Page 78 of His Spirited Lady
“You still don’t, Amelia.” This was the worst sort of negotiation. “Even if I told Jasper I wanted it, I can’t deed it to you.”
“Drake could—”
“I will not give Oakdale to Fletcher with the hope he stays loyal to you.” He suspected Drake would lay down his life for her, but his death would put her at the mercy of strangers.
He knocked on the carriage ceiling again, sending them in another circle.
“Oliver then.”
After this, Oliver would never speak to him again. Or he’d send letters every day telling Richard in detail about how she was succeeding without him—to spite him. And, God forbid, she didn’t succeed, Oliver would be forced to either shoulder the debt or evict her. “No, Amelia.”
Her handkerchief was white in the shadows. Her sniffle echoed.
Richard anchored his back to the seat. If he held her, he’d give in. He’d deed her the moon to make her happy.
She was quiet for a long moment. “That’s it then.”
Half an hour ago, she’d been tormenting her way into his bed. Now they were separated by a gulf he’d dug in the blink of an eye.
Richard smacked the carriage ceiling and stepped through the door before it was fully stopped. “Take Lady Amelia home,” he ordered the driver without looking back. “I’m going for a walk.”
*
I publish the banns of marriage between Richard Pierre Ferrand of this parish, via Quebec, Canada and Rosnay, France and Amelia Christine Chitester, daughter of Baron Kilverstone, of this parish. If any of you know cause or just impediment why these two persons should not be joined together in Holy matrimony, ye are to declare it. This is the third and final time of asking.
Chapter Twenty
“Have you heardfrom Richard, dearest?”
Amelia looked up from her book, marking the spot where Jane got to the altar with Edward before realizing he was a faithless bastard. “He sent me the same note he sent his family. His business in London is taking longer than expected. He’ll return soon.”
As lies went, it wasn’t bad—especially from a man who’d sat across from her and decried lying as a general practice. It had also been enough to satisfy an entire congregation as to why her groom hadn’t been here to celebrate clearing their last barrier to marrying at the end of the week.
“He and the Earl of Althorne struck up a fast friendship at Jasper’s party. Their estates in France are close to one another. Perhaps they’re discussing future opportunities.”
Take that. Not a lie.
“It’s common for grooms to get cold feet before the wedding, I suppose.” Mother went back to her embroidery. “At least that’s what your father says.”
“Richard hasn’t gotten cold feet.” Amelia returned to her book to see how Jane coped withherwedding becoming a shambles.
Technically true. He’dalwayshad them.
Mother nibbled her bottom lip. “As long as you aren’t worried.”
“I’m sure he’s fine.”
Liar.When Richard hadn’t returned to the townhouse, Amelia hoped he’d found a hole in the river to fill. Now she lay in bed at night and worried he’d walked away from her and into danger on that dark night. He might wish to end their doomed relationship, but he wouldn’t abandon his family and his responsibilities.
Which is why she’d sent word to Drake. If anyone could find Richard in London, he could.
Of course, that was assuming Richard was still in London. He might have sailed for Canada and no one had the heart to tell her. Oliver hated to deliver bad news.
Thea would have had the courage to tell her.
“Your father is certain of it as well.” Mother kept her eyes on her needlework. “Doctor Anderson says having the wedding to look forward to has made Augustus a better patient. He’s following orders so he can be stronger when the time comes to walk you down the aisle.
“I hope he’s not pinning all his recovery on my wedding,” Amelia said. “It’s only one day out of many.”
