Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Edmund was surprised at how easy it was for Amelia to be accepted by his parents. The Duke and Duchess of Blackwood were aware of who her parents were, and they were warm and accepting, saying that she was an absolute delight.

He watched as Amelia charmed the two of them with her various interests, things that would have been somewhat surprising and eccentric in regular Society. But his parents were open-minded and relaxed about it, as long as the interests weren’t hurting anyone, so they were listening avidly to her with their own interjections. Edmund had not expected any of this.

He wanted her to stay a bit longer, but that wasn’t possible. Amelia was going to overstay her welcome if she did that, and she said that she had things to get on with. Edmund was aware that she busied herself with her family’s charity to improve the lives of children from disadvantaged families, something he admired. Amelia really wanted to put her focus on that.

She was far more fascinating than people thought. It was a shame that nobody took the time to know the actual person.

John had called her cold, but Edmund could see the passion and fire in Amelia. There was nothing cold about her.

When it was time for her to leave, Edmund walked her out to her carriage. Amelia was looking more relaxed than he had seen her, and he was glad to see her smile. As the footman opened the door to the carriage, he turned to her.

“How about you and I go riding one day?” he suggested. “You know how to ride, don’t you?”

Amelia snorted.

“Of course I do. I’m a very competent rider.”

“Then how about we go riding in the countryside? It’s not far to the best place I know for it, and we could have a picnic. If your maid can’t ride,” he nodded at Taylor, who was standing beside her mistress, “I can get one of my servants to join us.”

Taylor grinned.

“I’ve been riding horses for many years, my lord. I know how to handle them.”

“Her father owns a horse farm,” Amelia explained. “She’s been riding since she was old enough to walk. And we would be delighted to join you.”

Part of that sounded genuine, and part of her words sounded somewhat forced. Edmund didn’t know what to believe at the moment. But at least they weren’t arguing, and Amelia wasn’t doing something that made him wonder if she was stable mentally.

As Amelia started to get into the carriage, she muttered something under her breath when she stopped abruptly. Edmund frowned.

“Are you all right?”

“I hate dresses,” Amelia grumbled, and she hiked up her dress a little.

Then Edmund couldn’t stop himself from staring. Amelia wasn’t wearing any stockings. She had left her legs bare. No woman left home without stockings.

What had just happened there? And why was everything about Amelia such a surprise?

“Edmund?”

Edmund blinked. Amelia and Taylor had gotten into the carriage in the time that he had caught sight of her stocking-less legs, and then the door had closed. How had they managed to do that when Edmund was standing right there?

Amelia leaned out of the window, giving him a slight smile.

“How about you come to my estate? We’re essentially out in the country, and we can ride around the area without being disturbed. Would that work?”

She was inviting him back to the estate? Edmund thought that she didn’t want to have him there at all. But he wasn’t about to pass up that opportunity, and he smiled back.

“That sounds like a perfect idea. I’ll see you tomorrow at ten?”

“Fine.”

As if she remembered something, the smile faded from Amelia’s face, and she suddenly looked closed off. Then she moved out of sight, sitting back as the carriage started moving, pulling away from the house. Edmund watched it go, turning the corner before disappearing from sight.

He started to head back inside, only to see another carriage approaching along the street. It began to slow as Edmund reached the door, stopping directly outside the house. The door was opened by Edmund’s footman, and a handsome woman with graying dark hair got out, followed by Lady Colette. Both of them were carrying baskets.

Edmund was surprised at their presence. Normally, people in the ton sent calling cards ahead to say they would like to come by, but there was nothing today. Edmund would have been told if they were coming.

“Lady Fletcher-Brown,” Edmund bowed to the older woman as she came up the steps. “Lady Colette.”

“Good afternoon, Silverton, dear.” Viscountess Fletcher-Brown beamed at him. “It’s a delight to see you. How are you?”

“I’m doing well…forgive me. I wasn’t aware that you were coming to visit. Mother never said anything about any other visitors.”

“Oh, that was my fault, dear,” Lady Fletcher-Brown said, holding up her basket. “Colette and I were at the market and bought a lot more than we anticipated. We thought your mother might like some.”

Edmund didn’t believe that for a moment, especially not with the look on Lady Colette’s face that she was trying to hide. She had purposefully concocted a plan to come here and used her mother as a reason. Edmund wasn’t that stupid, but he wasn’t prepared to be rude when out in the street. Turning, he stepped into the house.

“Come and wait in the foyer while I let Mother know. We’ve just had a guest, so we’re just settling down for the afternoon.”

“Christina!”

Lady Blackwood entered the foyer as the viscountess and her daughter came into the house. She looked surprised to see her childhood friend, but she put a smile on her face and clasped Lady Fletcher-Brown’s outstretched hand.

“Forgive me, we weren’t expecting you. Were you planning on surprising us?”

“You could say that.” Lady Fletcher-Brown laughed. Then she pressed a hand to her chest and sighed. “Anyway, do you mind if I sit down? I’ve been on the go since early this morning, and I’m so tired.”

“Of course, come on through to the morning room. I’ll have some tea brought in.” Lady Blackwood nodded at her son. “My son will take the baskets into the kitchen.”

“Colette can help him with that.” The viscountess nodded at her daughter. “Won’t you, dear?”

Lady Colette gave her mother a smile that suggested that she had hoped for a moment like this. Then she fell into step beside Edmund as they headed toward the kitchen.

“So,” she began, “how was your little visit with Lady Amelia Everly?”

“I beg your pardon?”

“I saw her carriage pass us when we turned into your street. It was clear that she had been here.” Lady Colette gave him a sly look. “It sounds like she’s rather taken with you, especially if you’re spending a lot of time with her.”

Edmund didn’t know how to answer that. The only people who knew what he was doing were Harold and John due to the wager they came up with. Lady Colette certainly didn’t know unless she had figured something out, and Edmund hadn’t even told his family that he was supposedly courting Amelia. He was not proud of the bet at all, and he was not about to get his family involved. Especially when they expected him to find a wife and get married.

They would approve of Amelia, that much Edmund knew. Mathilda, obviously, adored her, and Lady Blackwood was charmed by Amelia. Even Edmund’s father thought that Amelia was a good sort. If Edmund announced that he was courting her, they would be delighted about it.

But Edmund didn’t want to get anyone else involved, otherwise this might make it more complicated to get out of. Also, his sister would be upset if Edmund ended the courtship due to the bet, and it could affect her relationship with Amelia. Although, if Edmund was really thinking about it, it would more likely be his relationship with Mathilda that was ruined. She would not be happy about any of this.

“She’s a friend of my sister’s, that’s all. She was invited here for tea, hence why she was present.”

Lady Colette gave an incredulous laugh.

“Your sister invited the odd girl who is a social pariah to tea? What was she thinking?”

“What’s wrong with that? Lady Amelia is a nice person when she’s not in a crowd, and she’s comfortable. Plus, my parents think she’s quick-witted, intelligent, and humorous. I think that is something to be considered.”

“What?” Lady Colette looked stunned at that remark. She stared at him with her mouth open. “Did you just say that Lady Amelia is liked by your parents?”

“What’s wrong with that? Everyone should deserve to be liked.”

“But…she’s just… odd !” Lady Colette spluttered. “How is it possible that she’s liked by your parents when she can’t get anyone to like her?”

Edmund frowned at her.

“What were you expecting? That she would somehow make a fool of herself, and we would be able to laugh about how socially awkward she is? I know you don’t have a good opinion of Lady Amelia, but that’s only because you never bothered to get to know her.”

“Why would I want to get to know her?” Lady Colette wrinkled her nose. “She’s so peculiar. People say that she’s very snooty as well. Won’t even try to join in.”

“Maybe she doesn’t want to join in with every conversation because it’s not interesting to her?” Edmund entered the kitchen and put the basket on the table. “You shouldn’t be so disrespectful toward someone else, Lady Colette. Lady Amelia is actually a good person. She just chooses to be herself, and she has no time for fools.”

“She has no time for fools when she’s a fool herself?”

Edmund scowled, and Lady Colette faltered as she put the basket down.

“Why is being different so bad?” he demanded. “Why do we have to scoff and be unkind toward those who want to be their own person? Being different makes us stand out, unique. And we treat them like they’re a bad thing. There’s nothing wrong with it. Lady Amelia’s just showing a courage that barely anyone else has.”

Lady Colette stared at him with her mouth open. Then her mouth closed, and she collected herself, still looking bewildered.

“I…I didn’t…”

“I don’t know what your plan is, Lady Colette, but if you want to associate yourself with people, putting others down isn’t going to get you on their good side.”

“But if she’s associated with your sister when she starts her Season, aren’t you worried that she’ll be treated the same way?” Lady Colette protested. “Friends and connections are everything.”

Edmund gritted his teeth. He had thought about it, but the more he was in Amelia’s company, the more he didn’t care.

“I think it will do both of them some good. Amelia isn’t an evil person. She’s just different, and she dares to be her own person. I’d say that there’s a lot to admire about that.”

Lady Colette gasped. “And you admire her?”

Edmund didn’t answer. Mostly because he didn’t want to admit that he actually admired Amelia to Lady Colette, and most due to the fact he was sure the woman was going to disparage her further, and Edmund didn’t want to hear it.

“Put the basket down on the table,” he said curtly, turning back toward the door. “I’ll go and join our mothers.”

Then he walked out before Lady Colette could respond.

***

It felt like forever before Lady Colette and Lady Fletcher-Brown left the house, after promising to have dinner at some point in the near future. Lady Colette had spent a lot of her time being close to him, seeming to try to get his attention all the time. It was a little annoying, but Edmund tolerated it for his mother. At least Mathilda got the opportunity to leave. Edmund wasn’t so lucky.

He knew that he shouldn’t be annoyed about Lady Colette’s attentions. She was a beautiful woman, but there was something ugly about her. More than that, it was her personality, which shone through more than beauty if people weren’t careful with it. That seemed to be the case now. And that was a shame because Lady Colette Reed would certainly be the most beautiful woman in London if she had a lovely personality to go with her looks.

Then again, she still couldn’t hold a candle to Amelia’s beauty. She managed to make her quirkiness attractive; she was comfortable in her own body as well. Even her freckles were cute.

After dinner, Edmund retreated into the library and selected a book. Normally, he would head out to the club to join his friends, but after so many visitors, Edmund just wanted some peace and quiet. He was content to simply hide away and do nothing else. As he settled in a chair by the window and began to read, he thought about Amelia and how this must be how she wanted to spend her time. Just with a book and nothing else to bother her.

Edmund understood how she felt after all that.

The light was beginning to fade, and the pages were starting to look more orange than cream when the door opened and John walked in. Edmund had to do a double-take when he realized that it was his friend and not one of the servants.

“John?” He put his book aside and stood up. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to look for you. You didn’t turn up at the club.” John jerked a thumb at the door. “Before you ask how I got in, I walked around the back and went in by the terrace door. I didn’t think your parents would mind, seeing how often I’m here.”

Edmund sighed.

“John, you know they would mind. You’re not exactly their favorite person at the moment.”

“Whyever not? What did I do to them?”

“Do you want the list now, or do you want to tell me why you came to see me like this?” Edmund pointed toward the door. “We can take a walk outside, and then you can make an easier escape out the back if my father finds you here.”

John huffed.

“Fine. But don’t be surprised if I start sneezing so much. You know I hate flowers.”

“You hate anything that involves something green,” Edmund commented drily.

They left the library and made their way back outside. The evening was cooler now, and it felt inviting after such a hot day. Edmund led his friend into the maze of the garden, sighing when John started sneezing.

“I remember how hard it was for you to play ‘hide and seek’ when we were children. You were never good at being quiet.”

“Only when we were outside,” John protested. “I was very good at it when we were doing it inside.”

“No, you weren’t. You were still really bad at being sneaky.”

John huffed.

“I remember it differently.”

“You always remember things differently if it doesn’t play into your narrative,” Edmund pointed out. He turned and folded his arms. “So what are you doing here, John? Why have you come here?”

“You didn’t turn up at the club.”

“Because I’ve had visitors all day, and I’m exhausted. All I want to do is have some quiet time to myself.”

John sniggered.

“Visitors, eh? Did one of them include that strange one who is called Amelia Everly?”

Edmund felt his hackles rise at that. He didn’t want to hear his friend talk about her like that. It was just disrespectful.

“Lady Amelia was one of the visitors, yes. And if you’re going to be rude toward her, then you can leave.”

“Steady on. I don’t mean anything that isn’t true.” John held up his hands before sneezing again. “She’s just someone who needs to be humbled, that’s all. What’s wrong with that?”

“With the way things are going, a lot!” Edmund snapped. “Anyway, is that why you’re here? Because you wanted to know how the bet is coming along?”

“Pretty much. I met Lady Colette, and she wasn’t happy about the fact she saw you and Lady Amelia in the park together.”

“She decided to interrupt us, and then Amelia left, and it was just her and I.”

“Oh, really?” John sneezed a third time, reaching into his pocket and pulling out his handkerchief. “She’s certainly got some confidence in her.”

“It wasn’t helpful, John. She was here again today talking about Lady Amelia.” Edmund narrowed his eyes. “You two aren’t working together, are you? To make sure that this bet doesn’t happen?”

John looked affronted by that.

“Edmund! Who do you think I am? Do you believe that I’m someone who would get someone else to sabotage you?”

“Yes. You’ve done it before. I know you don’t want to pay me twenty-five pounds.”

“Not this time. I swear to you, Edmund, that I haven’t done that.”

Edmund didn’t know if he believed that or not. He was certain that John had some involvement in it, although he suspected that Lady Colette had made up her mind about him and wanted him for herself. She was incredibly confident about what she wanted.

But Edmund wasn’t comfortable with it. He had more important things to worry about, and having a lady pursuing him when he had something to focus on was not ideal.

“It’s early days with this,” he said, trying to dislodge the discomfort in his stomach. “But you don’t need to worry about anything. It’s going well.”

“Is it?”

“Yes. We’re making arrangements to meet again. But I won’t tell you what we’re doing, as I don’t want you getting in the way.”

John chuckled, only to sneeze once more. He blew his nose and made a face before he spoke.

“God, I hate flowers. Listen, Edmund, I’m eager to win this wager, but I’m also counting on you to put Lady Amelia in her place. She deserves it.”

“But I don’t understand why you’re determined to get revenge on her for turning you down. You’re not the only one who’s been through that, and Lady Amelia has turned down pretty much every gentleman who has approached her. What’s so different this time that you want to hurt her like this?”

“Hurt her?” John looked confused at that. “Who said anything about hurting her?”

“Emotionally, you’re going to do that, aren’t you? That’s rather unfair.” Edmund paced away, rubbing his hands over his face. “You’ve made this into a big mess.”

“What’s wrong with humbling someone?”

“There are better ways to do it instead of being disrespectful and potentially humiliating her.”

“She humiliated me! Why not do it to her instead?”

Edmund couldn’t understand the logic, or why John was so fixated on this. It was like John had made it his mission to hurt Amelia for something she was within her rights to do.

He was about to argue further when he heard Mathilda’s voice.

“Edmund? Are you out here?”

John’s eyes widened, and Edmund held up a finger.

“Mathilda is not aware, and she likes Amelia. Don’t you dare say anything against her to my sister, or you’ll have yourself handed back on a platter.”

“How does anyone like that woman?” John muttered before he turned just as Mathilda appeared around the rose bush.

“Edmund…” She slowed to a stop when she saw John. Then her cheeks went a little pink. “Oh, Lord Sutton. I didn’t realize you were here as well.”

“Lady Mathilda.” John gave her a nod with a friendly smile. “I was just passing, and I wanted a quick word with your brother.”

“I see.” Mathilda licked her lips before biting the lower one. “Would you like to come inside?”

“I’m afraid not. I have to head back to the club. We were just worried about your brother not turning up.” John’s eyes slowly pulled away from Mathilda before he nodded at Edmund. “I’ll see you around, Edmund. Don’t be a stranger to us.”

Edmund grunted, watching as his friend walked away. He looked at Mathilda, who was watching him go, and his eyes lingered on her for a little longer than he was supposed to. Then he was gone, sneezing as he left.

Edmund didn’t like that. Mathilda was sixteen, and John was his age. While he couldn’t stop a slight infatuation on Mathilda’s part, he wasn’t happy about it seemingly being reciprocated. It was just…madness.

He made a mental note to talk to John about that later. Maybe in a few years when Mathilda had grown up, but with his attitude toward certain women right now, Edmund was not comfortable with it. John needed a smack upside the head.

Maybe he did as well since he had allowed himself to be drawn into this madness.