“Do you think that might be why he went?” Amelia suggested, watching the tail of a koi cut through the surface of the water like a knife through butter.
Rebecca peered at her. “What do you mean?”
“Maybe, he thought that if other young men were beingmadeto go, what right did he havenotto go? He does not behave as other peers do. I would not be very surprised if he thought it unfair, so he sought to make it fairer,” Amelia explained, believing it to be the most likely reason.
Even though Lionel seemed indifferent and cold toward her, most of the time, he had tended to her finger when it was bleeding, he had run out to make sure she was not cold, and, of course, he had married her when she was in need of rescue.
Regardless of the rest of his behavior, those were the actions of a noble man. And it appeared those same noble actions were what had made him the wealthiest man in England, not for the sake of greed or fame, but to help his sister and grandmother.
Rebecca blinked. “I had not thought of that… but it does sound like him.”
“As for the other matter, I cannot profess to know why he wished to marry for convenience, or why he agreed to marry me,” Amelia said in earnest. “Maybe I shall never know, but he saved me from something dire, and I promise you, here and now, with these fish as our witnesses, that I will take care of him.”
The younger woman laughed awkwardly. “Good luck with that. He does not let anyone take care of him.”
“Nevertheless, I am making a promise to you. Even if he loathes it, even if he rejects it and protests, I will do all I can to look after him, as he deserves.” Amelia offered a smile to Rebecca, feeling some of the younger woman’s icy demeanor begin to thaw as she smiled back.
And I will begin with his nightmares.Amelia had regretted leaving him alone in the library last night, and she did not intend to feel that regret again. He could pout and pretend to sleep as much as he liked; from now on, he would be having company in whatever room he chose to make his bedchamber for the night. Whether he wanted it or not.
Indeed, she sensed it might be the only way to get some answers to the increasing list of questions that were unspooling in her head.
“I am sorry I was rude,” Rebecca said. “I took my frustration out on you, and it was unkind of me. You did not deserve it.”
Amelia shrugged. “I am sorry I asked such dull questions.”
The younger woman chuckled at that, pulling the blanket tighter around them both as their breath plumed in the wintry air. “If you are funny too, I might decide that you are worthy of him after all.”
“Oh, I can assure you, I am not the least bit amusing,” Amelia replied with a bolder smile. “But I shall read funnier books and perhaps I shall learn the art of humor to win you all over.”
Lionel included…For surely if she could gain the affection of Caroline and Rebecca, all three of them could work together to try and convince Lionel that he really ought to leave a legacy. Namely, a child or two.
“You like to read?” Rebecca asked, more brightly than before.
“Liketo read? Heavens, no.” Amelia shook her head. “Iloveto read. I would do nothingbutread if I could, though I have often been told that is not polite.”
Rebecca grinned. “I am the same! I once made a resolution that I would make it through the entirety of the library before my debut, but I fear I am running out of time.”
“Perhaps, we could split the remainder in half, and I could give you the synopsis of my half of the collection?” Amelia offered, hardly daring to hope that she might already be making friends with Rebecca.
“That is ingenious! Cheating, perhaps, but who will know?”
Amelia tapped the side of her nose. “I certainly will not tell anyone.”
“It is bitterly cold out here and I suspect it will soon snow,” a gruff voice interrupted the glimmer of warmth.
Amelia and Rebecca turned at the same time, to find Lionel standing by the gate to that central square of walled garden. He carried two cloaks with him, his expression as stern as his voice.
“And where else would one be when it snows but outside?” Rebecca argued, getting to her feet. With a slight smile, she went to her brother and took her cloak from him. “You should not worry so much.”
“When I have you for a sister, how can I do anythingbutworry?” Lionel replied, as Rebecca wandered past him and out of the gate.
Amelia rose more awkwardly to her feet, gripping onto the balustrade of the bridge for support. The slats underfoot had not felt quite as slippery on the way up as they did on the way down.
Apparently noticing her struggle, Lionel stepped forward and offered out his hand to her. She was reaching for him when he suddenly jolted, his legs sliding back and forth as if he were in the midst of a peculiar dance. At the same instant, her feet went out from under her, and she felt herself falling.
Lionel lunged for her, grabbing her by the blanket she still wore like a cloak, pulling her to him as his other hand shot out and grasped the balustrade. The sharp tug and the curve of the bridge sent Amelia tumbling right into his chest, her panicked hands grabbing for the lapels of his greatcoat, until they were far closer than they ought to be.
There was nothing between them. She could feel the hurried rise and fall of his breaths, and as his arm slipped around her, she did not resist the fleeting embrace.
