“There are rumors—”
Edward cut him off. “I have just heard of them.”
Mr. Weston drew himself up, leveling him with a somber look. “Then you know there is no way Lady Norwich could remain any longer. I assisted her in calling a carriage. There was no one else to help.” The man’s tone held an accusation, but Edward brushed it off. Where Weston and his overly proper outlook had previously annoyed him, now Edward felt only gratitude for the man.
“Thank heavens, man. You ought to have led with that. Thank you. I shall go to her directly. Thank you.” He clapped the stunned man’s shoulder as he pushed past. He may have solved the problem of removing Amelia from the venomous rumors, but he still had to convince her of the truth. And that would be far more difficult.
Stepping from the card room was comparable to what Edward imagined stepping on a stage felt like. Several sets of eyes swung his way. Whispers died for a moment, then picked back up in intensity. Edward pushed past them all.
A handful of strides from the large double doors out of the home, Edward was halted.
“What is this? Why is my daughter’s name being bandied about?” The duke stepped in front of him.
Edward ground his teeth. All these blasted people needed to get out of his way. “I am trying to find her now.” He made his way around the man, but his arm was grabbed.
“Devil take it, man. What have you done? Where is Amelia?”
Edward shook him off, ignoring his incredulous glare. Let the Duke have him hanged. But let him wait until Edward had found Amelia. “If you would let me by, I might be able to find out.”
“I am coming with you.”
Edward froze. “Fine. But you had better hurry.”
No indication of annoyance or anger crossed the man’s face. He only nodded and made for the doors.
“Your Grace!”
Both Edwardandthe duke groaned.
“What?” the duke snapped at the servant who had appeared in the hall behind them.
For his part, Edward did not stop. His hand was on the door handle when the servant next spoke.
“Lady Edith has called for you. She says it is urgent and that she needs you straight away.”
Edward met the duke’s eye. The man’s nostrils flared, and his jaw tightened. He was clearly torn between two of his children. Two daughters who needed him. Edward clearly knew which was more deserving of the man’s help, but the duke did not.
Finally, the duke spoke. “I will come,” he said to the servant. But then his weighty gaze zeroed in on Edward again. “Find her,” he said. “Help her.”
Edward nodded once, then yanked the heavy doors aside and left the home at last.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
The carriage had rumbled throughthe darkened night air for several minutes before Amelia finally felt her heart rate slow, and she allowed herself to look at the two women who had aided in her rescue.
It was as if they were simply waiting for her attention, for Lady Cromwell spoke immediately. “Society is everything elegant and wicked, Lady Norwich. I apologize that you have been exposed to a healthy dose of the latter.”
Amelia did not know what to say. She could only nod.
“Oh, I do not suppose you have met Lady Anderson?” Lady Cromwell turned to the other woman, and Amelia felt her eyes widen as she took in the nearly white hair, wrinkles, and smile of the lady sitting beside Lady Cromwell. It would seem Edward had been telling the truth, that she was not a young lady.
“Lady Anderson?”
“Pleased to meet you, dear. Edward has told me a great deal about you, but judging by your expression, he has not said much of me. Well, I will attempt to not be too greatly offended. I am sure you have had far more to discuss than an old lady such as myself.”
Amelia shook her head slightly. “No, not at all. I simply—well, never mind. He mentioned something of—er—roast duck and venison, I believe?”
Lady Anderson laughed heartily. “Oh dear me, you cannot have a very pleasing view of me, then.” She glanced at Lady Cromwell, who raised her brow. “I admit to running to Edward a great deal more than I ought to. My dear Phillip settled all my little tiffs when he was still alive, and I think I simply enjoy not having to make every decision myself. I do apologize for using Edward as my decision maker.” Lady Anderson fiddled with her shawl, abashed.
