CHAPTER 24
Amelia’s eyes fluttered open, softly snorting a little when she breathed in a strand of her own hair. Groggy, she sat up and resisted the urge to comb her fingers through her undoubtedly tangled tresses. Her last memory was of laying on top of Gideon in the library, lulled by his steady breaths into sleep. Presently, she was in her bedchamber. She wondered if he had carried her to her rooms after she had dozed off. And she was only in her shift now. Had he undressed her too?
A knock sounded at her door, disrupting the bashful smile that touched her lips. Amelia flushed as if she’d already been caught, trying to rid of the redness burning her cheeks. “Yes?” she called.
A sharp pang of disappointment sliced through her when Jenny poked her head through the door. “Good morning, Your Grace. I hope you slept well?”
“I did, thank you,” Amelia answered truthfully. That had been the best night of sleep she’d had since arriving at CastleStanhope and she was certain it had everything to do with the arms she had fallen asleep in.
Jenny smiled at that. “That’s wonderful to hear. I have come to assist you with your morning routine, but I also come bearing news.”
“Is it from His Grace?” Amelia asked, a little breathless with eagerness.
If Jenny noticed the hopeful tone, she gave no indication. “I have been asked to let you know that His Grace is engaged with meetings for the morning and will not be joining you for breakfast.”
“Ah, I see.” Hiding her sharp disappointment, Amelia pulled herself out of bed, stretching her limbs. “Well, I suppose I should find a way to occupy myself today, shouldn’t I?”
“I have just the thing, Your Grace!” Jenny sounded chipper, making her way over to Amelia’s wardrobe. “A messenger sent word from the Viscountess of Hendale. It seems she intends to come by for a visit later this afternoon.”
“My aunt? That’s the last thing I needed today.”
Jenny froze, taken aback by the brusqueness and Amelia instantly felt a little guilty for how harsh she had sounded.
“My aunt and I do not have the best relationship,” Amelia quickly clarified. She spread a dressing gown about herself, then settled before the vanity and picked up her hairbrush, needing to do something with her hands to distract herself from the uncomfortable prickly sensation that spiked through her body at the memory of her past life. It seemed like it was an eternity away now. Ever since she had arrived at Castle Stanhope, she hadn’t given that life a daylight’s thought. “I stayed with the Viscount and Viscountess of Hendale after my father passed away and, well, let’s just say I did not have the most pleasant time in their care.”
“Oh, my apologies, Your Grace.” Jenny approached quietly from behind. Glancing behind her in the mirror, Amelia saw that her maid had already laid her dress for the day out on the bed. “I was not aware.”
Amelia smiled for her maid through the reflection. “It is not your fault, Jenny, you weren’t to know. I hold no resentment towards my aunt but I cannot say I wish to share in her company. I sincerely doubt her visit has any genuine intentions behind it anyway.”
“Ah, I see.” Jenny accepted the brush Amelia conceded over to her. Amelia could tell that she wanted to say something else, so she waited to see if her maid would gather the courage. “Is your relationship with your uncle strained as well?”
“It is, but in an entirely different manner. He provided for me from a distance in a basic way, as one might tend to a farm animal. I suppose it should not have bothered me to know thatI would never receive any affection or approval from him but it did.”
“But not anymore,” Jenny stated, already picking up on what Amelia was saying.
“Not anymore,” she affirmed, offering a smile that didn’t quite match the somberness of their conversation. “I suppose I’ve grown past the need for their approval or affection.”
“That is wonderful, Your Grace.” Jenny stilled, catching herself. “I-I mean, it is regrettable that they did not treat you well, but I am glad you have found your happiness now.”
Amelia giggled. “Much of that happiness came from being able to talk so openly with you.”
Jenny flushed, lowering her eyes. She resumed her task of styling Amelia’s hair with renewed focus. “You are too kind, Your Grace. I am just a maid.”
“You are my friend. My first true friend. And for that, I cherish you greatly.”
At last, a heartening but repressed smile touched Jenny’s lips. “Thank you, Your Grace. For considering me your friend.”
“It is the truth, Jenny. Now, as a friend, I hope you wouldn’t mind accompanying me for a stroll through the woods by the gardens.”
“The woods?”
“Yes, I am quite intrigued by them,” Amelia shared, careful to keep her head still. “I have contemplated visiting them for some time now, but I have to admit I am too much of a coward to do so alone.”
“Well, in that case,” Jenny answered with a bright smile. Her deft fingers moved swiftly, twisting Amelia’s well-brushed hair into an elegant chignon. “I would be more than happy to accompany you. I have walked those paths so often, I could navigate them blindfolded.”
“Wonderful! It is settled then, you will be my guide.”
“It would be my honor, Your Grace,” Jenny agreed with a laugh, to which Amelia joined in. Her earlier disappointment had long since disappeared. Shedidwant to see Gideon. At this point, she wanted to spend every second she could with him, an unusual feeling for someone who was ordinarily all too content to be in her own company. But time spent with Jenny was just as welcomed.
