Page 30 of His Spirited Lady
“Alone?” Mother’s eyes were wide. “You’ve seen him with no chaperone other than your horse? Where was Graves?”
“She hates to ride. You know that,” Amelia snapped. “Just as you know that I’ve ridden and walked these fields alone my whole life.”
“Watch your tone, Amelia.”
“Why, Father?” Amelia looked to him. “Why is it that I’m free to roam until I hit the magical age of twenty, and then suddenly everyone’s terrified I’ll hoist my skirts—”
“Amelia!” Mother’s hands twitched in her lap as though she wanted to cover her ears. “That is quite enough.”
“What’s quite enough is five years of house arrest,” Amelia cried. “Of doing what everyone else expects, of not—”
Richard’s large hand warmed her shoulder. “You’re not helping,” he whispered.
He moved his hand, no doubt prompted by Oliver’s pointed stare from across the room. Behind him, Thea was a portrait of composure…until Amelia caught the laughter dancing in her eyes. At least she had one ally.
“I know the timing is a shock for everyone,” Richard said, his gaze sweeping the room. His tone was even, his smile easy.
He threaded his fingers through hers, and while Amelia appreciated the effort, her shoulder was chilled.
“No one is more shocked than I at this development,” Richard continued. “And I apologize for not coming to you first, Augustus. Amelia wanted to, but I knew it would be a difficult match for you to accept since our acquaintance has been brief and because of my circumstances. I had hoped I could use the party to improve my chances.” He looked at her then, his blue eyes catching the lamplight so that they looked full of stars. “But I walked into that room full of people and realized I didn’t want to act like nothing had changed.”
Dear God, he was good at this. Amelia sipped her sherry and grimaced. One of these days, she was going to pour herself a proper drink.
He shifted his gaze to her mother. “Marian, your daughter has charmed me with her quick wit and quicker mind. Her smile has bewitched me, and I would gladly lose myself in her eyes. But—forgive my frankness—her skirts have remained firmly on the floor. She is too wise to be seduced by the first Frenchman she sees.”
Amelia shook herself free of the spell his words had woven. Their engagement was fake, but their relationship was not, and it wouldn’t do for her business partner to think her naive. “You’re not the first one I’ve seen.”
Richard’s polished smile broke into a laugh as he dropped his head. He’d tamed his curls with pomade, but one at the back of his neck struggled for freedom.
Her father and Oliver chuckled as well. Even Mother relaxed. Thea winked her approval.
“So, how do we move forward?” Her father asked. “Do you expect to marry quickly?”
Richard’s head snapped up. “I believe it would be best if we used the next few days to become better acquainted. All you know of me is that I own a sawmill and am related by marriage to a duke.”
Amelia came to his rescue, happy to repay his kindness. “We could continue the party as planned and give everyone a chance to get to know Richard.”
“But what of Eth—Mr. Raymond and Miss Allen?” Mother asked. “They are quite upset.”
Ethan wouldn’t leave so long as there were young women to charm, and if Fiona Allen departed in a huff, so be it. “Everyone has said how glad they are to be out of London, and they’ve already declined invitations to be here. They won’t risk being at loose ends by leaving.”
If anything, Mother looked more worried. “That isn’t the basis for a successful party.”
Thea stepped around Oliver’s chair, releasing his hand as she went to Mother’s side. “Why not use Richard’s announcement to encourage the others to find romance themselves? A betrothal is sure to put it at the top of everyone’s mind, Marian.”
“And sending them home would give the impression that we don’t approve of the match,” Father said. He cast a look toward them. “Though it is not a foregone conclusion.”
“Augustus is right. We have a lot to discuss.” Oliver’s stare was far too pointed. “We should leave.”
“Could I…” Amelia squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. She was practically married, for all they knew. There was no need to beg for time alone with Richard. “I’d like some time alone with my fiancé.”
Mother hesitated. “Ten minutes, and Graves will be outside the door.”
“I’ll knock at five minutes,” Oliver said. Despite his stern warning, he smiled as he took Amelia’s hand in both of his. “This is probably not the beginning you hoped for, but I am pleased you’ll be joining our family.”
Thea embraced her. “We’ll talk soon.”
The door closed behind them. The ticking clock filled the silence as she and Richard stared at one another. The tick grew louder, a reminder of the time they were wasting.
