“Yes, it’s quite the feat for you, and Sam would—”
“Am I truly never kind to you?” he asked in a serious tone.
Amelia bit her lip. “Are you going to keep interrupting me?That’snot very nice.”
He half-smiled. “But am I?”
“If I’m being honest, we’re not nice toeach other. It’s not just you. I do things to irritate you on purpose.”
“Why is that?”
“Because it forces you do human things like scowl and bicker with me. You can’t be a faultless, perfect marble statue when you’re berating me for leading a goat into the drawing room to sketch it sitting on the settee.”
“That goat destroyed my hat. And you didn’t have to clean up after the goat. Do you never consider the work your larks create for others?”
“Yes, I do. And yes, I did.”
“Did what?”
“I took care of the cleaning myself. My brother dragged you away, and I made my quick little sketch, and then I swept up goat droppings.”
“You?”
“You believe me so delicate I cannot sully myself by performing a menial task?”
“I suppose I did. Not delicate, but rather... spoiled. I forget sometimes that you don’t have everything I have. Things I likely take for granted. You and your brother have both done a remarkable job making it this far together, considering all things.”
Amelia rolled her eyes but smiled. “Yes, I could be much worse.”
He chuckled. “Much, much. I can only imagine.”
“So where were we?”
He spun her one final time, and the dance was over.
“You’ve discovered I’m a jewel thief,” he said quietly as he led her off the floor.
Her next partner approached, but Amelia wanted to hide. She wasn’t ready to end her time with Graham—something that had never happened before.
“What will you do during the next dance? Pickpocket the other guests?”
He smirked. “I will dance as well.”
“With whom?” A burst of jealousy soured her tongue.
He peered around. “Miss Flemings seems rather bored there, against the wall.”
Amelia peered over at Miranda Flemings, dressed in a gown two seasons old and trying her best to be invisible. Graham would be kind to her. He really was a bloody saint.
“Just remember, you’re already engaged. Don’t let her steal you from me.”
His smile broadened. “I’ll do my best.”
Amelia’s heart skipped as he strolled away, and she fisted her hands. This was getting ridiculous.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Four dances later,Amelia needed a rest. She always left her fifth dance free to find refreshment or simply sit and rest her feet. Graham was by her side immediately once the music ended, and she discovered she enjoyed the lingering touches and secret smiles they shared when they found something amusing. The way he seemed to dote on her. Was this pretending, or was this the beginning of actual friendship between them?
