For what was the first time in his life, Nathanial was struck dumb. He had no thought as to what to say for this generosity, this kindness towards him was so great, so significant that he was utterly overwhelmed by it. Lady Amelia was offering him this kindness simply because she was concerned for his family name, for what his brother might endure and what he himself could suffer with – and that was more than he could take in.
But what about my brother’s interest in Lady Amelia?
“I accept.”
The words left him before he had a chance to truly consider what it was he was going to say. The realization that, should he begin a courtship with Lady Ameila, his brother would not be able to pursue any thought of her was seemingly enough for him to agree, though Nathanial refused to let himself consider what his heart felt in regard to that.
“You do?” Lady Amelia’s eyes rounded. “So quickly?”
“Very quickly indeed, though I must say I am without the right words to tell you of my gratitude at your generosity.” Putting one hand to his heart, Nathanial inclined his head. “You are quite incredible, Lady Amelia. Your heart holds such a kindness, such a willingness that I can barely think of how to respond. I will, of course, treat you with every consideration and I will speak with your father first, before this courtship commences. And, when the time comes for it to end, I will be the one to take the blame. You will and you must remain entirely spotless.”
Lady Amelia smiled though Nathanial saw how her lips trembled just a little. Could it be that she was uncertain about this decision?
“You do not need to do this,” he said slowly, his eyes searching her face. “If you do not think that – ”
“No, I very much want to move forward with this, Your Grace.” Lady Amelia closed her eyes tightly, a flush creeping up into her face as though she had not meant to speak with as much fervency as she had done. “If you wish, I will speak to my father first so it does not come as such of a surprise.”
Nathanial found himself chuckling. “Your father would be surprised that I might wish to court you?”
“Given that you have not come to take tea or often been in my company nor even danced with me very often, it may,” came the reply, though Nathanial knew at once what he would like to do.
“Let me remedy that at once,” he stated, reaching out one hand. “Might I have your dance card, Lady Amelia?”
Her eyes rounded, then she laughed and slipped her card from her wrist before handing it to him. “You may, Your Grace.”
Boldly, Nathanial wrote his name down for not one but two dances, the second being the waltz. Handing the card back to her, he heard her catch of breath as she took in what he had done, though the smile which followed thereafter made his own heart soften.
“I look forward to stepping out with you, Your Grace.”
“Even though I am a beastly Duke?” he asked, his eyes twinkling. “Even though thetonmight whisper about it?”
She smiled back at him gently, nodding. “Yes, Your Grace. Even with all of that, I will be glad to dance with you for both the cotillion and the waltz.”
Chapter Seventeen
Amelia took in a deep breath, lifted her hand and rapped lightly on her father’s study door. Thus far, her father had taken rather a small interest in her debut Season, though he had done everything she had expected him to do and everything a fatheroughtto do. What he had not done, however, was ask her details about the gentlemen who called on her, whether or not she had any particular interest in any of them or if she had danced more than one dance of an evening with one particular gentleman. Those sorts of questions were left exclusively for her mother and sister and, no doubt, Lord Stanton would expect to be informed by his own good wife should there be any gentlemen calling upon Amelia with an increasing frequency. This, however, was the reason that Amelia herself felt such nervousness. This would be entirely unexpected for her father for he would not have heard about any such thing from her mother thus far. The Duke of Ashbourne had never once called up on, had never come to take tea with her nor asked to accompany her in the park or the like. Instead, he had been rather a distant connection, for she felt as though her family knew Lady Ashbourne and Lord Highcroft a good deal better, since they were more inclined towards conversation and the like.
“Come in.”
Amelia pushed the door open and, pasting a smile to her face, nodded to her father. “Father? Might I speak with you for a few minutes?”
Lord Stanton immediately rose to his feet but rather than smiling, nothing but a look of concern rippled across his expression. “What is wrong?”
“Wrong?”
Her father came around from his desk at once, his hands held out to her. “Yes, my dear. You have never come to speak to me in such a way before now. Has something happened?”
Wanting to put her father at ease, Amelia smiled and squeezed his hands tightly. “No, indeed not, Father. Everything is quite all right and I am very contented, I assure you.” She watched as her father’s expression changed to one of relief. “In fact, it is because I am so contented that I wish to speak with you.”
“Oh?” Leading her across the room, her father gestured for her to sit in a comfortable chair while he took the one opposite. “What is it?”
“It is the Duke of Ashbourne.” Choosing to get directly to the matter at hand, Amelia spoke briskly. “Father, there have been rumours spread about him through society by one Lord Wilcox and simply because of the Duke’s own inclination to his own company and to book reading. He does have something of a dull demeanour, certainly but I have seen that improve of late. It is only disappointing that, when things were going so well, Lord Wilcox decided to speak ill of him instead.”
Lord Stanton frowned. “Yes, I have heard what has been said, though I do not believe that the Duke of Ashbourne could have been as violent as Lord Wilcox states. I do not know him well but what Idoknow proves to me that he is not a man inclined towards fits of rage.”
“He came to the defence of his brother after Lord Wilcox called Lord Highcroft a cripple,” Amelia told him, seeing the shock ripple across her father’s face. “I was truly horrified, given that I was present at the time Lord Wilcox said such things. I have a great deal of sympathy for the Duke of Ashbourne and… and it is because of this that I now seek your permission to accept his offer of courtship, when it is made.” She swallowedhard, seeing her father’s eyes widen. “He will come to speak to you of this before he speaks to me, of course, but I know that it is soon to come.”
For a long moment, nothing but silence flooded the room. Amelia did not know where to look or what to say, her stomach tightening as she glimpsed the surprise reflected in her father’s eyes.
