Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen

"I promise that this will be the last social activity I'll do this week," Reuben said as Amelia slipped a shawl around her shoulders. "I will spend the next two days relaxing here at home."

Amelia checked her reflection in the mirror one more time to make sure her jewelry complemented her face. This was the first dinner party she and Reuben were attending as a married couple, and she wanted to be sure she looked her best.

"What will you be doing for the next two days?" Reuben asked.

Surprised, she turned her attention back to him. "I hadn't thought about it. We've been running from the market to the theatre to the circus and to another hot air balloon ride. I didn't think beyond this dinner party."

"Yes, well, there are two more days left in the week."

Sensing he was hoping she'd come up with something, she asked, "What am I supposed to say?"

He shrugged. "I am going to be stuck here for two whole days so I don't end up sick again. This place is big. It can get lonely if there are just servants lurking about."

So that was what he was hinting at. He wanted her to spend the two days with him. She kissed him. "You want to know what my plans are for the rest of the week. Well, I would like to play some cards. Maybe I'll read another book. Or, if you're up to it, you can challenge me to some chess."

He arched an eyebrow. "You play chess?"

"I've been known to win a game or two when playing with my brother, even though he doesn't like to talk about it. Have you ever played the game?"

"Corin is my brother, and we spent every day that wasn't sunny and warm outside indoors. Chess is one of his favorite ways of relaxing. I played a lot of it."

Since the day they left the country, they hadn't mentioned Corin. She wasn't sure how to proceed, but she felt she needed to say something since he had brought his brother up. "Will it be difficult to play chess with me because you and Corin used to play it?"

"No. I'm not angry with him. What he did wasn't right, but I've forgiven him. I don't want him to ruin what we have by dwelling on the past." He slipped his arms around her waist. "No matter what happens, we belong together, and I'm going to enjoy each and every day I have with you."

She smiled. "I'm glad to hear it. I want to get the most out of our time together, too."

He pulled her closer to him and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. There were moments when it felt like they were back in the secluded countryside, and this was one of those times. When he gave her that special look that told her how much he loved her, it was as if the rest of the world ceased to exist. It was nice to know that even with all of the activities there were to do in London, they could still carve out moments like this.

When the kiss ended, he gave her waist an affectionate squeeze then escorted her out of the room. "So who will be at your brother's dinner party this evening?"

"Carol's friends and their husbands will be there."

"I know about Rachel marrying Edwin, and we met Lydia at Horatio's dinner party. Who is she married to?"

"Lord Quinton."

His steps slowed for a moment. "She married the gentleman who refused to escort you to dinner?"

She chuckled. "Yes, and from what Carol says, she's hopelessly in love with him."

"Really?"

"Grant doesn't understand it. He thinks it's strange that any lady would find Lord Quinton appealing. In fact, he doesn't care much for Lord Quinton, but since Carol is friends with Lydia and Lydia is married to him, Grant allows him to attend the dinner parties."

"I suppose that's because he loves Carol."

She nodded. "That's exactly why he does it. I think Grant will do anything for the people he loves."

"Considering the fact that he brought you all the way to my brother's country estate, I have to agree with you." He patted her hand. "It's to my benefit he cares so much for you."

"He's a good brother." Recalling Corin, she paused. Perhaps she shouldn't go on about Grant the way she was. Though Reuben had chosen to forgive Corin, it was bound to sting that Corin had hurt him the way he did. "Maybe Corin will realize the error of his ways," she added as they approached the carriage.

"I hope so. I'd like to think he will realize you're the best thing that's happened to me."

She hoped so, too. They stopped in front of the carriage. She squeezed his arm then settled onto the seat.

During the ride to her brother's townhouse, the conversation turned to what Reuben wanted to do next week, and the mood lightened considerably. They entered the drawing room just after Lydia and Lord Quinton did. Rachel and Edwin were already in their seats, sipping tea.

To her surprise, Lord Quinton took one look at her and said, "I'm glad you didn't bring that peacock cameo with you tonight. And I must commend you on not wearing the Scheel's green color for your gown. The nice, soothing shade of green you chose is much better."

"The cameo didn't have anything to do with a peacock," Grant inserted as Carol poured tea into everyone's cups.

Lord Quinton looked over at him and blinked. "Did you hear the part where I complimented her gown?"

"Yes," Grant began, "but I also heard the part where you said she wore a peacock cameo the last time we were together."

"You may not have seen the eye of a peacock in it, but I did. I'm certain the cameo's creator intended for it to make others see it as well."

"I am certain he didn't."

Lord Quinton didn't say anything, but he glanced at Lydia as if to ask her what one could possibly do with someone who refused to listen to reason.

Amelia wasn't the only one who noticed the look he gave Lydia because Grant snapped, "Do I have to find the gentleman who made that cameo to prove you wrong?"

Amelia's eyes grew wide. She couldn't recall the last time she'd heard her brother snap at someone. Lord Quinton really irritated him.

Lydia let out an uneasy chuckle. "This is all so silly. We're here to have dinner. Who cares what Amelia was wearing the last time we were all together?" She picked up two cups of tea and gave one to her husband. "Guy, why don't you tell everyone the news about my brother?" Her gaze went to Amelia and Reuben. "Have you heard about the Duke of Ivandore?"

Amelia and Reuben sat between Rachel and Edwin so that they didn't have to sit next to Lydia and Guy. Carol and Grant, meanwhile, settled back on the settee.

Since Amelia didn't want to spend the evening talking about the cameo, she decided to answer Lydia's question. "Is he the gentleman who was recently murdered?"

"He died, but it wasn't because he was murdered," Lydia replied. "He came after my brother with a sword, and my brother had no choice but to defend himself."

"It's true," Guy inserted. "I saw it for myself. Lydia's brother has been absolved of murder. I'm surprised you didn't hear about it. It's all over the papers."

"We've been busy trying to get settled into London," Reuben explained.

"Yes, and we've been having a wonderful time," Amelia added. "We didn't even think to look at the papers."

"You haven't heard people talking about it?" Lydia asked, a hopeful expression on her face.

Amelia glanced at Reuben, and he shook his head. "We haven't heard anything in the places we've been to."

Lydia relaxed.

"I told you that people are mindful to be discreet when talking in public," Rachel assured her friend. "Your brother faced a trying time, and people were careful to not make things worse."

"Especially since he's nobility," Edwin spoke up.

"He's right," Grant agreed. "It would have been different if Lydia's brother was a common man."

"My brother isn't that well off financially," Lydia said. "My marriage with Guy helped him a lot, but he still isn't where he ought to be if he wants to attract the right people."

"Even so," Grant began, "he has a title. That matters when it comes to things like this."

"And, he was protecting himself," Guy included. "He had witnesses, remember?"

Lydia smiled in relief. "It's a good thing you and Oscar were there."

A lull of silence fell among the group, so Amelia decided it was time to change the topic to something more pleasant. "What does everyone have planned for the upcoming week?"

As she hoped, everyone started discussing the social activities they wanted to attend. With Guy in attendance, this dinner party might turn out better than she thought it would. She had imagined her brother and Guy bickering most of the evening. It had seemed like they were going to head in that direction the moment Guy made that comment about her cameo, but, thankfully, things had settled down. Perhaps her brother and Guy might end up being friends. With a smile, she sipped her tea.