A sharp pain cut through her. Oh! She was foolish even thinking about Simon leaving. What did it mean to her? Nothing except that she could assume control over the estate that was hers. She should want him to go, want to see her sisters married and moved far from Kirkley Manor, not to sit here with the older women and mourn his leaving the room. She touched her forehead. Perhaps she was coming down with a late summer ague.
She declined several invitations to dance as she watched her sisters whirling around the dance floor on the arms of any number of gallants. Beth danced once with several men and then Amy watched as she and the Reverend Sudsberry sat close together against the opposite wall. They seemed to be engaged in an intense conversation.
Panic seized Amy. This would never do. Beth had to find someone who would take her away from this place, not a man who had already had the curse visited upon his first wife.
Amy saw the vicar rise, bow to Beth and then take himself off in the direction of the front of the house. Amy sighed with relief. He was leaving.
She glanced at Agatha but she seemed oblivious to the desertion of one of her choices.
Amy grinned as she rose and started around the perimeter of the room, avoided the whirling skirts of the dancers. Before she could gain Beth’s side, Simon appeared. He bowed before Beth, took her arm and guided her onto the dance floor. She studied the couple moving across the floor. As Simon and Beth danced they engaged in an intimate conversation. Amy’s breath caught. For a second her heart lurched in her chest.
What was wrong with her? Of course Simon should dance with her sisters. As the music ended, Amy saw Beth smiling in satisfaction and the pain eclipsed Amy’s breath. Twice now, Simon had held Beth in his arms and both time Amy admitted she was jealous of her sister. Clearly, Amy touched her head, she had taken ill with some strange disease.
Just then Simon directed Beth toward Dora and Ellie, who were surrounded by a group of men.
Something drew Amy’s gaze toward the arched door into the ballroom. She spotted the vicar moving across the room. He hadn’t left the ball.
She watched as he gazed around then headed straight for the group of which Beth was a part. He presented his arm to Beth and Amy was close enough to see the pleased look on Sudsberry’s face. Beth and the vicar? Oh, no. She had to put a stop to that, immediately.
If he and Beth married they would live here, on the estate. Suddenly, Simon and his effect on her were forgotten. Amy felt panic begin to rush through her. Beth was much too sweet a girl to die having another child for the vicar. Amy could never live with the knowledge she’d done nothing to stop a relationship from developing.
As the couple started for the garden, Amy whirled around looking for Simon. Simon had to nip this in the bud now.
She spotted Simon dancing with Caro. She positioned herself close enough to them that she could catch Simon’s eye. She signaled a number of times and then decided she looked like a fool. She would have to wait at least until the music stopped.
She started toward the couple as soon as the last chord faded.
“Simon,” she said softly, “I must talk to you.”
He looked surprised, but guided both women from the floor.
“All right. What’s so important?”
“Not now, and not here,” Amy murmured as Caro moved away from them.
“Where?”
“The garden,” Amy indicated the French doors, the same doors he had advanced before.
“Fine,” he muttered and took her arm, escorting her from the room.
The doors opened onto the balcony. A number of couples stood together in quiet discussion.
Amy glanced around. “Not here.” She didn’t want to be overheard. She led Simon down the steps and onto a path leading away from the house and the lights. When they had reached the rear of the garden Amy turned to Simon.
“The vicar seems taken with Beth.”
He nodded.
Amy tensed. It appeared that he didn’t see a thing wrong. Afraid he would see her anger, she struggled to appear calm. “Simon, that won’t do.”
“Why not?” he asked. To Amy’s disbelief he seemed genuinely surprised.
Amy paused. “He already has a family,” she said. “Besides, Beth deserves better than to become a vicar’s wife.” She wasn’t going to mention that Beth would remain at Kirkley Manor and because of the curse she would die having the vicar’s children.
“Amy, I talked to Beth.”
“So?”
“She indicated she would like to get to know Sudsberry better.”
“Don’t you understand? She’s too good for him.”
Simon smiled, and pulled Amy into his arms. “You’re concerned for your sister. That’s natural, but, don’t you think Beth is wise enough to know her own mind? I think she would make a marvelous vicar’s wife.”
“Not at all. She--she’s much too sensitive a person.”
“Amy, a vicar’s wife needs to be sensitive.”
Amy struggled to think of something, anything to convince Simon a relationship between Beth and the vicar would never work.
“He’ll use her,” she pulled away from him. “You can’t let that happen. She needs someone else, someone with property, someone who can provide for all her needs.”
“I’ve given my permission.”
Amy opened her mouth to argue, but before she could utter a sound, his mouth captured hers. The stars in the sky swirled around her as her passion unleashed a barrage of sensations. Any thought of Beth and the vicar disappeared as Amy melted against him.
His arms tightened around her and she gave herself up to his kisses. He lifted his head and sighed, the warmth of his breath sending shivers from her head to her toes, then he paid homage to her eyelids, her cheeks, her neck. Streaks of fire raced through her as she realized his hands had moved up to her bare shoulders. Everywhere he touched seemed to heat with intense sensations, a pulsing that defied any kind of adequate description.
Like fire! Again she was burning with a strange need she could not identify.
As he sought her lips once more, his finger traced the edging of her gown. Flames of a different kind surged through her and she shifted, trying to give him a greater access. She suffered the most wicked desire; she needed to have him run his hands over her bare skin. She wanted him to touch her breasts. She sighed as the feeling intensified. She wanted to tell him what she wanted, but he seemed to understand.
How he accomplished it, she didn’t know, didn’t care, didn’t want to think about it, but his long fingers cupped her sensitive flesh. As he ran his hand over one of her nipples she jerked with pleasure. She moaned, she couldn’t help it. Never had she felt anything so delicious in her life.
“More,” she murmured, unaware that the word had left her lips.
Suddenly, his fingers disappeared and the wet warmth of his mouth touched the nub. She could have screamed from the sensations that rocketed through her. Before he could treat the other breast to the same pleasure, a loud laugh grated against her ears.
Stunned, she stepped back and glanced down. Oh, dear Lord, what had she allowed?
Simon reacted much more quickly. He grabbed at her bodice and covered her. Then he stepped back as two men strode toward them.
Amy cringed with horror. Had those men seen what Simon had been doing? She felt the heat of embarrassment spread over her face, her neck, her shoulders. Simon must have sensed her discomfort for he stepped in front of her before he greeted the approaching men.
Comments about the weather and the number of people who had accepted invitations became the topic of a brief conversation. The men walked off, to enjoy a quiet smoke, she guessed.
Amy shivered with shame. She had allowed him to kiss her, touch her, create feelings in her she had no right to know. She suffered from intense guilt and an aching sensation deep in her soul. Should she say something? Offer an apology, ask him to apologize? She doubted she could form a sensible word.
She said
nothing as Simon led her toward the house. He rushed ahead and she ran to keep up with him. Had her behavior shamed her in his eyes? He acted as if he couldn’t wait to get out of her presence.
As they approached the balcony she dragged much needed air into aching lungs and pleaded “Slow down.”
Simon glanced at her, but heeded her direction. Together they walked up the steps and Simon held her elbow as they entered the ballroom. Agatha waited for them.
“Simon, you must do something. Beth and the vicar disappeared into the garden. If that wasn’t bad enough, then you and Amy left. This won’t do at all. You know that. Besides, I picked the Reverend for Amelia.”
Simon grinned, “Ah, yes, I know you did. But, you see, Beth is more interested in the man than Amy.”
“Well, I can’t have all four of you disappearing like that. It isn’t the thing.”
“I was explaining to Amy how Beth felt about the vicar. She mentioned that the match was not to her liking.” He turned toward Amy, “Although, you’ve changed your mind now, haven’t you?”
Amy blushed and wondered if her speech would give her away. She stared at Simon, hoping Agatha would worry more about Beth, about how mismatched she and the vicar would be.
Amy gave what she knew would be a brittle smile. Mismatched but for reasons only she knew. Then she started with surprise. She knew how to get rid of the vicar. Goodbye, Vicar Sudsberry! She almost chuckled out loud.
Simon must have noticed for he smiled himself. “Now, I must see how the other Hargrove sisters are doing. Amy, you stay with Aunt Agatha while I check on the others.”
Amy nodded, and realized Agatha was not finished with her lecture as she began, “Amelia, you must not disappear into the garden like that. It isn’t done. No lady...”
Amy felt her face heat and knew she was blushing. Perhaps, Agatha would get so involved with her lecture she wouldn’t notice Amy’s discomfort. As Agatha continued with her scold Amy thought about what had just happened. As if to confirm her wantonness, pleasure thrummed through her. How could she have allowed Simon such liberties?
She had no answer.
Still ignoring Agatha’s sermon, she forced herself to think about something else, anything else. She watched Simon trail after Ellie who stood surrounded by young men. Amy gazed at the crowd and saw Dora dancing with the son of one of the local squires. Caro seemed to be holding court in a corner of the room. However, the men surrounding her were inches shorter than her sister.
Agatha had the right of it. Caro’s height would make finding a proper mate for her a problem.
Amy found Beth. The vicar was no longer with her. Instead, she was in deep conversation with another Baron. Well, so much for the vicar, Amy thought and patted her hands together.
Unfortunately, at that moment, Sudsberry approached the couple bearing two glasses of punch.
She noted his pleased expression as Beth accepted the glass from his hand. No! She couldn’t allow this. Beth deserved much better than to become the wife of their assistant vicar and die having his children. If Simon wasn’t going to do anything about this, then it was her responsibility.
She turned to Agatha. Amy needed some answers to questions she had about the vicar before she could put her plan into action.
“Aunt Agatha,” she interrupted, “tell me more about the Reverend Mister Sudsberry.”
“Well, my dear, it looks like you ask too late. He does seem enamored with our Bethany.”
Amy fought to still a groan. “Yes, I agree, but what kind of a man is he? I would not want Beth to marry someone unsuitable.”
Agatha reached over and patted her hand. “Don’t you worry about that, my dear. It’s Simon’s problem, not yours. Now, I must talk to Bethany. It doesn’t do for her to disappear like you did.”
Amy wanted to scream. First, Simon made her act like a wanton and now Agatha refused to answer questions for which Amy needed answers.
But, if Agatha wanted Beth, Amy could talk to the reverend. “I’ll get her for you,” Amy said. This would give her the opportunity to discourage the vicar.
“Thank you, my dear. I’ll be over there,” with that, Agatha flounced off into the direction of the older women.
Amy started for the couple. To put her plan into effect she would have to talk to the vicar alone and Beth was too timid to interrupt Agatha’s lecture.
“Beth,” Amy approached, “Aunt Agatha wants to talk to you. She’s over there, on the other side of the room. I’ll keep the Reverend company.”
Beth looked a bit nervous, but Amy leaned toward her and whispered for her ears alone, “You know I’m not interested.”
Beth looked relieved, nodded toward Amy and then looked at Robert Sudsberry, “I’ll be a moment.”
“Then, we--we can go to supper together?” the vicar asked.
Maybe not, Amy gloated. She smiled at Beth as she started toward Agatha.
Amy took a deep breath and faced the man before her. “Tell, me, Vicar, are you interested in my sister?”
“Why, Miss--Miss Hargrove!”
Amy glared at him.
“I want to protect my sisters. I am the oldest, so it is my responsibility.”
“But I--I thought Baron Kirkley was the guardian.”
At the mention of Simon’s name, Amy gritted her teeth. Those few moments in the garden flashed before her mind’s eye and embarrassed heat flooded her. She shook her head and forced her thoughts back to Beth and the vicar.
“Are you interested in my sister?” she demanded. Her tone was harsh, but so was her embarrassment.
“I--ah, you could say that I am interested--”
“Why?” Amy interrupted.
He looked startled, then dropped his eyes, but Amy wasn’t going to relent. “I want to know.”
He cleared his throat, “I--I think we will suit.”
“Why?” Amy responded.
“I-I have permission from Bar--” he stuttered.
“I seek only my sister’s happiness,” Amy interrupted again and planted her hands on her hips, “I don’t think you can make Beth happy. You have already been married.”
“We--ah--we talked about that and--” Amy noticed his face growing red, and she felt a moment of panic. They had discussed his previous marriage. This was much more serious than she thought.
“Beth may not have expressed concern, but, I can assure you, I am concerned,” Amy declared. “Beth deserves someone who can love her and respect her for herself and for the sensitive person she is.”
“I respect her--ah--I--”
“But, sir,” Amy nodded toward her sister still engaged in conversation with Agatha, “Can you love her? Previously married means you might not have a whole heart to give to my sister.”
The vicar opened his mouth to answer, but Amy forged ahead, “I don’t think your real interested lies in love. No, you’re more interested in a mother for your child. Isn’t that so, sir?”
“I-I--”
He didn’t finish before Amy added with a great deal of satisfaction, “I do believe, sir, that you should stay away from my sister.”
Amy whirled around prepared to walk away. She stumbled against Beth whose face with white.
“Oh, Amy,” Beth whispered. “What have you done?”
Ten
Amy stared into Beth’s stricken face. Her eyes reflected real pain. Amy’s cheeks warmed with shame--and guilt.
“Oh, Beth. I’m so sorry. I only wanted to...” her voice trailed off. There was no excuse for what she had done. She had been graceless, impolite, unfeeling. Could her behavior with Simon have had anything to do with her actions?
She opened her mouth to explain, but Beth turned away. “Beth,” she whispered, but her sister didn’t stop. Beth would never believe Amy was only trying to save her life.
Amy glanced over her shoulder to the spot where the vicar had stood, but he, too, was gone. Amy bit her bottom lip. She had to rectify the situation. First, she had to apologize to Beth. Sh
e was certain of that, but what of the vicar? If Beth wanted him as a husband, could she see that Robert Sudsberry took a position in another parish?
There was nothing she could do about any of this tonight. Perhaps she could find an excuse to leave the party. She knew she had to avoid the dance floor and spend time with Agatha and her friends. After all, since she intended to remain a spinster this would be her lot in life, sitting against the wall and watching young people entertaining themselves.
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