Page 77 of An Earl's Christmas Seduction
“I won’t stand between you. The Prince of Wales is married to his cousin, Princess Caroline,” Nicholas said, and Edmund laughed.
“Well, I never thought I’d be glad to be compared to that scoundrel. Thank you brother,” he said, and Nicholas held out his hand to him.
“You’re welcome… brother,” he replied.
Having made their peace, the two brothers left the library. The sound of voices was still coming from the drawing room, and as they entered the room, it seemed a riot was about to break out.
“There’s no luncheon,” Sir Samuel exclaimed.
“I keep telling you, Samuel, it’s Saint Stephen’s Day. The servants have their day off today. We can’t begrudge them a single day at Christmas to go and visit their families. I said the same to our own. Though I’m sure they’ve been quite idle while we’ve been away,” Mrs. Bennett replied.
The viscount was searching in the sideboard for something to drink, and despite the extraordinary revelations of the morning, it seemed rumbling stomachs had overtaken talk of what had been discovered.
“We really must have something to eat, Nicholas,” his aunt said, and Nicholas nodded.
“Ah… yes… well… there’s nothing to stop you helping yourselves, is there?” he asked, and the other guests looked at him in surprise.
“Helping ourselves?” Clara said, and Nicholas nodded.
“I’ve no doubt there’s a fine feast to be had from the larder. That’s what we’re expected to do, I believe. Let’s go down to the kitchen and see what can be found,” he replied.
The concept of “helping themselves” appeared somewhat novel to the guests, though not unwelcome, and the assembly soon found itself marching down the back stairs to the kitchen. As Nicholas had predicted, the larder was full of food, just waiting to be devoured.
“Look at all this,” Hugh exclaimed, and he began handing plates and dishes to the others.
“Cold ham, cold beef, cold tongue, the remnants of a duck and a goose, raised pies, cheeses, pickles isn’t it marvelous?” his brother said, and no one was without something to carry up to the dining room.
“Don’t forget the bread and butter,” Hugh called out.
The feast was laid out on the table, and the viscount raided the cellar, bringing up half a dozen bottles of Nicholas’ best claret.
“Well now… we have somethin’ to celebrate, daenae we?” he said, grinning at Nicholas, who smiled.
“I think we do, yes. And we should take something up for Amelia and her mother, too,” he said, as the guests began to help themselves from the plates and dishes.
“Why don’t you do that, Nicholas? I’m sure she’ll be glad to see you,” Nicholas’ aunt said, and Nicholas blushed.
“Well… I…” he said, and his aunt raised her eyebrows.
“Don’t hold back now, Nicholas. Tell Beryl to come down and eat with us. You and Amelia should be alone together. I’m sure you’ve got a lot to talk about,” she said, and Nicholas nodded.
“I just hope she feels the same,” he replied.
So much had passed between them, and in such a short space of time, and he wondered if it was not perhaps too much too soon. He knew his feelings for her, and yet he was reticent, not wanting to hurt her or expect too much of her during her recovery. She was fragile and he did not want to hurt, even thought he longed to tell her how he felt.
“I know she does. You can see it in her eyes. But she’s been through a lot with the turmoil of heartbreak, and the realization of happiness, all in a matter of hours. Those two things alone would be hard enough. And to discover the rest, and then there’s the man she loved, Rupert, that’s his name, isn’t it?” Lady Margaret said.
Nicholas nodded. There was certainly a great deal to consider, and he knew he had to tread carefully or risk losing Amelia forever. He had never known what it was like to be in love; not truly. There was no doubt in Nicholas’ heart as to the feelings. He was falling in love with Amelia. Hehadfallen in love with Amelia, and now was the time to tell her.
***
Nicholas was glad to leave the festivities behind. It had been the strangest Christmas he had ever known, and to have a moment to himself was a blessing. He had prepared a tray with food for Amelia, intending to take it up for her and relieve her mother from her duties at the bedside.
He wanted to be alone with her, anxious to prove himself sincere, knowing he had a great deal to set right. But as he emerged from the drawing room with the tray, he was surprised to find Constance standing in the hallway. He had thought she had gone, but now she stood barring his way.
“I wanted to say… I’m sorry,” she said, and Nicholas looked at her in surprise.
The last thing he had expected was to hear Constance admit she was wrong. She was not the sort of person to do so, arrogant to the end.
