Lady Violet lifted an eyebrow and even Amelia flushed, aware that evenshehad heard the wistfulness in her own voice. Was it that she hoped for the very same happiness Charlotte had with Lord Stirling? And that she hoped for it with the Duke of Ashbourne himself?
“I presume that your mother has shown a little more contentment with the Duke of Ashbourne, then?”
Amelia nodded, glad that her friend had chosen not to ask her about what she had heard in her voice. “Yes, she appears to be. I think Lord Wilcox’s appearance brought about the precise opposite of what he had intended!”
Lady Violet laughed softly. “I am sure the Duke appreciated that.” Her head tilted just a little and her eyes slanted towards Amelia. “You are beginning to think well of the Duke of Ashbourne, are you not?”
Lifting her chin a little, Amelia looked back at her friend steadily. “You know that the courtship is only to serve a purpose, do you not?”
“Yes, but that does not mean that your heart might not begin to feel something for the gentleman,” her friend countered. “Is that what has been happening to your heart? I have noticed a change in you for whenever you speak of him, your expression softens and you cannot seem to help but smile.”
Amelia did not know where to look, ending up dropping her gaze to her hands. “I – I am not sure.”
“Well, I do not know what to advise you, given that there is still such a clear distinction between the Duke of Ashbourne and yourself in terms of his character and yours.” Lady Violet sighed and shook her head. “In fact, I – ”
She stopped dead and much to Amelia’s surprise, her gaze went over Amelia’s shoulder and to someone behind them both. Lady Violet’s expression gentled, her lips curving gently as she continued to watch whoever it was.
Unable to prevent herself, Amelia turned her head and looked straight at Lord Highcroft, seeing him smile and, clearly having caught her eye, coming over to join them both.
Lady Violet flushed the very moment he greeted her.
“Good afternoon, Lord Highcroft,” Amelia said, noting the change in her friend and finding herself very happy indeed. Lady Violet was a lovely friend with a kind nature and she was sure that Lord Highcroft was a gentleman of a most refined, genteel character. If this would be, then a match between them would be a most lovely thing.
“Lady Violet and I were just bemoaning the fact that we are quite without any fine company, though now you have come to join us, we cannot complain any longer, Lord Highcroft,” she said, seeing the way Lady Violet’s gaze jumped to Lord Highcroft’s. “Tell me, are you enjoying the fashionable hour? I do not know if I enjoy it or if I find it rather difficult given the number of faces present! I can struggle to recall everyone!”
Lord Highcroft chuckled. “I quite understand. It can be very difficult indeed, I quite agree.”
“I hear that things are much improved as regards your brother and theton,” Lady Violet said, as Lord Highcroft immediately nodded. “I am sure you are glad about that.”
“Of course, though I am glad forhimrather than for myself. My brother… ” Lord Highcroft shook his head. “My brother holds a great deal of guilt over a particular matter as regards my health. It was many years ago – when we were children, in fact, and since then, he has always been grave and serious. He worries about me a great deal and that takes a happy contentment from his life. To see him smile now that he hasyou, Lady Amelia, makes not only my heart very happy but also my mother’s.”
Amelia swallowed hard though she did try her best to smile. While she was glad that this was true, that the Duke was happier in himself, that made her guilt rise exponentially given that their courtship was not intended to last for too long. What would happen to the Duke’s demeanor once their courtship came to an end?
At the same time, Amelia began to wonder what it was which had taken place that had upset the Duke of Ashbourne so greatly, he had fallen into a darkness from which he had never quite managed to recover. She looked back at Lord Highcroft, wondering if she ought to ask him. Recalling how she had caught the Duke in the middle of the night back at his estate, a sudden understanding pierced Amelia’s heart. Could it be that whatever it was he had dreamed about, whatever it was which had forced him out of his bed and down into the hallway, was the very same thing that Lord Highcroft was speaking of?
“Lady Amelia?”
She looked back at Lady Violet, realizing that her friend had been speaking to her but that she had been so lost in thought, she had not heard her. “Yes?”
“Lord Highcroft asked if we wished to take a short turn about the grounds. My mother is just there and I am sure that if I were to ask her, she would be quite contented with the idea. I – ”
“Ah, and there is your brother, Lord Highcroft.” Seeing the Duke of Ashbourne step out from a carriage, Amelia’s heart leapt fiercely. “Perhaps we might walk the four of us?”
Lord Highcroft smiled quickly, his eyes alight. “I think that an excellent notion. Let me fetch my brother at once.”
Amelia nodded and the ladies stepped to speak to their respective mothers to ask for permission to walk with the gentlemen – and both were granted it very quickly indeed. By the time they had come together again, Lord Highcroft and the Duke of Ashbourne were waiting for them. Inclining her head, Amelia accepted the Duke’s arm and began to walk with him, delighting in the warm smile he sent to her.
“I am very glad to see you this afternoon, Amelia.”
The informal way he spoke to her made her smile softly, her stomach cramping with a sudden, fierce heat. “As I am you. I was having an interesting conversation with your brother before your arrival too.”
The Duke looked at her, his eyebrows lifting. “Were you?”
“We were. He told me… ” Glancing over her shoulder, Amelia smiled to herself, seeing Lady Violet and Lord Highcroft walking together, their heads close together in deep conversation. “He told me that there is a reason behind your dark demeanour, though there has been a lessening of that of late.”
The Duke cleared his throat rather gruffly, no smile on his face now. “Did he now?”
Hearing the slight wariness in his voice, Amelia nodded but then pressed her lips tight together. She wanted very much to ask him about it but given the tone of his voice, felt herself a little uncertain as to whether or not she ought to do so.
