“Mary, do you believe the rumors about Lord Norwich?” Though she knew he was readying the carriage for their ride and could be nowhere within earshot, she still spoke quietly as her maid did up her dress.
Mary hesitated, which was answer enough. But then she spoke. “His staff is not privy to his every move, but it is clear they like and respect him.”
“Hmm.” Amelia’s mouth twisted to the side. Besides the rumors, there was also the very clear fact that Lord Norwich cared only for appearances. It made Amelia’s stomach twist unpleasantly every time he mentioned her supposed beauty.
Speaking of beauty... Amelia turned this way and that as she peered at her reflection, grimacing at the dress.
“Is something the matter, my lady?” Mary’s quiet voice broke through Amelia’s reverie.
“Nothing at all, Mary. Only a dislike for my sisters’ tastes in finery.” Amelia laughed at the twisting of Mary’s lips. “It is horrendous, isn’t it?”
“Oh no, my lady, not horrendous. Only extravagant.”
“Yes, that it is,” Amelia muttered, her lips pursing as she looked over her heavily trimmed carriage dress once more. Any more flounces and the gossips would next be sharing that Lord Norwich had, in fact, married a cake.
“I could make a few alterations? Perhaps remove a flounce or two from—” Mary gestured to her neckline, but her voice faltered. Both she and Amelia had come to the same realization.
“The scars,” Amelia said.
Mary nodded. “They are not so bad as once they were, my lady.”
Amelia smiled wanly. “But they are still visible and still unfashionable and therefore not to be seen.” She repeated the words she had heard so often from her sisters.
She placed her bonnet on her head and tied the strings beneath her chin. No use ruminating on such unhappy thoughts.
“Thank you, Mary.” She nodded at her maid, who curtsied and slipped from the room. With a deep breath, Amelia also left the safety of her chambers.
Lord Norwich awaited her at the foot of the stairs, his eyes roving over her as she descended. The attention sent a strange sensation shooting down her spine.
“You look exquisite, Amelia.”
She opened her mouth, about to comment on his use of her Christian name, then stopped herself. Did she really want him to call her byhistitle? LadyNorwich? No. Not particularly. Additionally, the compliment, rather than flattering her, solidified her resolve to remain impervious to his charm. He would not deem those words true were he to know of her scars. And it was too like the overdone words he had spoken to her sisters on the day he’d met with Papa and the compliments Edith bestowed only to gain someone’s trust or the upper hand in a conversation. She tried not to scowl.
“You do not seem to appreciate the compliment,” Lord Norwich said, chuckling slightly. Apparently, she had not hidden her feelings particularly well. She busied herself putting on her kid gloves.
“I cannot say I’ve ever looked favorably on falsehoods, and empty compliments are quite the same thing, I believe.” Amelia chanced a glance at his face, curious as to how he would react to her admission. He was watching her strangely, as though she were a puzzle he could not figure out. The look made warmth puddle in her chest.
“It was not an empty compliment.”
Amelia quirked her brow, pulling the left glove into place. “Do you mean to tell me you have not uttered those exact words to various other women of your acquaintance?”
He crossed his arms, eyeing her with a slight raise of his strong jaw. “No, I suppose I cannot say that. But I still maintain that I mean the compliment.”
She shrugged, wishing to end the conversation and his direct attention. “Very well. I will accept the sentiment—thank you.”
He watched her for a moment longer before offering his arm, leading her out the front door, and handing her into the phaeton.
From the corner of her eye, she watched him as he crossed to the other side and climbed in: his tall form, strong jaw, and light hair that curled just slightly away from his forehead. He caught her gaze and smirked—one side of his mouth lifting higher than the other.
“Admiring me, are you?”
Amelia scoffed.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” His grin widened as he flicked the reins, setting the horses into motion. Amelia rolled her eyes, but he glanced over and caught the expression. He leaned close, his shoulder brushing hers. “No, no, my heart, that will never do. We simply must bring a smile to your face.”
She only offered him a tight lifting of her lips.
He straightened, laughing, and reached for her hand.
