“Steal me away?” William frowned. “I am just now speaking with – ”
“I have two young ladies eager for help when it comes to playing cards,” Nathanial interrupted, aware that he sounded much too happy about this though he hoped Lady Amelia and his brother would not be able to understand why. “I cannot help them both at the same time. Might you come to sit with us? That way, you might be able to aid Lady Violet and I might aid Lady Katherine – or the other way around. I do not mind. I simply cannot help two ladies at once!”
William blinked but it was Lady Amelia who spoke next, encouraging William to do as Nathanial had asked.
“But of course you must go! Lady Violet is a dear friend of my sister’s and I know she would be glad to have the company of either of you fine gentlemen.”
With a small smile, William inclined his head. “I do hope we will be able to continue our conversation together at another time?”
“But of course.”
Nathanial smiled, a sense of triumph washing over him. “Thank you for being so gracious, Lady Amelia. Come, Highcroft. They are waiting.” With a nod to Lady Amelia, Nathanial turned back to the waiting Lady Katherine and Lady Violet, his brother falling into step beside him. For the moment, at least, he had salvaged the situation and that was a small victory, at least.
Chapter Thirteen
Amelia looked back at the Duke of Ashbourne, watching him as he smiled at Miss Jennings. The last sennight, she had seen the Duke of Ashbourne do rather well, though she had needed to step in on more than a few occasions. Lady Violet had spoken with Charlotte at length as to how rude the Duke had been when they had first asked him to join them for cards at the soiree last week, though Amelia had been glad that the first impression had been somewhat improved thereafter.
A slight pang of what felt like jealousy broke through her heart and Amelia quickly turned her head away. She was not about to let herself feel anything for a gentleman so different to her and who, she reminded herself, showed no particular interest in her either. She was aiding him in his attempts to better his reputation in society and he was doing that very thing by greeting and conversing with as many young ladies as would give him opportunity. The fact that he was a Duke, of course, did not make that particularly difficult though there were still plenty of whispers about him. He was rather brooding still, certainly inclined towards dark moods and the rumors about him having a beastly character were still ongoing. Society was slow to change its opinion on anyone, Amelia considered, though she was glad, at least, that he had begun to improve a little upon them.
And he has improved a great deal upon me.
“Good afternoon, Lady Amelia! I see that you too have decided to take the air this fine afternoon.”
Amelia turned and then smiled warmly at Lord Highcroft. “Yes, Lord Highcroft, I have. My mother and sister are just there,talking to Lady Hawkridge, though I myself was in conversation with Lady Sarah although she has just taken her leave.”
“Then permit me to take her place, if you would?”
Amelia nodded and smiled, though noted the flash of interest in Lord Highcroft’s eyes. Her stomach tightened, suddenly a little concerned that Lord Highcroft might have more than a little interest in her company. As yet, she had not truly considered him – had not considered any gentleman of note – but that did not mean, she reminded herself, that they had not thought of her.
“Tell me about your estate, if you would,” she said, hoping that it might encourage him to give her a long explanation so she might then begin to think about how she could make certain that Lord Highcroft’s interest didnotlinger on her. There must be someone else he might consider!
“I have only settled there the last year,” Lord Highcroft began to explain. “It is not too far from my brother’s estate, perhaps a day and a half’s travel. Once I finished at Eton, I decided to take on the Grand Adventure and went around the world to explore what I could! I did not tell my mother, however, for fear that she would be deeply upset and worried for me so instead, I simply wrote when I could and said very little of what I was doing!”
“I see.” Amelia smiled at him, thinking that there was a tension between truthfulness and consideration in what he had done. “Do you like your estate, Lord Highcroft? I must confess that I adore my father’s house. The gardens especially are beautiful.”
“With yellow and pink roses, yes?”
Another voice came over her shoulder and Amelia glanced towards it, frowning as none other than Lord Wilcox ambled towards them. “Yes, that is so, Lord Wilcox.”
“I have not forgotten, you see.” Tapping his nose, Lord Wilcox grinned at her, ignoring Lord Highcroft entirely. “How very fine a day it is to be out of doors. Mayhap you would like to take a short stroll with me, Lady Amelia?”
Amelia bristled. “I should not.” She gestured to Lord Highcroft. “As you can see, I am in conversation with Lord Highcroft. In addition, my mother and my sister are standing just over there and – ”
“You are a cripple, are you not?”
The sharp, rude manner of Lord Wilcox had Amelia catching her breath, her eyes widening with utter astonishment at Lord Wilcox’s rudeness. She had never once dreamed of mentioning Lord Highcroft’s small limp – a limp that was barely noticeable most of the time – and yet Lord Wilcox thought it perfectly acceptable to say such a thing? She could hardly believe it.
“Lord Wilcox, I – ”
“I do hope that your manner is not the same when you converse with young ladies as it is when you speak to other gentlemen, Lord Wilcox.” Lord Highcroft arched an eyebrow though his tone grew rather firm. “That is a very pertinent question and not one that I would expect from a gentleman such as yourself.”
“Then you do not know me very well,” came the reply, as Lord Wilcox grinned in a way that had Amelia’s skin prickling. “I have observed you, Lord Highcroft, and have noticed your difficulty. Why do you not speak of it? It is not as though you can hide it.”
“Because it is my business what I speak of and to whom I speak of it.” Lord Highcroft lifted his chin. “And I certainly would have no desire to speak with you, Lord Wilcox, I can assure you.”
“I am sure it is only wise to be open about such things.” Lord Wilcox sniffed and threw one hand out towards Amelia.“After all, young ladies such as Lady Amelia, the daughter of a Marquess, should be fully aware of the sort of gentleman they are speaking with, the difficulties that such a gentleman has so that they do not get too closely acquainted with someone who can never fulfill the sort of requirements that a young lady – such as Lady Amelia – expect.”
Amelia drew herself up, quite certain that her face was scarlet with anger and upset. “I do not think that I requireyourcomments and remarks in that regard, Lord Wilcox,” she stated, her hands clenching into tight fists so that she might outwardly keep her composure. “And I can assure you that I would much prefer to spend time in the company of a gentleman such as Lord Highcroft than be in the company of a gentleman who does not know how to speak with kindness, compassion or consideration.”
