome in a blue coat with grey pantaloons. His auburn hair glistened in the afternoon sun.
    Angelica rose on shaking knees.