Amelia’s heart stuttered up again. The clear care in his voice and expression nearly melted her. It certainly softened her previous ire. But the letter...
“He did not ask. He informed me my presence was necessary.”
“I do not care one whit. Your health is far more important than his flimsy desires.”
Amelia glanced down at the missive still in her hand, a small smile teasing her lips. No one had ever considered her needs over another’s. Least of all over her father’s. He was a duke. He was as near royalty as one could become without being a member of the royal family.
As she considered the letter, the stack of others caught her eye. The top letter was from Henrietta.
“Do you mind if I... ?” She gestured to the letters.
“Not at all.” He stood and paced a bit away but did not leave the room.
She unfolded the foolscap.
Mellie,
Do say you will come to tonight’s ball. I fear I will need your support more than anything, and I desperately wish to see you after the dinner party. Sir Frederick will be there, and we are hopeful to gain Papa’s approval for his suit. Perhaps, if we are all of us together, Papa will see there is no reason Sir Frederick and I cannot be married. Oh my—writing those words feels incredible, Mellie. Please, come! I need you.
Yours most affectionately,
Henrietta Kennington
Amelia’s eyes narrowed in thought. Suddenly, she was interested in attending the ball. She had been of no use to Henrietta at the dinner party. The least she could do was answer her plea for help—even if only for an hour or so. Absently, she picked up the next letter, expecting another of the same. Except it was entirely different.
Lady Norwich,
I first met your husband at a ball. He kissed me that night in the garden. The last I saw him was in my father’s home after he refused to marry me. I hope you are happy being married to such a rogue.
There was no signature. Amelia stared at the paper in horror. She glanced at Edward, but he was now leaning against a window and surveying the garden below. The garden. He had, it would seem, kissed a woman in just such a garden. Her insides twisted together hopelessly and seemed to be pulling her lungs deeper and deeper, where no breath would be found.
Hesitantly, she took the next missive, praying it was as benign as the first two.
Lady Norwich,
Your husband ruined my prospects in a drawing room during the height of the London Season. The man is a rake, and I pity you for being married to him.
Amelia stared at the letter in disbelief. This time, she could not bring herself to look at Edward, she could not see the truth of these words reflected back at her.
Oh, dear heavens, it was hard to breathe.
Almost desperately, she tore the seal from the final letter. She would have done better to throw it in a fire.
Lady Norwich,
The ballrooms of London are not safe so long as your husband is in residence. He ruined me and has ruined you by association.
Amelia choked, her hand shaking as it held the final note. She pulled the first up, then the second. No signatures on any, and different hands had written each. But why now? Why all at once? Bile rose in her throat. The door to the room suddenly opened, and Coombs stood there again.
“I apologize, my lord, my lady, but more letters have arrived for Lady Norwich, and I thought to deliver them while she must still be perusing the others.”
Amelia stared at the letters on the silver platter in the butler’s hand, willing them to disappear. There were three—no, four—and if Amelia had to guess, they all contained similar messages. Amelia felt the blood drain from her face, even as she recognized the warmth of Lord Norwich coming to stand beside her. When had she stood? Where had the letters gone?
She bent wildly, scooping the letters off the floor where they had tumbled from her lap. Her movements were fitful, and she bit the insides of her mouth to keep from crying out in surprise and shock.
“Th-thank you, Coombs.” She took the letters with trembling hands, breathing through her nose as steadily as she could manage.
The butler nodded and disappeared from the room, and Amelia clutched the letters to her as she made to follow him.
