Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

A melia might have been a little in over her head.

She couldn't remember the last time she'd shared a meal with her uncle, aunt, and cousin. The early days of her arrival at Hendale estate may have seen such a gathering, but as her uncle and aunt's relationship grew distant, she, too, found she preferred her own company.

But now with the Duke's presence, she was seeing an entirely different side to them.

For a start, her uncle was grinning ear to ear. From the moment Amelia stepped into the dining room, Harold wore a broad smile on his face as he showered Gideon with questions. About his investments, about his properties in Bath, and even political affairs. Matters that were typically reserved for when men were alone, were now front and center on the dining table as if her uncle didn't know when next he would get a chance to speak with the Duke.

And Barbara was hanging on to every syllable that left Gideon's lips, slipping in her own questions at every opportunity she found. She was more concerned with societal affairs, and laughing at everything the Duke said, even when he clearly hadn't made a joke. Amelia watched it all unfold with a tinge of second-hand embarrassment. She doubted they knew how foolish they looked and she had no intention of telling them.

Instead, she prayed that the morning would pass without anyone taking notice of her. Yet that hope was promptly dashed. As soon as she arrived, Gideon gestured for her to take the seat beside him, and her aunt and uncle—eager to please their guest—agreed.

The only person who didn't seem too out of character was Nadine—though Amelia was a little surprised that she wasn't trying to monopolize the Duke's time as well. No, Nadine was content with sipping her tea and glaring at Amelia from across the table instead.

Amelia kept her attention on her sandwiches and tea, praying this would all be over soon.

"Oh, Your Grace!" Barbara clapped her hands as if she suddenly remembered something. "I don't think I have yet expressed how delightful last evening's ball was! The event has measured up to every praise it has received thus far."

Gideon was the picture of polite perfection. His smile was broad and welcoming, with a slight dimple on his right cheek, enough to leave Amelia glaring due to his sudden change in behavior. "Thank you, my lady," he answered gracefully. "I'm heartened to hear you had such a splendid time."

"Oh, absolutely! My daughter and I truly enjoyed ourselves." Barbara rested a hand on top of Nadine's and, with the Duke's gaze now on her, Nadine forced a smile. "Though she was rather disappointed that she didn't get the chance to dance with you."

"Ah. Perhaps another time then," Gideon suggested. "The coming season, perhaps?"

"Oh, well, why wait so long? You are here now, aren't you? Perhaps after tea, the two of you could go for a promenade through our gardens? Or given the splendid weather, a horse ride in Hyde Park. It is a lovely day after all and Nadine is a wonderful rider—"

"Barbara," Harold interrupted with a cautionary undertone. "Let us not bombard the Duke with those suggestions. I'm sure he has future commitments."

Amelia didn't miss the way Barbara's eye twitched. She was annoyed, but her smile remained. "My intentions are not to try and bombard him, dear. I'm sure His Grace would love to spend time with Nadine after missing out on the chance at last night's ball—"

"Were you not informed, my lady?" Gideon smoothly interjected, putting down his tea cup.

The only thing Amelia had in common with her aunt was that they both shared a disdain for being interrupted while talking. But if she felt irritated by the Duke, Barbara did not show it. "Informed of what, Your Grace?"

"Ah. Well, I'm sure the scandal sheets will be filled with it on the morrow," Gideon went on, lifting his teacup again and sipping from it. "In fact, part of my visit today is to extend my regrets to both you and Lord Hendale for any potential embarrassment I may have inadvertently cast upon your household."

"Embarrassment…" Barbara's eyes darted to Amelia. Amelia quickly avoided her gaze. So much for staying unnoticed.

"It is very much appreciated, Your Grace," Lord Hendale spoke up. "Truthfully, I was quite disappointed to hear what had happened. Amelia has always been such a gentle soul that I found it hard to believe that she would do such a thing."

You aren't the only one, Uncle. I can hardly believe it myself.

"Yes, well, that is water under the bridge, isn't it?" Nadine chimed in hastily. "I'm sure within the week, everyone will have forgotten and moved on to the next thing."

"I wonder…" Gideon's voice trailed. Amelia hardly heard him. His hand was suddenly on her thigh.

Vaguely, she knew that her cousin had continued speaking, but Amelia could not hear anything over the roaring in her ears. Every nerve ending seemed to be aflame, the warmth concentrating in her core. His fingers danced up along her thigh, then retraced their path, igniting a trail of desire. Amelia somehow found the strength to push it aside, hating how cold and disappointed she felt when he was no longer touching her.

She chanced a look at him and wasn't surprised to see him smirking, though his focus remained on Nadine. As discreetly as she could, Amelia shifted her legs away from him, hoping that would dissuade him from making any other bold moves. She cupped her teacup with both hands in a measure to calm her racing heart.

"Pardon me, Your Grace," Harold said suddenly. "You alluded earlier that yesterday's events were only part of the reason for your visit. Is there something else you wish to discuss?"

"Indeed, there is, my lord."

Without warning, Gideon took Amelia's hand in his, placing them both on the table. All eyes fell to their clasped hands. Amelia went as still as stone, hardly breathing.

She didn't know what to expect from her uncle but the identical look of disdain that crossed both Barbara's and Nadine's faces was precisely what she'd predicted. Barbara, however, was more adept at masking it.

"Your Grace, I—I do not understand," Barbara said, an uncertain smile fluttering on her face.

"Though I cannot excuse my ungentlemanly behavior at last night's ball," Gideon began, "I must also confess that it was only because I had fallen in love with Lady Amelia at first sight."

"In love ?" Amelia gasped, making all eyes turn to her. But she could only see him, staring at him in disbelief.

He squeezed her hand. "Yes, my love. And it warms my heart to know that you feel the same." He turned his attention back to her stunned relatives. "Hence, I stand before you to formally request Amelia's hand in marriage, and to seek your approval, Lord Hendale."

For the first time since Amelia stepped into the dining room, Harold was at a loss for words. "Your Grace, I…I don't know what to say…"

"Love?" Barbara repeated, sounding suspicious. "You truly feel love for her ?"

Amelia felt a pinch of shame at her aunt's tone, but to his credit, Gideon did not falter, nodding decisively. "For Amelia, yes I do. I have desired for little else but to have her be my bride. Which is why I have sent for a special license and have already begun the wedding preparations, anticipating the viscount's permission, of course."

Harold cleared his throat, straightening in his chair. "Well, far be it from me to deny my niece such a fortuitous match. You have my blessing, Your Grace."

"Wonderful!" Gideon smiled down at Amelia. "Then we shall be wed come next week."

Next week?!

He released her hand, returning his attention to his tea as he began detailing the wedding arrangements he'd made thus far. This time, Barbara was far less eager to partake in the conversation and Nadine sat in stony silence. Amelia, too, made no attempt to join in, still reeling from the Duke's words.

Love? Surely he did not mean that. But even if he hadn't, it didn't change the fact that, very soon, she would be a married woman. All the things he'd whispered to her in her bedchamber went racing through her mind and a shiver of trepidation crept down her spine. Everything was moving too quickly and she hadn't planned this far ahead.

And right now, one single looming question dominated her thoughts. What would happen on the night of her wedding, when they were alone?