Amelia looked to Charlotte, wondering if her sister would be at all upset that Lady Ashbourne had mentioned Charlotte’s impending engagement to a gentleman she did not know very well but Charlotte only smiled and confirmed that yes, this was who it was to be. The two ladies continued in conversation on this subject for some time and Amelia merely listened, recalling the moment Charlotte had consented to marry Lord Stirling. The gentleman was the son of the late Marquess who had been dear friends with their own father and thought there had been a hope that the two families might join in marriage in some way. Amelia had been glad that her sister had never been forced into this engagement but had been given her own choice – but evidently, she had been contented with the gentleman himself once they had met and had spoken at length on a few occasions. Amelia did not know Lord Stirling particularly well as yet – neither did her sister – but Lord Stirling was to come to reside with them all very soon, once some business matters were attended to. Given that he lived in Scotland, it was some distance to come and Amelia continued to push the thought of the engagement and marriage from her mind, for the thought of her sister being so very far away was rather heartbreaking.
“Then you will have your choice of gentlemen, should you go to London, Lady Amelia.”
Amelia looked back to Lady Ashbourne, fixing a polite smile to her face. “It would seem so, Your Grace, though I am certain there will be a good many ladies there also.”
Lady Ashbourne chuckled. “Ah, but there will not be very many daughters of marquesses present, my dear. You are certainto be the object of every gentleman’s eye, I am sure of it! You must tell me if you are to go to London. I would be very glad to introduce you to my son.”
Amelia blinked. “Which one, might I ask?”
Lady Ashbourne laughed as though Amelia had said something humorous. “My son William, of course. Though I should like you to come and visit me at the estate?”
A thrill ran up Amelia’s spine. “That is very kind of you, Your Grace.”
“Oh, it would be a pleasure for me! If my son will not come out in company then mayhap I will force company upon him!”
“And this would be yourotherson,” Charlotte put in, sounding a little uncertain. “The Duke of Ashbourne?”
“Yes, that is just so.” Lady Ashbourne smiled, looking from Charlotte to Amelia and back again. “You would like to come and call, I hope? Your mother would be more than welcome also, though I should say I would like to know you both a little better. I know your mother well!”
“We would be very glad to call upon you, Your Grace,” Amelia replied, quickly. “Thank you for such a kind invitation.”
A brightness came into Lady Ashbourne’s smile. “But of course. What about Friday afternoon? You could come to take tea or, in fact, stay for dinner? It is a long drive and I would be glad to make certain you are well fed before you return home!”
Amelia looked to Charlotte, seeing her sister nodding. “Again, you are very kind, Your Grace. We could come around midday? And then depart once we have sat with you for dinner.”
“Excellent!” Turning around, Lady Ashbourne looked all around the room but most of the guests had already quit the room. “I will go in search of your mother and tell her all. Do excuse me.”
“But of course.” Amelia smiled as she took Charlotte’s arm, leading her towards the door so they too might go to the diningroom. “Well, what say you to that? It seems as though we are both to see the mysterious duke – theBeastlyDuke, as he is known, with our own eyes!”
Charlotte laughed and shook her head. “My dear Amelia, you are much too excited about this. The gentleman is called ‘the Beastly Duke’ for a reason and as father has reminded you, he is not in the least bit desirous of anyone else’s company save but his own. You cannot be hopeful of receiving a warm welcome from him!”
Amelia smiled. “I do not know what sort of welcome we shall receive but if Lady Ashbourne has invited us, then I am certain he will not be able to say anything to turn us away.”
“Though she does seem eager to introduce you to her son William.” Charlotte lifted an eyebrow. “He is a Marquess, Amelia. Father would not have any difficulty in agreeing to such a match.”
Amelia shook her head. “I do not think that father will be as eager to encourage a match between myself and anyone else, not when he hasyouand your marriage to Lord Stirling to think of. That must come first, before anything else.”
Charlotte considered this as they walked into the dining room. “I am not certain that is so,” she replied, sending a tingle up Amelia’s spine. “You may find yourself not only meeting the mysterious ‘Beastly Duke’ but very soon thereafter, engaged to his brother! And then what shall you do?”
Trying to laugh along with her sister, Amelia’s smile stuck but was not a true smile. The thought of being engaged to any gentleman, particularly one that her father might approve of but where she did not herself find their connection pleasing was a rather troubling one. Her sister might be contented with her circumstances but she herself would not be.
The thought of meeting the Beastly Duke, however, was an intriguing one and one that Amelia could not push from hermind. Meeting the Beastly Duke – under the premise of visiting his mother – meant that he would have no choice but to introduce himself and speak with them, would it not? An excited flicker caught Amelia’s heart and she let out a slow breath, trying to keep herself composed. Her father’s warning echoed in her mind, reminding her that the Beastly Duke might be just as he was described as being – beastly. He might well be rude, disinclined to their company and perhaps even refusing to come and greet them in the first place!
Amelia bit her lip, her thoughts in a whirlwind. The only way she was going to find out would be to visit the Ashbourne Estate which was going to come to her very soon indeed.
Chapter Four
Walking through the hall, Nathanial stopped suddenly as there came a knock to the door. Frowning, he glanced at the clock which stood above the front door, seeing it rather early for visitors.
The sound of footsteps told him that one of his staff was already coming towards the door, ready to answer it but Nathanial found himself stepping forward, going to the door before the footman could do so. Opening it, he stood framed in the doorway, in the space between the two young ladies who now stood on the doorstep and entrance to his own house.
“Might I be of aid to you?” His eyes narrowed a little. “This is no time for charity.”
The two young ladies glanced at each other, with the second then frowning hard, her jaw pulling tight. Glittering green flickered in her eyes, her red curls escaping from either side of her bonnet. Nathanial’s heart lurched though he ignored it immediately.
“We have not come to offer charity,” the lady exclaimed, her cheeks now a little hotter. “We have an invitation.”
Nathanial scowled, hating the interest that continued to push itself into his heart. The sooner he removed these young ladies from his company, the better. “I have not invited you.”
