Chapter 3
Amelia Donnelly,Robert’s elder sister, tilted her head in front of the standing mirror in her bedroom. She had been going through her hats and discarding what she no longer cared for. The hat she was currently modeling was amaybe. One moment she liked it, and the next she detested it. She finally threw it on her bed—themaybepile. But she noticed herrejectionpile was much larger than heracceptancepile.
“Next,” she shouted out to her personalmaid.
The poor girl brought out the last hat which Amelia immediately snatched from the girl’s hand and carefully placed atop her head. She studied it and sighed.Reject. She tossed it aside. And her only consolation was that she would now need to go hat shopping, which meant a trip to the London house, which she always enjoyed—especially when it involved spending Robert’smoney.
She turned to her maid. “Get rid of all of those—but not to any of the servants. I do not want to see any of them parading around as though they were some sort of a duchess.Understand?”
“Yes, yourladyship.”
She pointed. “And those I am keeping. Put themaway.”
She then turned to hermaybepile and studied them again. She picked up only one hat and dismissed therest.
Amelia turned to, once again, study herself in the mirror. She took stock—looking for subtle changes. She pinched the bridge of her nose where there was a slight pain. It appeared to be nothing. She shook her head and let her long dark hair fall freely after removing the combs that held her hair in place. She was a tall woman with finely chiseled, aristocratic features, with a long lean nose and dark brown eyes. The set of her mouth generally fluctuated between neutral and harsh—with only the occasional smile which was quite pleasing when it rarely appeared. She was a strong woman, a determined woman—and she hadplans.
She was seven years older than her brother and had taken care of his upbringing from the age of thirteen when their parents were lost on a scientific expedition in Africa. She was so used to managing his life she gave very little thought to how he might resent her continued interference in his affairs. But despite the fact that he was now the Earl of Donnelly, she still thought of herself as ruler and head of the family as she had a distinctive appetite forcontrol.
Amelia knew that Robert would be at his desk this morning in the magnificentBalfourlibrary—a room of such rococo beauty it had been written about in a number of architectural books and journals. A large fireplace dominated the center interior wall of the spacious room. It was tall enough for a man to stand in upright. The library’s vaulted ceiling was capped by a windowed dome that let in light to illuminate the painted gods and goddesses sporting amongst mythical animals and cherubs. And one entire wall alternated book shelves with tall windows overlooking the entrance-park to theestate.
“Robert, I do not know if you remember or not but we have guests coming up this weekend,” Amelia said as she stood firmly in front of hisdesk.
“Guests? Remind me again. Is this another one from your parade of tender maidens dragged onto the auction block to tempt the eligible but reluctant Earl?” heasked.
Amelia’s mouth was hard set. “It is Sir Benjamin Daniels, his lovely wife, Caroline and their most enchanting daughter, Charlene—a charming young lady ofeighteen.”
“Then I am sure you will greatly enjoy their company. However, I shall not be here. I am going down to London on Friday for at least the entire weekend,” Robert said with a great deal of self-satisfaction.
Amelia’s nostrils flared, and her eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about? I asked you specifically several weeks ago if you were free this weekend and you assured me youwere.”
Robert stared her down. “However, plans change, my darling sister. And I can quite assure you that I shall not behere.”
Amelia turned from him and began pacing. “Robert, Robert how can you be so negligent of your duty? You are thirty-years-old and still unmarried. You need an heir and, still, you thwart all my well-meaning efforts to find you a suitable bride.” She turned to face him again and accused. “I do not know why I bother. I really do not, when you care so little for my efforts on yourbehalf.”
She lowered her head and brought a handkerchief to her eyes while emitting a lowwhimper.
“Amelia, your eyes are as dry as a desert. Stop playacting. Remember I know all yourtricks.”
Her head snapped up and she glowered at him. “And what exactly is so important that you must go to London thisweekend?”
“I have not had the opportunity to tell you but Cecil is to publish my novel once I have made certainarrangements.”
She felt another blow. “What are you talking about? That piece of balderdash you have been working on is to be published? That is ridiculous. You know you cannot possibly publish such a piece of trash as the Earl of Donnelly. You would be laughed out of all propersociety.”
“And that is exactly what the arrangements are for. I am to publish under another name. And Sir Cecil assures me the book will be a huge success. I am going down to London to meet with possible surrogate authors and hopefully find an eager and willing participant to stand as myfront.”
“I swear you will hound me into an early grave,” Ameliawailed.
“I doubt that. You are as strong as a horse and as stubborn as a mule. I am quite certain you will be just fine. And by the way, I see I must remind you, once again, that I am now the head of this house and these estates. And I am more than entirely capable of finding a satisfactory wife bymyself.”
* * *
Dexter Cabot livedin a three-story house that had been tastefully converted into single floor flats in the fashionableBayswatersection of London. The building, although with only three flats, maintained a concierge to welcome and screen guests and acceptdeliveries.
“May I help you sir?” the welcoming gentlemanenquired.
“Earl of Donnelly to see DexterCabot.”
