He responded openly, saying, “No, my darling fiancé, I will fulfill my promises to you and I promise not to interfere in His Lordship’s business—for now. But I shall keep my sword—although I shall keep itsheathed.”
“That was not our agreement, Berwick,” Robert challenged, stepping forwardaggressively.
Ludlow held up his hand. “Brother-in-law… Let us not argue. All will be well. After all, I will be taking your darling sister off of your hands, and we must remain congenial neighbors and relatives. Must wenot?”
Taking hold of Ludlow’s arm, she nodded to Robert, seeming to indicate that she would keep him in check. And Robert, knowing his sister, believed shewould.
“Very well, then I shall leave the room to you and His Honor so that you may confer on the terms of the agreement. Then when all the papers are drawn up and you can present me with certified funds for the purchase of the land then I will sign.” Robert turned to the mayor and nodded. “And good day and good luck to youboth.”
* * *
Later that afternoon,Amelia was giddy with excitement about her marriage. True, Ludlow was not the most appealing man she had ever met, but at her age, she was in no position to reject any offer ofmarriage.
They had decided on a spring wedding for next year. She wanted it sooner, but Ludlow explained that he would be too caught up in beginning the work on the canal to have any time to deal with awedding.
But that would not delay her ordering her wedding dress, and she was preparing to go to London for a week or so to confer with her dressmaker and begin the design and work on thegown.
Robert knocked on her door and cameinside.
“So it is official? You are to be Her Ladyship, the Viscountess of Berwick?” heasked.
Amelia beamed—an unusual occurrence for her. “I am. And I am planning to head to London for a shoppingvisit.”
“And you have set a date for thewedding?”
“April orMay.”
“I am truly happy for you, Amelia. I hope the two of you will be veryhappy.”
“Thank you, Robert.” She paused in her packing preparations and asked. “Why did you decide to accept Ludlow’s offer? I thought for certain you would fight him tooth and nail until the bitterend.”
Robert smiled. “I took good advice from someone I trust andrespect.”
“Oh? And that would beme?”
“No, MissDiana.”
“Miss Diana? Youjest.”
“Not at all. She thought the project was most sensible and faulted me for holding a grudge against Ludlow which blinded me to the plan’svirtues.”
Amelia was truly stunned. Never in her wildest imaginings would she have figured that Diana could be her ally. That made her think for a moment, and then she said, “Miss Diana… hmm. I know I have been ruthlessly pressing pale daughters of the nobility upon you as prospective brides, but I may have misjudged. In an effort to find a suitable partner I have neglected to look at interesting women outside of the social elite. However, it seems to me you have an affinity for this young lady. Have you ever considered her as a prospectivebride?”
Robert appeared to be stunned into silence before his face lit up with the most radiant smile. “Of course I have. However, the young lady is already engaged to bemarried.”
Amelia forced a mock frown. “I have never known a small detail like that deter you from acting before. You are an Earl. And her young fiancéis…?”
“A Cambridge student, newly graduated, and joining his father’s publishing firm, Ibelieve.”
“Oh, Robert… An Earl versus a publisher’s clerk? Really? I never thought you would be sotimid.”
“But she cares for him and they areengaged.”
Amelia went over to Robert and took his arm. “Robert, you may not have noticed, but I have. The way she looks at you, it borders on adoration. If you have any feelings for the woman at all, you must at least ask for her hand in marriage. The worst she could do would be to sayno.”
Robert grabbed his sister and gave her an enormous hug. “Sister, sometimes you do surprise me.” He gave her a kiss on the forehead and bounded out of theroom.
After he left, Amelia smiled and thought,Did I really, just dothat?
