by Rose Pearson
There was a short pause.
“But should you marry, you have the prospect of having your own family and running your own household,” Harmonia pointed out. “It is not all bad, Amelia.”
Amelia sighed heavily, knowing that her sister was right. “I shall try and make the best of it, I suppose. After all, what else can I do?”
“You can find a beautiful dress that sets off your eyes and makes you as lovely as can be,” Harmonia declared, rising to her feet and catching Amelia’s hand so as to pull her from her chair. “Come now, sister dear. Let us find you just the most perfect of dresses for Almacks tomorrow!”
Chapter 2
“Come, come now! We must not be tardy!”
Amelia glanced up to see her cousin, Lord Luke Darnsley, enter the room in something of a flustered state. He was in his usual smart attire, his dark blonde hair neatly tied back at the base of his neck and his cravat absolutely impeccable. All in all, he looked quite dashing, were it not for the sharpness of his tongue and the way his eyes darted from place to place.
“We are quite ready,” she said, in as pleasant a voice as she could manage. “May I thank you for accompanying us, Darnsley. We very much appreciate your kindness.”
Luke did not reply, simply grunted and gestured towards the door of the drawing room. The sisters walked through one after the other, although Luke followed after Harmonia leaving Amelia to walk behind, alone.
The carriage ride was a quiet one, for no-one felt much inclination to speak in their cousin’s presence. He was not an unkind man, but rather a man who had something of a sharp tongue and could often mock his cousins should they behave in a way he thought ridiculous. Even Jessica and Jacintha were silent, although Amelia knew they were both utterly thrilled to be attending Almacks. She also noticed that her cousin’s eyes continually strayed towards Harmonia. Of course, second cousins married quite often, but Amelia did not think they made a particularly good match. Harmonia was kind and gentle, always aware of what was going on and making sure to aid where she could. After all, she had been the only sister who understood the difficulties Amelia faced in being the first one required to marry! Luke, on the other hand, appeared distant and aloof. No, they would not suit at all, even if her cousin could not take his eyes from her sister!
Once they had arrived at Almacks, Amelia stuck close to the rest of her sisters and to her cousin. After all, as much as none of them wished to dance with him, he was the only one who could introduce them to anyone else! As their chaperone, Luke held something of a large responsibility which Amelia was not quite sure he particularly wanted. Regardless, she stayed by him, nodding to first one gentleman and then another.
For the first hour, Amelia felt quite overwhelmed. There were so many new acquaintances to greet and, given that the presence of four new young ladies to society, it seemed as though they were greatly in demand. Amelia’s dance card was filled almost immediately, although each gentleman only signed his name to one dance, which was something of a relief. She saw that her sisters were much the same as she, relieved that she would not have to stand guard over them all evening. They were under Luke’s chaperonage and, with their dance cards full, she did not think any of them could do anything untoward. Besides which, she had lectured Jacintha and Jessica on their expected behavior, threatening no more balls should they disappear, even for a moment, with an unknown gentleman. Her sisters had been quite put out that she thought so little of them and had told Amelia so, which, in all honesty, had come as something of a relief to Amelia. It told her that they would behave with all propriety and not lose their heads, as she had been worried they might do. However, as she watched them each take to the floor – with poor Harmonia coupled with cousin Luke, Amelia could not help but feel a twinge of anxiety. Her own partner, a Lord Dalrymple, was soon by her side and Amelia had no more time to be anxious, caught up in the dance.
“Amelia!”
Utterly exhausted from having danced four dances in a row, Amelia was delighted to see her longtime friend Miss Claudia Michaels, approaching her with a broad smile on her face. Claudia was a friend from home but had come to London for the season with her parents. Amelia had not even thought that she would come across her, particularly with the crush of people in the ballroom.
“Claudia,” Amelia murmured, pressing her hands. “How good to see you.”
“I must confess, I am a little surprised to see you here!” Claudia exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. “I did not think your father particularly cared for the Season.”
Amelia gave her friend a wry smile. “Alas, it seems I am to find myself a suitable husband – as are each of my sisters,” she replied, heavily. “And where best but London town?”
Claudia chuckled. “Where else indeed? Well, I can see that you have made something of an impression already, given the number of names on your dance card!”
“Indeed, although I am glad for a short respite,” Amelia laughed, still feeling overly warm. “It is such a crush in here!”
“This is the way of things,” Claudia replied, grimly. “How we are to find an amiable, respected gentlemen amongst such as this, I am never quite sure.”
“Is it truly terrible?” Amelia asked, knowing Claudia would be honest with her. “I do not find myself particularly inclined towards matrimony but it appears to be the deepest wish of my father’s.”
Claudia nodded, slowly, well aware that, with no sons to follow him, Amelia’s father was left without any other option but to ensure his daughters married well. “I can understand that he would wish you all to be comfortable and without concern,” she said, softly. “Yet, I will confess that it can be difficult to find just the right kind of gentleman. There are so many rakes and rogues amongst them all although they hide themselves well.” She shook her head, the light in her eyes dimming just a little. “I had a gentleman wish to court me and I did find him quite delightful, I must say. However, it has now become apparent that he is short on funds and only wishes to wed me in order to add to his own coffers.”
Amelia grimaced. “That is just what I worry about. We each have a good inheritance.”
“And you are the daughters of a duke,” Claudia reminded her, lifting an eyebrow. “Be careful, my dear.”
Amelia was about to promise that she would be more than careful when Jessica came hurrying towards them, all of a flurry.
“Amelia! Amelia – oh, good evening, Claudia.”
Claudia chuckled. “Good evening, Jessica. Is something the matter?”
“Oh yes, something terrible has occurred!” Grasping her gown, she indicated a small tear at the bottom. “The gentleman I was dancing with trod on my gown! Can you believe it?”
Amelia eyed the rip in the gown, sighing inwardly. “Well, at least you know he is not a proficient dancer!”
“You must fix it!” Jessica exclaimed, sounding horrified that Amelia did not intend to do anything. “I cannot be seen with such a thing!”
Claudia put a calming hand on Jessica’s arm. “Have no fear, there is a cloakroom present where maids are ready with a needle and thread.” She laughed, indicating the way Jessica should go. “After all, yours is not the first torn gown!”
Jessica’s relief was palpable and, grasping Amelia’s arm, thanked Claudia before making her way in the direction she had indicated. Amelia, resigned to going to help her sister, thanked Claudia as she was dragged away.
“For heaven’s sake, be careful!” she exclaimed, as Jessica hurried up the steps. “You need not drag me so!”
Reaching the top of the stairs, she wrenched her arm from Jessica’s grip, only to lose her balance as Jessica continued to hurry away. Her foot wobbled at the top of the stairs and, for a horrifying moment, Amelia thought she might fall headlong down the staircase.
A strong hand grasped her arm, righting her quickly and pulling her away from the stairs. Amelia collapsed against a firm chest and strong pair of arms, only to blush deeply with embarrassment and step away.
“Are you quite all right?”
Glancing up at the man, Amelia felt her stomach swirl with a sudden awareness of just how handsome her savior was. “Yes, indeed,” she mumbled, not quite sure where to look. “I am so terribly sorry for inconveniencing you.”
The gentleman chuckled, his brown eyes warm and welcoming. “Not in the least. Any chance to be chivalrous, I say!”
Amelia could not help but laugh, the mortification she felt already beginning to ease. “In this case, you were very chivalrous, I’d say. I thank you.” Looking up at him inquiringly, Amelia decided to be bold. “I’m afraid I do not know your name. Might I ask it, given that you are my savior?”
The gentleman grinned, his dark brown hair catching the candlelight as he bowed. Amelia saw flecks of gold and bronze and found, much to her surprise, that a flurry of butterflies appeared to have made their way into the pit of her stomach.
“Arthur Ridlington, Marquess of Northfell,” he answered, in a deep, rich voice. “I am at your service, although I must beg to know your name also.” He looked at her with a curiosity in his eyes, his gaze flickering from her eyes to her lips and Amelia curtsied at once so that she might hide her flaming cheeks from his view.
“Lady Amelia Seaworth,” she murmured, finally lifting her gaze back to his. “My father is the Duke of Westbrook.”
Interest filtered into his expression. “I see. And is he here with you this evening?”
“No, unfortunately, he is not in the best of health at the moment. My cousin, Lord Darnsley, is here with us.”
His smile broadened. “Us?”
“My three sisters and I,” Amelia explained, growing more comfortable with his company with each passing moment. “I am the eldest of four.” Glancing over his shoulder, Amelia gave a slight shrug. “I was being pulled along by my sister to fix a small tear in her dress when you caught me.”
“Then I shall not keep you,” he replied, stepping to one side. Amelia made to move past him, her heart beating a little more quickly as she passed, only for him to catch her arm.
“Forgive me,” he murmured, his eyes burning into hers. “I know this is very untoward, and I am quite sure you are engaged for the rest of the evening, but I don’t suppose you have a single dance remaining?”
A rush of heat crawled up Amelia’s spine as she held up her dance card, finding it almost impossible to speak.
“One,” she rasped, her skin prickling with awareness. “I have one left.”
“Wonderful,” he murmured, catching the card in his hand. “I would like to put my name down there, if I may?”
Mute, Amelia nodded, aware of just how close he stood to her. She could smell a wonderful mixture of pine and cinnamon, her senses swimming as he pressed her hand for a moment before stepping back.
“I very much look forward to our dance, and to know you better,” Lord Northfell murmured, a light smile on his lips. “I shall see you again presently, Lady Amelia.”
“Thank you, my lord,” Amelia managed to say, finding that her legs struggled to move as she continued towards the cloakroom. Who would have thought that a single chance meeting would have sent her into such a tizzy! Lord Northfell was handsome, of course, and particularly attentive in asking her to dance with him, but she could not allow herself to be so caught up with him after only one meeting! Reminding herself what Claudia had said only a few minutes before, Amelia gave herself a slight shake and went in search of Jessica – although she could not quite stop herself from growing excited at the thought of being in Lord Northfell’s arms.
Chapter 3
“You dance very well, Lord Northfell.”
Lord Northfell bestowed the smallest of smiles on her and Amelia felt herself blush. Her reaction to the man was quite incomprehensible, given that she had known him for such a short time.
“May I say it is a delight to have you in my arms, Lady Amelia,” he murmured, making her blush deepen. “You seem to be quite in demand this evening. I consider it most fortunate that I have had the opportunity to dance with you.”
“You are too kind, my lord,” Amelia murmured, trying her best to concentrate on her steps and not become lost in a cloud of excitement. The waltz was not a particularly difficult dance for Amelia, so long as she allowed Lord Northfell to lead. He was clearly a proficient dancer, sweeping around the floor with seemingly great ease. He had never once stepped on her foot, or snagged her hem and certainly made sure to hold her at the appropriate distance. He was, all in all, most proper although Amelia wished that he might converse with her a little more.
When she caught his gaze, he instantly looked away, his gaze going over her left shoulder. Silence grew between them as they danced, the music the only thing breaking the quiet.
She glanced up at him again, a swirl of anxiety in her belly. She had not spoken in some minutes and he did not seem to be interested in speaking to her. The smallest of sighs left her lips as she continued to look over his shoulder, confusion reigning. When he had asked her to dance, she had accepted with a burst of delight, believing that he might be feeling the same as she, but now that they were on the floor, Amelia wondered if she might have supposed too much. It was disappointing to find the man so reserved, but Amelia consoled herself that this was, after all, only the first gentleman she had found particularly appealing and that there were a great many more gentlemen she was yet to meet. That thought consoled her a little, although she could not prevent her feeling of spiraling disappointment as the music stopped and he led her from the floor.
“I was poor company, was I not, Lady Amelia?” he murmured, finding her a quiet spot near the back of the ballroom. “I do apologize for my lack of conversation.”
“You had to lead the dance,” Amelia replied, softly, not quite sure where to look. “I thank you for your consideration of me.”
“I confess it was not the dancing itself that had me lost for words, but your beauty,” he replied, moving a little closer to her. “If I may be so bold, you truly are a diamond of the first water, Lady Amelia.”
A slow bloom of color rose up Amelia’s neck, finally managing to meet his gaze. She simply could not make this gentleman out! First he seemed particularly interested in further his acquaintance with her, but when they danced, he had appeared aloof and disinterested. Now, it seemed as though he wanted to make her aware of the depth of his feelings, as though he had hidden them from her before. It simply did not make sense!
Trying desperately to think of something to say and wishing desperately that she could think of some kind of a compliment in kind, Amelia was astonished to find Lord Northfell catching her hand in his and, with the greatest of care, pressing a gentle kiss to the palm of her hand. She could feel the heat from his lips through her glove, her breath catching in her chest.
He looked up at her, his dark eyes filled with some untold emotion.
“I do hope we shall meet again, Lady Amelia,” he said, softly. “Good evening to you.” Executing a quick bow, he took his leave of her, leaving Amelia entirely breathless, trying to get a hold on her tumbling emotions.
“Amelia!”
She was caught from behind by one of her sisters and, within seconds, all three surrounded her, evidently aware of who she had been dancing with. Jessica and Jacintha began to pour out question after question, whilst Harmonia stood quietly with Claudia.
“Who was he?”
“How were you introduced to him?”
“He is very handsome!”
“Is he titled?”
Amelia waved away her sister's questions, desperate for some relief from them. “Enough!” she exclaimed, growing aware that they were drawing some attention from some of the other guests. “Please, quieten yourselves. It was a dance and nothing more now please, leave me be!”
Jessica and Jacintha looked both frustrated and ashamed, glancing about them and seeing the surprised looks on the other guest's faces. Evidently, they realized that they should not have been so vocal in their questions, fo
r they quickly took their leave of Amelia, leaving Amelia standing with only Claudia and Harmonia.
“You were dancing with Lord Northfell, I see,” Claudia commented, as the buzz of conversation began again. “A handsome gentleman indeed.”
“What do you know of him?” Amelia asked, quietly. “I found that I simply could not make him out!”
“He seemed quite taken with you, Amelia,” Harmonia added, with a quick smile. “Do you like him?”
Amelia laughed softly. “It is not as easy as all that, my dear sister.” She looked back at Claudia, who had caught sight of Lord Northfell and nodded in his direction.
“Lord Northfell is both eligible and handsome, of course,” Claudia began, carefully. “Yet there has been some talk about his past.”
“His past?” Amelia repeated, her anxiety rising. “What about it?”
Claudia shook her head, her expression a little frustrated. “There are so many rumors and the like that it is difficult to know what is true or not, so I shall not relate anything to you. After all, it is his past I suppose.”
Nodding, Amelia smiled softly, appreciating her friend’s discretion. “That is wise, I suppose.”
“It is best that you get to know him yourself,” Claudia continued, “Although, you see that gentleman there? That is a man you and your sisters should steer well clear of.”
Amelia looked in the direction Claudia had indicated and saw a tall, wiry looking gentleman who had strong, dark features.
“Lord Worthing,” Claudia continued, softly. “A well-known rogue, who manages to capture a great many young ladies under his spell.”
Frowning, Amelia watched as Lord Northfell and Lord Worthing continued talking, aware of how animated a conversation they were having. Her shoulders slumped as Claudia patted her arm.
“I do not understand what this has to do with Lord Northfell,” Harmonia murmured, sounding puzzled. “He is talking to another gentleman, that is for certain, but what problem does that present?”
