by Ella Edon
Leicester grunted and then he moved away, strutting across the floor with his hands behind his back. He looked like a peacock Derby had seen in the zoo at the Tower of London as a child.
“You’re on friendly terms with Amy Hartley, aren’t you?” Leicester sniggered. “At least, that’s what it’s called.”
“What about her?”
“How long have you known her?”
“Practically all my life. We’ve stayed in touch as our contact dwindled growing up.”
“I noticed.” Leicester grunted. He rubbed at the back of his neck. “So, how on earth do you get the chit to talk? I tried to speak to her throughout dinner and she refused to answer me. How do you get her to talk to you? I didn’t realize she was really a mute.”
“She is when she’s around undesirables.” Derby snorted. He was seething at Leicester’s use of the word ‘chit’. “The thing you need to know about Amy is that she speaks when she has something to say. She doesn’t like social gatherings, so she keeps to herself. And she chooses who she wants to talk to.”
Leicester snorted.
“She won’t have much of a choice once she’s married to me.”
“And you’re certain that the two of you will be husband and wife, are you?”
“It’s all settled, Derby. We just need to publish the banns.”
Derby felt a knot tightening in his stomach. He couldn’t bear the thought of seeing Amy with another man. That would tear him apart. And it would crush him if the man happened to be the Earl of Leicester.
“What about Miss Hartley?”
“What about her?”
“What does she think about this? Has she even been asked if she wants this?”
Leicester smirked and puffed out his chest.
“She doesn’t need to have an opinion.”
“I think she does. It’s her life you and her father are dealing with.”
“Well, she just needs to get in line with us. It’s all been decided.”
Derby shook his head.
“Not by her. And I know that Miss Hartley has made her feelings clear about you.”
“Oh, those feelings will change.” Leicester smacked his lips and slapped his chest. “I’ll make sure of it.”
That just made Derby feel sick. He didn’t want this man anywhere near him, never mind Amy. He should have thrown the earl out as soon as he arrived. Screw that Hartley would leave with him, this was not worth the discomfort.
He advanced on Leicester, who was still smirking like the cat that got the cream. It was very difficult not to throw propriety out the window and take a swing at him.
“Leicester,” Derby growled, “If I were you, I’d back off. If you even think you have an opportunity with Miss Hartley, you need to back away and choose the softly-softly approach. Miss Hartley doesn’t like it full-force thrown on her. It’s not fair to her.”
Leicester’s eyes narrowed. He stepped up close, almost bumping Derby with his chest. Derby had to stop himself from taking a step back, tilting his head back to look the earl in the eye.
“Was that your way of saying I needed to back off because she’s yours?” Leicester sneered. “Hartley would never have you as a son-in-law. Not after what your father did.”
“It’s for Miss Hartley to decide, nobody else.”
“Oh, that’s what you think is supposed to happen?” Leicester sniggered. “You keep forgetting that this is a Society where a woman has no choice in what happens to her. Miss Hartley has no say in who she marries and Lord Hartley wants you to back off. She’s not yours, and never will be.”
“She’s not yours, either.” Derby shot back. “Miss Hartley might be timid, but she’s not afraid to voice her opinion when pushed.”
Leicester shook his head and prodded Derby in the chest with his finger.
“She won’t with me. She’ll do exactly as I say if she wants to be in good favor.”
Derby slapped his hand away.
“You’re disgusting to even contemplate raising a hand to a woman.”
“Makes life easier, don’t it?”
This was going to get out of hand. Now Leicester had put his hands on Derby. Derby was itching to do the same. But that wasn’t going to get anywhere, and Derby was more than likely going to have Hartley and his ghastly wife leave, dragging Amy with them. He wasn’t about to lose Amy by getting into a fight. Leicester was clearly gearing up for one, and Derby wouldn’t give it to him.
He stepped to one side and headed towards his desk.
“If you’ll excuse me, my lord? I need to have a moment to myself. The company isn’t exactly desirable.”
Leicester snorted.
“I was coming to the same conclusion myself.”
He stormed out, slamming the door behind him loud enough for Derby to wince.
Amy didn’t want to talk to anyone. Beatrice kept hovering nearby in the hopes that she could pull Amy to one side and berate her over something, and Rebecca had gone back to her over-confident self and swanning around the room. Amy hated seeing the girl believe she was in charge. Even Sarah was seething.
Amy wanted Derby. He knew how to make her feel better. His company just lightened her heart. Derby was clearly just as uncomfortable as she was, and if it was just the two of them, they could easily sit in a corner and talk all night. It was that which Amy wanted. But her stepmother was hovering around, clearly planning to stop her from going anywhere near Derby, and Rebecca kept making comments in her direction. Sarah tried to diffuse the situation and change the conversation, but Rebecca wanted to be in charge of the subjects.
Eventually, Amy couldn’t take it anymore. She mumbled about going to the powder room and scurried off before Beatrice could follow her. Instead, she went in the opposite direction towards Derby’s study. If he was able to escape, he would head straight to his study to have some space. In his house, he was allowed to do that. Nobody would be looking for her in there.
Amy rapped gently at the door. There was no answer, but Amy could hear the clinking of glasses. She tried the door handle, and found it unlocked. Opening the door, Amy stepped into the room. Derby was at the drink cabinet, taking a hefty swig of brandy. His collar was undone and his cravat loose about his neck. He looked worn out.
“Daniel?”
Derby looked around. He blinked when he saw Amy.
“What are you doing in here?”
“I managed to sneak away.” Amy closed the door behind her and crossed the room. “Rebecca Colburn was talking over everyone and I couldn’t take it much longer without screaming.”
“I’m not surprised.” Derby sighed and turned away, swirling the ice cubes in his glass. “You should go back. I don’t want anyone to catch you in there.”
“No. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Amy…”
“I’m more worried about you.” Amy reached Derby’s side. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m fine.”
He clearly wasn’t fine. Amy sighed and took the glass from his hand, putting it back on the cabinet. Then she stood between Derby and the counter, cupping his jaw in her hand. She could feel the bristles tickling her palm.
“Daniel…”
Derby groaned and closed his eyes.
“I prefer it when you call me that while I’m doing something to you, not as an admonishment.”
“If it gets your attention, I will.” Amy stroked his cheek. “Talk to me, Daniel. You always did before. I’ve unloaded everything I have onto you. Why don’t you do the same with me?”
Derby was silent, but he leaned into Amy’s hand. He took her hand in his and kissed her palm. Then he opened his eyes and sighed as he clasped Amy’s hand to his chest.
“I spoke with Leicester a short while ago. He wanted to know how to get you to talk to him.”
Amy snorted.
“There is no way I’m going to have a conversation with him.”
“I told him that.” Derby was shaking. “But Leicester practically sa
id he would use the rod to keep you in line once you’re married, that it’s almost all signed and agreed upon.”
Amy had been hearing that from her parents for a while now and she was getting tired of hearing it. She shook her head.
“Not if I have anything to do with it.”
“You won’t have a choice.”
He looked so forlorn that Amy slipped her arms around him, pressing a kiss to his chest.
“Then I guess that means you need to try harder.” She smiled up at him. “Because I know who I’ve chosen, and it’s certainly not that man.”
Derby stared down at her. Then he put his arms around Amy with a heavy sigh and kissed her forehead. Amy saw him smiling as he drew back.
“You’re quite forward once you’re out of your shell, aren’t you?”
“Pretty much.”
Amy didn’t think she would ever be this confident. Or even confident enough to touch Derby as intimately as she was right then. His body was warm, and very solid. As Derby’s arms tightened against her, Amy was aware of his hardness pressing against her belly, but she didn’t pull away. She leaned into him, turning her face up towards him as Derby lowered his head.
“You’re so lovely, Amy.”
Amy felt his words brush against her mouth before he kissed her. She sighed and sank into his embrace. Anyone could have walked in at that point and Amy wouldn’t have cared. She just wanted to have Derby make love to her mouth, his hands running over her body.
Then Derby jumped away from her so fast Amy almost fell over. She had to clutch onto the drink cabinet behind her. Derby turned away and adjusted his cravat. Then Amy realized that someone was at the door.
“What is it?” Derby snapped.
The door opened, and Dobson came in. He stopped momentarily when he saw Amy, and Amy had to turn away. She was sure her face was bright red. Dobson cleared his throat.
“Apologies for intruding, my lord, Miss Hartley.” He paused. “You’d better be careful. If someone catches you two together alone, my lord.”
“I’m not a fool, Dobson.” Derby growled. “What do you want?”
“I was looking for Miss Hartley. Lady Hartley is getting into a frenzy wondering where she is.”
Amy groaned. She didn’t want to go anywhere near the woman, but she couldn’t hide in Derby’s study all evening. Much as she wanted to.
“I’ll be right out, Dobson.”
“Yes, miss.”
Dobson hesitated, glancing at his master, and then left the room. Derby turned to Amy, looking dejected.
“I wish we hadn’t been interrupted then.” He grumbled.
“Same here.” But Amy knew she couldn’t stay. She walked over to him and kissed his cheek. “I’d better go before Lady Beatrice finds me here.”
“All right.” Derby cupped her head and kissed her with such intensity that Amy felt lightheaded. “Goodnight, Amy.”
“Goodnight.”
Amy had to stop herself from looking back as she hurried from the room.
Chapter Thirteen
Amy didn’t want to go back to the library. She didn’t want to deal with the two insufferable women, although Baroness Maudlin was coming in a close third. She seemed to be intent on getting Rebecca matched up with Derby and she didn’t appear to care that she was upsetting people.
Amy had no idea how Baron Maudlin had a wife like her. He was a big, loud man but he was also a kind man Amy had a soft spot for. And Rebecca’s aunt had the hardest job dealing with an over-confident daughter.
She just wanted to go to her room and hide away until morning, not dealing with anyone. Amy was exhausted after trying to not panic due to her nerves. Her bed was calling to her.
Amy was at the foot of the stairs when she heard a voice behind her that made her freeze.
“Miss Hartley.”
Amy bit back a groan. Not him. She could have managed without hearing him again this evening. Squaring her shoulders, Amy took a deep breath and turned around. Leicester was sauntering across the foyer towards her, wearing that grin that made Amy want to squirm. She had seen a snake in the zoo once, and Leicester seemed to be wearing a similar expression.
“Lord Leicester. Would you excuse me, I was heading up to my room now?”
“Oh, really?” Leicester leered at her. “Would you like me to join you?”
The thought of having the man in her room made Amy feel sick. She shook her head and turned away.
“Absolutely not.”
She gasped when Leicester grabbed her arm. His fingers dug into her elbow, and Amy had to fight back a wince. She looked down at his hand on her and then looked up. Leicester was far too close for comfort. He was staring at her mouth, and he smacked his lips.
“Would you please let go of me, my lord?”
“Should I?”
“Yes, you should.” Amy tried to tug her arm away, but his grip tightened. “Let me go!”
Leicester didn’t step back. Amy slapped him. Leicester barely reacted, but he grabbed Amy’s wrist as she went to slap him again, hauling her up against his chest. Amy began to panic and struggled, but she couldn’t get away. Leicester chuckled.
“Feisty when you want to be, aren’t you? We’ll have to sort that out once we’re married.”
“I will never marry you, my lord.” Amy hissed. “I have no intention to do so.”
“Oh, Amy.”
With one arm tight around her waist, Leicester stroked her hair from her face. Amy jerked her head away, only to have Leicester grabbed at her hair, tugging hard on her locks.
“You don’t get a say. It’s already being sorted between your father and myself. We just need to discuss a date.” Leicester’s gaze was openly salacious as he looked over Amy’s face. “A summer wedding would mean we would get good weather, or do you want to wait until the Season is in full swing? Maybe a Christmas wedding. Lord Hartley said you love Christmas.”
“And I wouldn’t want it marred by a wedding I don’t want.” Amy shot back.
The grip on her hair was painful, and she had to fight back the tears. She pushed at Leicester’s chest, but he wouldn’t budge. With a loud cry, Amy kicked out. Her foot caught Leicester in the knee and Leicester grunted, his grip loosening on her. Amy pulled away, feeling some of the pins in her hair ripping away, and pushed Leicester back. He stumbled, but he didn’t fall.
“Why is nobody listening to me?” Amy cried. She didn’t care that anyone could come upon them now. The earl had put his hands on her and she felt violated. “I don’t want to marry you! I’ve said that so many times my voice is hurting. I never will marry you. I don’t care what Father says about it. It will never happen.”
Leicester straightened up, adjusting his coat. Amy could see strands of her hair in his hand. He advanced on her, Amy backing up against the wall.
“If you think you have any say in this, Amy, then you’re sadly mistaken.”
Amy bared her teeth.
“You don’t get to speak to me informally.” She hissed. “I won’t let you.”
“I can’t call you Lady Leicester in the bedroom, can I?”
Now Amy felt sick. And he was getting too close again. She lashed out, her hand catching his cheek. This time, Leicester’s head jerked. His sneer disappeared and now he snarled at her. Amy whimpered and shrank back. She wanted to run, but she couldn’t move. Leicester would easily catch her.
Leicester grabbed at her, pulling at Amy’s hair. Amy howled and tried to pull away, but Leicester tugged harder, which had Amy falling to her knees.
“That will be the last time you hit me.” Leicester hissed.
Amy looked up to see Leicester raising his hand. Then someone shouted across the foyer.
“Leicester!”
Amy sagged onto the stairs as she saw Merseyside storming across the hall. The men were in the doorway to the lounge, trying to see what was going on. Hartley was there as well, but he didn’t look shocked at the sight. If anything, he was watching Amy with a b
lank expression. There was no emotion that he cared about his daughter being beaten.
“What do you think you’re doing, Leicester?” Merseyside reached the stairs. “Let her go now!”
“Get lost, Merseyside.” Leicester waved him away. “I’m having a discussion with my bride.”
