Lady Stanton blinked and then, with a sigh, shook her head. “It sounds to me as though you are rather taken with him, my dear. I suppose, then, I can have nothing to say by way of protest, not if you have already set your mind upon him.
Amelia did not know what to say. Either she could protest again that she did not truly feel anything for the Duke of Ashbourne but given her mother’s look and the words she had spoken, Amelia did not think that it would do much good.
“Your father has already consented, I suppose?”
Amelia nodded. “He has.”
Lady Stanton let out a slow breath and closed her eyes. “Then, despite my concerns, I suppose that this is the right thing for you, my dear. So if the Duke of Ashbourne wishes to court youandyou wish to accept him, then I will say no more about it.”
“It cannot do any harm, surely?” Amelia put out her hands wide, seeing her mother sigh. “Charlotte is already engaged and Lord Stirling is to arrive tomorrow, all being well, and therefore evenifthetonspeak of me and my connection to the Duke of Ashbourne, it will not have any bearing on Charlotte’s standing.”
“That is true.”
“And father does not see any real concern in the Duke’s name being connected to ours,” Amelia continued, as her mother sighed again. “I do not want to accept him if it would upset you, Mama. You know that I value your opinions a great deal.”
With another sigh, Lady Stanton closed her eyes. “It is only because I have every desire to see you happy. I worry that you might find yourself broken hearted if the Duke’s dark demeanour proves to be a little more sinister than you first thought.”
Amelia, understanding her mother’s concern, smiled gently, her heart squeezing with sympathy. “Mama, what if I find thatthe Duke is not as dark as everyone thinks? What if, in our growing connection, I discover him to be lighter in spirits, happier in countenance and a good deal more contented than anything I had ever expected?”
In asking this, she watched her mother carefully and saw as the small smile began to spread across Lady Stanton’s face. Mayhap her mother had never truly considered the opposite of what she feared.
“I suppose, if that were so, then I would be very glad indeed, Amelia.” Lady Stanton rose and came to sit by Amelia, looking into her eyes and into her face as she took her hand. “I want what is the very best for you and while the Duke of Ashbourne might be the very best in terms of his title and his fortune, I am not certain he is the best for you by way of character. You have the very kindest of hearts, Amelia. I fear what will happen should you give it away to someone who is unworthy.”
Amelia squeezed her mother’s hand. “I do not think the Duke is unworthy,” she promised, seeing her mother smile again. “Rather, I think that I will find him to be the most excellent of gentlemen and someone who, mayhap, might be able to make me very happy indeed.”
Chapter Eighteen
Nathanial cleared his throat and handed his card to the waiting butler. The butler took it and excused himself, leaving Nathanial to stand alone in the Marquess of Stanton’s townhouse. Having had a brief word with Lady Amelia the previous evening where she had told him that all was well and he might now approach her father, he had seen no time to delay and had come to call just as soon as he was able.
“Right this way, Your Grace.”
The butler had returned and was now leading Nathanial forward down the hallway and Nathanial followed quickly, aware of the tremor which ran through his frame. It was quite ridiculous, he knew, for there was nothing for him to be concerned about, particularly as this courtship was being undertaken solely for his own benefit – though he was very appreciative to Lady Amelia for that.
“Your Grace, I apologise that you were forced to wait. In future, I will have my butler permit you entry at once.” Lord Stanton, a pleasant looking man with a warm smile, inclined his head and then gestured to the chairs by the fire place. “Please, do sit down.”
“I thank you.” Sitting down a little stiffly, Nathanial cleared his throat and smiled briefly. “Lady Amelia tells me that you are aware of the reason I am here?”
He nodded. “She did speak to me of your intentions. I must admit, I am a little surprised.”
“Oh?”
“Not because I do not think my daughter worthy of attention from a gentleman such as yourself,” Lord Stanton continued,quickly, “but merely because you have never come to take tea with her or the like. I have not seen you call, not heard that you walked in the park with her or even danced very regularly.”
A flush began to creep up Nathanial’s cheeks. “I am aware that my interest had been a little hidden. That being said, I would still like to court your daughter. I have been conversing with her and I find her very amiable and very warm in her demeanour.”
Lord Stanton smiled with pride. “Yes, that is because she is,” he replied, quietly “Amelia is kind, considerate, gentle and generous. Any gentleman in London would be honoured to have her on his arm.”
Seeing the flickering challenge in his eyes and hearing it in his voice, Nathanial nodded immediately. “I quite understand, Lord Stanton. I do value your daughter immensely. I am also very well aware that my own character can be a little lacking in warmth and in kindness. I speak honestly when I say that, in being in conversation with your daughter, I have found myself eager to alter that part of myself. From what I have seen of Lady Amelia, I believe she has a great deal to teach me.”
Lord Stanton rubbed at his chin. “You appear to be speaking very genuinely, Your Grace. I will tell you that I already gave Amelia my consent and therefore, I will, of course, offer the same to you.”
Nathanial let out a long, slow breath. “I do speak genuinely, Lord Stanton.” A little surprised that he was being truthful, he considered his words for a moment as Lord Stanton rose to get them both a brandy. Everything he had said about Lady Amelia was quite true, for hedidconsider her to be warmth, kind and amiable. In fact, he admired her a great deal. Could it be that these emotions wound their way towards something else? Something a good deal more profound? Accepting the brandy from Lord Stanton with a nod of thanks, Nathanial consideredthe moment he had realized that, in accepting the idea of courting Lady Amelia, he would be preventing his brother from doing so. It had come upon him with such fierceness, it had quite stolen his breath away and he had been caught with such a strength to do that very thing, he had accepted without hesitation. Why was it that he had not wanted his brother to pursue Lady Amelia? Was it not becausehehad wanted to do so himself?
And why had he wanted to do so? Was it not because his heart held a gentle affection for the lady?
“Your Grace?”
Nathanial looked up, seeing Lord Stanton’s questioning look. “My apologies, Lord Stanton. I was lost in thought.”
