Page 16 of An Earl's Christmas Seduction
Next, the viscount insisted on singing a solo, and he sat down to play himself, telling the lawyer’s wife she could join him in a duet after he had finished his rendition ofThe Maid of the Wicklow Mountains.It was a tragic tale, the maid in question dying when her lover failed to return from the mountains, only to do so as a ghost on Christmas Eve.
“It sent a shiver down my spine,” Clara said, slipping her arm through Amelia’s, as the other guests applauded the viscount’s efforts.
“Something jollier now,” Hugh called out, and the viscount vacated the pianoforte for Mrs. Bennett, who now played another familiar tune.
“I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day in the morning
And what was in those ships all three
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day?
And what was in those ships all three
On Christmas Day in the morning?”
Again, the singing was enthusiastic, though not entirely in tune. Amelia was enjoying herself, and she looked around to see if her mother was, too.
To her surprise, she found her still whispering to Lady Turner in the far corner of the room, neither of the women joining in with the singing, even as the viscount called out for another song. It was odd, her mother had never mentioned Clara and Isobel’s mother before. There was no reason to think the two of them were on sociable terms.
“Do our mothers know one another?” Amelia asked, turning to Clara, who shook her head.
“I don’t think so, no. But they’ve been as thick as thieves all evening,” Clara replied.
It was all very curious, but Amelia had to remind herself her mother was entirely devoid of a social life. In London, she went to balls and soirees, to dinners and the theater. She and Lady Turner may have discovered a mutual acquaintance or shared interest. It was not beyond the realm of possibility.
“I’m glad. My mother wasn’t particularly keen on coming. She did so for my sake,” Amelia said, and Clara smiled.
“It’ll do you good, Amelia. You need something to take your mind off the past,” she said, glancing over to where Nicholas was hemmed into a corner with Constance.
Amelia was eager to know the truth about the pair. Were they courting, or was Constance merely a malign presence attempting to force her own designs on the earl?
“Your cousin and Miss Kent?” Amelia asked.
Clara rolled her eyes.
“Isn’t she ghastly? I hardly know her, but she makes a point of following Nicholas around whenever he leaves the county. Their fathers were friends. They’ve known one another since childhood, and she believes it gives her the right to expect… well, more of him than she should,” Clara replied.
Amelia nodded. She was glad to hear Constance’s attentions were not reciprocated, even as it seemed Nicholas had little choice but to endure her in the moment. She wondered why a woman so obviously devoid of grace and manners had been invited. She wondered why any of the others had been invited.
Looking around the room, Amelia was struck by the disparate collection of guests, all brought together under one roof to share the Christmas festivities. They were old and young, some aristocratic, others climbers in their field. There was nothing to connect them, except their association with Nicholas. Perhaps, that was enough.
“But he…” Amelia said, and Clara shook her head.
“You don’t need to worry, if that’s what you’re thinking. I saw the way you looked at him, and the way he looked at you. I knew he would,” Clara said, and Amelia blushed.
She had not thought it so obvious, even as there had been no doubt in her mind as to the earl’s kindness towards her. In truth, she was not well versed in reading the behavior of others. She and Rupert had simply fallen in love. There had been nothing academic in it. She could not explain how or why. It was simply a feeling and reciprocation. That was it.
“He’s delightful,” Amelia said, and Clara smiled.
“But he won’t make the first move. He’s too shy for that. He’ll keep his thoughts to himself. It’s always been his way. He broods, he retreats, he ponders, but he won’t act,” she said.
Amelia smiled. Clara and Isobel had talked at length about their cousin’s reclusive nature, and she had seen it for herself in the isolation of Ashworth House. But the way he had looked at her, the sly glances, and the little gestures of kindness suggested something more. Behind that façade was a man who knew his mind. Even though what he might be thinking sent a shiver down her spine.
