Page 78 of An Earl's Christmas Seduction
“I… I thought you’d gone,” he said, but she shook her head.
“The roads are still bad, even in the daylight. But I’ll keep out of your way, I promise. Mrs. Bennett told me what happened. I swear I didn’t know about any of it, the rest of it, I mean,” she said, and Nicholas sighed.
“You knew enough to think you did, though,” he replied, and Constance brushed a tear from her eye.
“I just didn’t want to be alone… I thought… well, I suppose I didn’t think, did I? I wanted to be yours. I’ve always wanted to be yours,” she said.
Nicholas did not know what to say. She had done nothing but manipulate him, seeking to control his every move and action. He knew he should hate her, but really, he only pitied her.
“And now you never will be. But I won’t throw you out into the snow, Constance. Though it’s no more than you deserve. You can stay until the roads are clear, or it’s safe to take the path across the moor to the village. And then… I never want to see you again,” he said.
Constance brushed another tear from her eye, but she did not seek to argue or persuade. She nodded, shaking her head as she turned away.
“I only wanted to do what I had to do,” she said.
Nicholas made no reply, knowing there was nothing more for them to say. Constance had nearly cost him everything, and she deserved no less than the sorrow she now felt. He made his way upstairs, pausing at Amelia’s bedroom door. He could hear gentle snoring coming from within and smiled to himself at the thought of the baroness dozing at the bedside. As he knocked, there came a startle, and the door was opened to reveal Amelia’s mother looking bleary-eyed.
“Oh… you’ve brought her something to eat?” she said, and Nicholas nodded.
“And to relieve you from your duties. They’re having luncheon downstairs. Why don’t you join them?” He asked, and the baroness nodded.
“She’s been asking for you,” she whispered, smiling as she left the room.
Still carrying the tray, Nicholas stepped into the room. Sunlight was streaming through the window, falling on the bed, and Amelia was propped up on the pillows, with her eyes closed. She looked at peace, even as Nicholas could only imagine the turmoil of her thoughts. As he stepped forward, she opened her eyes, recognizing him with a smile.
“I hoped you’d come,” she said, as he set the tray down on the bedside table.
“I… I’ve thought of little else but you,” he said, sitting down on the chair previously occupied by the baroness.
Amelia smiled at him.
“Are they all talking about me downstairs? The foolish girl, lost in the snow,” she said, but Nicholas shook his head.
“They were more concerned about their stomachs, especially when they realized the servants have their day off today. They were swift to follow me down to the kitchens, and now they’re making merry in the dining room. I’ve sent your mother down to join them,” he said, and Amelia nodded.
Her face was regaining some of its color, and now she sat up, no longer looking pale and withdrawn, nor shivering from the cold. The fire in the hearth was well stoked, and Amelia with well wrapped in blankets, the sunlight streaming through the window bringing with it a pleasant warmth. Nicholas handed Amelia the tray of the food.
“It’s kind of you to sit here with me,” she said, but Nicholas shook his head.
“It’s not kind, it’s where I want to be, Amelia. I don’t want to be anywhere but here at your side,” he said, and Amelia smiled.
He reached out and took her hand in his, wanting her to know his true feelings for her and wanting to show her what she meant to him.
“She’s gone, hasn’t she? Constance?” Amelia said, but Nicholas shook his head.
“She’ll be gone as soon as the roads are clear. I’ve told her I want nothing to do with her ever again. Amelia, I promise you there was never anything between us. It was Constance’s own belief,” he said, and Amelia nodded.
“I know that now. I didn’t, of course, and I feel so foolish for thinking… well, for letting her fool me as she did,” she replied.
Nicholas was still curious as to what exactly had happened on the night Amelia had witnessed the kiss between himself and Constance, even as he also wanted to leave the past behind and look to a happier future together.
“Where… where did you sleep? The night you saw us kiss, I mean. I heard the most extraordinary story from the butler,” he said, and Amelia blushed.
“I slept… in the stable. A beautiful horse named Arwyn kept me warm,” Amelia said, and Nicholas’ eyes grew wide with astonishment.
“Oh… Amelia, I’m so sorry,” he said, but Amelia only laughed.
“I was foolish for believing her lies, though I must say, I didn’t expect her to sink so low as to lock me out of the house. I don’t know what she expected to achieve by doing that. I suppose I thought… well, I thought you felt the same as her, that you didn’t care what happened to me,” Amelia replied.
