Page 140 of The Lyon Whisperer
“I see. Very kind of you.”
She nodded. “Think nothing of it.”
Impatience with the lengthening delay burned through him. “Have you…er…”
She arched her brows in silent query.
He’d been about to ask after his wife. He gave himself a mental shake. “Have you seen your husband about? He was looking for you.”
Her face positively glowed. “Oh? You spoke with him about me? Where is he now?” She glanced about in a furtive manner.
“I last saw him in the supper room.” He assumed she would not cross paths with him and his paramour there.
Off she went without another word.
Chase charged ahead, not slowing ’til he spotted Amelia, standing alone where he’d left her what felt like an eternity ago, staring into the dance floor. Probably looking for him, he thought.
Because she loved him.
Him. Lord knew why. He’d done nothing to earn it, whereas she…she had given him everything he asked and more. She gave of herself even when he asked the impossible.
He was through with all that, he vowed silently.
As if drawn by his stare, her face shifted in his direction.
Their eyes met.
Only then did he notice her pallor. Her complexion, always pale as moonlight, lacked her usual vitality. Somethingwaswrong. He reached her in seconds that felt like an eternity.
“What is it, Amelia?”
She gave him her signature, polite smile. “My lord?”
He frowned. He wanted to pat her down, like one of his soldiers whom he feared suffered from shock. Wanted to shake her and tell her not to play games with him.
He wanted to scoop her in his arms and carry her out of the damned ballroom.
“Have you eaten?”
She shook her head.
“Did you exert yourself overly?”
“Perhaps.”
A sudden blinding thought threatened to bring him to his knees. Could she be with child?
The thought of Amelia carrying his babe left him as lightheaded as she appeared to be. “Can you make the journey home, or should we stay the night in town? I have only a skeleton staff at my townhouse, but my aunt and uncle would happily put us up for the night.”
“No,” she said with absolute conviction. “I am fine. However, I would like to go home now, if that is agreeable to you.”
He took her hand in his and squeezed. “More than agreeable. I have much to tell you.”
“Oh?”
“May I assume you have not visited with Lady Frommer this evening?”
“Lady Frommer? No.”
