Page 11 of An Earl's Christmas Seduction
Despite his misgivings towards her, there was no doubt Constance was an impressive woman. She had a domineering air about her, and the presence of one who knew and spoke her mind, whether invited to or not.
“I’m sorry,” Nicholas said, but she waved her hand dismissively.
“No need to worry. I’m here now,” she said, placing her hand on his side and kissing him on the cheek.
Nicholas did not like her forwardness. It was always the same; the kiss, the embrace, the familiarity.
“Come inside and get warm. You must be tired after your journey,” he said, following her into the house.
Harry was waiting in the hallway, and Constance introduced herself, taking Nicholas’ arm in hers as she did so.
“I’m not tired, not really. It does one good to ride in the winter air, don’t you think, Nicholas?” she said, turning to Nicholas, who nodded.
“Yes… very much so,” he said, hoping she would not continue this display of over affection in front of the other guests.
Harry looked on in bemusement.
“I’m sure we’ll have a jolly time over the next few days,” he said, and Constance smiled.
“Oh, yes. I always feel at home here at Ashworth,” she replied, smiling at Nicholas, who was already regretting the invitation.
Chapter 5
“I’m going upstairs,” Nicholas said, directing Harry towards the drawing room.
His friend looked at him in surprise.
“What about the other guests? Won’t they be coming down shortly?” he asked.
The footmen had just taken a tray of glasses into the drawing room, where mulled wine and eggnog were to be served before dinner. But Nicholas wanted a few moments to himself. He had still not dressed for the evening, and it was somewhat overwhelming to find himself surrounded by so many people when he was used to solitude.
“You entertain them… I won’t be long,” Nicholas said.
He took a back way to the upper floor, not wanting to meet anyone else on the stairs. He was shy by nature, an introvert, and it took considerable effort for him to be sociable. He preferred his own company and would spend long hours walking along across the moorland or on the clifftops, lost in thought.
He had a naturally enquiring mind, was learned, but had not always applied himself, and there were times when he felt somewhat directionless and devoid of purpose. Everything he had, everything to his name, was the result of his inheritance.
But that very name itself was being called into question, and Nicholas felt like a ship lost at sea, directionless and without wind in his sails. He wanted to know the truth about himself, for without it, he would be forever lost.
“Don’t hide yourself away, Nicholas,” Harry had said, but Nicholas was glad to do so, if only for a few moments.
As he emerged from the back staircase, he heard voices coming towards him, and realized it was Amelia, accompanied by her maid. He hid himself in an alcove, watching as she swept past him.
She had changed into a peacock-colored dress, the skirts of which swished along the corridor, and around her neck hung a pretty locket, her hair tied fashionably up, and the scent of her perfume, roses and lavender, hanging headily in the air. Nicholas breathed it in, his heart skipping a beat at the sight of the beautiful creature before him.
“Your mother was engaged in quite a conversation with Lady Turner, Lady Amelia. I didn’t think they knew one another,” the maid was saying, as they passed by Nicholas’ hiding place.
“They don’t know one another. They met at the Claringdon Ball, but that’s it. What were they talking about?” Amelia replied.
The maid’s answer was lost as they turned a corner, and Nicholas, too, was intrigued by the thought of what his aunt and the baroness should have in common. As far as he was aware, the two of them did not know one another, though in aristocratic circles, one could always find a connection.
“She’s so very beautiful,”Nicholas thought to himself, as he slipped out of his hiding place and made his way along the corridor to his bedroom.
He did not know why he had hidden from Amelia. There was no reason why they should not meet on the landing. But Nicholas had been taken by surprise as to his first impressions of Amelia. He had intended to treat her like any other guest, but had surprised himself by his immediate feelings towards her.
She was very pretty, and more so than that, he found attractive, deeply so. He did not want to be taken by surprise in encountering her again, preferring to do so on his own terms, rather than by chance. His own bedroom lay at the far end of the corridor, and he passed several of the rooms assigned to the guests. From each room, he heard the sounds of his guests readying themselves for the evening.
“Not that dress. My dear, it makes you look like you’re attending a funeral. Why did you bring it?” Sir Samuel was saying, and Nicholas smiled to himself, amused to overhear these small vignettes of domestic life.
