“I have not endured what Ashbourne has done, Mother,” William put in, though Lady Ashbourne immediately rounded on him, her eyes blazing with a sudden, furious fire.
“You have endured more!Youwere the one injured!Youwere the one near drowned andyouare the one who continues to bear the consequences of that day and yet you do not behave as your brother does! You are amiable, smiling, laughing and conversing with those around you, relishing your life with every day that passes. Do not tell me that you have not endured in the same way as Ashbourne. Youhaveendured, William albeit in a different way, but you have endured nonetheless! Instead of pursuing shadows and solitude, however, you have sought out brightness, good company and laughter. Society is delighted with your company but they turn an uncertain gaze to your brother.” Looking back to Nathanial – who felt his heart squeezing painfully all the more – she shook her head at him. “You continue to choose this reputation, Ashbourne. Do not think I do not see it! It is a choice, day by day by day, to shield yourself behind these shadows and whispering dark. You claim to dislike the name ‘the Beastly Duke’ but I begin to believe that, in truth, you desire to keep it as close to you as can be. And I am heartbroken to see it.”
Without giving him even a moment to respond, Nathanial’s mother turned sharply and hurried to the door. Pulling it open, she rushed through it – but not before Nathanial heard what sounded like a choked sob breaking from her lips.
Chapter Nine
“Amelia?”
Looking up, Amelia smiled at her sister, her embroidery quickly forgotten. “Yes?”
“You – you have forgotten we were to go to Hyde Park for the fashionable hour?”
With a gasp, Amelia’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, Charlotte! Forgive me! I was so lost in thought I quite forgot. Pray, indulge me but a few moments. I will change and be ready at the door. Call the carriage, will you?”
Charlotte smiled and caught Amelia’s hand as she practically flew from the room, pulling her back. “Do not be too hasty. I have not found my bonnet or gloves as yet and Mama is still preparing herself!”
With a wry smile, Amelia hurried out of the room, up the staircase and to her room. Why had she forgotten about their plans to visit Hyde Park? They had already enjoyed some morning calls – though none of the gentlemen had caught her attention – and then, she had taken to her embroidery. Why had she forgotten about the fashionable hour?
“At least I am still wearing a suitable gown.” Muttering to herself, Amelia went to the looking glass to make certain her face was quite clean and, thereafter, to choose which bonnet she was to wear. Her gown was simple but perfectly suitable, the shade a light green to match her eyes.
Which means I should wear a bonnet with a red ribbon.Picking it out, settled it on her head and made certain her curls sat in the right place, tying the ribbons and then finding herselfwondering if the Duke of Ashbourne might be present that afternoon.
The thought made her stop short.
“Why ever am I thinking of him?” Murmuring aloud, she stared back at her reflection, taking in her wide eyes, the shock flickering in them as she blinked furiously, trying to understand what it was that she was thinking. Why would she care if the Duke of Ashbourne was present in Hyde Park? After their dance and his complete lack of interest in her company, she ought to be a little frustrated with him still, ought she not? She certainly shouldnotbe thinking about whether he’d be at the park and if she might catch his eye!
Closing her eyes, Amelia took in a steadying breath and then pushed those thoughts from her mind. Turning, she hurriedly picked up a pair of gloves and then made her way downstairs, ready to join her sister and her mother in the carriage.
***
“Good afternoon, Lord Wilcox.” Amelia smiled at her new acquaintance, a gentleman she had been introduced to the previous evening, before dropping into a quick curtsy. “How very good to see you this afternoon. It is a fine day, is it not?”
The gentleman beamed at her, perhaps delighted that she recalled him. “It is averyfine day, Lady Amelia. You look to be in excellent health, I must say! The fresh air agrees with you, I think.”
“Oh, but it does.” Lady Stanton put one hand to Amelia’s shoulder and sent a smile to Lord Wilcox. “My daughter is always out of doors, I must confess! Amelia loves nothing better than walking through the rose garden or making her way to the pond to see what fish are hiding there. My husband’s estate is quite beautiful and very well managed.”
“It sounds as though you have spent many happy hours there, Lady Amelia.” Lord Wilcox spread out his hands, his head tilted a little in question. “Tell me, what is your favourite of all the flowers? I must know so that I might be able to offer you a bouquet, should the occasion arise.”
A slight tendril of heat curled its way up Amelia’s spine and she dropped her gaze for a moment. “I confess that, as my mother has said, I am very fond of roses.”
Lord Wilcox nodded, still smiling. “Red, I presume?”
Amelia shook her head, catching his look of surprise. “I much prefer pink or even white or yellow,” she told him, as his eyebrows lifted. “There are so many beautiful colours of roses and red seems much too popular for my liking.”
“I shall remember that.” Lord Wilcox smiled and then excused himself, leaving Amelia to turn to walk again with her mother, though she could not help but notice the smile which etched itself across Lady Stanton’s face.
“You think him an interesting gentleman?” she asked, choosing to be direct rather than hide her questions away. “You think I ought to be willing to consider him, should he send a bouquet or come to take tea?”
“I think,” Lady Stanton replied, reaching across to pat Amelia’s arm, “that Lord Wilcox is something of a flirt. That does not mean that he is a gentleman who is not worth considering for flirtation and it does not mean that someone is unworthy of another but it is worth considering that a gentleman who is inclined towards flirtation and the like might not have any genuine interest in pursuing a true and genuine connection.”
Amelia’s shoulders dropped, her spirits dipping a little. “Oh.”
“He wasverycharming,” Lady Stanton continued, a light sigh escaping her. “But I do think that such gentlemen are aplenty and you would be wisenotto consider them. Thoughyou may very well receive a bouquet of yellow, white and pink roses from him very soon! He was a little too forward so soon after your first meeting and in that regard, I would ask you to be careful, my dear.”
Amelia nodded. “I will.” Glancing around the park, she took in the vast numbers of both gentlemen and ladies, seeing the carriages being driven slowly past. Silently, Amelia wondered if she might ever find herself a suitable match. Were the majority of gentlemen eager only for flirtation and teasing? Or were most of them eager to find a match?
“You need not worry, my dear.” As though she had known what Amelia was thinking, Lady Stanton smiled at her. “There will be plenty of gentlemen coming to seek out your acquaintance and some will prove themselves to be more than perfect for you, I am sure. However, you need not make a match this Season, remember? Your sister is to be wed at the end of the Season and thereafter, you might consider your own future – but that could be in the Season still to come. At this time, let yourself be contented with making new connections and permitting thetonto know who you are. Though,” she continued, with a light smile, “if you should find a gentleman who captures your attention in a way no-one else ever has done or ever will then of course, youmustpermit yourself to consider him!”
