“No, it is not. I did not threaten him either, I only stated that there would be consequences if he continued to speak about my family in that particular manner. That, I think, is perfectly reasonable.”
“After what he said of Lord Highcroft – even directly to him – I can understand that,” Amelia replied, a little ruefully. “The gentleman seemed to take great pleasure in saying whatever he could to insult Lord Highcroft, though I could not understand why. He stated that he did so for my sake, though I think that utterly preposterous.”
“As do I,” came the reply, though the Duke did not smile. “Thank you for understanding the situation, Lady Amelia. I am grateful for it.”
“Though,” she responded, quickly, “thetonwill not understand as well as I do, Your Grace.” Her lips twisted for a moment. “I – I fear that they will find you now more ‘beastly’ than ever, even though you did not do anything wrong, it seems. Lord Wilcox will do whatever he can to make the situation appear best to his advantage, I am sure. Thetonwill not look at you the same way.” A small sigh escaped her and she lookedaway. “It seems that our attempts to improve your reputation and to remove the ‘beastly’ term from you may now have come to an end.”
“I am sorry about that but – ”
“I do not think that you need to apologise.” An idea suddenly came to Amelia and she caught her breath, looking up suddenly, wide eyed, at the Duke of Ashbourne. He waited, clearly aware that she wanted to say something and looking at her quietly rather than asking her what was in her thoughts. The idea swirled this way and that, letting her thoughts run from one place to the next but the more she considered it, the more it seemed to be an excellent thought.
“I – I have just thought of something. I do not know if it would be of any good or if you yourself would evenconsider…” Closing her eyes, she took in a deep breath. “I am being too hasty.” Opening them again, she saw the Duke smiling at her and the softness in his expression sent her heart turning over in her chest. There was almost a tenderness there, a gentleness which she could not fully understand.
“Why do you care so much about me?” The Duke’s question made Amelia’s eyebrows lift in surprise, realizing that she had no immediate answer to give him.
The Duke tipped his head just a little, his gaze now a little more intense. “Why is it that you wish to come to my aid in such a way, Lady Amelia? No one else cares as much as you seem to do. After all, this was my doing and theton’s response to my actions – or the rumours about my actions – will be just as they decide. It is not for you to concern yourself with, Lady Amelia, and yet that is precisely what you are doing.”
Amelia swallowed at the tightness in her throat, searching her mind for a reason that she felt so passionately about coming to the aid of the Duke of Ashbourne and yet realizing that shecould not express the truth to him, a truth that she was only just realizing herself.
She cared for the Duke of Ashbourne.
Yes, she had been trying to keep her feelings away from him, had attempted to keep her heart as cold and as closed to him as she could and yet, as she looked up into his eyes, there was nothing she could do to prevent her heart from leaping towards his.
“Perhaps it is because I know that you are not ‘the Beastly Duke’, as they call you,” she said, her voice tight and a little rasping. “I do not like the unfairness of it all.”
“But again, that need not concern you,” the Duke replied as Amelia dropped her gaze to the ground. “However, that is not my focus here, I suppose. I should be grateful – and Iamgrateful – to you for your willingness to come alongside me, even though I do not feel as though I deserve it.”
Amelia pressed her lips tight together so she would not respond without thinking, her heart pounding a little more quickly as she searched her heart and came up with the very same response. Her main reason for aiding the Duke of Ashbourne was because she was now beginning to care for him – and care for him in a way that made her heart leap with both fright and joy in equal measure.
“Mayhap I will tell you about this idea of mine, mayhap I will not need to.” Heat ran down her spine as she managed to smile back into his eyes. “Thetonmay forget about this, they may not even remember about it for something else might come to take its place on the rumour mill.”
The Duke chuckled. “Mayhap. I can be hopeful, I suppose.”
Amelia nodded. “Of course. Are you to attend the ball at Almacks this evening?”
“I am. My brother and my mother are to attend also.”
Amelia smiled. “Then I look forward to seeing you there, Your Grace.”
That softness came back to his eyes as he inclined his head, his voice holding a gentleness which had not been there before. “As do I, Lady Amelia.”
Chapter Sixteen
Walking into the ballroom, Nathanial felt his skin begin to prickle as what felt like a thousand eyes all turned to look at him at the very same time. He had expected thetonto notice his arrival, certainly, but he had not expected this amount of study. It was almost as though everyone was watching him, expecting him to do or say something that would validate everything that they thought about him given the rumors which were now spreading through society about him.
He sighed and kept his head lifted, his shoulders dropping as he looked around at the many faces turned to his, noting how their gazes slipped away as their eyes met his. Obviously, those in thetonwere embarrassed to be seen watching him but no doubt, many of them would be more than willing tospeakabout him behind his back, as though that were perfectly acceptable.
“I shall defend you to everyone I speak to,” his mother murmured as Nathanial offered her a small smile in thanks for her kindness. “I know that you did not do what is being said.”
“I did not throw Lord Wilcox against a wall and attempt to choke him, no,” Nathanial replied, a little wryly. “But I did defend our family, Mother. I will not pretend that is not true.”
“And I am proud of you for that.” Lady Ashbourne lifted her gaze to his. “Do not think that I am upset over what you did, Ashbourne. I am only glad that you did not do as the gossip mongers are saying – and I will tell my friends and acquaintances that! I will speak in such a way as to state that those wholistento gossip are the very worst of characters and those who defend their family ought not to be treated so.”
Nathanial smiled, his heart softened by his mother’s determination. “Thank you, Mother. I am sure that will not be necessary.”
“It is quite necessary!” Lady Ashbourne tossed her head. “I willnothave lies spoken of about my son.” So saying, she smiled at a group of ladies and then stepped towards them with alacrity though Nathanial caught the glances sent in his direction. With a small sigh, he turned to his brother and shrugged.
“Mother may do her best but I do not think that it will make much difference.” He scowled. “I am sorry, Highcroft. It is unfortunately the case that thetonwill look upon you a little unfavorably also, I am afraid.”
