Page 16 of Deceiving an Earl
“Who told you?” he asked.
“Lady Fieldhurst. She said you are the Earl of Arlington.”
“Armbruster.” He wanted to laugh because Amelie seemed to find his subterfuge entertaining, and she wasn’t the least bit upset that he’d lied to her.
“Armbruster,” she repeated.
She was wearing another cream gown tonight, a different style, but the same color. She put him in mind of an ice princess, although she’d never been cold to him.
“Are you here with your father?” he asked.
She nodded but didn’t elaborate. Her hair was swept up in an elegant twist, loose tendrils brushing her neck and the top of her shoulders. Amelie put him in mind of his sister, Josie.
“I hear tonight’s entertainment is an ensemble.” Much better than a poetry reading. He thought he might gouge his eyes out if he had to live through another of those.
Her smile was slight, as if she were reading his thoughts. “That is what I hear as well.”
Silence fell between them after that.
“What part of France are you from?” he asked. A waiter came by with a tray of wine and Oliver snagged two, handing one to Amelie.
She took it with a soft thank you.
“Paris.”
“I have been many times. A beautiful city.”
“I miss it,” she said quietly.
Oliver tilted his head. “Oh? How long have you been in London?”
“A few weeks. I am ready to return home, but Papa says we must stay a bit longer.”
“Is he here on business?”
Amelie shrugged, a purely Parisian gesture that was an answer in itself.
“What business is your father in?” Oliver asked.
“He works for the government. I am unsure what exactly he does.”
Oliver doubted this story but didn’t doubt that this was what Amelie believed. Bertrand more than likely worked with some sort of government, but not the French government.
Ellen was making her way around the room, smiling and stopping to talk to random people.
Amelie’s crystal gaze swept the room as well but in a bored, resigned sort of way.
“Why did your father bring you along on a business trip? It seems you would have preferred to remain in Paris.”
Her gaze met his. “I do not want to seem rude. I’m happy to be here, of course, in the most vibrant city in the world. Please don’t think I am unappreciative that my father would like to expand my knowledge of the world.”
“I don’t think that at all. You just seem sad.”
Her gaze swept the room, but this time he thought it was so she could collect her thoughts. “It is lonely. My friends are in Paris and Father does not have time to introduce me to people my own age.”
“Have you attended any balls?”
“We have not been invited.”
