Now, she sat perched at her ornate writing desk, trying to get her mind off yesterday’s humiliation. Amelia delicately folded a letter, setting it atop the polished wood. She had written to her father’s solicitor yesterday and was rather pleased when Jenny came by earlier this morning to deliver the swift response, leaving it by Amelia’s bedside table thinking that Amelia had been asleep. The letter was to the point—now that she wasmarried, she could receive her inheritance within four weeks. Roughly thirty days of marriage to the Masked Rogue and it would all be worth it. Surely she would be able to last that long?
Amelia didn’t know how often he thought of her—and now that her mind was unclouded by lust, she didn’t think it was very often. And if asked again, Amelia planned to lie right through her teeth by telling him that she hardly spared him a thought. All she needed to say was that she hadn’t thought once about the sensation of his lips against hers, and his firm chest against her bosom, and the way the timbre of his voice made her skin prickle with heat…
She sighed, shaking her head to banish the reminiscent thoughts once more. She had stayed in her bedchamber for most of the day again, even though she was tempted to finish exploring the castle. But she didn’t dare heighten her chances of running into Gideon, even though being in her chamber hadn’t stopped him before. Late afternoon was already upon them and, soon enough, the sun would set. Then she would be another day closer to her goal.
A knock sounded at the door and Amelia shot upright in her chair, her heart thudding painfully in her chest. Her tongue went dry, her mind going blank when the knock sounded again. Surely she hadn’t summoned him by thinking about him so much?
“Your Grace?” Jenny’s soft voice filtered through. “Your Grace, are you awake?”
Amelia let out a low breath of relief—and ignored the pinch of disappointment. “Yes, Jenny. Please enter.”
Jenny opened the door just wide enough to enter, slipping through before curtsying respectfully. The sight threw off Amelia so much that she was momentarily left speechless.
“I bring tidings, Your Grace,” Jenny explained as she straightened. “His Grace requests your presence later this evening when he returns to the castle.”
Amelia swallowed, hoping Jenny didn’t see the trepidation in her eyes. “Any particular reason?”
Jenny blinked, clearly taken aback by the question. “I do not know the reason, Your Grace.”
“I see,” Amelia murmured, trying to mask her unease.
“Will you require assistance with getting dressed?”
“Getting dressed?” she repeated, her thoughts still lingering on her impending meeting with Gideon. She knew very well that if she missed it, he would only come to see her. And Amelia had no plans of risking his wrath. Her inheritance depended on the arrangement lasting at least four weeks.
“Yes, Your Grace… unless you do not mind…” Jenny’s voice wavered, her cheeks coloring as her insinuation became clear.
Amelia’s face went hot. She’d almost forgotten that she hadn’t left her bedchamber all day. “Oh! A-ah, certainly. I wouldn’t dare to leave my bedchamber in only my nightgown.”
“Forgive me, Your Grace! I did not mean to offend!” Jenny bent nearly perpendicular to the floor. She looked just about ready to lower to her knees.
Amelia quickly rose from her chair, slightly mortified. “Oh, no need to worry. I understand your concern, and yes, I will accept your help this time,” she assured, attempting to alleviate her maid’s apparent distress.
Jenny straightened once more, a small smile touching her lips. “It would be my honor, Your Grace.”
Just then, a mad idea sparked in her mind. Amelia clung to it, despite the sliver of apprehension that ran through her. “But perhaps you could help me with something else before then. We have some time before my husband is due back, correct? I would like your help with another matter in the meantime.”
Jenny perked up at that. “Certainly, Your Grace.”
“I was wondering, could you perhaps show me around the east wing? I’ve yet to explore that part of the castle.”
“It would be my utmost pleasure, Your Grace!” With a broad but fleeting grin, Jenny hurried over to Amelia’s wardrobe to begin the task of preparing a dress for her.
Amelia couldn’t help but smile at that. She felt odd talking so openly to Jenny, she realized, and supposed it had a lot to do with the loneliness she had experienced over the past two years. Dorothy was her sister, but also her only friend right now, and letters from her were few and far between.
It only took a matter of minutes for Amelia to get dressed in a simple morning gown more appropriate for roaming the castle’s hallways. Once ready, Amelia and Jenny exited the bedchamber together, walking in quietness for a short while.
Breaking the silence, Amelia ventured, “You must have been quite surprised when I first arrived, weren’t you, Jenny?” Her voice held a hint of nervousness. She would like to befriend Jenny, to find some comfort in her maid’s company during her short stay. Yet, she was uncertain how to initiate such a friendship.
“What do you mean?” Jenny asked, sounding tentative herself.
Amelia laughed awkwardly. “Well, I am nothing like what a Duchess should be, am I? I hope that doesn’t make me sound pitiful.”
“Oh, not at all, Your Grace. You carry yourself with grace and kindness, just as a lady should.”
“You’re just being kind,” Amelia deflected lightly, but Jenny shook her head.
“Forgive my forwardness, Your Grace, but I do think you are quite lovely. As do many of the servants. Though…” Her voice trailed off, hesitance creeping back in.
