Page 5 of Stolen by My Knave
“My dear,” her mother said, “I’d love to give you whatever you want, but your desire in this instance won’t help you any. The ton is full of insipid fools, but surely there is one out there that is worth your time. However will you meet them if you don’t leave the house? It’s not like my time when I could turn on a computer and meet people through social media.” She sighed. “No, in this time people have to actually interact in person.”
Anyone other than a family member wouldn’t have understood a word her mother had said. But the world didn’t know she traveled in time and fell in love with the Duke of Weston. They weren’t even sure if she could’ve returned if she wanted to. Elizabeth suspected there was a way though... She stared at the mirror on the other side of the room. The memory of seeing a daring pirate inside its depths filled her mind. Was it possible? If so, how?
“Will we know anyone in attendance?” Christian asked.
Their mother shrugged. “I suppose it’s inevitable, but it’s not like I can ring up the dowager countess and say, ‘hey who’d you invite? I wanna know if this is worth my time before I commit.’ We’re going accept it.”
“Fine,” Christian said. “But I don’t like it.”
Elizabeth didn’t either. They were stuck though. She could at least take some pleasure in knowing she wasn’t the only one. The twins would be at their worst and that would make the excursion worth it. They’d make sure their parents paid for taking them along. Two bigger pranksters didn’t exist. They learned far more than the normal subjects at school.
“How long is the house party?” Elizabeth asked.
She wanted to know how long she’d have to suffer through the ordeal. No doubt all the men would be as dull as the ones she’d already met. Another house party wouldn’t change that fact. None of them had made her feel anything and they’d all bored her senseless. She didn’t do more than nod her head and they kept talking.
“A full fortnight,” her mother replied and held her hand up. “Don’t even start. Two weeks isn’t too long. You can and will survive it.”
Elizabeth had her doubts. “Please tell me this is the only entertainment you’re going to make us suffer through this summer. I had hoped to visit Seabrook.”
Their aunt was the Marchioness of Seabrook. Elizabeth adored Lady Rosanna and visited her whenever possible. If she couldn’t stay at Weston, then she’d gladly go to Seabrook instead. Elizabeth liked what she liked and didn’t apologize for it. She was her mother’s daughter in that regard.
“You should still be able to visit with Rosanna,” her mother said. “Besides you know how Charlotte looks up to you. She is excited for you to visit. She’s young and impressionable. Be careful how you act around her.”
Elizabeth pursed her lips. She liked her cousin—she did—but she hated being quite that adored. Charlotte was ten and six and quite crazy about the idea of being in love. She hadn’t yet been disillusioned as Elizabeth had.
“Don’t worry. I’m prepared to handle Charlotte,” Elizabeth replied. “And I’ll try to enjoy this house party while we’re there, but I’m not making any promises.”
“That’s fair enough.” Her mother leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Who knows, maybe you’ll meet the man of your dreams while we’re there.”
“Forgive me if I don’t hold my breath,” Elizabeth said dryly. “My perfect man doesn’t exist.”
He truly was one only conjured up in dreams—brave, gorgeous, and charming. She’d seen him once in the mirror and never again. There wasn’t much chance the blond pirate would make an appearance in her reality. If wishing made it so... Her mother managed to find the one man meant for her by traveling through time. Perhaps she’d have to do the same thing to find her own happiness.
“I’ll leave you two for now.” Her mother nodded at Christian and then her. “I’ll see you later at the evening meal.”
Elizabeth watched her go and frowned. The two-week house party would be hell, but she’d do as she promised. Maybe there would be some friends there, and it wouldn’t be as bad as she envisioned. Even if there wasn’t—perhaps she’d find the library and dream of a man she’d never have...
