“It has to be enough.”
Graham stiffened as there was a flurry of footsteps and voices coming up the stairs, and they would soon be coming down the corridor. He touched her elbow. “Go wait beside your brother. Tell him as much as you can. I’ll hold them back.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Sam blinked hissleepy eyes and smiled at her. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost. I hope it isn’t me.”
Amelia gave him a watery smile as she took his hand. “Don’t say such things. And you must listen. Aunt Ruth and Nelson are here. I can’t keep our secret any longer. I told them you returned last night and are injured from falling off a horse.”
He sighed. “It couldn’t last forever, could it? Help me sit up.”
Petrov hurried over, taking Sam’s arm to pull him up gently, and Amelia stuffed pillows behind him. Petrov combed through his hair and straightened the linens. Every second loomed over them until the knock came, and Graham opened the door, preceding Aunt Ruth and Nelson.
Aunt Ruth paused as she gawked at Sam, her hand shaking as she covered her mouth.
“Bloody hell, Alston,” Nelson blurted.
“You look well, aunt and cousin. Why are you here at such a dreadful hour?”
They shuffled closer, eyes wide and faces pale.
“Goodness, fetch a doctor!” Aunt Ruth cried.
Sam sighed wearily. “I’ve seen the doctor. I’m recovering nicely and only need to rest a few more days. Mr. Crest, did I send for you?”
“No, my lord. I received a summons from Mr. Blakewood on your behalf.” He backed away and into the hall.
“You look like death,” Nelson warbled. “Like father did when I saw him before the funeral.”
“Bite your tongue, Nelson,” Amelia spat.
“Pale as a sheet,” Aunt Ruth whispered. “We must prepare.”
“For what?” Sam asked, increasingly annoyed.
“Dear, how long have you been like this?”
Sam shrugged. “I was returning home yesterday on horseback, but then I took a tumble. I hired a carriage for the remainder and arrived after midnight.” He winced, and Amelia barely noticed it. Hopefully, Aunt Ruth and Nelson didn’t see it at all.
“We came to see to your sister’s welfare,” Nelson said, his voice regaining some of its belligerence. “A body was discovered by the river last evening. He carried one of your handkerchiefs with the crest. I was summoned to identify the person, and he looked like you. Mr. Crest can confirm—I sent for him to identify you as well.” He shook his head. “We came to tell Amelia the terrible news before she read about it in the papers.”
“Well clearly, I am not dead. I’d like to continue resting now. You may take your leave. You are no doubt anxious to inform the relevant constables of your dreadful mistake.”
Aunt Ruth stepped forward, putting a hand on the end of the bed. “My lord, you look quite unwell, frighteningly so. I must insist that neither of you is fit to make decisions here when in this state of distress. Truly, without your presence Amelia has become a hellion.”
“I beg your pardon,” Graham broke in. “Lord Alston told you to leave. And you would do well to not insult my betrothed again.”
Nelson backed up a step, but Aunt Ruth whirled on him. “My niece may be of age to marry whomever she chooses, but there is something nefarious going on here. You’re not family—”
“He’s more family than you,” Sam spat. “You’ve been asked, now I am ordering you to leave. Get out. I’ll have none of your underhanded assistance. Amelia and I know why you’re here and what you want, and it’s not out of care or concern for our wellbeing. Amelia—wait, Blakewood, did you say betrothed?”
Amelia’s knees buckled. She caught herself and sat clumsily. He had. Graham had revealed their engagement to Sam.
Graham swallowed, taking in the room and all who were present. “I did. Do you not remember? We told you the morning you left. Though we tried to keep it private from wider society, it did slip out.”
Sam frowned and Amelia touched his hand. “Graham and I are engaged. It was your idea, after all.”
He held her gaze. “Forgive me. It slipped my mind for a moment.”
