Aunt Ruth and Nelson turned in unison to face him.
Amelia smiled nervously as she glanced around. Other guests had noted their tense conversation and her heart started to pound. This plan had seemed so simple this morning during breakfast at Sam’s side. Now it was close to unravelling. What if they insisted? Amelia swallowed, her mouth dry.
“Why you?” Nelson asked.
“That isn’t at all appropriate,” Aunt Ruth whispered to Amelia. “Just because you are of age and declared yourself a spinster with no wish to marry does not mean you are above speculation, dear niece. You are still an unwed lady of the peerage, with no husband to protect you.”
“Correct, Mother. And if Lord Alston is away, then naturally that duty falls to me,” Nelson said.
Panic rose in her throat, tangy and thick. Nelson squinted his eyes at Blakewood accusingly. Aunt Ruth had that bullish set to her face that made the hairs on her upper lip stand out like whiskers. Amelia could feel the situation slipping away from her. Aunt Ruth would demand Amelia let them into the house. They would discover Sam. They’d never leave and she’d be stuck with Nelson every day, him dogging her every step. They would drive her mad with their incessant prattling, attempting to convinceher to marry Nelson. Or worse, Nelson could take it upon himself to compromise her and force her hand. Her aunt would not let this go, just as she refused to believe Amelia wouldchooseto never marry. But as far as Amelia could see, the only good a husband could ever do for her would be to put an end to all of Aunt Ruth and Nelson’s harassment.
Then an idea struck her. Her thoughts raced. Her stomach hollowed like she was falling. It was mad, worse than mad, it was stupid and reckless. Graham would be furious and likely never forgive her, but it could work. As sweat beaded on her brow Amelia could think of nothing else that would make Aunt Ruth and Nelson give up on her completely.
She tucked a hand around Mr. Blakewood’s elbow. “This wasn’t how we wanted it to be done, but with my brother away, it may as well come out before anyone makes anyrashaccusations.” Amelia focused on her aunt. “Mr. Blakewood and I are engaged to be married. He will help me manage my ill temper and preposterous ideas of independence from now on. I need nothing from you.”
His arm turned to solid rock under her fingers. He turned slightly to look down at her, his face emotionless, but she could see it in his eyes. The panic. The anger. She smiled up at him and cupped his cheek, her heart pounding so hard it made her nauseous. All conversation around them had stopped.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I just couldn’t hold it in any longer.”
Was he even breathing? He only stared down at her, not even blinking.
Please, she begged with her eyes. The passing of time seemed to slow and Amelia considered fainting to get out of this heaping pile of dung she’d just thrown them into.
“What news is this?” Lady Cecily clapped her hands as she inserted herself between Mr. Blakewood and Nelson. “Did I hear this correctly?”
Amelia beamed, her back teeth grinding as she leaned into Mr. Blakewood. “Yes.” In for a penny, in for a pounding headache once they were alone and Graham lectured her until her ears bled. No matter. She’d deserve it this time. All of it.
He straightened and cleared his throat. “Yes, my lady.”
She should be relieved, but this was only a temporary pardon. He was too self-controlled to murder her in public, that was all.
“Where is your brother?” Lady Cecily asked with a smile. “I know he’s been praying for this day. How serendipitous to give his sister away to such a good friend, such a worthy gentleman as you, Mr. Blakewood.”
Praying? Her brother hadn’t cheered her decision to not marry after her first season, but he certainly hadn’t put up any argument.
Amelia licked her lips. “He had to leave this morning to see to the property in Stirling. Something about the well. Isn’t that right, Mr. Blakewood?” She peered up at him and batted her eyes.
“Yes.”
Amelia turned back to her aunt, whose face had gone pale. Nelson’s cheeks had reddened, but he only nodded and turned away, strolling toward the lawn games. Amelia smiled at everyone who issued their congratulations until her cheeks hurt. She hoped she didn’t look as deranged as she felt.
What had she done?
Chapter Nine
Maybe Blakewood wasright. She was foolish and impulsive, and why did her mouth have to spit out words before her brain could properly examine them? Her aunt had thawed herself and accepted congratulations, as if she’d had anything to do with it, though her eyes were bright with some volatile emotion. But she too eventually wandered away, leaving Mr. Blakewood and Amelia in a shrinking crowd of well-wishers.
“Would you like to take a walk around the labyrinth?” Mr. Blakewood asked with a tight smile.
“That would be lovely.”
He angled them toward the end of a flagstone area, where the walled garden spread out into wide lawns. To the right, through another ivy-covered arch, was the labyrinth. They passed a young married couple with flushed cheeks as they entered the labyrinth, but then they were completely alone. They strolled without speaking, walking deeper into the maze until they could not hear a single voice. Amelia finally let go of his arm and folded hers, chewing her lip as she waited for him to unleash his anger.
“Go on. Berate me. I know. I know I just made everything worse, and I am sorry. I don’t know where that ridiculous idea came from.” She covered her face with her gloved hands.
He drew in a breath. “What can I say now when you’ve already said it?” he asked, his voice deep with quiet anger.
Amelia spread her fingers to peek at him. “What do we do now?”
