When she’d completed her tasks, she found him waiting in the foyer, ready to depart. With all of the riotous emotions that had attacked her during the last half hour, she’d hardly had time to notice how dashing he looked in a burgundy jacket and charcoal breeches. And although his face did look like a bad artist’s canvas, there was no denying his handsome features—that ever-present glint of responsibility that shadowed his eyes or the terribly attractive curve of his mouth.
Catching herself, she allowed him to escort her outside to his carriage. Her palm settled comfortably against his as he helped her alight, and when he settled himself across from her, she could not help but wonder what it might be like to have him touch her with greater insistence. What a silly thing to even consider at a time such as this.
“Does it hurt?” she asked a moment after the carriage had set off down the street. “Your face, that is.”
“Not too much. It looks worse than it feels.”
“Did you at least win?”
He smirked. “I did indeed.”
“Good.” Her concrete nod made him smile. “But I still don’t see why you had to go there. The neighborhood isn’t safe, Coventry. Any number of terrible things could have happened to you, given your appearance.”
“Oh?”
“You cannot hide your wealth, which could have made you an easy target for any number of villains.”
“Not too easy of a target, I should hope.” He leaned forward. “Or is your opinion of me so low that you think me incapable of surviving a few unpleasant muggers?”
“Of course not. But there are murdering scoundrels there too, men who would not hesitate to use a knife if it got them what they wanted.”
“And knowing this,” he said while leaning closer still, “you had no qualms about going there yourself without escort.”
She saw the mistake she had made in her argument, but that didn’t change the fact that the more she thought about his little adventure the previous evening, the more it worried her, because really, what if something had happened? What if he’d been cornered and killed? Such incidents were not unheard-of.
“I went during the day and I did not actually enter St. Giles.”
“Even so, you are a woman, and therefore at far greater risk than I would ever be.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Coventry. Why must you be so difficult?”
He looked at her with a thoroughness that immediately made her regret the outburst. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly, and then he quietly said, “Perhaps because your actions insist that I have to protect you from even yourself.”
“And who will protect you from yourself?” She stared into his dark brown eyes. “Who will be there to stop you the next time you think of asking a stranger to ruin your handsome face?”
The edge of his mouth tilted. “You think me handsome?”
She watched his gaze change to a warmer shade, the effect of it sending a dart of heat straight to her belly. Her stays felt suddenly tight against her breasts, and her throat had grown uncomfortably dry. Awareness crackled in the space between them. Why on earth did she have to say that?
Deliberately sitting back, she looked away and responded crisply. “In an ordinary sort of way.” She dared not glance at him while she sat there staring at nothing in particular, for she could feel him watching her with a closeness that threatened to reveal everything she felt for him. Which was something she simply could not allow.
Eventually, he shrugged. She wasn’t sure how she knew that he did so, but there was something about the way in which the air shifted and the carefree tone of his voice as he said, “Then I must confess that I find your face enchanting. In an equally ordinary sort of way.”
Without thinking, her eyes shot toward his, only to find that his face was even closer now than it had been before. “You are impossible,” she said, since staying silent would do her no good at all.
“No more than you, I imagine.”
His hand came up, the astonishing touch of his fingers against her cheek jarring her senses and sending her reeling. Her breath caught in her throat. A series of shivers caressed her skin. If only she could keep her stomach from rolling over so she could enjoy the intimacy of the moment a little. Instead, she remained completely stiff and unsure. What was he doing and what did he expect her to do? She really wasn’t the least bit sure, but the studious look in his eyes had vanished, replaced by a dangerous gleam that excited her while at the same time filled her with no small amount of trepidation.
“Whatever shall we do?” He asked the question as if to himself—the contemplative tone hinting at deep thought and consideration.
“I . . . I . . .” I cannot speak. You’ve addled me with your nearness.
“Hmm . . .” His gaze dropped to her mouth, the color of his eyes now concealed behind lowered lashes. The air grew thick around them, and once again, Amelia struggled to breathe as she began to detect his intention. He would kiss her. Right here in the carriage. She didn’t even care about the reason behind such abandon or the consequences that were sure to follow. All she could do was wait, her entire body perched on the edge of her seat while her heart threatened to burst from her chest and—
The carriage drew to a shuddering halt and Coventry quickly leaned back. “We are here.” Hard lines masked any hint of longing on his part, the look in his eyes now one of practical determination and resolve. It was as if the moment had never happened—as if all it had been was a figment of her own imagination.
And yet . . . And yet, she could not deny the lingering feel of his fingers against her cheek or the craving that had consumed her seconds ago. It had not been of her own making, but of his. He had instigated it. His eyes had reached inside her to confirm it, and when she stepped down from the carriage, assisted by the steady touch of his hand, she realized he’d shown her something she’d never thought to inspire in him until now: unrestrained desire.
The revelation was so acute it forced her to suck in a breath. For a second, she went completely still, her hand still clasping his while she pondered this new idea. Was it really possible? Glancing up, she considered his expression. It showed no hint of such emotion, yet she’d felt it, she was absolutely certain of it.
“My lady.” His tone was gentle but curt, reminding her of time and place, and the fact that she ought to release his hand.
She did so swiftly, all thought of a mutual attraction evaporating the instant she turned to look at her house. Her hands came up to cover her mouth and drown out the cry that escaped as she took in the scene. Black patches marred the wall above two of the window frames. The front door was charred, and the lock appeared to have been broken, no doubt so the firemen could get in and put out the flames.
Disheartened, Amelia climbed the steps and went inside, her heart plummeting even further at the sight she beheld. The stairs had collapsed in a pile of debris that now sat in a pool of water. Lifting the hem of her gown, she walked on through to the parlor, the library, the ballroom and finally the dining room. With each step she took, she felt her heart drop a little bit more. There was water everywhere, and most of the window frames had been burned away, the glass gone to leave nothing but gaping holes in the walls.
An ache began to fill her as she thought of the extra expenses. At least one wall would have to be torn down completely, and parts of the floors and ceilings that had looked fine before now bore evidence of irreparable damage. By the time she came to a halt before the glassless dining-room windows and looked out into what had once been an overgrown garden, she felt raw inside. Not a hint of color remained. Everything was encased in black.
“We can fix this.” Coventry’s voice summoned her attention but failed to lift her spirits. He came to stand beside her.
She continued to look out at the hopeless display of destruction. “I suspect it would cost a small fortune to do so. Certainly more money than I have at my disposal.” Her voice took on an absent tone as she fought the pain that threatened to swamp
her.
“Listen to me.” When she failed to respond to his demand, he turned her with the force of his hands so he could look at her directly. His features were set in firm lines, portraying a keen determination that she completely lacked at that moment. “We can fix this. The house is not beyond repair, and I will happily supply the necessary funds until you are able to pay me back through your fund-raising.”
She stared at him in surprise. “Why would you do that?”
“Does it matter?”
Exhausted from having to recognize that she had failed before she’d really begun and now faced with a good solution, she did not feel like arguing with him. So she shook her head. “No. I suppose not. But you are assuming that my fund-raising events will be successful enough to cover the expense. Your plan is not without risk.”
“No.” He gave her a fleeting smile. “I don’t suppose it is. But I believe this is more important to you than any amount of money will ever be to me.”
Her composure finally crumbled in response to his undeniable generosity, and when the first tears rolled down her cheeks, he pulled her into his arms. With her face snug against the soft wool of his jacket, she inhaled and found herself cocooned in a rich fragrance of musk and sandalwood. One hand settled against her waist, holding her to him while the other soothed along her spine. It was lovely, this intimate closeness. She could feel the strength in his shoulders and chest as she leaned a bit closer, pressing more firmly into the warm embrace he offered.
“I don’t know how to thank you.” Her words were muffled against his jacket, but he heard her nonetheless.
“No need. I am simply happy to ease your concerns.”
A few more seconds ticked by before she reluctantly pulled away. “Forgive me,” she felt compelled to say, “I was overwrought by the shock of it all.”
Reaching up, he tucked a loose curl behind her ear and looked at her with such overwhelming kindness she almost started crying once more. “There is absolutely nothing to forgive since you have done nothing wrong. If anything, I overstepped, though I do believe circumstance will forgive me for doing so.”
“Without a doubt,” she agreed. There was no hint of the heated longing with which he’d regarded her in the carriage, only a friendly countenance. It made her wonder if she’d been wrong to suppose he might ever have thought to kiss her. She’d been so certain before, but if she’d been right, now would have granted him apt opportunity. Yet there was nothing to suggest he even considered such a thing.
Unsure of what to make of that, she chose to set her mind elsewhere. “Can you please inform the laborers today that we are ready to take them on? I would like them to start work as soon as possible.”
“Of course.” They walked out to the foyer where they exited the house and returned to the carriage. “Does Monday still suit you in terms of visiting the lumber mill, glazier and stone mason?”
“Yes. I have no other plans for that day.”
He nodded. “I would recommend you take some time either today or tomorrow to consider your first fund-raising event. Lady Everly can advise you, but I think it would be good to start engaging people in your project.”
“I will attend to it as soon as I get home. Thank you, Coventry. Your kindness today has been such a comfort while your friendship . . . I cannot tell you how much it means to me.” Even though it would never be nearly enough. With Coventry, she would always long for more.
Chapter 14
An entire week had passed since Amelia had gone to see the results of the fire. A crew of laborers had been hired, and they were now busily removing all of the damaged wood from the structure. In the meantime, she and Coventry had placed an order for cherrywood flooring, crown glass windows and enough marble tiles to replace the ones that were cracked in the ballroom. The rest would simply be polished as well as possible since replacing the entire floor would be an unnecessary extravagance.
This had occupied three of her days so fully that she had allowed no time to meet with Mr. Lowell or Mr. Burton, who’d both come to call on her twice while she’d been out. Juliette and Lady Everly had met with them instead, but their disappointment in having to forgo Amelia’s company had apparently been made very clear, which was why Lady Everly had insisted she let them escort her to Gunther’s for an ice by the time Friday morning rolled around.
The excursion had been pleasant enough, and their interest in the progress she was making with the school had helped a great deal in keeping her focused on their conversation. Now, standing with her sister in the Falconrich ballroom, Amelia saw them make their approach together with another gentleman whom she easily recognized as Doctor Florian.
“Good evening, ladies,” Mr. Lowell said once he and the other men came within speaking range. Mr. Burton was wearing a grand smile as usual, while charm oozed from Mr. Lowell’s smooth countenance. He would no doubt have had the ability to weaken Amelia’s knees a little if it wasn’t for Coventry. The duke had made her completely immune to any other man’s attention. “We have been looking everywhere for you.”
“It is such a crush though,” Burton said. He glanced around at the many people who filled the large room. “You must forgive us for not finding you sooner.”
“Of course we do,” Juliette said while Amelia offered the men a reassuring smile.
Doctor Florian addressed Juliette. “It is good to see you looking well again, my lady.”
“When I told my brother that I expected to find you here this evening, he insisted on seeing you for himself,” Mr. Lowell said with a grin.
Amelia’s gaze shifted to Florian. Brother? She hadn’t realized the connection and never would have without Lowell mentioning it. The two men looked nothing alike. Lowell’s hair was dark, while Florian’s was a rich shade of copper. Lowell’s face was more angular than Florian’s and yet in spite of that, it was Florian who looked most severe. “But . . .” She could not contain her dismay. “You are brothers?”
Florian finally allowed the faintest hint of amusement to show as the edge of his mouth twitched ever so slightly. “I chose to be addressed as Florian when I became a doctor in order to distinguish myself from Lowell. It is my middle name.”
“And a fine one at that,” Lowell said with a wide smile. Sobering slightly, he added, “He is very thorough when it comes to his patients. Takes quite an interest in them even after they are fully recovered, which is why he was so eager to see you again, Lady Juliette.”
“I have always felt that tending to the sickly and helping them fight their ailments creates a bond of sorts.” Florian’s expression grew increasingly serious as he spoke. No hint of a smile played about his lips anymore, and his eyes held nothing but deep contemplation now. “I often see people at their worst—I help when no one else knows what to do—and they place their faith in me with the hope that I will do whatever is in my power to find a cure. It is a great responsibility, but it is also the most rewarding work I have ever done.”
“You make it sound like a vocation,” Juliette said with interest.
He gave a curt nod. “Indeed, that is how I consider it.”
“Which is admirable,” Mr. Lowell said. “I do not think many of us manage to find such purpose in our lives, though it does appear as though you have done so too, Lady Amelia. Your efforts to make a school for the poor are absolutely remarkable.”
She couldn’t help but blush a little when all three gentlemen nodded their agreement. “You have said so several times already.”
“One cannot say it enough,” he insisted.
“He is right,” Mr. Burton said. “We have discussed the matter at length and have concluded that no other young lady would have thought to dive into such an endeavor. A dowager might, though she would undoubtedly have been dissuaded by the fire. That you intend to persevere speaks highly of your vision and your insistence on seeing this through.”
“I could not agree more,” Doctor Florian said. “You are the sort of person who stands to change the wor
ld. I expect you will achieve great things and that this school is only the beginning.”
“Which makes one envy the gentleman who will one day accompany her on this journey,” Mr. Lowell said with a wink that made Amelia chuckle. “It is unfortunate she cannot marry all three of us.”
“What a scandalous thought,” Juliette said with a grin.
Doctor Florian nudged his brother. “Have a care, Lowell. Can you not see you have shocked them?”
“Then allow me to redeem myself on the dance floor,” Mr. Lowell said. “I trust we can find a minuet or a reel to engage in?”
“Of course.” Amelia handed him her dance card while Juliette gave hers to Doctor Florian.
“Not a minuet or a reel, I see,” Mr. Burton said when it was his turn to pick a dance. He glanced at Mr. Lowell, whose eyes now twinkled with mischievous delight. “You scoundrel.” He wrote his name and then returned the cards to Amelia and Juliette.
Amelia lowered her gaze to study hers and then quickly looked up again. “You have chosen the waltz?” She stared at Mr. Lowell, who offered a boyish shrug by way of explanation.
“Nobody else has done so yet, so why not?”
Why not indeed? When she’d arrived at the ball an hour earlier and met Coventry, he’d quickly excused himself without claiming a dance. She hadn’t seen him since, though she supposed his absence did give her the opportunity to try the waltz with someone else. And since she would probably end up marrying either Mr. Lowell or Mr. Burton instead, it might be wise of her to allow them the honor instead of giving it to Coventry.
Pushing the duke from her mind, she consequently resolved to enjoy the evening with her sister and the three gentlemen who were more than happy to give them their full attention. In fact, they were very polite and attentive, bringing refreshments, inquiring about their interests and escorting them out to the terrace whenever the heat in the ballroom became too insufferable.
The Duke of Her Desire: Diamonds in the Rough Page 16
