Page 49 of An Earl's Christmas Seduction
Amelia looked at her in surprise. She knew Isobel’s feelings for Edmund, but she had thought of the two of them were getting along well. Isobel and he were often talking, and the two of them had much in common.
“The mistletoe?” Amelia said, for she had been watching as the two had kissed beneath the white flowers.
Isobel shook her head.
“No, that was me. He didn’t like it. He pulled his cheek away immediately. He seems cold and distant. He’s not interested in me, not like that. I feel foolish for kissing him,” she said, sighing as Clara tutted.
“It’s his loss, Isobel. He’s so absorbed in his studies, and then there’s his mother, too. I don’t know what our mothers and his talk about all day long, but she keeps him tied to her apron strings,” Clara said.
“I talked about it to Harry. He thinks I should just accept it. Some people aren’t a match, others are. Edmund’s not a bad person, not at all. But he just doesn’t seem interested,” Isobel replied, returning to her powdering.
Amelia was surprised to hear these words. She had not thought Isobel and Harry to be on intimate terms, even if it seemed that the opposite was true. Isobel had confided in him, and now she wondered if his advice was not somewhat self-serving, too.
“Harry?” she asked, raising her eyebrows.
Isobel looked at her in surprise.
“Yes. It is so strange I should speak to him about the matter? He’s my cousin’s closest friend. We’ve known one another for many years. I trust him,” she said.
“Oh, yes, well, I’m glad you do. And what does he say about the others?” Amelia asked, for she was curious to know how Harry had maneuvered himself into play.
Isobel laughed.
“There’s hardly much of a choice, is there? The singing viscount. I don’t think he’s got the slightest interest in marrying anyone, and as for those sniggering fools, the twins, Edgar and Hugh, I wouldn’t marry either of them if they were the last men in England. Oh… why does matrimony have to be so difficult?” she exclaimed.
Amelia glanced at Clara, who now adopted a sympathetic look.
“There, there, Isobel. Don’t get upset. Edmund might not be right for you, but there’re others, aren’t there? Back in London, I mean,” she said.
“But what about Harry? Isn’t he one of the eligible ones, too?” Amelia asked. She did not understand why Isobel should be so intent on pursuing a match with a man who was so obviously not interested in her. At least not romantically.
Isobel looked somewhat taken aback at these words, and she put down her powder puff and looked at Amelia with a furrowed brow.
“Well… it’s Harry,” she said, but it seemed Amelia’s words had planted a seed, one she had not considered before, and as they finished their sherry, Isobel seemed preoccupied.
“We should go down,” Clara said, wrapping a shawl around her shoulders.
But as they made their way downstairs, Isobel caught Amelia by the arm, whispering in her ear.
“Do you really think he feels as you say?” she said, and Amelia nodded.
“I’ve seen the way he looks at you, and his advice about Edmund… don’t you think he might be suggesting you look elsewhere for a match?” she asked.
Isobel blushed.
“Well… I suppose so. I’d just never thought… oh, it was staring me in the face the whole time, wasn’t it?” she exclaimed, and Amelia smiled.
“Just don’t dismiss the idea,” she said, and Isobel nodded.
Downstairs, they found the other guests assembled in the drawing room, drinking sherry. The wassail bowl had been removed, much to the viscount’s consternation. But the yule log was lit burning merrily in the hearth, and the room was decorated in greenery.
The aroma of spices wafted in the air, and it was a festive atmosphere. Nicholas was standing talking to Harry by the window, and Amelia caught his eye, hoping he would come and speak to her. But still, he appeared preoccupied, and it was to her mother she now found herself drawn.
“Come and sit with me, Amelia. We’ve been like ships passing in the night since we arrived,” she said.
Amelia sat down next to her mother, wondering if now was the time to broach the subject of what she had overheard outside in the woods.
“You’re always with Lady Turner and Lady Thornton. You’re as thick as thieves with them, mother. But I’m glad, of course. I was worried you wouldn’t enjoy yourself,” Amelia said.
