Immediately, Amelia laughed and shook her head, believing that her sister was doing nothing but teasing her. “I am to be introduced to William, the younger brother, remember? The Beastly Duke is certainlynotinclined towards meeting me or any other young lady I should imagine!”
“All the same,” Charlotte replied, slowly, “I am sure that the lady intended to see what her son’s reaction would be to your presence.”
“What about you? Why could it not be that you… oh.” Amelia’s shoulders dropped. “You are engaged, of course.” Frowning, she gave another toss of her head. “No, I am sure that there is nothing in that whatsoever. Lady Ashbourne wishes to introduce me to heryoungerson, something I am not at all disinclined to, I must admit! So long he is not as sour a character as his brother!”
Charlotte giggled. “I am sure that his brother cannot be as beastly as the Duke of Ashbourne. You may find yourself quite taken with the gentleman! Could you imagine being wed to the Marquess but having the Beastly Duke for a brother?”
“I could not.” Amelia gave a slight shudder. “The Beastly Duke does not appear to have enjoyment in anything! To have his dark and grave character sitting over us would not be something pleasing, I must confess.”
“Indeed. Though his estate and the grounds are very pleasing.”
Amelia smiled. “Yes, I will admit to that. The gardens especially are very lovely. You know how much I delight in walking through beautiful grounds.”
“I do.” Charlotte grinned. “You must hope that William’s estate has the most remarkable gardens also else you shall always be pining forthesegrounds, I fear.”
Laughing again, Amelia chose not to rise to her sister’s teasing and instead made her way across the room so she mightbegin her ministration before taking to bed. It had been a most unexpected circumstance to remain in the Duke of Ashbourne’s estate overnight but she certainly did not mind lingering in such a beautiful house for a little longer… though she was not looking forward to being in the Duke of Ashbourne’s company come the morning!
***
Lighting the candle, Amelia made her way to the door, her heart pounding. She had woken suddenly, sure she had heard something but being entirely uncertain as to what it was. Rather than lingering in her bed, however, she had decided to rise, just to prove to herself that there was nothing wrong so she might return to an easy sleep again.
The door clicked open and as she pulled it back, another sound ran towards her, making her skin prickle. It sounded, to her mind, as though someone was shouting but given that there was only the Duke of Ashbourne and Lady Ashbourne in the house, surely it could not be either of them? It was much too early for anyone to rise for, glancing at the window, Amelia saw only the very first fingers of dawn had begun to spread across the sky.
“No!No!”
She stopped, her heart thudding furiously in her chest as she waited, fearing that something more would come. It sounded as though someone was in trouble, as though they were fighting back against something or someone though Amelia could not hear anyone else. Glancing behind her, Amelia wondered whether or not she ought to return to her bed but hearing the shout again, forced her feet forward. If someone was in difficulty, if there was something she could do to help, then she would not lack courage and return to her chamber.
Without warning, the sound of a door slamming back against the wall made her jump, only for stumbling footsteps to rush towards her. Letting out a shriek of fright, Amelia fell back against the wall as a figure came to a stop in front of her. The light from her candle lit his features and, her heart still pounding, Amelia looked back into the face of the Duke of Ashbourne.
His dark hair was messy, his eyes wild, searching her face as if he was trying to place her. His night shirt gaped open, his hands reaching out to her and though she was not afraid of him, Amelia shrank back.
“Lady… Lady Amelia.” The Duke’s voice was hoarse, his eyes squeezing closed as he dragged in a long breath. “Forgive me. I… ”
His hand found hers and though Amelia expected him to pull his hand away immediately, his fingers wound through hers and he pressed them hard as though she was the anchor he needed to hold him steady in this dark situation.
“Forgive me,” he said again, his voice now a little steadier, a little firmer. “I have dreams which terrify me on occasion and I find myself lost within them.”
“I heard your shouts and thought someone was in trouble.” Amelia let out a slow breath, trying to slow her heart to a steady rhythm again. “Are you quite all right?”
The Duke of Ashbourne nodded and then looked down to where their hands were joined. He quickly let her go, pulling his hand away and then putting both hands behind his back, clearing his throat gruffly and turning his head away. “Do excuse me. You should return to your room now, Lady Ameila. I am quite all right, as you can see.”
She nodded and turned away wordlessly, her other hand gripping the candlestick as she hurried back along the hallway to her room. She glanced behind her, seeing the Duke ofAshbourne still standing there, looking back at her and a slight shiver ran down her spine. There were a good many questions in her mind, questioning what it was the Duke had been dreaming about, what had scared him so much that he had run from his room and into the hallway but she kept those questions to herself. It would do no good to speak with him for she did not have any expectation that he would answer! With a small sigh, Amelia stepped back into her bedchamber and, setting the candle down, leaned back against the door and closed her eyes.
It was only then she realized just how much she was trembling.
Chapter Six
“Good morning, Lady Amelia, Lady Charlotte.” Not quite able to meet Lady Amelia’s eye, Nathanial bowed and then sat down quickly. “I do hope you both slept well.”
It was not a question but rather a statement and as Nathanial reached for the coffee, he saw the two ladies glance at each other. No doubt Lady Amelia had already told her sister of what had happened and that embarrassed him all the more. It had been that foolish dream which had woken him, that nightmare that would not leave him. Somehow, he had found himself out in the hallway, his bare feet cold on the floor as he searched for William, only to come back to himself and realize that he was now clutching a hold of Lady Amelia’s hand. He had been unable to pull his hand away either, looking at her with wide eyes, his heart thudding furiously as he slowly began to calm himself. There had been something about the way he had taken her hand which had brought him a greater comfort than he had ever experienced before. He could not explain it, not even now as he sat at the dining table in their company, but it had been there, nonetheless. It had quietened his fractious mind, steadied his furiously beating heart and had let a slow relief begin to course through him. It had brought him back to the present rather than letting him linger in that dream which had caused him so much torment.
“Good morning, Lady Amelia, Lady Charlotte!”
With a trill, Nathanial’s mother made her way into the drawing room, waving for the two ladies to remain seated rather than rise to greet her. “I do hope you are rested?”
“Yes, very well rested, I thank you.” Lady Amelia spoke clearly, not so much as glancing towards Nathanial. “The summer storm seems to have dissipated entirely!”
Nathanial’s gaze went to the windows, taking in the beautiful summer morning. Sunlight was streaming through the windows and the rain, thunder and lightning which had been heavy on them last evening was nothing more than a faint memory.