The Lady and the Earl (Seabrook Family Saga) (7 page)

CHAPTER EIGHT

As Amelia skidded to a halt at the bottom of the stairs she mumbled,
“Here we go again.”

Every hothouse in London must have delivered flowers to their door that
morning. Oh, how she dreaded going through this draining experience again. At
exactly two that afternoon, eligible gentlemen would swarm their drawing room,
vying for Bella’s and her affections. Who made up this ridiculous thing called
tea time? Some old married lady, no doubt. One who did not have to entertain
half the gentlemen of the
ton.

Upon entering the morning room, she found her two brothers alone. Where
were Bella and Mama? Emma must be with little Hamilton. How she envied Emma’s
time with her son. What she would give to be in the nursery with Olivia right
now. She pushed those thoughts aside along with the tightness in her throat and
said, “Good morning, Wentworth. Sebastian.”

Wentworth replied with a grunt. “Look at all those damn flowers. I’ve
been sneezing all morning and my head’s throbbing from the pungent stench. Why
can’t the florists come up with flowers that look good but have no scent
whatsoever?”

“In a bad mood, brother? Did your lovely wife Emma ban you from her bed
last night?” Sebastian said with a devilish grin. “We find you’re positively
miserable this morning.”

Wentworth glared at Sebastian. “Keep Emma out of this. I hate this time
of year where I have to open my door to every gentleman who comes around hoping
to marry one of our sisters.” Wentworth waved his arm impatiently. “If Myles
would get off his ass and propose to Bella…”  His eyes came Amelia’s way,
and he added, “That would leave only you to worry over.”

“Wentworth, it’s time I confided in you,” Amelia said, her stomach
knotting up tight. “I do not plan to marry. I want to live in Dover with
Olivia.”

“You cannot be serious.” Wentworth turned to her. “You are twenty. Give
it some time, Amelia.”

“I don’t want to give it time. If I marry I’d never be able to
acknowledge…” She shook her head, then clarified, “Never mind. You would not
understand.”

“Oh, I understand more than you think. That’s why the choosing of your
husband will be done with great thought and care. I know you don’t wish to
marry, but I must insist. I won’t have you living out your days in the country
alone without someone besides your daughter for companionship.”

But––”

“Do not interrupt. I’ve thought long and hard about this situation, and
I think it can be resolved with a strong man and title behind him. Even if you
have to tell everyone Amelia is your deceased maid’s child and you and your new
husband are adopting her. People will talk, and some people will guess the
truth. But they will not dare do it to your face or shun you. The invitations
will continue to come to your door, and the talk will die down eventually.”

Her heart did a little flip. “Do you believe it could work out that
way?”

“I do. And with the right gentleman, you’ll be able to tell him the
truth.”

Now her heart stopped. “I’m not sure about that. But if he does not
want me after learning the truth, then he’s not worthy of my love.”

“What about the Duke of Yarmouth who called on you during your first
Season? He’s young, still unmarried, and a duke,” Sebastian added.

Wentworth raked his fingers through his hair. “He might do. I’ve been
impressed with his work in Parliament. I believe I spotted him last evening.
Did you see him, Amelia?”

Last night she had noticed no other gentlemen besides her brothers, their
friends and William and Mr. Spencer. And with William present, her eyes had
followed him wherever he went and every other gentleman had faded into the
background. Which gave her the courage to ask, “What about Lord Bridgeton?”

“What about him?” Sebastian asked.

“Yes, what about him?” Wentworth added in a condescending tone.

They were ganging up on her. “I’m fond of him,” Amelia said bravely.
“Lord Bridgeton is kind and considerate. Besides, we never run out of things to
say when we’re together.” Amelia’s cheeks heated and she tried to think of
something cold. It would not be wise to show what she really thought and felt
when around the earl. Or what she had let him do. Her brothers would be
shocked.

“I’m sorry, Amelia.” Wentworth looked at her and sighed. “He’ll not do.
Too much scandal attached to his name. You need to marry someone with an
impeccable reputation, for your daughter as well as for you.”

True. She had to consider the welfare of her child above all else. “Is
there such a man?” she asked. To her way of thinking one did not exist.

“If there is, we’ll find him,” Wentworth assured her.

Amelia left the morning room with her breakfast heavy in her stomach,
angry at being treated like a horse for sale to the highest bidder. Even though
she had met the Duke of Yarmouth, she did not remember him. She’d had eyes only
for Captain Rycroft during her first Season. Fighting tears, she hurried up the
stairs as fast as she could and went in search of Emma in the nursery. Hamilton
was sitting on the floor playing with wooden blocks. As Emma stacked them,
Hamilton knocked them over with laughter. The scene brought an ache to Amelia’s
chest, making it difficult to breathe.

A few moments later, Emma noticed her and smiled. “Hello, I’m trying to
build a castle and Hamilton keeps knocking it over.” She rose, picked up her
son, and swung him onto her hip. “Cecilia, would you take Lord Hamilton?
Amelia, it’s beautiful out. We should find Bella and take a walk in the park?”

That sounded splendid to Amelia. There was nothing like fresh air and
sunshine on such a lovely, sunny day, which did not happen that often in
London. It didn’t take much to convince Bella to come along.

***

The three of them walked the several blocks to Hyde Park, warm beneath
their pelisses, matching bonnets and bright sunshine. At this early hour Amelia
was surprised at the numbers of women of the
ton
who were present,
parading around in their spring-colored day dresses. The gentlemen walked and
rode on the Serpentine, wearing frock coats in every color of the rainbow.
Personally, she preferred gentlemen who dressed in dark or muted shades.

“Look at all the strutting peacocks in their mauve, aquamarine, and
chartreuse frock coats. Do they honestly think they look attractive?” She could
never see either of her brothers wearing those shades. Occasionally Myles did,
but usually he wore them to annoy Wentworth or Amesbury and to make fun of the
other dandies. Somehow she could not see William dressed in anything but brown,
black, tan, or gray as that was all she had seen him wear.

Emma laughed. “I’ve been contemplating purchasing a frock coat in
salmon for my husband.”

“You’re not
serious
?” Bella asked, laughing.

“No, probably not. My husband loves his dark, moody colors.” Emma
slipped her arm through Bella’s and Amelia’s arms. “Do you see Lord Eastham? He
resembles a wilted pink rose. How ridiculous to wear such a color. Why, he must
be sixty, if a day.”

“I heard he’s looking for a young wife since his only son died last
year, leaving him without an heir,” Bella chimed in.

“A wife?” Why Amelia should be surprised at that she could not say. She
had met Lord Eastham briefly during her first Season, and that one time seemed
enough in her mind. If she recalled correctly, he spoke loudly, had
foul-smelling breath, and looked at her inappropriately. She shivered. “The
poor girl who marries him. I don’t care that he’s richer than King George. How
could any lady let his hands . . .?” She shivered. “Dear God, the poor girl,
whoever she will be.”

“With his title and wealth, I’m quite sure there’s a father out there
all too willing to betrothe his young daughter to the marquess.” Bella paused
briefly. “Thank the Lord our brother believes in love. Can you imagine if he
decided to marry one us of to that wrinkled old dandy?”

“Your brother would never do such a thing,” Emma spoke up in support of
her husband. “Now what I want to know is this…Tell me about Lord Bridgeton.
He’s quite charming and handsome.” She led them over to a bench shaded by
several oak trees. “How did you meet him, Amelia?”

Once all three of them were settled on the bench, their pelisses and
skirts smoothed and straightened, Amelia smiled and tried to ignore the
fluttering of her heart inside her chest. She knew she could tell Bella and
Emma anything and they would keep it confidential. But still, so much had
happened since their last sister talk. Even so, it did feel good to be back
with them. How she had missed both of them over the past year and a half.

After a brief pause Amelia proceeded to tell the story of how and where
she first met William. She even told them about how she cried and how he
comforted her in his arms. She sighed. How she wanted to feel those strong arms
around her again. Would it ever happen? Of course, Amelia left out the details
of their last encounter.

“Amelia, shame on you for spending time alone with him.” Bella’s words
contradicted her wide smile. “Do you believe he murdered his brother and
sister-in-law?”

“Bella how can you ask such a question?” Emma scolded before turning
back to Amelia. “Yet—do you believe the gossip?”

“Not for a moment,” Amelia answered. “All anyone has to do is look at
him and listen to how much he loved them to know he had nothing to do with
their deaths. He’s still in mourning all these years later. My heart breaks for
him when I see the anguish and pain in his beautiful blue eyes.”

Bella leaned around Emma, who sat in the middle. “I did notice his
eyes. His cousin’s, Mr. Spencer’s, are the exact same shade.”

“Hmmm, you noticed Mr. Spencer’s eyes?” Amelia asked curiously. She had
not believed her sister ever noticed any man except Myles.

“Well, I did waltz with him. It’s hard not to notice someone’s eyes
when you are that close,” Bella remarked with a slight blush creeping up her
face.

How interesting, Amelia thought.

“Mr. Spencer seems like a nice gentleman,” Emma said as she looked
inquisitively at both Bella and Amelia. “I do believe Myles was jealous of all
the attention Spencer paid you.”

Bella snorted in a most unladylike way. “Myles jealous? I don’t believe
that for a moment. While Mr. Spencer and I danced he waltzed with the Widow
Harrington, and they were flirting shamelessly with one another. I saw the
widow caress Myles. She rubbed her hand up and down Myles’s arm and batted her
lashes. It doesn’t help that I know widows can have affairs and not ruin their
reputation if it is done quietly. And from what I saw, she wants Myles.”

“Oh, Bella,” Amelia said, trying to make her sister feel better, “Myles
flirts with everyone. It means nothing to him. It’s just the way he’s made.”
She reached around Emma and squeezed her sister’s hand. “He would never waste
his time on the widow––”

“Oh, my,” Emma interrupted. “Here comes Lord Bridgeton and Mr. Spencer
on horseback.”

“Ohh, doesn’t Mr. Spencer sit a horse handsomely?” Bella sighed.

Amelia could not believe her ears. Could not believe her sister noticed
Mr. Spencer. Although, looking at the two cousins riding toward them, how could
one not notice them? They did resemble each other and they rode effortlessly,
as if man and horse were one. Then Amelia caught William’s eyes, and he tipped
his hat and grinned at her.

Did the temperature just rise?
She wondered as her heart
pounded.

Butterflies formed in her stomach as both gentleman
dismounted and approached them.

“Your Grace. Ladies,” Mr. Spencer spoke first. “What a lovely day. And
it just got lovelier.” He tipped his hat, gave them a wide smile, and bowed. “I
do believe spring has arrived.”

Amelia could not take her eyes off William. He was dressed in a dark
brown riding jacket, buff trousers, and brown riding boots. One hand held the
horse’s reins while the other gripped his hat. William’s shoulder-length, dark
brown hair was combed back off his face, and his blue eyes twinkled in the
sunlight. Why did heat pool low in her body making her crave…?

No. No. No. I mustn’t think such things.

“Duchess, Lady Amelia, Lady Isabella, how nice to see you again so
soon,” William’s smooth voice sang out, curling around her body, hugging her.
Why did his voice do that to her? Lord Bridgeton definitely posed a danger to
her senses. She would have to mind herself in his company.

Her brothers might be worried about Lord Bridgeton making advances, but
Amelia worried she might throw herself into his arms without provocation.
Unlike the innocent debutantes being introduced into Society––including her
sister––Amelia knew what happened between a man and woman. How wonderful and
fulfilling the joining of two bodies could be. When she was near William, she
craved that fiercely.

“Lady Amelia, do you not agree?” William’s voice drifted and curled
around her.

Oh, dear.
She swallowed and forced her attention back to the
conversation, knowing her face turned the shade of a strawberry. “I’m sorry,
Lord Bridgeton, my mind decided to woolgather.”

“Indeed.” His mouth tugged into a half smile. “I asked if you ladies
would join us for a turn around the park. We can send our horses back with the
groomsman.”

“Why, Lord Bridgeton and Mr. Spencer,” Emma answered as neither Bella
nor Amelia seemed able to speak. “We would be delighted to accompany you for a
stroll around the park. The grounds are so lovely today, with the sun awakening
all the flowers.”

Mr. Spencer spoke up. “Lady Isabella, Duchess. May I escort you both?”

As the three of them began their stroll, with Mr. Spencer walking
between Bella and Emma, William cleared his throat and smiled at her. “Shall
we?”

“Yes,” Amelia said as she slid her arm through his, reveling in the
feel of his hard muscles beneath her hand.