“You… you expect the Duke of Ashbourne to ask to court you, Amelia?” Her father leaned forward in his chair and looked at her steadily, a seriousness on his expression now rather than any obvious hint of delight. “You are aware of the sort of man he is, are you not? He is not in the least bit delighted with company – though he has improved a little in that regard this Season, certainly – but he is also not the same character as you. You are delightful and joyous and glad about a good many things whereas he is not at all joyous and happy as regards his present circumstances. He does not seem to be glad about anything at all. Indeed, I do not think that I have ever seen him smile! Yes, he may be a Duke, my dear, but that does not mean that he is a suitable match for you. I would not ask you to accept him simply because of his title.”
Amelia smiled gently, appreciating her father’s concern. “You are very good, Father. I am sure that many a gentleman would have forced their daughters to accept the suit of a gentleman such as the Duke of Ashbourne without any hesitation regardless as to what they themselves felt or had because of any real concern over the man’s character. You are not so. You are considerate and generous in that regard and I am truly grateful for that, Father.”
Lord Stanton nodded slowly, his eyes still searching hers. “You speak kindly of me, my dear, but that does not take away what I have said. I do not want you to accept the Duke of Ashbourne’s offer simply because it is he who offers it. A man’stitle is one thing but it is his character which is of the greatest importance. That is why I was concerned for your sister that she wouldonlyaccept Lord Stirling once she had met him and was contented with him.”
“And you show me the same kindness.” Amelia put one hand to her heart. “But I should like to accept the Duke of Ashbourne’s courtship.” She watched as her father considered this. There was every possibility that he would refuse her, that even though she wished to accept, he might think it best if she refused. At the same time, there was also the awareness within her that she was not telling her father the entirety of the truth and that did pain her somewhat.
“Amelia.” Her father sighed and shook his head. “If you wish to accept the courtship of the Duke of Ashbourne, I would be a fool to prevent it. However, do be aware that I do not think he is the right character for you. I would not like to see you upset or displeased and should the courtship come to an end, I willnot, I assure you, be at all upset or angry. Rather, I will understand it.”
Amelia’s heart leapt and she could not prevent herself from smiling. “Thank you, Father. That is very gracious of you and I do appreciate your kindness in that regard.”
He returned her smile. “That is quite all right. You are my daughter and I care for you a great deal. I only want you to be happy.”
“I will be,” Amelia replied, softly. “Thank you, Father.” She rose to her feet the same time as her father did so, his eyes still searching her face. Hoping to reassure him, she gave him a warm smile and her father, after a moment, returned it.
“You say the Duke himself will come to speak with me?”
Amelia nodded. “Yes, Father. I wanted to speak with you first, of course, since I knew it would be something of a surprise.”
Lord Stanton chuckled. “It certainly has been,” he agreed, as Amelia made her way to the door. “But I shall look forward to his visit. Thank you, Amelia.”
Opening the door, she smiled back at him. “Thankyou,Father.”
***
“Are you being entirely serious?”
Amelia laughed as her mother’s eyes rounded, her face having gone a little pale as she looked at Amelia steadily. “Yes, Mama, I am quite serious. The Duke of Ashbourne seeks to court me.”
“And… and you think to accept him?”
Again, Amelia nodded. “I can see no reason not to.”
“Aside from the fact that he has all these rumours swirling around about him?” her mother protested, her eyes now wide. “Amelia, do you not understand that thetonwill speak of you also? What will they say about you?”
“I do not care about that,” Amelia replied, softly. “Mother, I quite understand that you are concerned about me in that regard but rumours pass, do they not? And I do not believe what thetonare saying, especially because I was present when Lord Wilcox spoke so harshly to Lord Highcroft.”
This did not seem to affect her mother in the least, for Lady Stanton immediately began to shake her head. “What it is that Lord Wilcox said, does not matter. What matters is that thetonwill speak of you in connection to the Duke of Ashbourne!”
“Mayhap they will speak well of me. Mayhap my connection to the Duke will force them to reconsider what has been said of him.”
Again, Lady Stanton shook her head. “I do not think that will be so, my dear. I am concerned that all it will do will force you into the same shadow that currently lingers over him!”
Amelia’s shoulders dropped. She had thought that her mother would be more easily convinced than her father but it seemed now that she had been mistaken. Lady Stanton was much more resistant than Amelia had expected.
“I do not say this to hurt you,” her mother continued, quickly, perhaps seeing the look on Amelia’s face, “but more because I am concerned for you, that is all.”
“I understand that, Mama, but I am sure that this is the right thing for me,” Amelia replied, softly. “The Duke of Ashbourne is not as dark and despondent as you might think him.
“Yes, he is! I have heard of what happened with Lord Wilcox and though I am sure it is notpreciselyas it has been said, there will have been some measure of truth to it. The Duke of Ashbourne is dark in nature and – ”
“He is not!” Amelia found herself standing tall, her hands by her sides but clenched into fists as she fixed her gaze to her mother, her breath coming quickly. “He isnotdark and despondent,” she repeated, a little more firmly this time. “Forgive me for being so firm, Mama, but I will not have you say such things about the Duke of Ashbourne. I know him better than most and though he is not merry, though he is not as amiable as other gentlemen might be, there is still a joy to his heart and to his spirit which I find more than acceptable.”
Lady Stanton’s eyes went wide, her mouth a little ajar and when Amelia realized just how loudly she had been speaking, she immediately murmured an apology and then sank back down into her chair.
“I – I did not think for even a moment that you felt so strongly about the gentleman, Amelia.”
Amelia looked back at her mother and then closed her eyes tightly. “It is not that I feel strongly about him, Mama. It is that I do not agree with your description of him for I know his character to be a good deal better than you have described.”
