The Lady's Dilemma [EBOOK]

Chapter 1 <br>
The evening air waltzed in the shadows, dancing in perfect harmony to the soft tune of the wind. Adelaide Livingstone giggled as it caught her skirts, wrapping them around her in an affectionate hug.<br>
With care, she undid the wind's work, aware that if she attempted to continue walking in that state, she would soon find herself on the cold, hard floor.<br>
As her skirts let go of her legs, she righted herself once more, straightening her spine, head held high, as she had been taught all those years ago.<br>
It was the only thing at which she succeeded when it came to being a proper lady, for her mother and governess had begun that work in good time.<br>
The skies were beginning to turn dark, but it was hard to tell how much time had passed. It had rained earlier in the afternoon while they had been in Madam Theresa's shop for her dress fitting.<br>
They had waited until the rain was over before stepping out. Her companion, maid, and friend, Patricia Keene, had suggested that they flag down a coach to take them home, but Adelaide had refused.<br>
It was such fine weather and would be a shame to waste, sitting in a carriage that went through the streets too quickly. Besides, it was not such a long walk to their town house.<br>
With a smile and pleading eyes that Patricia had never been able to successfully resist, Adelaide had convinced her to walk, and so they had dropped the thought of hiring a coach and started on their way.<br>
The farther they went, the more proud Adelaide felt about her decision.<br>
Speaking of good decisions, Adelaide had known the moment she chose the design for her ball gown that it would look perfect on her—just like a dream. She had been right. The fitting today was the last one, and it had been exactly that—perfect.<br>
Madam Theresa simply needed to make a few finishing touches, and then the dress would be sent finished to the town house. It was a crystal blue ball gown, which fit like a dream.<br>
Adelaide was certain she would turn many heads, and perhaps when people spoke in hushed voices, it would be in admiration or envy, not the usual disdain.<br>
The thought of it filled her with so much joy; she did not realise that she had begun to hum and skip.<br>
"My Lady, I pray thee, take great care not to skip. We are still very much on the open streets and anyone could see you."<br>
That was Patricia. Patricia held a place in Adelaide's heart that came right after her mother and her father. Adelaide had been raised by Patricia and had thus known her all her life.<br>
The old woman was a great companion. Content with silence, filled with wise words of admonition, and was always happy to help. In addition, Patricia was such a great listener that Adelaide could always confide in her. Not to mention, run to her for comforting embraces. Adelaide loved, cherished, and respected her.<br>
"You know I normally wouldn't worry about other people's opinions, Patricia. However, seeing that I am in high spirits tonight, I shall take heed," she said as she stopped skipping.<br>
The older woman's smile shone with relief. "Bless your soul, my dear. Now that we have that out of the way, please do not let me stop your humming. Such a lovely tune it was."<br>
Adelaide's cheeks bunched up in a warm smile. "Not as lovely as the wind's song, I fear," she teased.<br>
"Ah-ha! The wind is of God, Adelaide. As are you. I do believe that the wind itself would be envious, even more so when it hears how beautifully you play the pianoforte."<br>
"It is such lovely weather, though, is it not?" Adelaide asked, changing the topic. She knew Patricia was aware of her sly attempt, but the woman said nothing of it. She simply followed the new course.<br>
"Indeed, it is. I have not breathed such fine air in a long time. You were right to suggest that we take a walk, my Lady. Only, I fear we may have lost track of time and the day has grown darker. We shall need to hurry if we wish to return home before worry begets your parents."<br>
"Oh, Patricia, they always worry. You and I know that. Besides, I do believe it is just the rain making the skies so. The clouds have yet to clear."<br>
"You are very certain, considering you don't have a watch to tell for sure."<br>
Adelaide sighed, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. Sometimes, Patricia could be so fretful.<br>
"I do have a pocket watch, Patricia. The one Father gave me for my eighteenth birthday. I think I slipped it into my reticule as we prepared for this outing."<br>
With those words, she held out her reticule so she could search through it. <br>
"A-ha!" she chimed as her fingers wrapped around the cold silver. She brought it out carefully, squinting her eyes to get a clear look.<br>
Patricia was right. The sky was darkening by the second. Finally, her sight adjusted to the growing darkness and she got a clear look at the tiny hands of the watch.<br>
Her eyes widened upon seeing what time it was. She turned to Patricia, finally feeling the same sense of urgency.<br>
"What? What is it? What time does it say?" Patricia asked, fearing the worst.<br>
"It's half past the eighteenth hour, and we still have far to go! You were right, Patricia. We should hurry!"<br>
"Perhaps now would be a good time to flag down a coach, my Lady. That way, we will arrive home in time. Dinner shall be served in another half an hour. If you are not at the table, his Lordship would be truly worried. Not to mention, livid! We will be certain to receive a scolding!"<br>
Understanding Patricia's fright, Adelaide watched the streets, but they had reached that side of London where finding empty coaches was a herculean task. They could wait and hope to find one soon, but they would lose good time.<br>
"We shall find a good reason for Mother and Father not to worry. If we still get a scolding, well, we both know it is from a place of love. That makes it easier to bear."
Tucking the watch back into her pocket, Adelaide prepared herself for the rest of the journey.<br>
"Patricia, you were raised in the streets of London. Do you happen to know any shorter paths?"<br>
Patricia looked thoughtful, and Adelaide waited patiently for her.<br>
"Yes, there is a corner just down the street, but…I do not trust that path, my Lady. Especially at this hour. We shall remain on course and simply increase our pace."<br>
Ah, but Adelaide was done listening. At the mention of the alternative, she had begun to follow the direction of Patricia's nod, leaving her behind.<br>
Patricia soon caught up with her, her face set in a hard line, which told Adelaide she was not happy about this change of path.<br>
"You never listen, my Lady!"<br>
They returned to walking in quietness as Adelaide was aware that nothing she said in this moment would help matters. Patricia, she knew, was happy to remain in indignant silence until Adelaide realised her mistakes, and she always did, in good time.<br>
After all, if she had not insisted on the walk, they would not be here now.<br>
She was so lost in her own world that she did not see the man coming as they turned a corner. With the force of her hurried steps, she bumped into him and succeeded in knocking him down.<br>
The man fell to the ground with a thud. Immediately, Adelaide pulled to a stop, causing Patricia to do the same.<br>
She looked down at the man who appeared to be groaning in pain, then at Patricia. Certainly, she was not so strong that she could knock such a big man off his feet, was she?<br>
It was as though Patricia had read the question in her eyes, for she answered, sniffing, "I smell alcohol. I believe he is drunk."<br>
Drunk? At this hour?<br>
Adelaide did not know everything, but she was aware that there were men who took too much wine and often ended up inebriated and light on their feet.<br>
She took a step back to properly look at the sight before her, all sense of urgency forgotten. <br>
The lit streetlamps afforded her the opportunity to get a good look. He was dressed as many of the other gentlemen she met daily. Finely tailored trousers the colour of dust, a long matching coat, a black hat that covered most of his face, and Hessian boots, the colour of night.<br>
No man of ordinary means could afford such fine clothing. It meant that this man was probably someone important. Why wasn't he getting up?<br>
"Sir?" she called out, leaning towards him. "Are you hurt? Do you need help? I am sorry to have knocked you down!" It occurred to her then, that she was only just apologising. For a fleeting moment, she felt ashamed of her poor manners.<br>
Put off, she began to look around, not knowing what she hoped to find. Then she saw it, a small wooden box.
"Is this yours?" she asked again. It must have dropped off him when he fell.<br>
As before, she was met with no response, but the man opened his eyes to look at what she held.
When he saw it, it was as though he was magically renewed with strength. He went for the box, grabbing it quickly. As soon as the box was safe in his hands, he jumped to his feet.<br>
Adelaide turned towards Patricia, who exchanged surprised looks with her. The older lady's left shoulder lifted in a shrug.<br>
Now on his feet, the gentleman made a show of dusting off his clothes...especially his right side, which was now damp.<br>
"Uh...yes, m'lady, izz mine. Thank you for calling my attention to it. I had no idea it had fellen ov."<br>
She supposed his slurred words were a result of the inebriation. She watched as he cleaned off the box as though it meant the world to him.<br>
"It's the least I could do. It was I who knocked you down, after all."<br>
"Ah no. Feel no need tah 'pologize m'lady. It was I who was not lookin' right. Aigh't then. I shall be on my way. Ferwell." He dipped his hat in a salute, and Adelaide nodded in acknowledgement.<br>
Something gnawed at her concerning this man, but she could not place it. Deciding to let the feeling go, she lifted her skirts and made to resume their journey.<br>
However, just as she did, a man appeared from nowhere, knocked the drunken man to the ground yet again, and fled with the wooden box he had just stolen.<br>
It all happened so fast—too fast, Adelaide didn't have time to think. She simply did what her body told her to do; she broke into pursuit.<br>
Patricia followed without thought, calling after Adelaide to come to her senses.<br>
"My Lady, you shall halt in your steps this moment and turn around! This is not a matter of your concern, and we have to get home! Adelaide! As your guardian and companion, I beg you to stop! Adelaide!"<br>
"I'm sorry, Patricia, but I cannot let that thief rob a drunken man!"<br>
Adelaide kept her eyes on the thief, following as fast as she could while he made turns every now and then.
"For Pete's sake! You are a lady! This is not proper! How do you hope to face a man? A criminal at that!"<br>
"He would be long gone before we return, and the drunken gentleman shall never recover his property!" Adelaide yelled in return. That man was useless to walk on his own, let alone pursue a thief. No, Adelaide had to do this.<br>
She saw as the man took another quick turn down the road.<br>
She broke into a run once again, going down that path. As she arrived, she saw that it indeed led to the street he had turned into and any time now, he would reach her side.<br>
Grateful that it was a dark alley, she took advantage of the shadows and stood still. As Patricia came to stand by her side, Adelaide held her finger in front of her lips, telling her to be silent. Patricia did just that.<br>
They waited patiently, counting their breaths and just as she had surmised, the thief sauntered in in no time. When he got quite close, Adelaide stepped out of the darkness, revealing herself.<br>
As she came face-to-face with the man, she realised that although she was a tall lady, this man easily towered above her. He was dressed in all black and everything about him felt menacing. A scar ran from his right eye to his lips in an angry gash, spelling danger.<br>
For the first time since the pursuit began, Adelaide's bravado faltered but only for a moment. She had not come so far to give in to fear. So, she collected herself and gained control of her nerves.<br>
Raising her chin, her voice as stern as it could ever be, she challenged the criminal, "You did not think you would succeed, did you?"<br>
Adelaide tried to keep her voice steady as the man stopped to take her in. Her knees began to quiver, and she feared that they might give out, betraying her mock bravado.<br>