by Rose Pearson
Realizing that she was not going to be able to go back to sleep anytime soon, Amelia swung her legs over the side of the bed and yawned. She was not quite sure what she thought of such an invitation, especially since Lord Northfell had practically run from her side yesterday evening! Maybe whatever business it was he had been forced to attend on was now completed – or would be completed by the time the house party came.
“Very well, very well!” Amelia exclaimed, as Jessica continued to bob about the room on light feet. “Go, Jessica. I will be down once I have dressed and eaten.”
“And the invitation?”
“Yes, yes,” Amelia replied, growing a little frustrated. “Yes, I will write to Lord Northfell before we leave.”
“And you will accept?”
Amelia got up to grasp the invitation from Jessica before shooing her out of the bedroom door. “Yes, I will accept,” she answered, seeing the excitement in Jessica’s face. “Now leave me in peace so that I might get dressed! I will be with you very soon.”
Chapter 13
“We’re here!”
Amelia tried to stop the butterflies currently fluttering around in her stomach, but found that the more she tried to get rid of them, the more they intensified. Climbing out of the carriage, she saw Lord Northfell hurrying down the steps, looking as handsome as ever. His eyes landed on hers and, even though he greeted her father and then each of her sisters in turn, he continually glanced at her. Amelia felt herself blush as she bobbed a curtsy when he turned to her, the warmth in her cheeks mounting as he pressed her hand.
“I am very glad you are here,” he said, smiling. “You are amongst the first of my guests, although it is not a particularly large party.”
“You are very kind to have invited us,” their father replied. “Now, might I ask to be shown to my room? I could do with a lie down I think. Travelling always makes me weary.”
“Of course,” Lord Northfell replied, holding out his arm to indicate that they should begin to walk up the steps to the front door. “My staff will take care of all your luggage.”
Amelia caught her father’s arm as he began to ascend, a trifle concerned for him.
“I am quite all right,” he murmured, as they climbed. “I don’t want you to worry about me, Amelia. This is a good opportunity for you – for all of you! Don’t waste it fretting about me.”
Amelia’s smile wobbled. “I know, papa.” She did not want to tell him about all the difficulties that currently surrounded her and Lord Northfell, knowing that he had more than enough to deal with at the present moment.
“Good, good,” he replied, patting her hand. “You’ve always been a wonderful daughter, Amelia. I hope now you can focus on your own happiness for a change.”
Amelia lifted her gaze to Lord Northfell, seeing that, once again, he was watching only her. “I hope so too, papa,” she whispered as they reached the top of the steps.
“This way, your grace,” Lord Northfell said, falling into step with the Duke. “Ladies, you are welcome to retire to your rooms for a time and if you ring the bell, refreshments can be sent up to you. Or, if you would prefer to walk around the grounds for a time, or have a tour of this house, then I would be happy to oblige. Refreshments can be sent to the drawing room, if that is your preference.”
Jessica and Jacintha opted to retire to their rooms – although Amelia knew it would not be to rest. They would, most likely, change their gowns multiple times and try to discover who the other guests might be.
“I think a tour would be most welcome,” she replied, glancing at Harmonia who nodded. “After we change, of course.”
His smile was immediate. “Of course,” he agreed, as his footmen arrived to carry up their luggage. “My staff will show you to your rooms and, when you are ready, I will be waiting in the drawing room.”
Her father had already left for his room at this point, and Amelia and Harmonia quickly followed him. Their rooms were next to each other with an adjoining door, and Amelia thought just how much she liked the rooms. They were bright and well furnished, with large windows that let in a great deal of light. Smiling to herself, she changed quickly and left her maid to continue with the remainder of her unpacking. Harmonia was waiting, already prepared to find their way to the drawing room, and they set out together.
“You are glad to see him again, I think.”
“I am,” Amelia replied, truthfully. “I am not going to pretend that I am not anxious about speaking to him but I have come to the conclusion that I will have to speak to him about what Ridlington said to me, unless he offers such a thing himself first!”
Harmonia nodded sagely. “I think that is wise, Amelia. You are going to drive yourself mad with questions otherwise!”
Amelia laughed softly. “I feel as though I am half mad already! Papa is still keen for me to marry soon, and I know I have three sisters waiting in the wings for when I announce my engagement. There is a great deal of pressure brought to bear simply by being the eldest.”
“There is no need to be hasty on my account!” Harmonia assured her, with a tinkling laugh. “I am just as confused as you, I believe, although over an entirely different gentleman.”
Amelia shook her head. “Then we can at least console one another on that count,” she laughed, as they approached the drawing room.
“Indeed,” Harmonia murmured as they entered the room, seeing Lord Northfell waiting for them. His eyes lit in appreciation as he smiled at them both, although his attention was fixed on Amelia.
“Tea first?” he asked, clearing his throat a little as he indicated the table to his left. “There are refreshments here and I can send for a fresh pot of tea if that one is a trifle cold.”
Harmonia sat down at once, her eyes on the teapot. “I must confess that I am desperate for a cup of something warm,” she replied, with a laugh. “Although it is the height of summer, I find my bones grew chilled on the carriage ride here!” She lifted one eyebrow towards Amelia, who made to come towards her, only to see Harmonia’s tiny shake of her head.
“I would prefer to walk, I think,” Amelia replied, shooting a sharp glance at Harmonia before turning her attention back towards Lord Northfell. “Harmonia, do you not mind sitting here alone?” Whilst not improper for Amelia to walk with Lord Northfell around his estate – for doors would be open and his staff and other guests throughout his home – Amelia still felt nervous at the thought of being with him alone.
“I will not mind in the least!” Harmonia exclaimed, waving her away. “I will join you presently.”
There was a moment’s pause until Lord Northfell broke the silence by clearing his throat and offering Amelia his arm. There was a touch of redness in his face, as though he was well aware of what Harmonia was doing which only endeared him to Amelia even more. Taking his arm, Amelia walked from the room with him, throwing one backwards glance towards Harmonia, who waved her off with a look of glee on her face.
Amelia walked quietly, listening intently to everything Lord Northfell told her about the estate. His voice was rich and warm and every time he turned to look at her, Amelia felt a shooting excitement pouring into her core. Her heart beat a little faster, her skin prickling from where he held her arm. All the questions she had wanted to ask him died on her lips as she looked up into his face, caught by the intensity in his eyes.
It was only when she realized that he was no longer talking and, instead, they had been standing together looking at one another for some time, that Amelia jerked her arm away and walked the length of the corridor, pretending to have a great deal of interest in the portraits that hung there. Her mind was filled with confusion, recalling Ridlington’s warning and the angry way that Northfell himself had spoken of the man whilst battling her strong attraction to Lord Northfell. It was as though he cast a spell over her, making her forget her own mind.
“I wanted to thank you for coming to my estate,” Lord Northfell began, walking slowly towards her. “I know I ran out on you a lit
tle rudely last week at the recital and I must beg your pardon.”
Amelia lifted one shoulder. “You had important business, I understand that.” She gave him a half smile. “I am the daughter of a Duke, after all. I am aware that you will have a great many responsibilities.”
The look of relief on his face made her smile.
“You are quite something, Lady Amelia,” he commented softly, stepping closer to her. “Not many ladies of my acquaintance would be as forgiving.” For a moment, something dark flickered across his expression, but it was gone in an instant, making Amelia wonder whether or not she had truly seen it.
“I know that I have been confusing of late, Lady Amelia,” Lord Northfell continued, quietly. “But I do hope that you are aware of how strong an attachment I have to you.”
Amelia’s heart fluttered but, recalling that she had some questions of her own, frowned slightly. “I will confess that I feel the same way, Lord Northfell, although I will admit to feeling as though you are keeping part of yourself back from me.”
She looked directly at him, only for his gaze to dart away, giving her the distinct impression that what she had said was quite right.
“And this is after your discussion with Ridlington, is it not?” he asked, tersely, the warmth gone from between them almost immediately.
Amelia paused, thinking carefully. “You have always been a trifle confusing, Lord Northfell. I will admit that Mr. Ridlington has given me yet more to consider.”
Lord Northfell made to reply, only for the butler to come hurrying along the corridor, drawing his attention.
“Excuse me,” he muttered, stepping away from her. Amelia, who did not want to eavesdrop, moved away so that he might speak to the butler in peace, although she was astonished to see the angry expression on his face as he returned.
“Might I ask you to return to your sister?” Lord Northfell asked, abruptly. “Something has come up.”
Amelia wanted to ask what it was, frustrated that, yet again, they were going to be unable to finish their conversation.
“Of course,” she replied, holding back her sigh. “I can find my own way back, Lord Northfell.”
He gave her a short bow before striding away, leaving her standing alone in the corridor.
Watching him leave, Amelia closed her eyes and sighed inwardly, wondering if she was ever going to get to the bottom of whatever was going on between Northfell and Ridlington. She could not give her heart to Northfell fully until she could trust that he was being entirely honest with her
Slowly wandering back the way she had come, Amelia heard the sound of hurrying footsteps behind her and, turning to look, saw none other than Mr. Ridlington approach. He looked a little worse for wear, his hair in something of a poor state and his expression tense.
“Goodness!” Amelia exclaimed, as he reached her. “Mr. Ridlington! I did not expect to see you here.”
“I am come to help Lord Northfell,” he explained, glancing behind him. “Bankruptcy needs all the help it can get!”
Amelia stopped dead and stared at him, hardly able to believe it. “Bankruptcy?” she repeated, her voice low and weak. “Truly?”
“Indeed,” he replied, with a morose expression. “He has not spoken to you of it yet?”
“No,” Amelia replied, with a heavy heart. “No, he has not.”
“Ah.” Mr. Ridlington took on a rather sympathetic expression as he caught her hand and squeezed it gently. “It is terrible to discover that it is your wealth as opposed to your very self that is of the greatest importance to another soul.”
Swallowing a sudden lump in her throat, Amelia tried to smile but failed immediately. She felt as though she had been lost in a dream, only to come back to earth with a terrifying and violent thump. Was it true? Had Lord Northfell only been pursuing her because of her wealth whilst she, in her foolishness, had been slowly losing her heart to him?
“I must go,” Ridlington said, hurriedly, hearing yet more footsteps approaching. “Good day, Lady Amelia. I am sorry our conversation has to be so short.”
Amelia could not even give him her goodbyes, watching him leave as she leaned heavily against the wall, ice pouring into her limbs. It could not be true, could it? Was Lord Northfell only after her wealth? Had she been so easily taken in?
Chapter 14
Amelia chose not to join the rest of the guests for dinner, claiming a headache. It was not an unreasonable excuse of course, for such things were often brought on by travel but the truth was, Amelia simply could not face seeing Lord Northfell.
After Mr. Ridlington had hurried away, Amelia had stood alone for some time, passed only by two footmen who barely saw her as they hurried along the hallway. They had clearly been looking for something – or someone – and Amelia was immediately suspicious that Lord Northfell had not wanted Ridlington to be present in his home. Was he to be thrown from the estate, sent away, so that he could not reveal the truth about Lord Northfell to the rest of his guests?
Eventually, Amelia’s limbs had warmed enough for her to make her way back to her room. She had passed the drawing room and found Harmonia talking animatedly with two of the other guests and so had not even mentioned to her sister what she had seen. Of course, Harmonia believed her to be having a wonderful time with Lord Northfell, having engineered as much, but Amelia was now utterly devastated.
The man she thought held a deep affection for her was courting her so as to get at her money. That was all she was good for. Lord Northfell, she had to admit, had a wonderful way about him, pretending to have such feelings for her, for she had been quite taken in.
Amelia turned her gaze to the fire, watching the flames flicker and burn. They were beautiful in their own way, but they did nothing to alleviate her misery. How could she have been so easily taken in? Was it because she knew her father wanted her to marry? So that, in her haste to find a suitable gentleman, she had been less than careful? Of course, she could not expect a gentleman to be entirely open and honest with her about his financial state but given that their attachment was growing, Amelia would have expected something to tell her about his difficult state. That, at least, would have alleviated her of the worry that he intended to marry her for her wealth only.
Sighing heavily, Amelia brushed a single tear from her eye, only to hear a knock at her adjoining door. Harmonia stepped inside, her eyes taking in Amelia’s slumped posture.
“Amelia?” she asked, softly. “You are not well?”
Amelia could not help but burst into tears, her shoulders shaking as Harmonia hurried over to her, wrapping her in a comforting embrace.
“Whatever is the matter?” she asked, sounding terribly concerned. “Has something happened? Are you truly unwell?”
“It is just Lord Northfell,” Amelia replied, heavily, managing to slow her sobs. “Oh, Harmonia! He is entirely without funds!”
“Without funds?” Harmonia repeated, sitting down opposite Amelia and studying her carefully. “What do you mean?”
“He is bankrupt!” Amelia exclaimed, seeing the shock in her sister’s eyes. “He has nothing to his name and simply wishes to marry me so that I might save him from his crippling debts.”
There was a short silence. Harmonia sat back in her chair, letting out a long, slow breath as she considered what Amelia had told her.
“Well, at least you know now,” she said, slowly. “Although I am surprised that he told you such a thing, especially he hoped to marry you! That does not make sense.”
Amelia shook her head. “No, it was not Lord Northfell who spoke to me, Harmonia, but Mr. Ridlington.”
“Ridlington?” Harmonia exclaimed, her eyes widening. “Amelia, tell me you have not just taken that man’s word on this issue, yet again?”
“Of course I did!” Amelia protested, defensively. “He was proven right, was he not? He told me that there were things about Lord Northfell’s past – and this is it!”
“And where did you see him?”
Quick
ly, Amelia told Harmonia all that had occurred, concluding that Lord Northfell did not want Mr. Ridlington’s presence in his home. “And I have not seen Lord Northfell since.”
Harmonia frowned, chewing her lip for a moment. “Amelia, it occurs to me that you have not spoken a word of this to Lord Northfell himself. It has all come from Mr. Ridlington. You are being too quick to believe Ridlington over the man who has shown you a great deal of attentions. There may be some ulterior motive in Ridlington’s attempt to push you away from Lord Northfell.”
Amelia did not want to accept that her sister’s words had any truth, yet she could not deny that there was something in what she said.
“You have put Ridlington’s words together with Lord Northfell’s unwillingness to have him in his house, and have concluded that everything Mr. Ridlington says is true. Would it not be best to ask Lord Northfell outright?”
“I had intended to do that,” Amelia muttered, passing a hand over her eyes. “But then he had to excuse himself, rather abruptly I might add.”
Harmonia gave a half smile. “Come now, you must think clearly, Amelia. Do not allow Ridlington to worm his way into your mind, to make you believe that he is the one to be trusted – especially when you know so little of him! Won’t you come down to the ball?”
Amelia frowned. “Ball? What ball?”
“Don’t you remember?” Harmonia asked, getting to her feet. “There is to be a welcome ball this evening. Do you mind if I have the maid set my hair first? You will need to wash your face, of course.” She lifted one eyebrow and patted Amelia’s arm. “Courage, sister. You said yourself you were going to get to the bottom of things. Do not allow Ridlington to put a stop to that desire.” She smiled gently. “Besides, Lord Northfell mentioned that our dear friend Claudia is to be in attendance, as well as her father and mother. Apparently they are staying nearby, having left London for a short holiday. Mayhap she will have some knowledge about Mr. Ridlington!”
